Calgary cycling pathway pit stops
The city’s pathway system is one of the longest in North America. Given its lengthy stretches, the occasional rest and snack stop, though few and far between, are a welcome sight when walking, biking and inline skating. Here are a few restaurants, cafés and snack shacks located on or near our scenic cycling system. Image credit: iStock.com/mihailomilovanovic.
Heritage Park Historical Village
1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary AB T2V 2X3Forming a popular cycling loop that passes through North Glenmore and South Glenmore parks as well as Weaselhead Natural Area, Calgary’s pathway system circles Glenmore Reservoir. On the east side of the water, pedal into Engineered Air Plaza outside the main gate of Heritage Park Historical Village, and pay no admission fee. Opposite the shops of Haskayne Mercantile Block, enjoy a hot or cold drink with a snack at Railway Café, a sandstone rail station rest stop serving pastries, soup and sandwiches, salads and a pleasant view of the reservoir.
Lot 102
102 10 St NW, Calgary AB T2N 1V3Pedal your hungry cycling self right up to Lot 102 for a gourmet burger. The signature drink category here is bourbon-based cocktails, but more suitable for fuelling a sunny, riverside bike ride, its milkshake menu features selections such as a maple-bacon shake with real bacon bits. On the east side of the Memorial Drive and 10th Street Northwest intersection, enjoy a view of the Bow River and the sculptures of Poppy Plaza from inside the sunny bar and grill or from its small outdoor patio when weather permits.
Lic's Ice Cream Shop
3410 3 Ave Nw, Calgary AB T2N 0M2Ride up from the Bow River Pathway to the intersection of Parkdale Boulevard and 32nd Street Northwest, and ride west on Third Avenue to Leavitt’s Ice Cream Shop – Lic’s for short. Step up to the shop’s counter and order scoops of house-made hard ice cream in a hand-rolled waffle cone. Choose from flavours such as mint chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter and orange Creamsicle. Avoid one-handed cycling, and park yourself on a street-side bench to savour your selection. Sugar- and lactose-free ice cream is available.
Angel's Cappuccino & Ice Cream
Edworthy Park, Calgary AB T3B 0L9On the north side of the water, this cottage-cute shack is located on the northwest corner of Edworthy Park across the Bow River Pathway bridge from the main park. Serving waffles, Benedicts and breakfast wraps until noon, Angel’s also offers burgers, soup-and-sandwich combos and entree-sized salads. Meals include gluten-free and vegan-friendly dishes. The lengthy drink menu features chai lattes, cappuccinos and regular coffee as well as cold sips such as ice frappes and iced fruit smoothies. Find a seat inside or on the café’s pleasant patio.
Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant
15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary AB T2J 7A7A rustically welcoming café and bakery in Fish Creek Park, Annie’s is situated in a restored farmstead run by the park’s respected Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant. Open seasonally, it’s a popular stop for hikers, bikers and in-line skaters traversing its network of pathways. Sit at a patio table or bench with soup and a sandwich, a pastry and coffee, or a selection from the café’s ice cream list.
Charbar Restaurant Inc
618 Confluence Way Se, Calgary AB T2G 0G1Located in the redbrick Simmons Mattress building just paces from the Bow River Pathway in East Village, Charbar is sister eatery to Charcut. This Argentinian-barbecue-inspired restaurant shares its space with Sidewalk Citizen and Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters. A river-valley view on one side and downtown skyline on the other, Rooftop Bar @ The Simmons opens for the summer season on May 20, 2016. Reservations are not taken for the patio, meaning pathway pop-ins are likely to be accommodated.
Extreme Bean Cafe
3303 3 Ave NW, Calgary AB T2N 0M1You can certainly order a coffee with sweets such as pie and cookies at Extreme Bean adjacent to the Bow River Pathway between Parkdale Boulevard and Third Avenue Northwest. But, breakfast, lunch and dinner are also available to hungry pathway users. Its menu is downright brunchy, featuring dishes such as traditional combos, Denver sandwiches, pancakes and avocado omelets for breakfast and BLT wraps, fish tacos and beefy burgers the balance of the day.
Bow Habitat Station
1440 17A St SE, Calgary AB T2G 4T9On the south side of the Bow River’s Harvie Passage white water park, you’ll find the Bow Habitat Station among the willows and cottonwoods of Pearce Estate Park. Taking a break in its small café requires no admission – just ask for service at the front desk for coffee, juice and pop as well as snacks such as chips and instant-noodle bowls. A fun and informative visit to the Discovery Centre including a tour of the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery is a fitting complement to a riverside cycle trip.
Lukes Drug Mart
112 4 St NE, Calgary AB T2E 3R9When cycling side effects include coffee cravings, roll off the Bow River Pathway at the north foot of the Langevin Bridge and pedal approximately four blocks north on Fourth Street Northeast. At First Avenue Northeast, the Bridgeland location of Lukes Drug Mart is a pharmacy and post office that also features a vinyl record aisle and the Four Barrel Coffee Bar, serving light and dark premium grinds of its namesake San Fran joe. Drink options include cappuccino, espresso and latte as well as hot chocolate.
