Calgary’s best-kept wellness secret is hiding along this nature trail

Calgary has no shortage of beautiful green spaces, but there is now something a little different hiding inside the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. The Forest Bathing Trail is the first of its kind in the city, designed to slow you down and help you experience nature more mindfully.

What is forest bathing?

You’re probably thinking in your head, “What is forest bathing?” Well, it’s not actually taking a bath in the forest or anything like that. According to the City of Calgary, forest bathing is a Japanese practice called “shinrin-yoku,” which translates to “bathing in the forest atmosphere.” This idea is not to hike, rush, or treat it like an excuse, but to slow down and fully take in your surroundings using all your senses.

Instead of focusing on distance or speed, you are encouraged to notice things like the sound of the trees, the feeling of the air, and everything happening around you that you would normally walk past without thinking about. It’s meant to be calming, grounding, and a full mental reset without leaving the city.

How the experience works

The Forest Bathing Trail is located at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in southeast Calgary, tucked into one of the city’s most peaceful natural areas. The trail itself is a 1-kilometre loop designed to be taken slowly, with five stations spaced along the route.

According to the City of Calgary, it officially opened in September 2025, meaning this will be the first summer it is fully in use.

At the trail, you’ll move clockwise, starting at the welcome sign and continuing from station to station. At each stop, QR codes link to short audio “invitations” that guide you through what to notice in that moment, whether it’s the sound of the trees, the movement of the water, or just how the air feels around you.

Most people take around 90 minutes to complete the full loop, especially if you pause properly at each station. The goal isn’t to treat it like a hike, but to slow down and actually be present in the moment.

So this is just a little reminder that you don’t always need a workout or a big plan to enjoy being outside. If anything, the Forest Bathing Trail is your sign to slow down for a minute and step away from the usual rush of the city.

When: Open 7 days a week
Time: Open 24 hours
Where: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary – 2425 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free to visit

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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