Fish Creek and Parkland Ridge

Route Description for Fish Creek and Parkland Ridge

Start your Fish Creek and Parkland Ridge hike right at the parking lot that serves the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant. Walk towards the Bow Valley Ranch and continue to walk west. After passing through a metal barrier, go right and climb the hill to Parkland Ridge. Enjoy the views over Fish Creek from this paved pathway, though watch out for cyclists coming down this steep hill.

Once on Parkland Ridge, you have wonderful views out to the Rockies. While you could follow this paved pathway along Parkland Ridge all the way north, it’s more fun to get down on the dirt trails in the valley. If you don’t have a stroller, then look for a gravel pathway on your left that soon goes down back into Fish Creek. You’ll see the path on your left as the paved pathway you’re on curves to the right.

Once down in the valley, you’ll see a curve in Fish Creek, but continue right, exploring a trail that roughly parallels the ridge above. As you go through grassland and small forested areas, keep your eyes open for wildlife. It’s common to see deer, hawks, and bald eagles here, as well as the occasional owl.

After roughly 1km, you’ll come to a 4-way junction with a red gravel path going up on your right. If you go to your left, you’ll head down to a beaver pond. You won’t see beavers during the day, but you can usually see beavers in early evening (and the map for this walk shows the route to the Beaver Pond). Enjoy the beaver pond and then retrace your steps and ascend the red gravel path back up to Parkland Ridge.

Once on the right, go left and follow the curve around on a paved path as it heads towards Canyon Meadows Drive. Follow the path as it curves to the left on the edge of Fish Creek, and then take a steep, paved path down into Fish Creek. This marshy area at the bottom is a beaver’s paradise, and you can expect to see them here early or late in the day.

Stay on the paved path and cross over Fish Creek on a massive bridge designed to withstand a major flood. Once over Fish Creek, take a gravel path going off to your left. From this point, you can either make your way onto a paved path and head back to the Ranch, but it’s a lot more fun to explore one of the trails that goes along Fish Creek and the many ponds. The route we show on our map involves following this gravel path around the ponds, however there is a rough dirt path right beside Fish Creek that is also enjoyable. Come back multiple times and try different routes, they are really different.

Follow the path, and as long as you are generally going east you are on the right path. Our map shows us connecting with the main paved path for about 15 m before heading back down on our left towards Fish Creek on a small dirt path. We then walk beside Fish Creek and come along a pond full of dead trees. This is an unparalleled place to birdwatch, so pack binoculars!

Rejoin the main paved path and re-cross Fish Creek on a wooden bridge. Once on the other side, you can continue to your car on the paved path, but we like to head to the right on a dirt path towards the Fish Creek Ice Caves. The ice caves are formed by a massive ice wall created during the winter season and makes for an incredible photo opportunity, though don’t go inside. Once sufficiently explored, continue along Fish Creek and head left when you reach a paved path, which will lead you to your car.

Insider Hints for Fish Creek and Parkland Ridge

• There are multiple options for smaller trails that branch off, so you can truly customize your hike or come back time and time again to explore different routes.
• If you stay on paved pathways this is a great stroller walk, and you can take a chariot on the bike for most of the dirt tracks.
• Get a coffee, ice cream, baked treat, or one of each at Annie’s Café.
• The Ranche is a great place for a special meal.
• Bring a picnic blanket and have a picnic by one of the ponds or beside Fish Creek.