Banff National Park of Canada
Mountain Biking and Cycling Guide
Welcome to Banff, Canada's first and most famous National Park. Its spectacular landscape of rugged mountains, broad valleys, glaciers, alpine meadows and turquoise lakes provides habitat for a variety of species including golden eagles, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bear, and cutthroat trout.
With more than 190 kilometres of mountain bike trails and numerous road riding options, biking is an excellent way to explore this special place. Trails range from easy to difficult and the biking season typically extends from May to October. This guide will help you plan an enjoyable biking experience, while keeping the park's natural environment as pristine as possible.
Banff National Park supports the use of bikes as a means of appreciating and enjoying the tremendous natural values preserved within the park. If your objective is freeriding or downhilling, please consider areas such as Golden or Fernie, B.C. or Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, where these activities are both appropriate and encouraged.
Responsible Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in a national park comes with stewardship responsibilities. Riding non-designated or closed trails, building new trails, or riding offtrail displaces wildlife and destroys soil and vegetation. These activities are also illegal and violators may be charged under the National Park Regulations. Good stewardship of the park and respect for other users will help ensure that mountain biking continues to be a permitted activity within Banff National Park.
- Be bear aware
- Share the trail – see inset.
- Mountain biking is allowed only on designated bike trails. It is your responsibility
to know where you can and cannot legally ride.
- Avoid riding during extreme conditions; wet, muddy or very dry trails are
more likely to be damaged.
- Help preserve the quality of our trails. Ride, don't slide - avoid skidding
your tires by hard braking. Ride over obstacles, not around them. If obstacles
are above your skill level, walk your bike.
Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off road cycling.
Rules of the trail
- Ride on open trails only.
- Leave no trace.
- Control your bicycle!
- Always yield trail.
- Never scare animals.
- Plan ahead.
Safety
You are responsible for your own safety. Be prepared for a breakdown or accident. Know how to repair your bike and carry the tools and parts to do so.
- Choose rides that match your abilities. Be conservative - start with easier, short trails. Park staff or bike shop employees can help you select a suitable route.
- Wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
- Bring extra food, water and clothing. Mountain weather changes quickly and it can snow any month of the year. Surface water may be contaminated with Giardia.
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you'll be back.
- Travel with others and keep your group together.
Living with Wildlife in Banff and Lake Louise
One of Banff National Park's greatest challenges is to protect wildlife populations while providing visitors with opportunities to enjoy a healthy mountain ecosystem.
- Please respect all Warnings, Closures and Restricted Activity postings.
These legal restrictions are used to help keep you safe and to give wildlife
the space they need to survive in Canada's oldest and most visited national
park.
- Bike Bear Aware: Cyclists are particularly susceptible
to sudden, dangerous bear encounters because of the speed and silence of their
travel. Slow down, stay alert and scan ahead. Bear bells are not enough. Yell
and let bears know you are coming, especially when biking through dense vegetation,
near streams, on windy days, or when approaching corners.
- Watch for bears and signs of their presence such as tracks, droppings and
diggings. Leave the area if you encounter a bear or see fresh sign, and report
sightings to the Banff 403.762.1470 or Lake Louise Warden Office 403.522.1220
- If you choose to carry bear spray, keep it handy.
- If you come across a dead animal, leave the area immediately and report
the carcass to the Warden Office.
- Park wildlife are wild and can be dangerous. Any animal can become aggressive
if it feels threatened,so keep your distance 30 m from most animals, and at
least 100 m from carnivores (such as bears, cougars, wolves).
- Dogs may be an intrusion to other trail users, and provoke confrontations
with wildlife. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. This is unsafe for
both the rider and the animal. Consider leaving your pet at home.
Share the Trail Ride With Respect
Multi-purpose trail
- The bike trails in Banff National Park are all shared-use trails - expect to encounter hikers and horseback riders. Ride in control and be ready to stop at any time.
- When you approach a hiker, slow down and make your presence known with a bell or a friendly greeting.
- Bicycles are fast and quiet, and can easily spook horses. When approaching oncoming horses, move to the side of the trail, stop and allow the horse party to pass. When passing horses from behind, let riders know of your presence before you get too close, and ask for instructions.
Waste Disposal
- Pack out all garbage including diapers, tampons, food waste and foil.
- If you need to relieve yourself, select a spot well away from trails and 100 m from water sources. Dig a hole 12 cm deep, down to the dark-coloured, biologically active soil layer. Fill the hole with soil afterward; do not pack it down. Pack out used toilet paper or burn it if the fire hazard is not extreme.
For more information on low impact travel, contact:
Leave No Trace
For More Information
Banff Information Centre
224 Banff Avenue
Tel 403.762.1550
Banff.trails@pc.gc.ca
Lake Louise Information Centre
Samson Mall
Tel 403.522.3833
LL.info@pc.gc.ca
Parks Canada - Calgary Service Centre
Tel 403.292.4401
Banff National Park Web Site
Current Conditions
Banff National Park Trail Report
Recorded Message: 403.760.1305
Environment Canada Weather Forecast
Recorded Message: 403.762.2088
Park Radio 101.1 FM
Weather and Trail Reports
Friends of Banff National Park
Retail outlet for maps and guidebooks
Tel 403.762.8918
www.friendsofbanff.com
References
- Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies, Doug Eastcott (2001)
- Mountain Bike! The Canadian Rockies, Ward Cameron (2000)
- Gem Trek recreational maps
Get involved in mountain bike education and stewardship.
Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance:
Website: www.bvmba.org
e-mail:
info@bvmba.org
Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance:
Tel 403.220.1868 or e-mail: info@cmbalink.com
Website: www.cmbalink.com
Camping and Fishing
If you plan to stay overnight in a backcountry campground, shelter or hut, a Wilderness Pass is required. Anglers require a National Park Fishing Permit and knowledge of National Park Fishing
Regulations.
In case of EMERGENCY, call 911or satellite phone: 403.762.4506
Cell phones are not always reliable in the backcountry.