Biking in Banff National Park: The 8 Best Mountain Biking Trails in Canmore

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Part of the allure of vacationing in the Canadian Rockies is the wide variety of outdoor activities available, but one is not to be missed—mountain biking. There is nothing more thrilling than feeling the rush of crisp mountain air through your hair as you tackle any of the many trails in Canmore, Alberta.

Perched on the outskirts of Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park, it offers access to some of the most amazing and varied mountain bike trails and sweeping views you’ll find in the Rockies. Beginners and seasoned bikers alike can test their speed, agility, strength, balance, and endurance while also experiencing the breathtaking beautiful country. There’s something for every mountain biking enthusiast as we explore eight of the best mountain biking trails in Canmore.

The Final Cut – Mountain Biking Trails in Canmore We Love!

Stoney Trail Mountain Biking Trail

Getting 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.

Distance: 31 km return

Elevation Gain: 50 metres

Time: 5 hours return

Difficulty Rating: Light

Stoney Trail is a great beginner ride but still has something to offer the more experienced biker. The Stoney Trail itself is a pretty straightforward, out-and-back trail. It stretches from its trailhead in Kananaskis Village out to Highway 1. The big selling point for this trail, however, is its access to a multitude of other trail sections. Ambitious bikers can start the Stoney Trail then explore some epic riding on connecting trails like Skogan Pass, Prairie View Trail, Camp Chief Hector DH, or Jewell Pass. Keep an eye out for horses, especially on weekends, as Stoney Trail is a popular horseback riding trail as well.

Ribbon Falls Hiking / Mountain Biking Trail

Getting 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.

Distance: 7 km/16.5 km return

Elevation Gain: 300 metres

Time: 7 hours return

Difficulty: Medium

If you want to experience some of Canada’s gorgeous waterfalls, then the Ribbon Falls trail is a no-brainer option for mountain bike enthusiasts. The best time for this trail falls in the latter part of May to October. It may be snowbound at other times of the year. As you follow the trail along the valley, the twin peaks of Mount Kidd and Mount Bogart rise on either side, framing some truly picture-perfect moments. It is a well-used trail, particularly on the weekends, its easy grade making it family-friendly. Do note that bikes are only officially allowed on the initial 3.5 km of the trail, but there are still some smaller, beautiful falls to see on that portion of the trail. It’s easy to run low on water, even on a temperate day, so you might want to pack some filters and water purification tablets so you can stay adequately hydrated on the ride.

Baldy Pass–North Approach Mountain Biking Trail

Getting There: 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.

Distance: 19.2 km return

Elevation Gain: 620 metres

Time: 5 hours return

Rating: Difficult

The Baldy Pass–North Approach Mountain Biking trail enjoys a great deal of popularity with hikers and mountain bikers alike. Bikers have several options when visiting this trail. You can opt for a ride just over 13 km by starting at the Baldy Pass Trailhead and wrapping up at the Lusk Creek Day Use Area. If you have the stamina, a longer option is available by starting at the Wasootch Day Use Area to the Lusk Creek Day Use Area.  If you really want to challenge yourself, take the full loop which incorporates Hwy 40 and a steep climb up to Baldy Pass. A final option is to begin your ride at the Lusk Creek Day Use Area which affords magnificent views of Barrier Lake before making a challenging climb to Baldy Pass.

Skogan Pass–North Approach Mountain Biking Trail

Getting There: From Canmore, drive 7 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary and use the Alpine Resort Haven exit. The trailhead parking lot is 1.25 km, just before the Resort.

Distance: 16.5 km return

Elevation gain: 670 metres

Time: 5 hours return

Difficulty Rating: Difficult

Not to be confused with the black-diamond-rated Dead Man’s Side of Skogan Pass, the Skogan Pass–North Approach Mountain Trail is still a challenging, adventurous ride.  When the snows fall, the trail enjoys use as a ski trail, but as it warms, bikers can make the steady climb to the summit where they can enjoy rolling meadows and sprawling vistas. Bears have been known to make an appearance, so be sure to prepare appropriately.

Canmore Nordic Centre Mountain Biking Trails

Getting There: From Canmore, follow the signs from downtown.

Distance: Over 100 km of trails

Elevation gain: Varies

Time: Varies

Difficulty Rating: Light to Difficult

Canmore Nordic Centre Mountain Biking Trails is a one-stop spot for anyone interested in the sport of mountain biking. Here you can not only find comfortably wide, meandering dirt roads for casual sojourns and scenic ops, but also more challenging, narrow tracks for those who like to put the pedal to the metal. At Canmore Nordic, they’ll even provide the equipment, offering bike rentals and sales. Don’t want to go it alone? Join one of their guided tours.

Goat Creek Mountain Biking Trail

Getting There: From Canmore, drive 9 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742-gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right into the parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.

Distance: 18 km to Banff

Elevation gain: Minus 300 metres

Time: 3 hours one way

Difficulty Rating: Light

This is an exciting ride on a gravel and dirt doubletrack that is mostly downhill all the way to Banff. Leave a vehicle in the town of Banff and another at the trailhead to make this an easy ride for the novice or the whole family.

Karst Spring Mountain Biking / Hiking Trail

Getting There: From Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 – gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right 5 km to the Mount Shark parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.

Distance: 9.5 km return

Elevation gain: 200 metres

Time: 3 1/2 hours return

Difficulty Rating: Light

To follow this trail, you’ll actually want to look for the Watridge Lake trail. This path starts out on a wide road and eventually meets a junction with the Mount Shark trail. Bear right and head toward Watridge Lake. You’ll encounter yet another junction just beyond the two-mile mark. This time, bear left to continue toward Watridge Lake which appears shortly after.  After you take a moment to enjoy the view, you’ll find the spring beyond the lake as the trail continues a steady incline for another 2625 feet. Don’t forget to fill your water bottle at the spring to keep you hydrated on the return trip!

Mt. Shark Mountain Biking Trail System

Getting There: Follows the same directions as those to Karst Spring trailhead above.

Distance: Varies

Elevation gain: Varies

Time: Varies

Difficulty Rating: Light to Medium

This system is comprised of cross-country ski trails which, during summer months, are available for mountain bikes. You can also hook up to the West Side trail to extend the adventure.

Honorable Mention – 5 Mountain Biking Trails in Canmore That Almost Made the Cut

The Big Hill Trail

The Big Hill trail is one of the most popular mountain bike trails in Canmore. This trail has been designed with beginner riders in mind. Beginners will find the Big Hill trail easy to navigate and fun to ride.

The Cone Trail

The Cone Trail is another popular mountain bike trail in Canmore. It is located just outside of town and offers a variety of terrain options. The Cone Trail is suitable for both beginners and advanced riders.

The Green River Trail

The Green River Trail is one of the most scenic mountain bike trails in Canmore. This trail has been designed with an abundance of natural features such as waterfalls, streams, and wildlife. The trail also provides access to the Bow Valley Parkway, making it easy to travel between Canmore and Banff.

The Little Red Trail

The Little Red Trail is a short, flat trail located near the base of Mount Rundle. It is perfect for beginners who are looking to learn how to mountain bike.

The North Creek Trail

The North Creek Trail is an intermediate trail with lots of roots and rocks. This trail has a lot of elevation changes so it will challenge even experienced riders.

7 Important FAQs When Mountain Biking in Canmore

Ride open trails only.

Respect the trail and avoid areas which are closed to bikes. They are closed for a reason. Seriously, no one is trying to hide trails from you just to ruin your vacation. Also, remember that the way you ride will influence Parks Canada trail management decisions and policies.

Always yield the trail.

Make your approach known well in advance. A greeting, a bell or some other noise is basic politeness; don’t startle others. Show respect when passing by, slowing to a walking pace or if need be, stopping. Anticipate trail users around corners and in blind spots.

Put a lid on it!

Always wear a helmet.

Don’t scare the wildlife.

You probably don’t like it when someone sneaks up on you, and neither do wild animals. The repercussions of doing this with a bear are worse, though. Avoid unannounced approaches, sudden movements, or loud noises. These actions can be dangerous for you, others, and wildlife. Give wildlife space and time to adjust to you and make some noise as you come down the trail.

Plan it, darn it!

Know your equipment, be honest about your abilities, and check up on the riding trail, preferably with a park ranger. Prepare accordingly. A little planning is often the difference between a horrible day and an awesome day.

Stay in Control.

Don’t go faster or attempt terrain that you know you can’t handle. Always be attentive and mind bicycle regulations and recommendations.

Leave no trace.

It’s everyone’s park, so treat it with respect by following a few simple rules. Stay on maintained trails and don’t create new ones. Pack out what you pack in and bonus points if you pack out some other jerk’s discarded rubbish. Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.

Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.

Relaxing After the Ride

The quaint town of Canmore offers terrific hotels, restaurants and bars to regale you at the end of a long day on the bikes, as well as other Canadian Rockies adventure vacation activities including rafting, hiking and golfing.

The Grizzly Paw in Canmore is a big local’s favourite. Aside from the fact that it is a pub with a great restaurant and atmosphere, it also transforms into one of the best outdoor seating areas in the summer. Once the temperatures start rising, the jackets can be put away and you can sit out people-watching on Main Street with views of the stunning Three Sisters Mountain range. Unlike Banff, you never really feel rushed in Canmore and the Grizzly Paw is a microcosm of this.

The Grizzly Paw has been producing some really unique beers including fruity beers, heavy beers and higher alcohol beers for years. If you are going to be sitting indoors, it is a great place to watch a game or play a game of pool upstairs. Even the toilets have TV screens so you won’t miss even a minute of the action!

In all the major towns of the Rockies like Banff, Jasper and Golden – The Grizzly Paw boasts the best beer deck around for those scorching days where you take a break from the ton of activities on offer and just sit back and sip the day away!

Summary

Out of the enormous amount of outdoor activities available to you on your next Canadian Rockies vacation, take some time out to ride the mountain biking trails in Canmore and Kananaskis Country. You’ll definitely want check out Canmore, Alberta. Sitting on the border of Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park, it accesses some of the best, most amazing country you’ll find in the Rockies.

Mountain biking is an exciting sport that combines speed, agility, strength, balance, and endurance. It’s also a great way to stay fit and enjoy nature at its finest. This is one of the best ways to 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.