EARLY SEASON SPINS: MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS FOR SPRING
By Juliette Recompsat
Mountain biking season is here. Wondering where to start? Here are our top early-season trails to get the wheels turning and the legs burning.
Photo: Ryan Creary
“It’s just like riding a bike” – right? With the trails clearing and temperatures rising, we’re all eager to get back out on two wheels.
We’ve gathered up our recommendations for early-season mountain biking trails across the Rockies. Start here for easily reachable rides to get back into biking shape, or to discover why mountain biking is beloved by so many.
When you hit the trails this spring, don’t forget to bike responsibly – keep your local regulations in mind, give other riders and wildlife plenty of space, and stick to trails that are dry to help them stay in good shape.
KANANASKIS/CANMORE
1/ Jumpingpound Loop
Rating: Green/Beginner
Distance: 9.2 km (loop)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 216 m, 216 m down
Description: This Kananaskis loop route is a great choice for anyone new to mountain biking or looking to spark a passion in someone who is. The south side is wider and flatter, the north half has a few more roots and rocks, and both offer nice valley views.
Top Tip: This trail is popular with hikers too. Watch your speed and share the trail.
2/ Montane Traverse
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 6.0 km (one way)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 182 m up, 104 m down
Description: This point-to-point cross-country trail on the “sunny side” of Canmore has a bit of everything – steep climbs, high-up singletrack, springtime creek crossings and a great descent to finish. Start at Cougar Creek and ride westward to complete the climb before you cruise across and down.
Top Tip: More than half of the Montane Traverse follows the edge of an important wildlife corridor. Be bear aware, make plenty of noise and be sure to give wildlife their space.
BANFF & LAKE LOUISE
3/ Lake Minnewanka
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 30.0 km (out and back)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 55 m
Description: It’s no wonder this one is an early season Banff favourite – it’s a lakeshore trail with just enough ups and downs to earn stunning views. It’s also open only until July 10, and then wildlife closures come into effect. Power through the steeper sections at the beginning of the trail (also the busiest) and you’ll be rewarded with sunny singletrack along the lake.
Top Tip: This year, the access road to Lake Minnewanka will be closed to vehicle traffic (open to pedestrians and cyclists) Monday through Thursday from May 1 to May 20. An extra 5 km (each way) of riding on the paved road-turned-bike-path will get you exclusive access to the shoreline trail.
4/ Bow River Loop
Rating: Green/Beginner
Distance: 6.9 km (loop)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 18 m up, 18 m down
Description: Easily accessed from the parking area at the Lake Louise train station, this is the ultimate family-friendly springtime ride. The pleasant trail is virtually flat and winds along the forested shores of the Bow River.
Top Tip: If you’re looking to give mountain biking a trial run and renting a bike in Lake Louise, you can also access the trail directly from the village. Bonus: you’re right back at Laggan’s Bakery & Deli when you finish your ride!
JASPER & HINTON & VALEMOUNT
5/ Happy Creek
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 5.8 km (loop)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 112 m up, 112 m down
Description: Some say Hinton is the gateway to the Rockies, and the Happy Creek trail network could easily be a gateway to mountain biking. The namesake trail is a fun and flowy singletrack loop that also connects to the more than 26 km of routes in this trail system.
Top Tip: Some pipeline construction work is in progress in and around the Happy Creek area. Watch for flagging tape and be prepared to take a different route if needed.
6/ Cabin Lake Fire Road (Pyramid Bench)
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 7.65 km (loop)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 171 m up, 171 m down
Description: The Pyramid Bench trails just above the Jasper townsite have green, blue and black options for everyone. Some trails are snow-free earlier than others, so we recommend Parks Canada’s loop route along the Cabin Lake Fire Road as a season starter.
Top Tip: If you find your way to the upper Pyramid Bench, you’ll likely run into horseback riders also enjoying the area. Be ready to stop and dismount.
7/ Valemount Bike Park
Rating: Green/Blue/Black
Distance: Various – up-and-down loops from two to 12 km
Elevation Gain/Loss: Various (up to 500 m)
Description: Valemount is quickly making a name for itself in the world of mountain biking, and for good reason. For a quick loop that balances on the line between cross-country and downhill biking, ride up the 5 Mile Access Road and down Inversion.
Top Tip: Check in with the Valemount Bike Park before heading out to find out what trails are in good shape as season openings and road construction continue.
GOLDEN & REVELSTOKE
8/ CBT Mainline
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 9.4 km (one way)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 442 m up, 220 m down
Description: A great workout and a great ride, this Golden trail was the origin route for what has become an entire network of trails in the area. As more trails come into rideable shape, this is an intermediate rider’s playground.
Top Tip: CBT Mainline is popular for the up as well as the down, so let your enthusiasm out loudly if you’re moving fast to let other riders know you’re coming.
EAST KOOTENAYS
9/ Swansea Trail to Hula Girl
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 5.6 km (loop)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 286 m up, 286 m down
Description: Swansea Trail provides a smooth and steady uphill ride to Invermere’s top-notch Swansea Mountain trail network. The machine-built Hula Girl trail is on the advanced side of blue, and provides a thrilling ride for those looking to step things up early in the season.
Top Tip: Swansea Mountain Recreation Site is a popular area for bikers and more. Respect the capacity of the area by parking only in the parking lot and moving on if it’s full.
10/ Broadwood Loop
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 41.9 km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 585 m up, 578 m down
Description: Rated blue for technical difficulty, this lengthy loop between Fernie and Elko certainly gives bragging rights to anyone who tackles the nearly 600 metres of vertical elevation gain. For a shorter trip, pedal the section of the loop that follows the Elk Valley Trail and daydream about biking the entire Trans Canada Trail one day.
Top Tip: The gravel road of the Elk Valley Trail makes for companiable riding with plenty of room to spread out, though you do have to share with logging trucks.
WEST KOOTENAYS
11/ Bottoms Up to Lefty
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 3.7 km (loop)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 199 m up, 199 m down
Description: Nelson’s Morning Mountain offers the kind of dreamy machine-made trails that will turn cautious intermediate bikers into full-on enthusiasts. Bottoms Up tackles the 200 metres of climb with a well-built trail that connects to locals’ favourite Lefty.
Top Tip: If you’ve got riders of different abilities, Lefty is a fun choice for everyone with a whole range of technical trail features that are all optional.
12/ Green Door
Rating: Blue/Intermediate
Distance: 4.1 km (one way)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 55 m up, 426 m down
Description: Green Door is generally ridden downhill by those looking for an action-packed early season ride. Beginning in Rossland and ending in Warfield, the trail crosses rock slabs, forest, sandy ground and more.
Top Tip: Riders looking for a workout can take the Railgrade and Wagon Road trails back up to Rossland, but it’s also possible to hop on a city bus for an easy shuttle up the hill.
-> Mountain Bike Trails in Banff
-> Top Road Rides in the Rockies
Raised in the Rockies, Juliette Recompsat travelled to every continent before her roots drew her back to the mountains. Home is where the peaks are!
A NOTE FROM WILDLY: You, the reader, are responsible for your own safety and gathering the information you require to tackle these trips. Please adventure safely.