Calgary is known internationally for its paved trail network, connecting the city from corner to corner through parks and pathways. Now, the city and surrounding area are going to be a little more connected, as a huge biking and hiking trail between Calgary and Cochrane is one step closer to reality. Let’s break it down!
On Tuesday, organizers of the trail unveiled what Stage One of construction will look like. A paved pathway running through Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park already exists, and the organizers aim to have the rest of the first stage connect Calgary’s Rotary/Mattamy Greenway Trail, which runs along the Bow River, to Cochrane, by the year 2025.
In total, this stage would see between 36-38 kilometers of trail between Calgary and Cochrane, but organizers don’t want to stop there. Although part of this initially-phased trail remains to be built, the goal is to carry the trail on to Canmore after 2025. That would connect a small gap in the Trans Canada trail, which runs some 27,000 km across the country.
Luckily, connecting the trail has been made a little easier, thanks to some of Alberta’s most prominent early families including the Haskaynes, Copithornes, and Harvies, among others, who have donated nearly 70% of the necessary land, according to CTV.
An additional 16 km remain to be built until the Calgary to Cochrane corridor is complete. Until then, we’ll have to stick with the incredible hiking trails Alberta has to offer, or the walking and biking pathways right here in the city.
After that, we’ll aim to be strolling all the way to the Rockies right from the heart of downtown Calgary.
