Road Biking Routes in Canada

The Jasper to Banff bike ride along the Icefields Parkway sits on many bucket lists. This multi-day route travels one of the most scenic roads in the world, taking you through almost untouched wilderness. Cell service and supply points are rare, so be sure to carry what you need for the trip. This is an especially great trip if you join a tour. We suggest a four-day itinerary for this trip.

For those who like convenience, check out the fully supported guided Jasper to Banff Road Biking Tour.

The bike ride around Lake Minnewanka on the Minnewanka Loop is a classic road bike ride near the town of Banff. Head out from town along Banff Avenue and quickly get on a beautiful bike loop that provides great views, and often lots of wildlife. Enjoy the rollercoaster ride back to town.

The bike ride from Banff to Lake Louise (and back) is a classic! Ride along the Bow Valley Parkway, where traffic is slowed to 60.0 km/hr and there isn’t too much traffic. You can do this bike ride one-way by booking a taxi or arranging a car shuttle to Lake Louise and then riding downhill from Lake Louise back to Banff.

Any bike ride on the Icefields Parkway is spectacular, and this bike ride takes in two incredible highlights: Bow Lake and Peyto Lake viewpoint. These are two of the best views in all of Banff National Park. Start early and you’ll have limited traffic to contend with.

Ride your bike from Banff through Vermilion Lakes, and then up the Sunshine Ski Hill Road. In summer this road is usually not too busy, and it is a great workout with hills and excellent views. Combine this with a gondola ride to Sunshine Meadows and enjoy an epic day in the Canadian Rockies.

The Legacy Trail is a classic bike route in Banff, connecting the nearby town of Canmore with Banff. This bike ride is mostly on dedicated bike path, and you’ll enjoy great views and a fun day out for the whole family.

Rent a bike and ride out to Vermilion Lakes from Banff. This is the most popular bike ride for visitors to Banff, and is famous for stunning views of the surrounding mountains reflecting in the calm Vermilion Lakes.

This is a wonderful bike ride in Banff, taking you to the Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and then out along the Banff Springs Golf Course, on a pretty loop that follows the Bow River for part of the ride.

Getting to Moraine Lake by car is challenging these days, so why not go by bike? This beautiful ride allows you to arrive at Moraine Lake on your own time. Enjoy the wonderful ride, as the restrictions on car traffic on Moraine Lake Road means a much better bike ride at most times of the day.

The Tunnel Mountain Loop is a fun bike ride in Banff. The highlight of this bike ride is the descent from Tunnel Mountain, particularly the view from Surprise Corner, and the stunning Banff Springs Hotel.

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.

This bumpy bike ride follows a deteriorating, paved road from Lake Louise Drive along the retired highway 1A, now closed to vehicle traffic. Enjoy this peaceful ride past the great divide and into Yoho National Park.

The Giant’s Head Climb is a beautifully scenic cycling route in the Okanagan Valley that will see you climb uphill for amazing views overlooking Okanagan Lake. While out cycling this route, you will pass through lovely fruit orchards and vineyards before making the climb uphill to the top of Giant’s Head. After taking in the views, an exhilarating descent and beautiful lakeside ride will cap off your day. This is a fantastic route if you are after some decent climbs and picturesque views on your ride.

Cycling from Oliver to Okanagan Falls is a great excursion that will allow you to experience some beautiful vistas within the Okanagan Valley and get a good amount of exercise in the process. While out on this route, you will climb uphill through beautifully scenic rural landscapes and make your way along the edge of White Lake Grasslands Protected Area before descending through Okanagan Falls for the return leg of the journey alongside Vaseux Lake. There are a fair amount of ups and downs along the way, but the views that sweep across the Okanagan Valley are well with the effort.

Cycling Richter Pass and the Rollers is a lengthy adventure in the Okanagan Valley that will see you traverse a route that is most well-known for being a part of the Ironman Canada challenge. While out on the route, you will climb uphill through the steep terrain of Richter Pass and traverse some rolling hills on the way to Keremeos before turning back to do it all over again in the opposite direction. This is a physically demanding, albeit exhilarating, day out on the road.

The Naramata Bench Road Cycle is an amazing long distance cycling route that will lead you through the terrain to the northeast of Penticton for some lovely views overlooking Okanagan Lake. While out cycling this trail, you will pass by the various vineyards along the Naramata Bench before climbing uphill towards Chute Lake to meet up with the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. It is best not to attempt this route on a road bike, as the return portion of the journey along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is made up of gravel.

The ride from Osoyoos to Jackson Triggs Winery is a pleasant cycling adventure that will take you past the Okanagan Valley’s most well-known vineyards. While out cycling this relatively quiet route, you will make your way northwest along BC-97 and break off to the east along Black Sage Road, where you will pass through picturesque vineyards on either side until you arrive at the Jackson Triggs Winery. No cycling trip in the Okanagan Valley is complete without experiencing this breathtaking stretch of countryside.

Cycling Anarchist Mountain is a great adventure that will take you uphill from Osoyoos for some breathtaking views overlooking the lake and surrounding Okanagan Valley landscape. While out on this classic climb, you will make your way across Osoyoos Lake and steadily uphill past lovely wineries and rugged mountain peaks before reaching the scenic viewpoints at the top of the trail. Be sure to set out early in order to avoid the traffic that will inevitably be on the road during later times of day.

Penticton to Skaha and Green Lakes is an amazing cycling route that will expose you to some truly stunning views of the Okanagan Valley landscape. While out on this route, you will leave Penticton behind and travel along the gorgeous shores of Skaha Lake before passing through Okanagan Falls. At this point, you will climb through the hillside to pass by See Ya Later Ranch on the way to visit the Green and Mahoney Lakes. While some out-and-back routes are a bit of a chore, this one is a true pleasure, allowing you to relive the stunning scenery all over again.