Calgary's Best Places to Walk Indoors
From December to March, Calgary streets, sidewalks and pathways can be cold and icy. There are hardy individuals that walk or run no matter what the weather, but there are plenty of facilities in Calgary where you can get your 10,000 daily steps done in climate controlled comfort, without the burden of a heavy winter jacket.
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise there is. There’s no special equipment required and it helps beat the winter blues. It helps to strengthen your muscles, keeps your joints moving and can reduce the risk of diabetes.
Some of the places listed below are free and others charge an admission fee. Check our list of places to walk indoors and find a place close to your Calgary home. Then start taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
Indoor Walking Tracks
There are many recreational facilities in Calgary that offer 200m walking tracks as part of their fitness centre. A drop-in fee applies or membership. Some of those tracks include:
Jack Simpson Gym: In the Kinesiology building at the University of Calgary, the 200-metre track is located on the 2nd level. During the winter months, the track is booked with training groups and sprinters so best to call ahead.
Repsol Centre: The 200-metre indoor track is located on the main level on the east side of the building opposite the check-in desk.
Mount Royal University: There is a 200-metre walking track in the fitness centre on the south end of the building.
YMCA: Almost all of the YMCA locations in Calgary, with the exception of the Melcor at Crowfoot location, have an indoor track. Those include:
- South Health Campus
- Saddletowne
- Shawnessy
- Remington in Quarry Park
- Gray Family YMCA at Eau Claire
Calgary Shopping Malls
Some of Calgary’s indoor malls open as early as 7:00 a.m. to accommodate groups and individuals that want to walk before the crowds come to shop. Call the Customer Service Department of these malls and double check when the doors open for walking indoors. Those Calgary malls include:
- Chinook Centre – South West
- Southcentre – South East
- North Hill Mall – North West
- Market Mall – North West
- Beddington Towne Square – North West
- The Core – City Centre
- Marlborough Mall – North East
- Sunridge Mall – North East
- Deerfoot City – North East
- Cross Iron Mills – Balzac
Other Free Public Places
In addition to shopping malls (where you may be tempted to go shopping while you’re walking) there are plenty of other spots indoors where you can walk for blocks. Places such as :
Max Bell Arenas – North East
When the arena is open and there isn’t a Canuck’s game on (for which admission must be paid) the public can walk along the track on the upper level of the Number One arena. There is an elevator in the building should you need one to get to the second level. There’s a chart on the wall that gives you a rough idea of how many steps there are in one lap of the building. To get your 10,000 steps in, you would need to make 31 laps of the rink on the track. This is not generally a busy place unless there are games going on. A little known secret in Calgary and parking is free.
University of Calgary- North West
Without having to pay admission to the Jack Simpson Gym, you can walk from the Olympic Oval clear through the Kinesiology Building straight through to MacEwan Hall – then turn around and go back. Should you need to stop for refreshment, enjoy the Food Court at Mac Hall. It’s a busy place and many people enjoy rubbing shoulders with young students that are excited about being there and what the world has in store. It can be an inspiring walk and it’s free, 7 days a week. You’ll need to pay for parking here.
Mount Royal University – South West
The main campus building during school hours is a great place to walk, from the Fitness Centre on the south end through the lobby, past the communications win and back. All you need to pay for is parking.
Downtown Calgary – Plus 15s
Our city’s Plus 15 network lets you walk for miles without setting foot outside. There was even a movie made in the 1990s called Way Downtown about a group of individuals that challenged each other to live, work and play inside Calgary’s downtown core without breathing fresh air for 30 days. You may have to pay to park but you can walk from 9 Avenue to 3 Avenue without stepping food outside or taking stairs.