MOUNTAIN BIKING and CYCLING GUIDE Banff National Park
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7B Cascade Ponds - Watertower 1 4 Tunnel Mountain Drive Lake multi-purpose trail BANFF TOWNSITE AREA sentier à usages multiples 4.2 km one way, elevation gain 120 m, moderate 15 km loop, moderate Minnewanka Share Ride Stewart 8 All park maintained trails in the immediate vicinity Trailhead: Cascade Ponds Day Use Area, Lake Starting Point: East end of Buffalo Street Canyon Lake of the Banff townsite are open for cycling except The YIELD With MOUNTAIN BIKING Minnewanka Road This hilly ride takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Minnewanka CÉDEZ Tunnel Mountain Trail, Sulphur Mountain Trail (from The trail begins at the northeast corner of the ponds, Bow Falls and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Trail Respect AND the Upper Hot Springs to the Summit), Sundance crosses a small creek, leads into the trees and climbs From here the road cuts up the side of Tunnel Mt. to 2009 Canyon loop, the Cave and Basin boardwalks, and up an almost "impossible to ride up" set of steps. The join Tunnel Mt. Road. It then continues westward, CYCLING GUIDE marked sections of the Bow River and Bow Falls remainder of the trail to the watertower is a sweet past campgrounds and viewpoints, before dropping • The bike trails in Banff National Park are all trails. The townsite trails are popular with other single-track that snakes along the edge of the down to Banff Avenue. Cascade shared-use trails—expect to encounter Banff National Park users including commercial horse groups—please escarpment above the TCH. From the water tower a hikers and horseback riders. Ride in control ride respectfully. short section of gravel road leads to Johnson Lake. 1 5 Golf Course Drive and be ready to stop at any time. 15 km loop, easy • When you approach a hiker, slow down and 8 Lake Minnewanka Starting Point: Bridge over the Spray River 9 Two make your presence known with a bell or a Banff Area Trails Two Jack Jack 30 km one way, elevation gain 75 m, difficult by Bow Falls Upper Main Lake friendly greeting. The route takes you past the Fairmont Banff Bankhead Campground Difficulty ratings are based on trail length, steepness, Trailhead: Lake Minnewanka Picnic Area (far end) • Bicycles are fast and quiet, and can easily This rough, and exposed sidehill singletrack, leads Springs Hotel golf course and around a loop C-level elevation gain and remoteness. Cirque spook horses. When approaching oncoming road at the far end. This peaceful road offers TCH = Trans-Canada Highway east to the park boundary at Devil's Gap. Day trip horses, move to the side of the trail, stop excellent views of the Bow River and local Trails #3 and #11 are not shown on the map. destinations include the Aylmer Pass hiking trail and allow the horse party to pass. When junction (16 km return) and the warden patrol cabin peaks. Great for a family outing. Two Jack passing horses from behind, slow down, let (32 km return). This trail is popular with hikers and Lakeside 1 Sundance Campground riders know of your presence before you get can be quite congested for the first 4 km. Early start 16 3.7 km one way, elevation gain 30 m, easy Vermilion Lakes Drive too close, and ask for instructions. recommended in May – June. Seasonal closure of 5.7 km one way, easy Trailhead: Cave and Basin National Historic Site Lm8 campground & trail use restriction in Aylmer Starting Point: Off Mt. Norquay Road, just south of 7A Perfect for kids and tot trailers, this paved trail winds Pass July 15 to September 30. the TCH along the Bow River and climbs gently to the The Vermilion Lakes are a series of three shallow Sundance Canyon picnic area and hiking trail. You 9 Cascade lakes surrounded by marshland—a rich oasis for photo: John van de Walle de John van photo: are likely to encounter hikers and horseback riders wildlife. The ride provides classic views of Banff's 13 on this busy route. Connects with the Healy Creek 14 km one way, elevation gain 180 m, moderate Trailhead: Upper Bankhead Parking Lot signature peak, Mount Rundle. All three lakes have Trail (#2). Cascade Welcome to Banff, Canada's first and most famous Formerly a fire road, this gravel trail leads into the small docks where you can relax and enjoy the view. Overflow Camping National Park. Its spectacular landscape of rugged 2 Healy Creek wild Cascade valley and runs through prime bear Johnson Lake habitat. The cycling trail ends at Stoney Creek 17 mountains, broad valleys, glaciers, alpine 4.8 km one way, elevation gain 20 m, easy Hwy 1A Fireside Picnic Area to Castle Jct. 7B meadows and turquoise lakes provides habitat for primitive campground—buy a Wilderness Pass and Trailhead: Branches off Sundance Trail (#1) 27 km one way, moderate Cascade try backcountry bicycle camping. Ponds a variety of species including golden eagles, This gravel and dirt doubletrack winds and dips Starting Point: TCH, 5.5 km west of the Norquay bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bear, and through the forest and comes out on Sunshine Road Overpass cutthroat trout. 1 0 A Upper Stoney Squaw Loop The Bow Valley Parkway ride is a classic, winding near the TCH. You can retrace your route, or return 1 by the TCH. If you choose to ride back to Banff on 2 km one way, elevation gain 150 m, difficult through forests near the Bow River. Give yourself a Park Entrance With more than 190 km of mountain bike trails and Trailhead: Mt. Norquay Ski Area Parking Lot day to explore as there are many hikes and Canmore the highway, please be careful on this busy road. Calgary numerous road riding options, biking is an Connects with the Brewster Creek Trail (# 3). This narrow, technically difficult, root-infested little viewpoints along the way. This is a busy road with excellent way to explore this special place. Trails trail climbs, sometimes steeply, to the summit of narrow shoulders—consider riding midweek when range from easy to difficult and the biking season 3 Brewster Creek to Allenby Pass Stoney Squaw Mt. From the summit, continue north traffic is lighter. Combine with Lake Louise Trail #10 typically extends from May to October. This guide and descend a rocky trail to the old ski runs above for a 55 km ride (one way). (not on map) Tunnel Mtn. VILLAGE I will help you plan an enjoyable biking experience, the lodge. Many riders link this trail with Lower Campground 36.8 km one way, elevation gain 1000 m, difficult while keeping the park's natural environment as Stoney Squaw (#10B). NOTE: Upper and Lower Ride the Sundance Trail (#1), then the Healy Creek Trailer Court pristine as possible. Stoney Squaw are the only legal bike trails in the Mt. Hoodoos fire road (#2) until you get to the Brewster Creek Norquay area. Trail. This trail, a former road, climbs gradually up VILLAGE II Brewster Creek valley to Sundance Lodge (service for D A 1 0B Lower Stoney Squaw O R guests only). The ride to the lodge is appropriate for IN A T 5.2 km one way, elevation loss 170 m, moderate N U intermediate riders and is a 29 km return trip. O 10B M L Trailhead: Mt. Norquay Ski Area Parking Lot E N Beyond the lodge is a rugged, muddy singletrack N U Ride past the day lodge and down the ski area T Mountain Biking in a National Park suitable for advanced riders with wilderness travel service road for 1.4 km. Watch closely on the right skills. The route continues up the valley, then climbs Cascade Banff National Park supports the use of mountain for a sign indicating the trail. The trail features rough Amphitheatre steeply to Allenby Pass. There is no cycling beyond bikes as a means of appreciating and enjoying the and rocky sections and drops almost continuously to the pass. Please watch for horse users. NOTE: Banff/ tremendous natural values preserved within the the highway. Combine with Mt. Norquay Rd. (#12) Mt. Norquay beginning this ride from the Healy Creek Trailhead Stoney park. If your objective is freeriding or downhilling, for a challenging 15 km loop from Banff. Please Squaw T on the Sunshine Road reduces the trip by 7.2 km. 1,884 O M please consider areas such as Golden or Fernie, B.C. R watch for bears and horse users on this fast, 10A A or Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, where these M downhill ride. BADGER Spray River Loop 4 activities are both appropriate and encouraged. D 40 Mile Creek ANTELOPE A 1 FOX O 6 Hoodoos Trail R 12.5 km, elevation gain 200 m, easy Bow Falls - Tunnel P DEER O 1 1 Redearth (not on map) O Rundle Mountain L Trailhead: Begins at the Fairmont Banff Springs E S Responsible Mountain Biking R Riverside 1,690 U 12 km one way, elevation gain 320 m, moderate COUGAR O C Hotel and ends at the golf course (or vice versa) F 12 L RABBIT O Mountain biking in a national park comes with Trailhead: TCH, 20 km west of Banff 14 G A pleasant roll through the woods, this trail follows Trail, bicycles Banff Townsite Trails This trail, once a fire road, provides bike access to T stewardship responsibilities. Riding non-designated MOOSE UN N former roads on both sides of the Spray River. The are permitted G EL R M I O All park maintained trails in the immediate some very scenic backcountry hiking near the Great Z U Z or closed trails, building new trails, or riding SQUIRREL N F L T good views, rushing river and deluxe picnic spot at OL Y A ELK I Trail, no bicycles W N vicinity of the Banff townsite are open for E D Divide.