Ride Banff Like a Local With Our Favourite Local Routes
This is our backyard, and there’s a lot of it to explore on two wheels. Whether you’re after a relaxed family cruise, want to put an e-bike to work on the Bow Valley Parkway, or feel like earning your turns on Topp Notch, we’ve got a ride for you.
Our team at Bear Street Outfitters rides these roads and trails, so we’ve pulled together some of the best biking rides in Banff straight from the people who ride them often. Keep reading for some of our favourite local routes, from laid-back scenic cruises to mountain bike trails.
Bow Valley Parkway
Distance: 17 km one way (car-free section) to 50 km to Lake Louise | Type: Paved road | Trailhead: Fireside Day Use Area or Banff Train Station parking lot
If there’s one Banff bike ride that deserves a spot on your list, this is it.
The Bow Valley Parkway winds through some seriously impressive Rocky Mountain scenery, with forests, mountain views, wildlife lookouts, and plenty of reasons to stop for a photo. The ride from Banff toward Johnston Canyon is approachable for a wide range of riders, and you can always turn around when your legs tell you it’s time. Great for beginners and families.
Even better, sections of the parkway become vehicle-free during parts of the spring and fall, making an already great ride even better on two wheels.
Our recommended route takes you from Bear Street Outfitters to Johnston Canyon, covering roughly 16 miles and giving you an easy route to follow right from the shop.
Banff Legacy Trail
Distance: 29 km one way | Type: Paved multi-use trail | Trailheads: Multiple access points along Banff Avenue
New to biking in the Rockies? The Legacy Trail is a pretty great place to start. This paved route connects Banff and Canmore, serving up mountain views around almost every corner. There’s no technical riding required, making it a solid choice for families, casual riders, and anyone who’d rather focus on the scenery than navigating roots and rocks. Ride the whole route or turn around whenever you’re satisfied.
Best time to ride is May through October. This one dries out early and stays rideable late in the season.
Lake Minnewanka Loop
Distance: 15.5 km loop | Type: Paved road/shared path | Trailhead: Cascade Ponds day-use area
A classic half-day adventure and easily one of the best biking rides in Banff. The loop takes you to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake on smooth, paved roads, making it a great choice for road bikes, hybrids, or e-bikes.
Bighorn sheep are basically a guarantee. Grizzly bears are less common but still possible, so carry bear spray (we sell it in the shop). Rideable in either direction; counterclockwise gives you the lakes on your right side, which most people prefer.
Tunnel Mountain Trails
Distance: 7.9 km network | Type: Singletrack | Trailhead: Hoodoos Viewpoint or Tunnel Mountain Campground
For more intermediate riders, the Tunnel Mountain network is where Banff’s singletrack fun really gets going, making it one of the best biking rides in Banff for mountain bikers. Expect flowy sections, rocky challenges, punchy climbs, and Mount Rundle views that make all that pedalling worth it. The trails can be ridden in any direction and linked in different combinations, so you can dial the challenge up or down depending on how your legs are feeling.
Take the Wolf Scat Alley side trail for a little extra challenge and fun along the way.
Local tip: Go early. These trails sit close to town and get busy with hikers by mid-morning.
Goat Creek Trail
Distance: ~18 km one way | Type: Wide singletrack/double-track | Trailhead: Smith-Dorrien Road, Canmore
One of the most popular rides in the area, and for good reason. The Goat Creek Trail drops gently from the Canmore side down to the Spray River Trailhead in Banff — mostly downhill, mostly fun, and full of river views. It's a classic shuttle ride: get a friend to drop you at the top, ride down to Banff, and meet them at the Fairmont. Or book a shuttle through one of the local outfitters. Connect it to the Spray River West trail for a longer day.
A few steeper sections and rocky stretches keep things interesting, making this one of the best biking rides in Banff for confident intermediate riders ready for a little more challenge.
Stoney Lookout
Distance: 4.8 km loop | Type: Technical singletrack | Trailhead: Mount Norquay Ski Area parking lot
Short, sharp, and just a little humbling. Best suited to advanced riders, Stoney Lookout starts at the Norquay parking lot and climbs hard through rooted, rocky forest before rewarding the effort with a viewpoint above the Banff townsite. If you can clean the whole loop without dabbing, you've earned your coffee. The views of Cascade Mountain and the Bow Valley from the top are jaw-dropping!
Combine with Lower Stoney for a longer, more complete session at Norquay.
Topp Notch
Distance: ~3.2 km | Type: Technical singletrack | Rating: Banff's most technical | Trailhead: Tunnel Mountain area
If you're looking for Banff's answer to a bike park trail, this is it. Berms, drops, a wall ride, and a genuine "squirrel catcher" entry section that will sort riders out quickly.
It's short and fast, and most people lap it. The flow is real when you're carrying speed, and the features are committing enough to keep your focus sharp. Check trail conditions on Trailforks before heading out, as this one can get chunky after rain.
Stop By Bear Street Outfitters For A Few Essentials Before You Go
A little planning goes a long way when you’re riding in the Rockies. Before heading out on one of the best biking rides in Banff, keep these local essentials in mind:
• Bring bear spray - You’re riding in wildlife country, so carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is strongly recommended. Don’t have any? Bear Street Outfitters offers bear spray rentals at the shop.
• Make sure you have a Parks Canada pass - Visitors stopping in Banff National Park require a valid park pass. You can purchase yours before arriving or at a Parks Canada entry gate.
• Check for seasonal closures and restrictions - Trail access can change throughout the season due to wildlife activity, conditions, or other restrictions. Check with Parks Canada before setting out.
• Double-check where your e-bike can go - E-bike access is limited to designated trails and roads within Banff National Park, so make sure your planned route permits them before riding.
• Check the trails before you roll - Trailforks is handy for checking routes and recent rider reports.
Not sure about your route? Stop by our shop at Bear Street Outfitters in the heart of Banff before you head out. Our team rides here too, and we’re always happy to help point you in the right direction. We offer hybrid e-bikes, full-suspension e-bikes, hardtail mountain e-bikes, regular mountain bikes, and kids’ bikes, so we can help get you set up for the type of riding you want to do.