Road Bike Jasper to Banff
Enjoy the thrill of this 4-day fully supported bike tour on Alberta's Icefields Parkway
Guided
Road Bike Jasper to Banff Overview
The road bike ride from Jasper to Banff is one of the world’s best bike rides. Joining this fully-supported cycling tour in the Canadian Rockies means you don’t have to drag a heavy, pannier-filled bike along this trip. Instead, you have a support van full of great snacks, clean clothes and spare parts in case you have a mechanical breakdown.
This is an experience to last a lifetime, and biking along the Icefields Parkway is perhaps the best way to explore this incredibly wild part of the world. Beginning in Jasper, you will cycle through valleys, past mountains, beside lakes, and view stunning waterfalls. Along the way, the support van and driver will show you special overlooks, viewpoints and other highlights along this incredible ride. You’ll also have great snacks and meals, with regular stops where you can recover some strength and eagerly share the excitement of the beautiful country you have just ridden through.
While each day is spectacular, the ride to Lake Louise on Day 3 is especially rewarding, and typically the group takes an evening trip to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise for spectacular views as the sunsets. It really doesn’t get any better. Except it does, the last day ride into Banff has stupendous views along Vermillion Lakes, and is a triumphant end to an epic adventure. If you are in reasonable fitness and like riding a bike, you can probably do this trip!
Trip highlights
Cycle the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic roadways in the world, as it passes through two of Canada’s most famed National Parks: Jasper and Banff.
Experience the world class mountains towns of Banff and Jasper, and all the beauty that surrounds them
Spot wildlife along the bike route. Depending on the time of year, you may see elk, bighorn sheep, and bears among other types of wildlife
Ride through Bow Pass - a challenging ride but with one of the most scenic rewards; a stunning view of Peyto Lake far below
Day By Day Itinerary
If you are flying in for this great trip, arrive the night before. Early the next day you will be picked up at your Edmonton Airport hotel for your transfer to Jasper, Alberta. Other guests will meet in Jasper. Once in Jasper you will start with a route briefing and safety reminder, then you will ride out along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Sunwapta Falls. You will get a rest and time to view Athabasca Falls, a spectacular and popular attraction. The day ends with a 3-course meal at Sunwapta Falls Hotel.
- Overnight Location:
- Sunwapta Falls
- Distance:
- 50km
- Meals:
- Dinner
Today is the longest day on the bike, as you will cycle nearly 100 km. Fortunately your day starts with a big breakfast at Sunwapta Falls Hotel. From there you will cycle past Tangle Falls and stop for lunch beneath Columbia Icefields before heading through Sunwapta Pass and the Weeping Wall. After a few more rolling hills you will be enjoying a cold drink and another great meal under Mt Wilson at the Crossing Resort.
- Overnight Location:
- The Crossing Resort
- Distance:
- 98km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a spectacular bike ride, so eat a hearty breakfast and start early. The day begins with a climb but soon levels out with sweeping views of mountains, glacial lakes, and wildlife. Before lunch you will conquer the final challenge of the trip - Bow Pass, which gives way to unparalleled views of Peyto Lake and the valley you just rode through. After a well-deserved lunch at the stunning Bow Lake, you will roll your way down to Lake Louise and the lovely Mountaineer Lodge. If time allows, the group will make a trip up to Moraine Lake and/or Lake Louise after dinner, enjoying the stunning alpenglow on these spectacular lakes.
- Overnight Location:
- Mountaineer Lodge
- Distance:
- 85km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The final bike ride to Banff (or Canmore) is easier than the previous few days. You’ll cycle along the historic Bow Valley Parkway, enjoying beautiful views as you ride over gentle rolling hills and flatter sections. After a break beneath Castle Mountain, continue into the famous town of Banff, passing the scenic Vermilion Lakes along the way.
Many riders will finish their journey in Banff, although you can extend the ride for another 25 km along a dedicated bike path to Canmore. The support van will then continue to Calgary and Edmonton Airports.
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- 60-85km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, snacks along the route each day.
- Accommodations for 3-nights along the tour. Accommodations before the tour in Jasper and after the tour in Banff or Canmore are not included.
- Transport for you, your luggage and your bike to Jasper from Edmonton on day 1 and return transport to from Banff to Edmonton via Calgary (and drop-offs for Calgary International Airport) on day 4.
- Customized bicycle support van support along each days ride, national park fees and driver. You’ll meet-up for regular stops for snacks each day.
- Get great memories as your driver will take action shots of you and the group along the tour. You’ll be provided with a USB disk on the last day.
- Bike confidently by being led by a knowledgeable professional guide.
Not included
- Flights to get to Edmonton or out of Calgary
- Bike rental
- Transfers from Edmonton Airport to a local Edmonton hotel
- Accommodations before the tour in Edmonton or Jasper or after the tour in Banff or Canmore
- Breakfast and lunch on Day 1
- Tour Guide Gratuity. It’s optional but appreciated and customary in Canada for good service
- Any additional non rider activities
- Alcoholic drinks not included in evening meals
- GST (+5% of tour price)
Optional Extras
- Rent a Road bike for the tour (carbon fork, aluminum frame, hydraulic disk brakes)
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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FAQ
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. For many guests this is the longest bike ride they’ve ever done. Should you get tired you can ride in the van for parts of the tour, such as up and over high mountain passes.
Check with your local country about visa requirements for travel to Canada. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. You can get travel insurance here.
Make your own way to Jasper or Edmonton to start this tour. If you want to start in Edmonton, arrive the day before. You will get a transfer to Jasper on the support Van. The transfer from the airport to your hotel is not included.
Yes, the Van driver / tour leader is English speaking (and a heck of a lot of fun!)
The tour ends either in Banff or Canmore, depending on how far you want to ride. Many guests spend additional time in the Banff / Canmore region. The support Van continues back to Calgary International Airport (YYC) and then Edmonton International Airport (YEG) should you want to fly out. It is recommended to fly out late out of Calgary or Edmonton on your last day of the tourus before booking your flight out to confirm what time we will make it to your airport. The tour typically drives through Calgary between 2-4pm and Edmonton 6-7pm.
Yes. Rental bikes are available for the tour, as well as electric pedal-assist bikes.
Yes you can.
Vaccines are not typically required for travel to Canada, but check with your family doctor.
If you need to return to Jasper at the end of the tour, local transportation options such as Brewster and Sundog run a daily service from Calgary through Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise to Jasper. Please check their respective websites for timetables and pricing information. If bringing your own bike and looking into this option you will likely need to pack it up into a box for these shuttle services back to Jasper. We can provide high quality rental bikes to help save you this hassle if you prefer.
The usual group size is up to 11 people, which keeps these tours small and intimate.
The tour starts at around 1000m above sea level in Jasper and finish at about 1400m above sea level in Banff. There are two high passes to cross between these two towns on the four-day tour. These mountain passes are about 2000m above sea level. Most of the climbs with the exception of one are gradual at an average of 4 – 5%
No. This bike tour will be riding along the Icefields parkway (Jasper to Lake Louise), Bow Valley Parkway (Lake Louise to Banff) and the Legacy Trail bike path (into Banff and onto Canmore). These are paved (sealed) roads not accessible to through truck traffic but used by sightseeing tourists in cars and RV’s. There is a wide shoulder adjacent to the driving lanes along 90% of the route. The pavement is in good condition for the majority of the way although subject to change each season. In the few sections where the shoulder narrows the guide will aim to notify the group of the upcoming conditions and give advice on safe riding technique so that we can safely share the road with other traffic. For some parts of the tour you may have to ride single file in order to share the road with other users.
A road bike (thin tires) is the most efficient bike for this tour, giving you the most speed for minimum effort. There are a number of hills and climbs on the route so a bike with appropriate gearing for your fitness and strength level is also recommended. A cross bike, cruiser or even mountain bikes are okay although we recommend you install slick tires (rather than the knobbly mountain bike tires) before the tour to make your life easier. If you rent a bike through us it will be a lightweight road bike with thin tires, appropriate gearing, drop down handle bars.
While it is your responsibility to ensure your bike is in sound mechanical shape prior to the tour departing Edmonton, our guides do have basic mechanical skills and we will have the necessary tools on board the bike trailer for basic repairs such as replacing tires, tubes, fixing broken chains, tightening loose components, etc. We may not however have specialized or unique replacement components onboard or very specific tools required for more complicated repairs. If you are bringing your own bike we strongly recommend you take it to your local bike shop for a thorough pre-tour inspection. If you are renting a bike from us this will be taken care of for you. We will aim to have a spare bike in the trailer if space allows to swap out in the case of a repair being too complicated to fix enroute.
It is 288 km between Jasper and Banff.
Tipping in Canada is customary, but much appreciated. Ideally, you should tip each guide 5-10 CAD per day (from one person) for an excellent service.
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