Mountain Biking Trails in Canada
Canada is perhaps the ultimate adventure holiday destination, with huge national parks, towering mountain ranges, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and lush forests. If you’re looking for a real experience in the Great Outdoors, Canada certainly won’t disappoint. The world’s second-largest country, Canada has enough awe-inspiring sights to satisfy even the most enthusiastic nature lovers!
Spreading across the top of North America, and extending all the way into the Arctic, Canada is home to an abundance of rare and wonderful wildlife. Travelers here must share the land with a whole host of creatures, including moose, bears, mountain lions, and wild Canadian geese, and if you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some of these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat. Indeed, it’s Canada’s wildness that attracts many visitors – it’s one of the only places in the world where you can really escape from it all and immerse yourself in nature.
Canada’s most popular regions for adventure travel are Alberta and British Columbia, home to the Canadian Rockies and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. Come here for hiking, backpacking, climbing, scrambling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and much more! Whether you want to dip your toes in a crisp alpine lake or trek along some of the most exhilarating ridge walks in the Rockies, there’s something for everyone here.
Canada is so huge, and the possibilities for adventure travel so vast, it can be difficult to know where to start! To help you plan your journey, we’ve put together guides to all the best regions for adventure travel in Alberta and British Columbia. You’ll find activity guides, tour recommendations, and top tips for planning a trip – all you need to do is decide where to go first!
Find a cycling tour or any other type of Adventure Holiday in Canada if you aren’t keen on biking. If you want to explore the world on a mountain bike, then these mountain bike trips scattered all over the globe are the perfect experience for you.
Mountain biking regions in Canada
Best Mountain Biking Trails in Canada
Sundance Canyon Bike Trail
Riding the Sundance Canyon Trail is a great option for those looking for a relaxed ride and those with beginner riders. Hikers, bikers, and horses use this trail, so be aware of who’s approaching while on this route. A picnic area is located at the end of the paved section and makes a great stop for lunch.
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Hoodoos Bike Trail Loop
The moderate Hoodoos Trail Bike Loop is a great way to create a full circuit from town by linking trails and roads. Cut out the shuttle and ride the rolling Hoodoos Trail right from your accommodation.
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Shadow Lake Bike Trail
This is a great mountain bike trail along Redearth Creek. The trip along the Shadow Lake Trail takes you up gradual inclines to a junction where bikes are not permitted to continue. Lock your bike and put on your hiking shoes for the final 3.5 km. The vistas at the lake are incredibly rewarding, and so is the breezy downhill on your return.
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Ross Lake Bike Trail
The popular destination of Lake Louise sees extreme amounts of crowds, but rarely anyone on a bike. Riding the Ross Lake Trail is a great way to explore the area, cross the Great Divide, and enjoy some new scenery without numerous tour buses crowding your photo opportunity.
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Goat Creek Bike Trail
The Goat Creek Trail is a moderately popular and very straight-forward trail leading from Canmore to Banff. It is excellent for families and does not involve any single-track or technical riding. Some rolling hills and various bridges keep this trail interesting!
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Topp Notch Bike Trail
The Topp Notch trail is a great trail for those who know how to handle their bike and are looking for a moderate route close to town. This route is packed with small berms, well built switchbacks, and wooden features. It is one of the most popular trails in the Tunnel Bench area, but don’t worry, despite its popularity, you won’t run into too many people on the trail.
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Star Wars Bike Trail
The Star Wars trail is one of the most popular mountain bike loops in the Town of Banff. The Tunnel Bench trails see plenty of use, and riders love to repeat laps on the Star Wars/Return of the Jedi circuit. There are plenty of neighbouring trails to add to this circuit, making for a great, full day out on the trails.
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Spray Loop Mountain Bike
Riding the Spray Loop multi-use trail is a great way to spend a half-day in the Town of Banff. This moderately busy trail is straight-forward and graded gently. It is a popular choice for beginner bikers or family groups. You’ll find other cyclists, runners, and hikers along the way, so don’t be alarmed!
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Stoney Lookout Bike Trail
The Stoney Lookout Bike Trail is a great mountain bike route for the whole family. It is well-graded and keeps a short distance, making it a top choice for any ability. There are options to extend this trip on connecting trails. The forested trail comes to an unrivalled view of the Banff Townsite below.
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Suggested Tours
Summit Mount Olympus Trekking Tour
Months Tour Operates
This tour is your chance to trek one of the most mystical mountains on earth: Mount Olympus. This self-guided journey starts in Litochoro, an enchanting town at the foot of Greece’s highest peak. Then you’ll spend two days on the mountain, sleeping in a mountain hut on the second night. You should be comfortable hiking up some serious elevation on this tour to reach the summit, a worthy reward for your effort.
Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies
Months Tour Operates
Avalanche safety is a must-have tenet of backcountry adventure and a critical step in keeping yourself and your adventure partners safe in the wintertime and shoulder season. The Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies tour is a practical chance to learn the basics of avalanche safety in one of the most beautiful mountain environments in the world.
Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek
Months Tour Operates
Take on a quintessential Slovenian trekking adventure to the summit of its highest mountain! The Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek allows you to hike at your own pace and enjoy the incredible scenery of Triglav National Park.
2-Day Mt Olympus Hike
Months Tour Operates
Join an exhilarating 2-day hiking tour through the legendary Mount Olympus, revered as the abode of ancient Greek Gods!
Other Activities in Canada
Trip Planners
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Planning a Trip to Alberta’s Castle Provincial Park
Planning your trip to Jasper
Planning Your Trip to the Icefields
Planning your trip to Banff
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The Ultimate Guide to Kootenay National Park
Planning Your Trip to Strathcona Provincial Park
Planning Your Trip to Yoho National Park
Planning Your Trip to Waterton Lakes National Park
Planning your trip to Icefields and Yoho
Planning your trip to Canmore
Planning your trip to Lake Louise
Essential Tools for Any Adventure
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