During Sun and Salsa Fest, Bike Calgary was asked a number of times how to make the connection from the NW quadrant of the city to Glenbow Park. The three volunteers (myself included) were not sure of the answer, and thought we would call on our members for a little help. Anyone know a good route?
Glenbow Ranch
Submitted by gyrospanner on
I believe the City's intent is to eventually make a connection through the Haskayne Park. I look forward to this day. They likely have to coordinate this with the province so that they both build trails to the same connecting point. Timing ????
As far as I know, the only way to get there now is to go out 1A (Crowchild Trail) and turn left at the sign, just like you were a car. There are roads that go south off 1A before that but they all seem to be gated and marked "no trespassing."
There are other areas where they have "commitments" that I'd be interested in, such as "When are they going to remediate the old Klippert works in Bowmont Park?" etc. etc. I guess these things all take time. I'm curious to know if there are any other areas that people are looking forward to being "opened up!"
Cheers
Gleneagles
Submitted by mikewarren on
There is an official connection to Gleneages as well.
3-5 years
Submitted by winterrider on
I asked this question of one of the park wardens during a visit to the park. He said that it will be at least 3-5 years before any connection is available, and it could easily take longer than that.
For now, as mentioned above, the only official access is via the 1A Highway.
Coming Eventually
Submitted by pinkrobe on
I met with the Glenbow folks last fall regarding creating sustainable trails in the park, and one of the things that came up was a connection into Calgary. There is/was defeinitely a plan in the works, but as others have said, it's a ways off. In terms of alignment, a trail running parallel to the rail line is possible, but there are ROW concerns. In theory, there's an informal trail already there, but I haven't been on it. The entry point in Calgary might be Tuscany via Bearspaw Park, Haskayne Park and Bearspaw Village.
in the meantime...
Submitted by mikewarren on
...I would be curious to hear of anyone successfully traversing the "missing bit" anyway. There is a road parallel to the train tracks the whole way to Cochrane, so presumably this could be used (illegally, mind) to get into the Glenbow park. The maps in the park indicate a trail all the way to the eastern boundary of the park.
On the plus side, I have traversed from the main visitor centre to Cochrane, and it's very nice. I used a CX bike, and would recommend this at least (as there's a bunch of gravel). UNfortunately, there's no (legal) way to connect below the hill. The "legal" connection brings you out in Gleneagles at the big corner about half-way down/up the Gleneagles hill (east of the country club).
All that said, it makes a fine CX adventure in either direction. There's a lot of paved paths to explore in there also, so it's not as slow as all being trail. If they can fix the connections on both ends, this will make a fantastic alternative route to Cochrane, especially for CX and mountain bikes.
Access
Submitted by GlenbowRanch on
I can't tell you how pleased we are to see cyclists in Calgary paying such attention to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
The comments in the thread so far are correct. We are all waiting for Haskayne Park to open up. We are assisting the City of Calgary as much as we can to get that Park open. Eventually, cyclists will be able to cross Stoney Trail, come through Tuscany on the already mapped-out bike routes, proceed through Bearspaw, and then on to Haskayne Park to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. But until we can see access through Haskayne Park, we're stuck.
The only other access to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is through Glenbow Road, two kilometers east of Cochrane, turn left off the highway and go to the end of the road. All other roads cross private land, and we want to be good neighbours and don't want our visitors to trespass on their lands.
We look forward to welcoming all cyclists to our great and magnificent park. Our staff does offer Bike Tours. This is a combination of a cycle through the park, together with stops to share history, nature, and other observations.
Yours,
Andy Crooks, CEO
Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation
Thanks
Submitted by winterrider on
Btw, we (my faminy) love the park. We've been there a few times, both on foot and on bicycle. I love seeing the wardens being out and about, interacting with everyone they see.
couple questions
Submitted by mikewarren on
So does that mean the access into Gleneagles isn't "official"? It seemed pretty well-used to me. Or was I riding on a "no-bikes" trail?
Are there any plans to work with CPR/Cochrane to get an access that enters town near the recycle plant etcetera? I mean a pathway/trail that doesn't climb most of Big Hill again, which would allow a really great alternative almost-no-roads route between Calgary and Cochrane once the Haskayne bit has been worked out.