The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Ralph Klein Park

New Brighton Central Park is built around a large pond, with a paved pathway looping the water and connecting into the surrounding neighbourhood. There are also open grassy areas, a playground and baseball diamonds, so expect this section to feel busier and more developed than the wetlands farther south. It’s a pleasant place to slow down for a lap around the pond before continuing through southeast Calgary’s pathway network.

The southern section of the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway runs through Calgary’s southeast, linking neighbourhood pathways, wetlands and open green spaces as part of the much larger route around the city. The full Greenway stretches for about 138 kilometres and connects into Calgary’s wider pathway network. Around Copperfield, the route stays mostly on paved multi-use paths, making it straightforward for walking or cycling while still passing quieter wetland areas.

The Alkali Wetland adds a more open, natural section to the paths around southeast Calgary, with the route running beside wetland vegetation and shallow water rather than houses for part of the way. Water levels can change noticeably with the season, so the landscape may look quite different depending on when you visit.

The short climb up Elgin Hill is rewarded with sweeping views over Inverness Pond and the rooftops of McKenzie Towne. Three stone arches stand at the summit, creating one of the area's most recognizable landmarks and a popular photo stop. Benches near the top make it easy to linger for a few minutes before heading back down to the pathways below. In winter, the hillside transforms into one of the neighbourhood's favourite tobogganing spots.

This large stormwater pond is edged by reeds and open grass, with broad views across the water from its banks. Pelicans, ducks and great blue herons can sometimes be spotted here, making it a worthwhile pause along the surrounding pathway. The pond was created for community drainage rather than recreation, so swimming, boating, skating and access to the water are prohibited. Benches around the perimeter provide places to stop and watch the birdlife.

This mostly level multi-use pathway follows the 2.37-kilometre perimeter of Inverness Storm Pond, with several connections into the surrounding neighbourhood. The wide surfaced route is suitable for walking, running and cycling, though it can become busy and is shared in both directions. Snow and ice are cleared during winter, making this a useful year-round route. Keep right and listen for cyclists approaching from behind.

The Mahogany Wetlands are a large constructed wetland system in southeast Calgary designed to filter stormwater while also providing habitat for birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. This area is a mix of marshes, ponds, grasslands, and shoreline vegetation that create an important ecological environment for plenty of waterfowl, especially ducks, Great Blue Herons and Red-winged Blackbirds. Though engineered for water management, this area feels surprisingly natural, with cattails, sedges, shrubs, and calm water creating a perfect, peaceful urban wetland oasis.

Mahogany Wetlands Trail is an easy, roughly 3½-kilometre walking loop that follows a paved pathway around the wetland, with bridges, several viewpoints, and shoreline access points. It winds through a mix of marsh edges, grasslands, and naturalized greenspace, with ample opportunities for birdwatching and wide views across the water. It's a great route for a relaxed walk through one of Calgary’s largest urban wetland systems, which feels quiet and peaceful despite being surrounded by neighbourhood development.