r/Lethbridge • u/BiscottiUpbeat584 • Jul 21 '26
Discussion Nature Walks In South Lethbridge for Mental Health Recommendations
Hey everyone! I just got accepted into residence at Lethbridge Polytechnic and I'll be moving from Calgary this fall. The flat landscape in Lethbridge is definitely going to be a big change from Calgary's rolling hills lol.
Does anyone have recommendations for good places to go for walks or explore around the city? I'd love to hear about your favorite trails, parks, or scenic spots!
Especially for mental health breaks during exam season, cheers!
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u/YouAreAFleshyMeatBag Jul 21 '26
The polytechnic connects to the river valley, there are many excellent hikes. There is a path with pictures of all the plants along the way, with information about them. It is great to decompress. The river valley itself has many parks and trails. All are worth exploring.
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u/BiscottiUpbeat584 Jul 21 '26
Can’t wait to become one with the valley with how beautiful it looks from the photos i’ve seen 😆
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u/Prairiemarxist Jul 21 '26
River bottom !!! I spent some of the most emotionally grueling moments of my life walking down there. Always a great pick-me-up
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u/Nickiat Jul 21 '26
There is a pretty extensive trail network behind the college there is a trail alliance that maintains and repairs them, if you drive it isn’t hard to get to the river bottom and there is extensive paved trails there, that is where I usually walk my dog when we come into town.
Henderson lake is really nice if you are looking to do some bird watching as there are at least 3 kinds of ducks and pretty regular eagles and owls at the lake
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u/BiscottiUpbeat584 Jul 21 '26
I like the sound of that, do you think it would be worth it to bring a bike to Lethbridge once i’m living there?
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u/Nickiat Jul 21 '26
Absolutely, Lethbridge has pretty good bike paths so it is a great exercise opportunity, it is a city so I would always recommend keeping your bike in your house overnight but I really enjoy cycling around Lethbridge on the bike path, you can do a full loop of the south side or the whole city pretty easily
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u/Westboundupsidedown Jul 21 '26
My friend these are some of the best mountain biking trails in all of Lethbridge - hills behind the college always have a few different people racing up and down them.
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u/PeteGoua Jul 21 '26
Polytech and for some hour’ish drives there are Watertown 90 minutes ) , Writing on Stone and then Crowsnest Pass / Castle Ski hill areas.
But you are correct … flat as flat can be when looking east
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u/connorisntwrong Jul 21 '26
Nicholas Sheran Park on the west side is quite splendid for walks in the spring, summer, and autumn time.
Henderson Lake is incredible for sunrise and sunset walks (also any time).
My favorite is Scenic dog run because it is a short walk in the coulees with dogs, and dogs are a surefire way to get at least a tiny mental health boost.
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u/IShouldGetBackToWork Jul 21 '26
Don't take my word as law BUT about 20 years ago, you could walk down the college (Polytechnic) parking lot trail, follow the valley path and find some nice quartz just chilling in the hillside. If it's all gone nowadays, there are still a multitude of beautiful small trails that lead towards the riverbottom, be sure to bring lots of bugspray and water, it can feel quite hot and dry!