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Daytime

Prairie Light at Nose Hill

Escape the city grid for Calgary’s largest urban prairie. This is a quiet morning plan to watch the sun warm the grasslands and spot wildlife before the crowds arrive.

Best time: noneAbout 150 min

Timeline

  1. 08:30

    Nose Hill Park

    Park at Shaganappi Tr & Edgemont Blvd NW or 14 St & 64 Ave NW. The park is free and open, but arriving early ensures you catch the morning light on the prairie and have a chance to see deer or coyotes before the day heats up.

  2. 08:55

    Nose Hill viewpoint

    Walk 28 minutes WNW to the Nose Hill viewpoint. This is the best place to see the city skyline from a distance. The view sweeps over Downtown and the airport, offering a stark contrast between the wild prairie and the urban core.

  3. 09:55

    Thorncliffe Park

    Head east to Thorncliffe Park. It is a short walk from the viewpoint area. This park offers a different perspective of the neighborhood, nestled in the coulees that cut through the hill. It is a good spot to rest and enjoy the natural wooded areas.

Local tip

The park is vast. Use the parking lots at the top of the hill for the best access to the viewpoints. Wear sturdy shoes as the trails can be uneven.

Check before you go

  • The park is free and open daily, but winter conditions can make trails icy. Check weather conditions before heading out.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Calgary (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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