Paseos y miradores

A 126 hectare park of native grasslands and former ranch land with paved pathways, gravel nature trails and views of the Bearspaw Reservoir; the regional pathway connects to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The pavilion is one of the City's greenest buildings, washrooms are open during park hours (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and there is a gravel parking lot. Entry is free.

A small provincial park with a day use area, a front country hiking trail, wildlife viewing and geocaching, 10 km north of Cochrane on Highway 22 and 7 km east on Highway 567. There is no entry fee listed. Check advisories and bear and cougar safety tips on Alberta Parks before you go.

About 3,200 acres of native fescue grassland and working ranch land along the Bow River, with nearly 40 km of paved and shale paths such as the Bow River Loop and The Narrows. The park is open sunrise to sunset every day, needs no Kananaskis pass and has about 100 parking spaces at the end of Glenbow Road. It is a dry park with steep sections, so bring water, and keep dogs on leash.

A large natural environment park on the north bank of the Bow River, built on a former gravel pit next to Bowmont Park. The landscape itself is a WATERSHED+ public artwork by Sans façon, completed in 2019, and the City offers a free self guided walking tour.

A Metro Vancouver regional park in the mountains above Lynn Valley with about 40 km of walking trails through coastal forest. Entry is free; regional parks are generally open during daylight, with posted gate hours and closing as early as 5 pm, so plan to be out before dark.

A year round day use area in the west part of Fish Creek Provincial Park with several pathways for all fitness levels, picnic tables, fire pits, modern washrooms and views of Fish Creek. Walking the trails is free. For directions, call the park information line at 1 877 537 2757.

A free self guided 2.12 km city walk (about 2,782 steps) that starts at the steam engine at the Roundhouse, passes through Yaletown along a historic route and ends near the Steam Clock in Gastown. The route uses sidewalks with curb ramps and is wheelchair accessible.

A sandy beach on the seawall where False Creek meets English Bay, next to the Burrard Bridge and the Aquatic Centre. It is a designated quiet beach with a big lawn behind it, and as the name says, it is a classic place to watch the sun go down. Free, with washrooms, a summer concession and a False Creek ferry dock.

One of Vancouver's quiet beaches, a long sandy stretch between Jericho and Spanish Banks with tall evergreens behind it. Views reach across English Bay to West Vancouver and Bowen Island, and sunsets here are some of the best in the city. Free, with picnic tables, washrooms and seasonal lifeguards in summer.

A big waterfront park at Kits Point with views of downtown, Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains. Open fields, ponds and the seawall make it the city's favourite spot for flying kites, picnics and sunset walks. Free and open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (the museums inside the park charge admission).

A 62 hectare riverside park in southeast Calgary with the largest fenced off-leash area in the city. Paths wind along the Bow River past an island, flood plain and marshes, and you will find picnic tables and the public artwork Deux Chiens Assis. Free and open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

A large natural park on the north bank of the Bow River in northwest Calgary, with an escarpment that shows the city's geological history. Trails lead to Waterfall Valley, Nautilus Pond and Dale Hodges Park, with river views along the way. Free and open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with an off-leash area for dogs.