Out of the many, many outdoor activities available to you on your next Canadian Rockies vacation, you should take some time to go mountain biking in Canmore and Kananaskis Country. It’s a great way to get out and see the beautiful country here, cover a lot of ground, and have great vacation fun, whether that be a family, friends or a corporate retreat.
Baldy Pass – North Approach Mountain Biking Trail
Distance: 19.2 km return. Elevation gain: 620 metres. Time: 5 hours return.
Difficulty Rating: Difficult
To get to this trail: Drive 35 km east of Canmore on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 7.8 km. south to the Sibbald Creek Trail (Highway 68) and 1.5 km to the Lust Creek Day Use area.
Stoney Trail Mountain Biking Trail
Distance: 31 km return. Elevation gain: 50 metres. Time: 5 hours return.
Difficulty Rating: Light
To get there: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 9 km. south at the Barrier Dam Day Use area.
Ribbon Falls Hiking / Mountain Biking Trail
Distance: 16.5 km return. Elevation gain: 300 metres. Time: 7 hours return.
Difficulty Rating: Medium
To get there: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 23 km. south at the Ribbon Creek Day Use area near Kananaskis Village.
Skogan Pass – North Approach Mountain Biking Trail
Distance: 16.5 km return. Elevation gain: 670 metres. Time: 5 hours return.
Difficulty Rating: Difficult
To get there: From Canmore, drive 7 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary and use Alpine Resort Haven exit. The trailhead parking lot is 1.25 km, just before the Resort.
Canmore Nordic Centre Mountain Biking Trails
Distance: Over 60 km of trails.
Difficulty Rating: Light to Difficult
To get there: From Canmore, follow the signs from downtown.
Goat Creek Mountain Biking Trail
Distance: 18 km to Banff. Elevation gain: Minus 300 metres. Time: 3 hours one way.
Difficulty Rating: Light
Location: From Canmore, drive 9 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 – gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Gentre. Turn right into the parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.
To get there: This is an exciting ride on a gravel and dirt doubletrack that is mostly downhill all the way to Banff. Leave a vehicle in Banff and another at the trailhead to make this is an easy ride for the novice or the whole family.
Karst Spring Mountain Biking / Hiking Trail
Distance: 9.5 km return. Elevation gain: 200 metres. Time: 3 1/2 hours return.
Difficulty Rating: Light
To get there: From Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 – gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Gentre. Turn right 5 km. to the Mount Shark parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.
For more on biking the Rockies, check out the Col0rado Adventure Biker here.
Here’s are 7 Rules of the Road for mountain biking in Banff, or anywhere, really:
Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.