Here are a few of our favourite local road rides that you can explore on your own or on a guided tour. They are arranged from short, easy rides to longer, more challenging options.
We also recommend checking out these maps from Parks Canada (these links will download the maps as PDFs):
Note For Mountain E-Bikers
For those renting mountain e-bikes, please note that e-bikes are only allowed on a limited number of mountain biking trails around Banff. You can familiarise yourself with permitted trails here. They are also marked on the mountain biking trail map linked above.
Note For All Mountain Bikers
If you are planning to mountain bike while you’re here, we also highly recommend downloading the Trailforks app to your phone before you come. After downloading the app you can download the map for Alberta. The free version works great, and it’s helpful for navigating when you’re out on the trails, which can sometimes be confusing.
Golf Course Loop
5 km loop, easy gradient
Short ride close to the town of Banff, which passes through the Banff Springs Golf Course and follows the Bow River with a nice finish at Bow Falls.
Golf Course Loop Ride
Vermillion Lakes Road
7 km one-way, easy gradient
The views from this road are some of the most iconic in Banff, with multiple lakes and views of Mount Rundle. This is a relatively easy ride that includes section of bike path and a slow-speed-limit road. This is also the first section of the Bow Valley Parkway Ride to Lake Louise.
Riding past Vermillion Lakes, with Mount Rundle in the background.
Legacy Trail
25 km one-way, easy gradient
The Legacy Trail links the communities of Banff and Canmore via a 25km paved trail without motorized traffic. The trail parallels the Trans-Canada highway. This route is approved for E-Bikes, there is a washroom, and many beautiful views of the mountains and Bow River.
The Legacy Trail heading towards Canmore.
Mount Norquay Road Climb
7 km one-way, 300m elevation gain
This ride represents our local hill climb. At only 7 km one-way it is a short ride, but 12 switchbacks and 300m of elevation gain allow you to push hard with vertical for a 30-minute quality workout. Head down and do it again if you have the time, or head out to Vermillion Lakes Road for some scenic views. Can also be added to the end of a Bow Valley Parkway ride for a strong finish.
Road Climb to Mount Norquay Ski Area
Lake Minnewanka Loop Ride
24 km loop, 178m elevation gain
This is a beautiful road ride leaving from Banff on the Legacy Trail along Banff Ave, then turning off onto Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive loop. This takes you past the turquoise Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake, with fantastic mountain views along the way. Includes a fairly decent climb, with a fun decent on the way back.
Explore this loop with one of our guides on the Lake Minnewanka Tour.
View from the Lake Minnewanka Road
Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise
49 km one-way, 412m elevation gain
This is the most popular ride for road cyclists in the Bow Valley, and one of the very best road-biking rides in Canada. The Bow Valley Parkway, or Highway 1A, is the old highway between Banff and Lake Louise, and has relatively little traffic. Castle Junction (30 km), Baker Creek (45 km) and Lake Louise (58 km) all have rest stops with food, bathrooms and water refills, and can also serve as good turn-around points depending on how far you want to go.
One of the views from the Bow Valley Parkway of the Bow River.