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    Norquay Road

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Moderate
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    1-2h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    15.2 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    320 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
    Overall Rating
    This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
    8.0
    Physical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Technical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Read Reviews
    Directions to Trailhead
    Panorama of Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies

    The bike ride up the Norquay Scenic Road is a wonderful route, providing great views on a challenging road made up of repetitive switchbacks. This is a great training ride and also a nice ride to pair with one of Banff’s other bike rides.

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    Route Description for Norquay Road

    The Norquay Fire road gains 350 m of elevation over the 5.7 km ascent! That’s an average gradient of over 6%! This is not a walk in the park, so this bike ride is typically done on road bikes with fit riders. Many riders use this as a training ride for climbing or pair it with another bike ride in the Banff area.

    The hardest part of this bike ride could be finding parking if you’re not staying in Banff. We usually get there early and park in the parkade near Nester’s Market, at 122 Bear Street. This is right in central Banff and also allows us to pick up last minute snacks before we head out. Other parking options can be found on the Banff parking site. The Fenlands parking lot is another great option, and is out by the road up to Norquay.

    If you’re at Nester’s, go right on Lynx Street and you’ll pass Banff Park Lodge and a Petro Canada and Shell Gas Station. Continue straight, following this road, as it becomes Mount Norquay Road.

    Soon after passing Fenlands Recreation Centre, you’ll see a road on your left; this is the wonderful Vermilion Lakes Road, and a great additional bike ride to cool down after you’ve climbed up Norquay. For now, continue straight ahead, and soon come to a wildlife gate. Some people may ride over these, but we sure don’t. We get off our bike and either walk along a seam or better yet cross the road and use the pedestrian gate on the other side of the road.

    Once over this wildlife gate, cross over the Trans-Canada Highway and continue straight, soon coming to another wildlife gate. Dismount, cross the road and use the pedestrian gate.

    Mount your bike, and begin to climb. The road is about to steepen! The road initially curves to the right, before curving back to the left and rising.

    Follow the road up these consecutive switchbacks, using each corner to take in the valley below. The views on this bike ride stack up quickly, offering great perspective on the Bow Valley, however the vital pit stop on the ride is around the 3rd switchback. This is the famous Norquay Viewpoint, or the grass patch to locals. You’ll be able to catch an incredible view of bustling Banff under Mount Rundle from the Parks Canada Red Chairs—a photo opportunity not to miss. Don’t forget to #sharethechair.

    The switchbacks are behind you from here on, yet you’ll continue to ascend the 40 m over the next 850 m to the base of the Norquay Ski Hill. Here at Norquay there are some wonderful summer activities, such as the Via Ferrata, access to hiking trails, and the sightseeing chairlift to the Cliffhouse Bistro. Views can be accomplished only by hopping on the chairlift, so if you are planning to give your wallet a break, you’ll head down the way you came.

    The descent is fast and technical, be mindful of vehicle traffic whose drivers may be distracted by the views. This is the place for defensive bike riding, and not reliving dreams of the Tour de France.

    At the bottom remember that you’ll need to take the pedestrian gates to get around the wildlife gates in the road. Consider adding the easy bike ride along Vermilion Lakes to this ride for a bit more distance.

    Insider Hints for Norquay Road

    • Watch out for bad drivers on the descent!
    • We like to pair this bike ride with an easy spin along Vermilion Lakes Road.

    Getting to the Norquay Road Trailhead

    You can start anywhere in Banff. We usually start on Banff Ave. in summer parking can be hard to find, so arrive early. There is overflow parking at Fenlands, out on the way to Norquay.

    Route Information

    • Re-supply points

      Mt Norquay Ski Hill

    • When to do

      May - September

    • Toilets

      Mt Norquay Ski Hill

    • Level of Car Traffic

      Low

    • Road Type

      50km/h road

    • Family friendly

      No

    • Route Signage

      Average

    • Crowd Levels

      Low

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Norquay Road Elevation Graph

    Weather Forecast

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    Norquay Road Reviews

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