MOUNTAIN BIKING AND CYCLING GUIDE
Banff National Park
Welcome to Banff, Canada!s first and most famous National
Park. Its spectacular landscape of rugged mountains, broad valleys, glaciers,
alpine meadows and turquoise lakes provides habitat for a variety of species
including golden eagles, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bear, and cutthroat
trout.
With more than 190 km of mountain bike trails and numerous
road riding options, biking is an excellent way to explore this special place.
Trails range from easy to difficult and the biking season typically extends
from May to October. This guide will help you plan an enjoyable and safe biking
experience, while keeping the parks natural environment as pristine as
possible.
Mountain Biking in a National Park
Banff National Park supports the use of mountain bikes as a
means of appreciating and enjoying the tremendous natural values preserved
within the park. If your objective is technical riding or downhilling, please
consider areas such as Golden or Fernie, BC where these activities are both
appropriate and encouraged.
Responsible Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in a national park comes with stewardship
responsibilities. Riding non-designated or closed trails, building new trails,
or riding offtrail displaces wildlife and destroys soil and vegetation. These
activities are also illegal and violators may be charged under the National
Parks Regulations. Good stewardship of the park and respect for other users
will help ensure that mountain biking continues to be a permitted activity
within Banff NP.
- Mountain biking is allowed only on designated bike trails.
It is your responsibility to know where you can and cannot legally ride.
- Avoid riding during extreme conditions; wet, muddy or very
dry trails are more likely to be damaged.
- Help preserve the quality of our trails. Ride, don ‘t
slide - avoid skidding your tires by hard braking. Ride over obstacles, not
around them. If obstacles are above your skill level, walk your bike.
For More Information
Banff Information Centre, 224 Banff Avenue
Tel (403) 762-1550 Banff_vrc@pch.gc.ca
Lake Louise Information Centre, Samson Mall
Tel (403) 522-3833 LL_info@pch.gc.ca
Parks Canada - Calgary Service Centre
Harry Hayes Building Tel 1-800-748-7275
Banff National Park Web Site
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/banff
Banff National Park Trail Report
Recorded Message: (403) 760-1305
Environment Canada Weather Forecast
Recorded Message: (403) 762-2088
Park Radio 101.1 FM
Weather and Trail Reports
Friends of Banff
Retail outlet for maps and guidebooks
Tel (403) 762-8918
www.canadianrockies.net/friendsofbanff
References
- Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies, Doug Eastcott
(1999)
- Canadian Rockies Guide to the Classic Trails, Ward Cameron
(1997)
- Gem Trek recreational maps
Get involved in mountain bike education and stewardship.
- Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance:
bvbabanff@telusplanet.net
- Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance:
Tel (403) 220-1868 or info@cmbalink.com
Camping and Fishing
If you plan to stay overnight in a backcountry campground,
shelter or hut, a Wilderness Pass is required. Anglers require a National Park
Fishing Permit and knowledge of National Park Fishing Regulations.
In case of EMERGENcY, phone 911
http://www.worldweb.com/ParksCanada-Banff/index.html
http://www.backroads.com/trips/BCNI.html
http://www.canadianrockies.net/bike.html
http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-banff/pdfs/mtnbikeE.pdf
