Calgary 
In addition to being more accessible, the boardwalk trails around Alberta give us unique opportunities for enjoying nature without disrupting plants, animals, or their natural habitats.
Many of these boardwalks are raised over protected wetlands and marshes or run through protected forests. The chance to view nature this closely isn’t always so easy, so take advantage of these areas, their quiet calm, and the adorable wildlife you can spot and learn about through interpretive signs. On your travels, you could spot over 100 different types of birds, beavers, squirrels and chipmunks, deer, or maybe even a moose.
Note: Not all boardwalks mentioned here are completely wheelchair accessible.
Beaver Boardwalk Trail
Visit Hinton to walk the world’s largest freshwater boardwalk trail! The Beaver Boardwalk follows Maxwell Lake for about 3km and is an important wildlife habitat, especially for the beavers. You may spot a few on your walk, along with several types of birds, deer, or butterflies. Interpretive signage along the trail offers educational opportunities for learning all about all the wildlife around you. Details
Location: Hinton
Kelly’s Bathtub
Enjoy the views of Kelly’s Bathtub and Jarvis Lake from all sorts of angles with the park’s Friendly Vista Trail at William A. Switzer Provincial Park. Begin at the Visitor’s Centre and enter the treed paths that lead to the water; from here, a boardwalk takes you out over Jarvis Lake before entering back into the trees. You can make a quick loop around the Bathtub or continue on the trail (although the boardwalk ends here) to see even more of the beautiful lake. The boardwalk is not continuous, but the trail is flat and accessible. Details
Location: William A. Switzer Provincial Park
John E. Pool Wetlands
The boardwalk trail in the John E. Pool Wetlands, near St. Albert, allows crossing the entire marsh overtop of the shrubbery. The raised pathway enables you to get a closer look at the many bird species which call the area home, as well as the unique plant life that thrives here. The trails can connect you to the Lois Hole Provincial Park as well, and trails leading into St. Albert. Details
Location: St. Albert
Boardwalk Loop – Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary
Within the Sanctuary’s 348 acres of meadows and wetlands is a boardwalk trail, and additional trails, which let you enjoy the quiet and calm of the countryside.
You’ll be led to viewing platforms to get an even better view of the smaller wildlife and can stop for a picnic before you leave. Amenities to make your picnic more comfortable include a washroom, and tables. Details
Location: 20km SE of Edmonton
Policeman’s Creek
While Policeman’s Creek runs through the centre of Canmore, the boardwalk trail which borders it can lead you to quiet and calm areas of town.
You’ll find yourself surrounded by a beautiful pond and creek area, home to ducks and the odd elk or deer. It is a 3.9-km flat trail and can quickly connect you to several different hotels in the area. Note: This has stairs at one end. Hence, you will have double back if in a wheelchair and doing the complete trail. Details
Location: Canmore
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park Boardwalk Loop
The piece of land protected by the Sir Winston Churchill PP is old-growth boreal forest, and these trees are over 200 years old!
One of the easiest ways to enjoy the beauty of the thick woods, the wildlife in the trees, and all of the scenery in general, is the 1.2km Boardwalk Trail. Fall is an especially beautiful time to visit, with the large trees changing a variety of warm colours. Details
Location: on Lac La Biche
Strathcona Ravine Trail
The Strathcona Ravine in Calgary’s west end offers a lengthy boardwalk area which connects to a paved path network, as well as stairs leading out of the ravine.
The narrow and long ravine eventually bends north where you can follow the trails to Edworthy Park, and the Bow River. The ravine is a beautiful little escape from the business of central Calgary and can be a beautiful place to take photos in the fall.
Location: Calgary
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTavrLhv4ze/
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
There are three boardwalk trails to explore around the Historic Site, all with their own unique views. The Upper Boardwalk Trail (has stairs) allows you to see the cave and vents, as well as the small hot pools of water, and all of the rising steam. The Lower Boardwalk Trail is below the cave and entrance and offers interpretive signage, while the Marsh Loop Trail takes about an hour and leads you through marshes to a riverside trail. . Details
Location: Banff National Park
Telford Lake Boardwalk
Leduc’s Telford Lake offers fun on and off the water and a peaceful place to enjoy a nature walk. The boardwalk portion of the trail leads out onto a pier over the water and is an excellent place for spotting a variety of waterfowl.
The boardwalk connects the north and south sides of the lake on the far west side, also known as the Lake Shore. Details
Location: Leduc
Frank Lake
Over a year, hundreds of types of birds will stop by Frank Lake near High River and Calgary. As one of Canada’s Important Bird Areas, Frank Lake’s protected land also has a wide variety of plant species, and a few types of rare mammal species.
Follow a short trail from the gates to the lake shore, and a boardwalk leads out over the water to a large viewing platform. Details
Location: 6km east of High River
Michichi Creek Boardwalk
Visit one of Alberta’s newest boardwalk trails during your next visit to Drumheller, or make it your next walking trail if you live in the area. Starland County is working to protect the important watershed while also giving us an easy way to access its beauty.
You can learn about all the wildlife who live here, permanently or part-time, and the wide variety of plants and flowers through interpretive signs on the path. Details
Location: 28km NE of Drumheller
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzYIEoVBsd7/
Shoreline Trail in Cypress Hills
See all of Elkwater Lake on your hike around the Cypress Hills Shoreline Trail, a mix of paved pathways and boardwalks. The trails connect the two day use areas on either side of the lake and bring you over the marsh, through treed-in areas, and right up close to the water in some sections.
The boardwalk sections on either side of the beach bring your hike away from the main road and towards much quieter surroundings. Details
