Categories: Things To Do

This northwest Calgary neighbourhood has a hidden waterfall and peaceful boardwalk waiting to be explored

Photo Via ako photography/Shutterstock

Some people call it the Waterfall Valley, but most know it as the Silver Springs Boardwalk — a quiet trail tucked into northwest Calgary that feels like one of those spots you almost don’t want to tell people about. Not because it’s hard to find, but because it truly feels like a bit of a secret once you’re there.

The roughly three-kilometre route winds through a mix of forested paths and wooden boardwalks, following the edge of the Bow River as it moves through the neighbourhood. Once you enter the trail, the traffic noise starts to disappear, replaced by flowing water and the kind of quiet you don’t always expect to find tucked away in the inner city.

It’s an easy walk, but it doesn’t feel boring for a second.

A trail that changes as you go

Silver Springs Boardwalk isn’t just one straight path; it shifts as you go. One moment you’re walking through the shaded forest, the next you’re out in open viewpoints that overlook the Bow River.

But the boardwalk is what really makes it stand out. Elevated just enough to give you a different perspective, it guides you along the river and through the trees, weaving through quiet stretches where the Bow River is constantly in view, and the sound of the city starts to fade out.

During the spring and summer, the trail leads to a small waterfall tucked into the cliffside, spilling gently into the Bow River. Although it might not be a massive waterfall that you would see in a movie, it’s still a surprise when you come across something so beautiful tucked right in the middle of the city.

In the fall, the boardwalk shifts into a warm, colourful corridor as the trees along the pathway turn shades of gold, amber, and deep orange. By winter, it becomes much quieter as the snow settles and glistens across the branches. You can also usually hear the river flowing beneath the ice, adding an extra calming touch.

To find the path, head into the Silver Springs community in northwest Calgary; there are multiple access points along the Bow River pathway system. Once you’re on the trail, it’s extremely easy to follow as it winds along the river, leading you straight to the boardwalk section.

Sometimes you just need a nice escape from city life, and Silver Springs Boardwalk makes that easy. It’s a calm little pocket of nature that instantly slows things down.

And after you’ve walked it once, there’s a good chance you’ll want to go back.