TOP ROAD RIDES IN THE ROCKIES
By Wildly Supply Co.
It’s officially saddle season!
As the annual shift from winter gear to spring and summer equipment begins to happen in garages, mudrooms, and storage areas throughout the Rockies, we’ve come up with a list of the top road bike rides so you can be ready to hit the pavement cycling.
Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka
Whether you’re looking to start the season in the granny gear or to stretch your muscle memory after a winter on the indoor exercise bike, there’s no shortage of ways to spin it in spring.
Wherever you go, remember to follow the rules of the road, be bear aware, and pack the necessary tools and tubes, including water and snacks.
KANANASKIS COUNTRY
1/ Highwood Pass
Rating: Difficult
Distance: 34 km from King Creek to Highwood Pass (return), north gate to south gate is 109km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 517m from King Creek to Highwood Pass (at 2,206 m elevation)
Starting Points: North Gate: King Creek Ridge Trailhead or any day use area before it to add more kms
South Gate: Longview
Description: A roadie rite of passage, the Highwood Pass is the highest paved road in Canada and a significant feather in your helmet. There are a few ways to tackle this one, but most cyclists choose to do the King Creek Ridge from the north gate of the road closure and back, which is a roundtrip total of 34 km. Your thighs will touch the sky in this section with its steep climb.
Top Tip: Definitely take advantage of a car free road from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to Highwood House Junction as vehicle traffic reopens annually on June 15. Bring the layers as the weather can quickly change and you’ve got to top it all off with photo at the infamous Highwood Pass sign.
>> Purchase our “Highwood Pass” print here.
CANMORE/BANFF
2/ Legacy Trail
Rating: Easy
Distance: 20.3 km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 455 m
Starting Points: Travel Alberta Canmore Visitor Info Centre
Description: A family friendly cycling experience with its paved path and gentle uphill toward Banff. There’s a steep jaunt right after the Banff East Gate but after that, it’s a pretty cruisy ride with a nice place to stop and have a snack at Valleyview. You can also veer off to check out the Cascade Ponds before entering Banff.
Top Tip: Need to bail from the Legacy Trail? Roam Public Transit holds up to six bikes on its Canmore-Banff Regional Route 3 bus in the summertime. Be prepared to wait for a bus to hold your bike though, riding the Legacy Trail one-way and then Roaming home is a Bow Valley summer staple.
>> Purchase our “Legacy trail” print here.
BANFF NATIONAL PARK
3/ Lake Minnewanka
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 13 km loop (one-way)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 160 m, 160 m
Starting Points: Cascade Ponds and Lake Minnewanka day-use area or the Banff Legacy Trail
Description: Whether you decide to go clockwise or counter clockwise, there are gems to be seen along each way, including the old coal mining town of Bankhead, Lake Minnewanka itself, Two Jack Lake, and if you’ve got the juice you can add on Johnson Lake for about an extra five kms.
Top Tip: Parks Canada has closed the road to vehicle traffic Monday through Thursday until May 20 so be sure and try to experience it free of cars.
4/ Bow Valley Parkway (Banff to Lake Louise)
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 57.5 km (one-way)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 340 m, 177 m
Starting Points: From downtown Banff access the trail via Vermilion Lakes Drive and the Banff Legacy Trail or begin at Fireside (49 km one-way). Parking is limited at the Fireside entrance, so you can also plan to park and start from the Fenlands Rec Centre or Train Station parking lot on the edge of town instead.
Description: The Bow Valley Parkway can be a choose your own adventure, especially with it being closed to public vehicles from Fireside to Castle Junction this spring and summer. You can do an out and back from Johnston Canyon or go all the way to Lake Louise. The 1A offers the iconic views of the Sawback Range, Castle Mountain, and Morant’s Curve.
Top Tip: Bring ice cream money for Johnston Canyon and enjoy lunch at Castle Mountain Chalets, Baker Creek Mountain Resort, or at a café in Lake Louise. Be extra bear aware. Roam Public Transit begins service to stops on May 21 along the 1A including Johnston Canyon, Baker Creek, and Louise Lake if you bonk and need a lift for you and your bike. (Reservations available, but they do leave room for walk-ups.)
>> Purchase our “Bow Valley Parkway” print here.
5/ Moraine Lake
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 22km (out and back on Moraine Lake Road)
Elevation Gain: 385 m
Starting Points: Great Divide parking lot
Description: The bad news is it’s all up, the good news is it’s a gradual up. The best news is Moraine Lake Road climbs and opens up to spectacular views of Mount Temple, Consolation Valley and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The amazing news: it’s all downhill on the way back.
Top Tip: Annual road closure until May 31 (date may vary) so you won’t have to share the road with cars. Bring a lunch and soak up the solitude at the lake, maybe even be brave and go for a polar dip if the sun’s out.
6/ Jasper to Banff
Rating: Difficult
Distance: About 290 km (one-way), 2-4 days
Elevation Gain: 3,685 m
Starting Points: Jasper
Description: Round up your chain gang and hit the Icefields Parkway. You can plan this anywhere between two to four days and with or without a support vehicle. An example of three days of biking and camping could look like: Jasper to Wilcox Creek Campground (107km), Wilcox Creek Campground to Mosquito Creek Campground (100 km), Mosquito Creek Campground to Banff via the Bow Valley Parkway (80 km). This route takes you past the Athabasca Glacier, Bow Lake, and along some of the classic gems of the 1A.
Top Tip: One word: layers.
7/ 93S to Radium
Rating: Difficult
Distance: 103 km (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 989 m
Starting Points: Castle Mountain Junction
Description: Get ready for some twists and turns! This highway opens up to valley and mountain views, with many potential picnic lunch stops like the Vermilion Crossing Day-Use Area. If you’re arranging for a shuttle to meet you at Radium Hot Springs, bring your swimsuit and soak up your big day’s accomplishment before heading back to the car at Castle.
Top Tip: Want more? Explore the details of cycling the Golden Triangle which goes through Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.
Happy road biking!
A NOTE FROM WILDLY SUPPLY CO: You, the reader, are responsible for your own safety and gathering the information you require to tackle these trips. Please adventure safely.