Mountain biking in the Banff area offers everything from gentle river-side cruising to gnarly singletrack descents through the forest. While Banff National Park itself has more limited mountain biking options (Parks Canada restricts cycling to designated trails), the broader Bow Valley — including Canmore and Kananaskis — provides a world-class mountain biking network with hundreds of kilometres of trails.
Trails in Banff National Park
Legacy Trail (26 km, Easy)
The paved pathway connecting Banff to Canmore. Perfect for road bikes and casual riders. Stunning scenery with mountain views the entire way.
Spray River Loop (12 km, Easy)
A flat, groomed gravel trail along the Spray River. Easy riding with beautiful forest and river scenery. Suitable for all abilities.
Sundance Trail (7.2 km, Easy)
Paved and gravel trail from the Cave and Basin to Sundance Canyon. A gentle ride with a scenic canyon at the end.
Lake Minnewanka Lakeshore (up to 30 km, Moderate)
Ride along Banff's largest lake on a rolling singletrack trail. The views are spectacular, and the trail gets more remote the further you go.
Trails in Canmore & Kananaskis
Canmore Nordic Centre (60+ km, All Levels)
Built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, this trail network has been converted into one of the best mountain biking destinations in Alberta. Trails range from beginner-friendly cross-country loops to expert-level singletrack.
Highline Trail (Canmore, 7 km, Intermediate)
A flowing singletrack trail with berms, rollers, and moderate technical features. Views across the Bow Valley are stunning.
Kananaskis Trails (Various)
The Kananaskis area offers extensive trail networks including the Evan-Thomas bike park, Baldy Pass, and Jumpingpound trails. A Kananaskis Conservation Pass ($15/day or $90/year) is required.
Bike Rentals & Shops
- Banff: Snowtips-Bactrax (Bear Street), Wilson Mountain Sports (Bear Street), Banff Adventures (Banff Ave)
- Canmore: Rebound Cycle, Gear Up Sport, Trail Sports
- Rental costs: $40–80/day for mountain bikes, $60–100/day for e-bikes
Tips & Etiquette
- Park rules: Within Banff National Park, cycling is only allowed on designated trails. Riding off-trail is illegal
- Yield to hikers: Mountain bikers yield to hikers and horses on shared trails
- Bear awareness: Carry bear spray. You travel fast and quietly on a bike — bears may not hear you coming
- Weather: Mountain weather changes fast. Carry a rain layer
- Trail conditions: Check local trail reports for closures, especially in spring when trails are soft
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