12 Most Walkable Neighbourhoods in Calgary

Calgary is a walkable city with many pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods that make it easy to get your everyday errands done on foot! Whether you're looking to enjoy vibrant cafes, explore scenic parks, or experience a rich cultural scene, Calgary’s most walkable neighbourhoods provide the perfect mix of lifestyle and accessibility. This article will guide you through some neighbourhoods where everything you love about living in Calgary is a short stroll away.

Ranked: Most Walkable Neighbourhoods in Calgary

• Beltline Walk Score®: 91
• Downtown West End Walk Score: 87
• Cliff Bungalow Walk Score: 85
• Eau Claire Walk Score: 83
• Sunalta Walk Score: 82
• Downtown East Village Walk Score: 79
• Chinatown Walk Score: 79
• Mission Walk Score: 76
• Crescent Heights Walk Score: 76
• Sunnyside Walk Score: 75
• Mount Royal Walk Score: 64
• Hillhurst Walk Score: 40

Beltline

Beltline Walkable Amenities

• Chinook Arc
• Central Memorial Park
• Beaulieu Gardens
• Lougheed House
• Haultain Park
• Reader Rock Garden
• Harley Hotchkiss Gardens
• The National Music Centre

Beltline was named after a route that operated in Calgary in the early years of the 20th century. The inner-city community is considered one of Calgary's most eclectic, with its wide range of high-rise condominiums nestled amid restaurants, specialty shops, and nightlife in the downtown area. Attached and detached luxury homes are also available in Beltline.

Residents have access to the Calgary Green Line with two underground tunnel subway stations, which will be built beginning in 2022. Current prices range from $329,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bath home with 1,022 square feet and $729,900 for a three-bedroom, three-bath condo with 2,068 square feet.

Downtown West End

Downtown West End Walkable Amenities

• Shaw Millennium Park
• Mewata Armoury
• Calgary Tower
• McHugh Bluff

Like the Cliff Bungalow community, Calgary's downtown area was established once the Canadian Pacific Railway made its move to the area in 1884. Downtown West End is bordered by the Bow River, 14th Street W, 9th Street W, and the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks to the south. The community is a sought-after place to call home due to its easy access to the area's many attractions and restaurants.

Available residences in downtown West End are primarily condominiums. A few single-family detached homes remain in the community. Current sales statistics for one- to two-bedroom residences show prices ranging from $194,900 to $1,090,000, with the average sale price at $383,000.

Cliff Bungalow

Cliff Bungalow Walkable Amenities

• Lindsay Park
• Elbow River pathways
• Western Canada High School
• Central Memorial Park
• St. Patrick's Island Park

The Cliff Bungalow community had its beginnings in the 1870s as a convenient location for employees who worked for the nearby Canadian Pacific Railway. Today, the community remains a small, close-knit community dotted with modern condominiums and vintage turn-of-the-century homes. Its location bordered by Uptown 17th Avenue, Fourth Street, and the Elbow River provides ample opportunities for residents to get out and explore the area's points of interest.

The price range for homes in Cliff Bungalow is diverse, including choices such as a one-bedroom, one-bath condo averaging $145,000, $650,000 for a three-bedroom, one-bath home, and $1,499,900 for a three-bedroom, three-bath townhouse.

Eau Claire

Eau Claire Walkable Amenities

• Prince's Island Park
• Festival District
• Eau Claire Park
• Devonian Gardens
• Sien Lok Park
• Rotary Park Spray Pool

Eau Claire dates back to 1886 when a sawmill that had formerly been doing business in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was relocated to Calgary. The newly established community was named Eau Claire after the newly erected Eau Claire Lumber Company.

The community is a 10-minute walk to Stephen Avenue and a 5-minute walk to Prince's Island Park. For residents who like to travel, the airport is only 25 minutes away. Condominium prices, sizes, and floor plans are diverse, making it easy to provide homes for individual preferences and budgets. Current prices range from $279,000 to $8,599,000.

Sunalta

Sunalta Walkable Amenities

• Shaw Millennium Park
• Sunalta Community Wildflower Garden
• Sacred Heart Church
• Bow River Pathway
• Connaught Park
• Pumphouse Theatre
• 15th Street Cafe

Sunalta stands out as one of Calgary's most walkable neighbourhoods, thanks to its compact layout and pedestrian-friendly design. You'll find it easy to navigate the area on foot, encouraging you to explore its unique charm. Being close to downtown Calgary means you can enjoy a vibrant urban lifestyle with local amenities just a stroll away.

Public transportation also serves the area well, and you'll find plenty of homes near the Blue Line Station in Sunalta. Recreational opportunities are plentiful, too. With nearby parks and pathways, you can engage in outdoor activities or take leisurely walks, fostering a sense of community.

Downtown East Village

Downtown East Village Walkable Amenities

• Calgary Zoo
• WinSport
• Heritage Park Historical Village
• Fort Calgary
• Studio Bell
• East Village Experience Centre
• River Valley Adventure Co.
• The Bow

Downtown East Village is another vibrant and exciting community located in the Rivers District. Residents can enjoy relaxing strolls along the Jack and Jean Leslie RiverWalk path that follows the Bow River while exploring boutiques, galleries, specialty eateries, and music venues.

Other area attractions include Olympic Plaza, Devonian Gardens, and the TELUS Spark Science Centre. Condos in this area range from $184,900 to $605,000.

Chinatown

Chinatown Walkable Amenities

• Sien Lok Park
• Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
• Dragon City Mall
• Harbour City Restaurant
• Bow River Pathway
• Canton Block (historic building)
• The Chinatown Lions Club
• Silver Dragon Restaurant
• Calgary Chinese United Church

Nestled between the vibrant streets of Calgary, the Chinatown neighbourhood offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and modern convenience that makes it a pedestrian paradise. With its compact layout, you'll find it easy to navigate the neighbourhood on foot, soaking in the lively atmosphere.

The streets are lined with vibrant shops and authentic dining options, inviting you to indulge in delicious Asian cuisine.

Mission

Mission Walkable Amenities

• 4th Street SW (restaurants and shops)
• St. Mary's Cathedral
• Elbow River Pathway
• Repsol Sport Centre
• Lindsay Park
• Rouge Restaurant
• The William Aberhart Bridge
• Holy Cross Centre
• Mission Bridge

In Mission, you'll discover a lively neighbourhood that thrives on its vibrant culinary scene, particularly along 4th Street. Here, you can indulge in a diverse array of dining options that cater to every palate, attracting both locals and visitors alike.

You'll love the scenic Elbow River Pathway, perfect for leisurely walks or cycling, offering stunning views and outdoor activities. Condos for sale in Mission can start around $300,000 but the most expensive units will exceed $900,000.

Crescent Heights

Crescent Heights Walkable Amenities

• Crescent Heights Lookout Point
• McHugh Bluff Park
• Crescent Heights Park
• Rotary Park
• Centre Street Bridge
• Bow River Pathway
• Peace Bridge (access nearby)
• Riley Park (close by)
• Crescent Road NW (scenic walk)

Crescent Heights offers residents breathtaking views of Downtown Calgary and the Bow River, making it an attractive choice for those who love a picturesque walkable neighbourhood. The proximity to major attractions like the Crescent Heights Lookout Point encourages outdoor activities, whether that's a leisurely stroll or a more vigorous hike.

The shops and restaurants on Centre Street North are also easily accessible on foot, adding to the convenience.

Sunnyside

Sunnyside Walkable Amenities

• New Edinborough Park
• Swallow a Bicycle Theatre
• McHugh Bluff Off-Leash Dog Park
• Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Garden
• Sunnyside Bank Park
• Peace Bridge
• Crescent Heights Park

Sunnyside's location makes it a popular destination for newcomers to the city as well as established residents. The Sunnyside neighbourhood sits to the north of the Bow River and has quick access to downtown.

This inner-city community is another of Calgary's oldest. Settlers and homesteaders working for the Eau Claire Sawmill and the Canadian Pacific Railway made the area their home in the 1880s.

Lower Mount Royal

Lower Mount Royal Walkable Amenities

• Elbow River Casino
• Glenbow Museum
• Calgary Tower
• Wonderland Sculpture
• Central Memorial Park
• Tomkins Park
• Bow Habitat Station and Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery

Blend a long history as an affluent community for early residents in Calgary with today's rapidly growing area dotted with modern conveniences and high-rise condominiums, and this describes the Lower Mount Royal community. Homes are generally one to two bedrooms with one to two bathrooms and range in price from $149,900 to $999,000, with $360,981 as the average sale price.

The community is within walking distance of grocery stores and retail shopping, cafés, and restaurants.

Hillhurst

Hillhurst Walkable Amenities

• Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Center
• Riley Park
• Calgary Walking Tour
• Shaw Millennium Park
• McHugh Bluff
• Poppy Plaza

Hillhurst had its beginnings as a community in 1914, making it one of Calgary's oldest residential areas. The community features well-maintained homes situated along tree-lined avenues, providing a lovely atmosphere for walking or biking. Schools nearby include Montessori Alberta, Queen Elizabeth School, Rosedale School, and Hillhurst School.

Single-family homes and modern condominiums make up the residences in Hillhurst. Prices vary from $525,000 to $1,495,000. Condominiums range in size from one to two bedrooms with one to three bathrooms, with prices ranging from $150,000 to $545,000.

Live a Walkable Lifestyle in Calgary

If convenience, accessibility, popular established communities, attractions and activities, educational opportunities, transportation options, and career growth is on the list of priorities to look for when relocating, Calgary's walkable neighbourhoods have all that and more to suit your preferred lifestyle. Whether interest lies in moving to a quaint community in a cozy one-bedroom condominium, a vintage single-family dwelling, or if plans include setting up housekeeping in a lavish luxury high-rise, the choices in styles and prices are plentiful in one of Calgary's well-established communities. Those looking for more walkable communities might also consider Calgary's master-planned communities, where walkability is often a priority.

Walk Score data provided by Redfin Real Estate in Calgary