Road Biking Routes in Banff National Park

There is no better way to explore Banff National Park then by bike. Road biking around Banff is exceptional, with a great selection of car-free roads and roads with low speed limits. We think there is no better way to explore Banff National Park then by bike, and these routes allow you to appreciate the beauty and majesty of this mountain wonderland.

Here we feature our favourite road bike rides in Banff National Park, which take in stunning lakes, beautiful passes and stupendous mountain views. Combine these bike rides with a hike, a canoe ride or just a break to enjoy the stunning beauty of Banff National Park.

THE TOP 10 ROAD BIKE RIDES IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK

The best bike rides in Banff offer fairly quiet roads, exceptional views, and the occasional wildlife sighting. Experienced cyclists can do the famous ride to Lake Louise and back, while there is a large variety of recreational bike rides for the average person to enjoy. Here is our top twelve:

1. Jasper to Banff (179.0mi, 12290ft, 2 - 4 days): A must-do multi-day bike ride that goes past glaciers, alpine lakes, wildlife, and scenery you will never forget. Challenging at times, yet open to any ability level. Join a tour, use a support vehicle, or ride self-sufficiently, you’ll be in for a treat either way.
2. Minnewanka Loop (19.0mi, 1339ft, 1.5-2.5h): This bike ride near Banff provides a great way to see Minnewanka with a challenging ascent and a thrilling descent.
3. Banff to Lake Louise, and Back (73.9mi, 3707ft, 5-8h): You can do this road bike ride as a return trip from either end, but we find the best bang-for-your-buck is to cycle one-way. Take a taxi or arrange a shuttle with a friend to Lake Louise, and ride back to Banff. We prefer this way, as there is less elevation gain. For a great day trip, ride there and back and save yourself the shuttle!
4. Lake Louise to Bow Summit (54.7mi, 2936ft, 5-7h): Start early for this epic bike ride on the Icefields Parkway. Enjoy the incredible views and take in the famous Peyto Lake Viewpoint and landscape at Bow Summit. Stop by Num-Ti-Jah lodge at Bow Lake on the way back.
5. Sunshine Road (23.5mi, 1224ft, 2-3h): While this is a busy road in winter, the Sunshine Road is quite a joy to ride in summer. You can start from the town of Banff or park at Healy Creek at the beginning of the road.
6. Banff to Canmore on the Legacy Trail (30.6mi, 512ft, 1.5-3h). This is a wonderful, mostly car-free paved path. While you’ll expect the cars to distract you, they really don’t. You get great views along this bike ride. The ride back to Canmore is fast as it is downhill and usually provides a tailwind. The route back to Banff can be tough.
7. Vermilion Lakes (9.3mi, 587ft, 0.75-1.5h): This classic Banff bike ride is a must-do for anybody who can ride a bike and is in Banff. It’s not a tough ride, but the ability to bike along Vermilion Lakes and soak in the views makes for a great bike ride near Banff. Get there early on a calm day and enjoy stunning views towards Mount Rundle.
8. Banff Springs Golf Course Loop (10.4mi, 233ft, 0.75-1.5h). This ride isn’t well known but it is a charmer. We like to take this route in shoulder season, as there is a high chance of wildlife viewing. It’s all been recently repaved, and is a joy to ride.
9. Moraine Lake Road (16.6mi, 1096ft, 1.5-2h). Recent traffic control has reduced the number of vehicles on the route, making this a great ride. Boasting incredible views at Moraine Lake, cycling the Moraine Lake Road is one of the best ways to see Canada’s most stunning lake.
10. Tunnel Mountain Loop (8.5mi, 394ft, 0.75-1.25h). The Tunnel Mountain Loop is a great ride to tack onto another route in Banff due to its short length. This is an especially enjoyable route taken from Buffalo Mountain Lodge down to Surprise Corner for great views of the historic Banff Springs Hotel.