Twin parks serve up sanctuary and adventure close to home

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Can you keep a secret?

Open pastures. Valleys carved by glaciers. Expansive mountain views. Rounded roofs. Hidden paths. There are no crowds.

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Canada's Best Park – You've Probably Never Heard Of It And it's less than five minutes from the city limits.

Established in 2011 through the cooperation and unwavering vision of the Harvey family and the provincial government, and with no small help from Andy Crooks and Cam Crawford, the 1,334-hectare (3,300-acre) Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is quintessentially Albertan.

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Just minutes northwest of Calgary, this ride will reward you with beautiful ranchland views set against the stunning backdrop of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. That's to say nothing of the park's rich history and wildlife.

And now, thanks to the completion of Calgary's Haskayne Heritage Park, the best just got even better.

Planning for the adjacent 126-hectare (260-acre) regional park began nearly 20 years ago. With the generous support of Richard and Lois Haskine, along with the tenacity of former Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, their vision came to fruition late last year.

The Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation manages additional land in the area under the leadership of Georg Paffrat, Chairman of the Board. The collection is an unprecedented 1,578 hectares (3,900 acres) of continuous greenway that spans all the way from Calgary to Cochrane.

The result is a wonderful, must-visit destination for every Canadian.

Thanks to the leadership of the Baum family and Cochrane Rotary, the city is building momentum to complete the final bridge connection. As shining jewels on the largest trail network in history—the 28,000-kilometer Trans Canada Trail—these twin parks will soon welcome more than a million visitors a year. Travelers come from far and wide to our backyard to experience the best that Canada has to offer.

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For first-time visitors, the best way to experience the area is to hike the 2.1 km “Yodel Loop” accessible from Glenbow Ranch. This path leads south through some of the best quality fescue meadows in the park, overlooking the historic Glenbow shop, post office and brickyards. You can even see the barns that are still in use today with the careful management and working ranch operations of John Copethorne and family.

Two scenic hilltop overlooks offer interpretive signs with an overview of the park's most easily accessible natural and historic resources. The east side of the loop allows you to hike further and explore the Scott Trail – a deceptively steep climb from the center of the park to another spectacular view. From Calgary to Cochrane, the Bow River Valley stretches out for miles.

The trail then briefly skirts the sheltered wooded backside of Yodel Hill, offering some respite from the summer sun or winter wind. After breaking through the trees, you will gradually ascend to the park office.

Without a doubt, Glenbow Ranch and Haskine Heritage Park is southern Alberta's best kept secret. But with any luck, that will change.

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Where to start: To get to the Calgary side, turn south on Woodland Road from the Crowchild Trail (Highway 1A) to reach the Haskayne Legacy Park trailhead. To reach the Cochrane side, turn south on Highway 1A and continue to the end of Glenbow Road to reach Glenbow Ranch.

Driving time: 27 minutes from downtown Calgary.

Difficulty: Easy, modest elevation gain on the west side

When to go: The roads are open all year round. There are occasional seasonal closures due to the freezing of the Bow River and operation of the working ranch. to go www.grpf.ca for the latest information.

Distance: Up to 40 kilometers of paved and unpaved trails.

Do not forget: A full water bottle, snacks, and layered clothing, including a hat and sturdy shoes. The trails have several steep sections, and there can be long distances between parking lots, restrooms, and viewpoints.

Final verdict: The best things come in pairs. A visit to these twin parks, just minutes from the city limits, will reward you with beautiful ranchland trails set against the stunning backdrop of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

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Former City Councilor Jeromy “Pathfinder” Farkas is the Chief Executive Officer of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, whose mission is to protect and promote one of Alberta's signature provincial parks through participation, education and conservation.

Join him on May 1st, 2024 at Haskayne Legacy Park for a Park Story. Sharing intimate stories from first-timers and seasoned veterans alike, Jeromy's report delves into the triumphs and setbacks of his 172-day, 5,000-kilometer trek from Mexico to Canada to raise funds for Big Brothers and Sisters. This free event is made possible by the generous support of Richard and Lois Haskayne. For information and answers, visit this site www.grpf.ca.

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