Road Biking Routes in Banff National Park

Biking in Banff

In our opinion, biking in Banff is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty that the park has to offer. Road biking around Banff is exceptional, with a great selection of car-free roads and roads with low speed limits that allow you to appreciate the beauty and majesty of this mountain wonderland at your own pace. Biking in Banff is an unforgettable adventure if you are lucky enough to experience it, so what are you waiting for?!

Here we feature our favourite road bike rides in Banff National Park, which take in stunning lakes, beautiful passes and stupendous mountain views. If your next trip includes biking in Banff, be sure to combine these rides with a hike, a canoe ride or just a sightseeing break to enjoy the stunning beauty of Banff National Park.

What’s New in 2026

• The Bow Valley Parkway is car-free twice this year. Parks Canada closes the eastern 17 km, between the Fireside Day-Use Area and Johnston Canyon, to public vehicles daily from 8 am to 8 pm from 30 April to 25 June 2026 and again from 1 September to 6 October 2026, with the pilot extended through 2029. That covers part of the Banff to Lake Louise route below. The same stretch is shut to all travel, cycling included, from 8 pm to 8 am between 1 March and 25 June for wildlife.
• Moraine Lake Road is now closed to private vehicles year-round, not just restricted, which has turned it into one of the quietest climbs in the park. It is open to bikes from 1 June to 12 October 2026. You will share the road with shuttle buses, so start before 7 am for the calmest conditions.
• A Parks Canada pass is required to cycle in the park, and the Canada Strong Pass waives admission from 19 June to 7 September 2026. The Legacy Trail to Canmore and the Great Divide Route are both car-free, and the Icefields Parkway has a wide shoulder along most of its length.
• The season runs from roughly May to October. Lower routes around the townsite, such as Vermilion Lakes and the Banff Springs loop, open earliest, while the Icefields Parkway and Bow Summit are at their best from June through September. Wildlife is active on the Minnewanka Loop and the Bow Valley Parkway, so carry bear spray and give animals room.

THE BEST ROAD BIKE ROUTES 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 list of the top routes for biking in Banff:

1. Jasper to Banff (288.0 km, 3,746 m, 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.
   For a fully supported version with a van, meals and a guide, see our Jasper to Banff road biking tour.
2. Minnewanka Loop (30.5 km, 408 m, 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 (119.0 km, 1,130 m, 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 (88.0 km, 895 m, 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 (37.9 km, 373 m, 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 (49.2 km, 156 m, 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 (15.0 km, 179 m, 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 (16.8 km, 71 m, 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 (26.7 km, 334 m, 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. The road is now closed to private vehicles year-round and is open to bikes from 1 June to 12 October 2026.
10. Tunnel Mountain Loop (13.7 km, 120 m, 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.
11. Norquay Road (15.2 km, 320 m, 1-2h): A short, sharp climb of repeated switchbacks up the Norquay Scenic Road, with wide views over the Bow Valley. A favourite training route, and easy to pair with another Banff outing.
12. Great Divide Route (1A) (19.9 km, 113 m, 1-2h): A quiet, car-free route along the retired 1A highway from Lake Louise Drive, crossing the Great Divide into Yoho National Park. The pavement is bumpy in places, but the traffic is nil.

Other Activities in Banff National Park

Biking in Banff is a great activity for those looking to cycle the picturesque landscape of the Rockies, but there are plenty of other things to do in Banff National Park that can be experienced at all times of the year. From hiking to cross-country skiing, check out the below list of activities in Banff National Park for an endless supply of adventure opportunities:

-Hiking
-Mountain Biking
-Scrambling
-Backpacking
-Snowshoeing

Plan Your Trip

Banff is the highlight of road biking in Alberta, and part of our wider road biking in Canada and road biking routes collections.

Frequently Asked Questions About Road Biking in Banff

Can you bike to Moraine Lake?

Yes, and it is now one of the best ways to get there. Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles year-round, and the road is open to bikes from 1 June to 12 October 2026. You will share it with shuttle buses, so set out before 7 am or in the evening for the quietest conditions.

When can you cycle the Bow Valley Parkway without cars?

Parks Canada closes the eastern 17 km of the parkway, from the Fireside Day-Use Area to Johnston Canyon, to public vehicles daily from 8 am to 8 pm between 30 April and 25 June 2026, and again from 1 September to 6 October 2026. Park at the Banff train station lot and start from town. The section between 8 pm and 8 am is closed to everyone from 1 March to 25 June for wildlife.

Do you need a pass to bike in Banff National Park?

Yes, a Parks Canada pass is required for anyone entering the park, including cyclists. The Canada Strong Pass waives admission from 19 June to 7 September 2026. The Legacy Trail between Canmore and Banff starts outside the park gate.