Lori Beattie, an expert on walking paths, has updated her book Calgary's Best Walks, which features 95 walks. This month, she highlights walks 85 and 86 in East Calgary, offering a taste of exotic cuisine and rich history along International Avenue, Southview, Dover, and the Irrigation Canal Pathway.
Walk Highlights
These walks showcase impressive views of the Rocky Mountains, Bow River, and downtown Calgary, along with public art and global flavors. Starting on a paved path overlooking the Irrigation Canal along 26th Street S.E., you can either descend to the canal pathway or stay high to explore Southview, Dover, and International Avenue in the Greater Forrest Lawn area. Combining both routes creates a seven-kilometer walk.
Journey to Freedom Park
Walk 85 passes Journey to Freedom Park, a monument honoring Vietnamese Boat People who lost their lives after the fall of Saigon in 1975. The route then descends to the Irrigation Canal Pathway, which has diverted water from the Bow River since 1904 to the Western Headworks Canal. This water flows to Chestermere Lake and is distributed north and south, irrigating over 96,000 acres on 400 farms as far as Brooks.
Valley View Park and Dover
Climb back to Southview before entering Valley View Park, a family-friendly spot with a pond, playground, and spray park in summer. Walk through the park into Dover, a 1970s community named after Mary Dover, a prominent Calgary politician and WWII military officer. Dover features a unique design where front yards open into shared green spaces, and back lanes serve as streets. In May, fruit trees bloom, making it ideal for a blossom walk.
International Avenue
Detour to International Avenue (17th Avenue S.E.) in Greater Forest Lawn. Once a separate town until 1961, Forest Lawn was built by working-class newcomers from Eastern Canada and Europe. The mural Life in the Village of Forest Lawn at 31st Street depicts its early 1900s history. Along 17th Avenue, discover 45 art pieces, including seven unique works, 14 murals, 20 bus shelter pieces, and five vintage signs from the 1950s to 1970s.
Global Cuisine
International Avenue is one of Calgary's most diverse food and shopping areas, offering a world tour within 35 blocks. From Indian and Pakistani to Ethiopian, Mediterranean, Jamaican, Salvadorian, Mexican, Nicaraguan, Italian, Vietnamese, and German cuisines, there is something for every palate. Must-try spots include Pho Da Bau for Vietnamese pho, El Padrino for Salvadorian pupusas, Forest Lawn Bakery for pastries, Green Cedars Food Market for Mediterranean goods, and Hong Kong Supermarket for Thai basil and Ataulfo mangoes.
