Find peace and tranquility at one of these Calgary forests

Ah, the new year. It’s about time we breathe a collective sigh of relief. The holidays are over, and between heading back to work and making good on your New Year’s resolutions, January can be a stressful time.

Forests are an age-old stress remedy for cultures and communities across the world. In Japan, forest bathing or “shinrin-yoku” was a prescribed doctor’s remedy for a number of ailments. Even writers like J.R.R. Tolkien and Thomas Hardy wrote about the therapeutic healing powers of forests. Those tales are backed up by science, as recent research out of the University of British Columbia has boosted the visibility and benefits of forest therapy.

Calgary may not seem like a nature-loving place, but our backyard has a ton of green spaces and forests that are just as captivating. Whether you’re looking to take a moment for yourself or are looking for some peace and tranquillity, you’ll find it in the woods at these choice locations.

Calgary’s first forest bathing path is a hop, skip and a jump from the Bow River, making this a stunning riverside walking path. You’ll meander through Balsam poplar trees in this tucked-away southeast forest, and see a few heritage buildings along the way.

This connected network of ravines in northwest Calgary is surrounded by the community of Edgemont, making this a true nature escape in the heart of the city. You can access the ravines through the parking lot on the east side of Edgebrook Boulevard.

This park sits at the mouth of the Elbow River in southwest Calgary and features approximately 237 hectares of preserved wetland and hiking trails. The White Spruce forest on the southern side will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another place entirely.

Edworthy Park offers lush riverbed forests and decent trails, plus a prime locale that has some of the best views of the city. Sitting in a riverbed along the Bow, it has some of the city’s only Douglas-fir trees.

A true hidden gem, Elbow Island Park is a quick but satisfying loop through a riverbed forest. It’s also called “The Wandering Island.” Located just off 4th Street and Elbow Drive, the path includes a hop over a gentle stream and public art, all tucked away on a small island just off the Elbow River.

Nestled amongst lush greenery and Calgary’s meandering river pathway system is Roxboro Park, a garden of earthly delights with tranquil trees and the gentle rush of river water.

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