Biking West Nose Creek Trail (Confluence Park), Calgary

So excited to be going to the “big rock”!

If you’re looking for a short, flat trail for an urban hike or bike ride with kids, Confluence Park is a great option. Its unique features include natural vegetation, bridges crossing the meandering Nose Creek, the creek itself, and a large glacial erratic (boulder moved by glaciers). Take the upper paved path or gravel path along the creek.

Park sign near the parking lot

Bordered by Harvest Hills Blvd N to the west, Beddington Trail NW to the south and Deerfoot Trail to the east, Confluence Park has paved and gravel trails that are fairly flat, so they are suitable for young cyclists. From the parking lot to the southeast end of the park, it is about 2 kilometres, so you can do a nice 4 kilometre circuit. (The paved bike path connects to other paths, so you can make your trip further, but heading northwest from the parking lot takes you uphill and may be challenging for younger riders.)

Heading out on the lower (gravel) trail

Although there is a lot of road noise at this park, we enjoy the flat trail along West Nose Creek and visiting Split Rock. The girls usually bike while my hubby and I walk or jog. The gravel path is not too busy, so the kids can meander as the stream does. Watch for offleash dogs on the gravel path and commuters on the paved path.

West Nose Creek, Confluence Park

Our girls’ favorite part of visiting Confluence Park is running around Split Rock, a glacial erratic (translation: rock pushed here by glaciers) from Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper National Park (Source). Split Rock looks small in the photo, but is about 2 metres (6.5 feet) tall! There are some boulders around Split Rock that are fun for climbing on too.

Split Rock, Confluence Park

Split Rock offers cool photo opps.

Another nice thing about this park is that there are amenities nearby. We usually go for bubble tea at T&T supermarket after biking at Confluence Park. T.Pot has some pretty good dimsum too.

The gravel trail later joins the paved trail. Here we are at the junction on our way back.

It’s not all grassland; colorful shrubs abound.

In summer months, goats do weed control at Confluence Park. You can find them over by the offleash area near the West Nose Creek Parking lot.

These goats are part of Calgary’s targeted grazing project (natural weed control)

All in all, it’s a fun place to spend a couple hours. My 5 year old easily biked from Harvest Hills Blvd to Deerfoot Trail (4 km round trip), and my 3 year old rode about 2 km on her balance bike. When you need a break, there are benches along the upper (paved) trail. The boulders by Split Rock also make a great snack spot.

Getting Here

Our preferred parking lot is on Harvest Hills Blvd NW, south of the Harvest Hills Shopping Centre (T&T Supermarket). If you are driving south on Harvest Hills Blvd, the parking lot is on the left side of the road; it shares access with Beddington Golf Park.

If you have a dog, park at West Nose Creek Parking lot, off Deerfoot Trail. There’s an offleash park there.

Google Map to Confluence Park

Do you have new cyclists in your family? Where do you like to take them riding?

Pin me!

More Calgary Bike Trails

• 10 Fun Family Bike Rides in Calgary