The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Banff National Park
With 360km (224 miles) of cycling trails and 100+ trails across the entire park, Banff mountain biking offers the unique chance to visit places in Banff National Park you may not otherwise access. This guide covers the best mountain biking trails and important things you need to know before pedaling out.
Want to see a different side to the Canadian Rocky Mountains? Ride the Banff mountain biking trails to go deeper into Banff National Park and see hoodoo rock formations, historic lookouts and serene lakes.
Mountain biking trails in Banff include double-wide gravel paths, tight and technical singletrack, and exposed alpine trails. In this guide, you’ll learn about Banff’s best mountain biking trails, what makes each bike trail special, and the best ways to enjoy them.
What’s in this guide?
Best Mountain Biking Trails in Banff and Lake Louise
The vast network of mountain biking trails in Banff National Park brings you to some of the most remarkable landmarks and viewpoints. These trails are close to town, easy to access, and provide variety and choice, based on the kind of adventure you’re craving.
Here are the best mountain biking trails in Banff and Lake Louise.
Tunnel Mountain Trails (Star Wars and Return of the Jedi)
- Distance: 2.7km loop (1.7 miles).
- Elevation gain: 80m (262 feet).
- Pedal-assist e-bikes permitted: Yes.
- Time required: 1 to 1.5 hours return.
- Difficulty: Moderate (blue rating).
- Trailhead: Tunnel Mountain Drive near the reservoir inside the town of Banff.
- Closest town: Banff.
- Best for: Intermediate riders and experienced bike families seeking fun, flowy downhill mountain bike trails with technical terrain features like berms, hits, and ladders.
Pack your lightsabre and harness The Force. Tunnel Mountain Trails is a flowy singletrack Banff biking trail that brings you on a freewheeling adventure through technical terrain.
Fly over wooden bridges and ladders, conquer the wall ride, and whip around berms. Tunnel Mountain is right in the town of Banff, so you can ride straight to the trailhead from downtown.
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Trail
- Distance: 4.8km one way (3 miles).
- Elevation gain: 115m (377 feet).
- Pedal-assist e-bikes permitted: Yes.
- Time required: 1 to 1.5 hours return.
- Difficulty: Moderate (blue rating).
- Trailhead: Tunnel Mountain Road at the Hoodoos viewpoint parking lot, or the Surprise Corner lot.
- Closest town: Banff.
- Best for: Riders who enjoy the climb and the thrill of a steep singletrack descent, topped off with rewarding views of Mount Rundle, Bow River, and unique hoodoo rock formations.
The Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Trail is mostly singletrack trail with varied terrain and interesting sightseeing.
Get your fix of steep climbs and descents with views of Mount Rundle, a glimpse at the Bow River, and unique rock formations called hoodoos. Descend a singletrack trail from Surprise Corner toward the Bow River, winding through the forest before climbing back up to see the hoodoos and peaks.
Head back the way you came, or return via Tunnel Mountain Road. The trail connects to the larger Tunnel Bench trail system if you want a longer ride.
Lake Minnewanka Trail
- Distance: 29.4km one way (18.3 miles).
- Elevation gain: 45m (148 feet).
- Pedal-assist e-bikes permitted: Yes.
- Time required: 1 to 3 hours return.
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (blue rating).
- Trailhead: Lake Minnewanka day use area near the kiosk at the far end.
- Closest town: Banff.
- Best for: Experienced riders who want to challenge themselves, ride somewhere truly remote, and enjoy incredible alpine views while doing it.
Lake Minnewanka may be one of the most popular places to visit in Banff National Park, but Lake Minnewanka’s biking trail is lesser known. This trail gets the heart pumping with a steady uphill pedal, surrounded by dramatic scenery.
Continue along Lake Minnewanka, crossing the Stewart Canyon Bridge, then reach the punchy singletrack mountain biking trail. Eventually, you will come to the park boundary at Devil’s Gap. While on the trail, you can access other trail junctions, including a visit to Warden’s Cabin, which hugs the lake.
This is a multi-use trail so watch out for hikers.
There are also seasonal bear closures between July and September, so the best time to ride here is May to July and September to October.
Moraine Lake Highline
- Distance: 9.3km one way (5.78 miles)
- Elevation gain/Loss: 485m/325m (1,591 feet/1,066 feet)
- Pedal assist E-bikes permitted: No
- Timerequired: 6.5 to 7.5 hours return
- Difficulty: Difficult (black diamond rating)
- Trailhead: Moraine Lake Road (parking unavailable)
- Closest town: Lake Louise
- Best for: Experienced riders craving steep ascents, exposed trails, and backcountry riding with incredible views.
Moraine Lake Highline is one of the most demanding, but rewarding mountain biking trails in Banff National Park, bringing you through technical terrain and into remote and beautiful backcountry areas.
The first section traverses an old road, before joining the trail to Paradise Valley. Challenge yourself on bridges, skinny ladder features, and stream crossings. Once you hit the upper sections of the trail, you’ll reach the flanks of Mount Temple, the tallest mountain in the Lake Louise area. In this section, you can expect exposed, narrow traverses with striking alpine views, before descending into Moraine Lake.
This is bear country and there are trail closures from mid-to-late summer during buffalo berry season. Be sure to bring your bear spray.
Pipestone Loop in Lake Louise
- Distance: 4km one way (2.5 miles).
- Elevation gain: 105m (344 feet).
- Pedal assist E-bikes permitted: No.
- Time required: 1 hour return.
- Difficulty: Moderate (blue rating).
- Trailhead: Parking lot on Slate Road, off Trans-Canada Highway, just west of Lake Louise.
- Closest town: Lake Louise.
- Best for: Beginner riders looking to enjoy spectacular views and wildlife sightings, away from the hustle and bustle of Lake Louise.
This gravel and dirt doubletrack bike trail winds along the Pipestone River to Pipestone Valley north of Lake Louise. Pipestone Loop is lesser-known and feels like a world away from Lake Louise, bringing you to serene lakes and lookouts where you can stop and snap a photo.
Because it is quieter than other trails, this is also a prime area for wildlife viewing. Pipestone is well-graded, with few obstacles to getting to the best views.
Watch for horses and bears on your ride.
Great Divide
- Distance: 9.8km one way (6.1 miles).
- Elevation gain: 115m (377 feet).
- Pedal-assist e-bikes permitted: Yes.
- Time required: 2 hours return.
- Difficulty: Easy (green rating).
- Trailhead: Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot.
- Closest town: Lake Louise.
- Best for: Beginners and families who want the unique experience of cycling across the Great Divide between two provinces, taking in the best of Banff National Park in Alberta as it meets Yoho National Park in BC.
Pedal along the Great Divide, the retired Highway 1A that is closed to all motorized traffic. The route is mostly paved, though nature is reclaiming it. The gently graded trail passes iconic lookouts, including the historic archway that marks the official Continental Divide and the border between Alberta and British Columbia.
During the summer, this is a great place to see wildflowers along the trail.
Spray River Loop
- Distance: 14 km Loop (8.7 miles).
- Elevation gain: 130m (427 feet).
- Pedal-assist e-bikes permitted: No.
- Time required: 1 to 3 hours return.
- Difficulty: Easy (green rating).
- Trailhead: End of Spray Ave.
- Closest town: Banff.
- Best for: Families or beginner riders looking for a fun, casual ride with great views and a picnic near the bridge.
For a casual day out on two wheels, Spray River Loop is a rolling double-wide trail that travels east-west along the Spray River. This local favourite starts on the east side of the river along a smooth pathway. Take your time and enjoy the sound of rushing water and a picnic at the halfway point. The return heads west along a rockier section of trail.
You can also continue your journey on one of the connector trails from Spray River. Goat Creek brings you to the lower flanks of Mount Rundle.
This is a multi-use trail, so be on the lookout for hikers.
Redearth Creek
- Distance: 10km one way (6.2 miles).
- Elevation gain: 330m (1,083 feet).
- Pedal-assist e-bikes permitted: Yes.
- Time required: 2 hours return.
- Difficulty: Moderate (blue rating).
- Trailhead: Redearth Creek parking area, west of Banff along the Trans-Canada Highway.
- Closest town: Banff.
- Best for: Cycling deeper into Banff National Park, then transitioning to the backcountry hiking trails to reach the breathtaking Shadow Lake and Egypt Lakes.
Redearth Creek mountain biking trail is a winding gravel ride through the forest that brings you farther into the backcountry of Banff National Park. This fire road is a steady uphill climb, but the destination is well worth it.
Once you reach the hiking trailhead, lock up your bike at the rack and trade your cycling shoes for hiking boots. From here, begin your trek toward Egypt Lake or Shadow Lake, two of the most spectacular alpine sites in the area.
The best part is: Once you’re finished the hike, it’s all downhill from there.
Cascade Valley
- Distance: 14.6km one way (9 miles).
- Elevation gain: 230m (755 feet).
- Pedal-assist e-bikes permitted: No.
- Time required: 1.5 hours return.
- Difficulty: Easy (green rating).
- Trailhead: Upper Bankhead parking area on Banff Avenue, off the Trans-Canada Highway.
- Closest town: Banff.
- Best for: Beginner riders and bikepackers looking for a peaceful ride surrounded by dense forest and massive limestone mountains.
Located near Lake Minnewanka, the gravel Cascade Valley bike trail is a gateway into Banff’s serene backcountry. This Banff bike trail, popular for day riders and bikepackers alike, begins with a steady climb framed by dense forest.
Once you cross Cascade Bridge, the scenery opens up to views of towering limestone mountain peaks and the Cascade River. Cycling ends just before the remote Stoney Creek campground, where you can pitch a tent and sleep under the stars.
Take a Guided Mountain Biking Tour in Banff and Lake Louise
If you want to enhance your Banff mountain biking experience and learn from an expert, book a guided bike tour in Banff.
Your certified guide will help you learn new skills, build confidence, and give you insider tips. Guiding companies offer private, customized excursions and group tours on regular mountain bikes and pedal-assisted e-bikes.
Certified guides know these trails inside and out, so you can focus on the views instead of wayfinding. They’ll share interesting facts and stories and pass along expert tips to improve your riding stance.
This is also perfect for solo travellers seeking an easy, convenient group biking experience.
How to Get to Trailheads for Mountain Biking in Banff and Lake Louise
Parking at mountain bike trails in Banff and Lake Louise is limited, and day lots fill up quickly, especially in the summer months.
Depending on where you’re riding, it is possible to cycle to the trailhead from Banff or Lake Louise.
If you’re mountain biking a little farther out and need vehicle access, consider carpooling, taking public transit, or booking a shuttle service.
Plan ahead and research how to get around Banff National Park.
Trip Inspiration
Where to Rent a Mountain Bike in Banff and Lake Louise
You won’t need to lug your bike all the way from home to venture onto the Banff Mountain biking trails. Banff and Lake Louise retail providers rent regular pedal bikes and pedal-assisted e-bikes (which are allowed on some trails in Banff National Park).
Bike Rentals in Banff and Lake Louise
How to Prepare for a Mountain Biking Trip in Banff and Lake Louise
Access to Banff National Park requires a pass, which you can purchase online before you arrive.
If you’re going on a self-guided mountain bike ride, take some time to learn about the bike trails and choose one that suits the ability levels and comfort of your entire group.
Here’s a quick packing list to get you started:
- Helmet.
- Compact rain jacket.
- Flat-soled shoes.
- Bike gloves.
- A backpack with backcountry essentials, extra water, and food.
- Small first aid kit.
- Bike repair tools, including a pump and tire patch kit.
- Chamois (padded bike shorts).
- Satellite communicator for backcountry riding.
- Bear spray (and know how to use it).
Don’t worry about packing everything in your luggage. Outdoor retailers in Banff and Lake Louise carry the full range of bike gear in case you need a new kit or forgot something at home.
Safety Tips for Your Bike Ride in Banff and Lake Louise
From beginner-friendly trails to some of Canada’s most rugged mountain biking terrain, Banff National Park offers rides for every skill level. Wherever your adventure takes you, safety should come first.
These tips will help you enjoy the trail with confidence.
- Before you go: Check weather, trail reports, and Parks Canada bulletins. Riding in numbers is always safer, so gather friends to explore together. Plus, it’s more fun to go as a group. Don’t forget to let someone, like your Hotel, know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
- While on the trail: Stay alert and avoid using headphones, especially in bear country. If you do encounter a bear, remain calm and keep your distance. Follow trail markers and always pay attention to where your riding buddies are at all times. Riders that play together should stay together.
More tips for how to be safe while biking in Banff and Lake Louise.
Plan Your Mountain Biking Trip to Banff National Park
From peaceful bike rides beside mountain-framed lakes to rugged alpine grinds, ride the Banff bike trails to travel further and faster into the heart of Banff National Park. Whether you're a first-time rider or a seasoned mountain biker, the variety of routes lets you push your limits, discover breathtaking viewpoints, and move through the landscape at your own pace.
Lean on local experts and consider booking a guided tour to make the most of your time on the trails. They'll help you reach the places that stay with you long after you've left.
Banff and Lake Louise are the kind of places that change how you see things. The trails are waiting. It’s time to find out what that means for you.
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