June 2, 2024
If you love towering mountain views, wildlife and most importantly well maintained bike trails, then I’ve got the perfect place for your next vacation. While Canada’s Banff National Park may be widely known for their 1000+ miles of hiking trails, it is also a biker’s paradise specifically the Legacy Trail.
The first time we visited Banff in 2019 we did all the most popular hikes: Peyto Lake, Agnes Teahouse, Sulphur Mountain and Seven Peaks. Each was absolutely breathtaking and since then we’ve been looking for an excuse for a return trip. When Parks Canada announced a three year pilot program in 2022 which closes Bow Valley Parkway to cars and opens to bikes only, we found our excuse and have been dying to go back.
The Banff Legacy Trail is the most popular and well known ride in the park. This multi-use trail connects the towns of Banff and Canmore. Anyone driving the Trans-Canada Highway will notice a paved path snaking along parallel to the highway. The Banff Legacy spans nearly 16 miles and is actually part of the longer Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail. However, the section we rode is the only paved, designated bike trail. It ends at Banff’s East entrance gate on the edge of town. From here you’d have to street bike to get to Vermillion Lake Road on the opposite side of town.
We started out nice and early with gloves, windbreakers and headbands due to the morning chill. Riding the streets of downtown Banff from our hotel to the start of the trail was surprisingly easy. In the summer months, Banff Ave becomes pedestrian only. Follow Banff Ave and it turns into a four lane road with the occasional bike lane. The speed limit is fairly slow and cars will move over to the other lane making this not an intimidating commute.
After less than 2 miles from the center of downtown, you’ll run into the start of the Legacy Trail on the right hand side. There is no sign designating the trailhead, but it’s hard to miss. The trail does follow the Trans-Canada Highway, but is far enough away that road noise doesn’t take away from the beauty of the ride. Enjoy a slight downhill grade from Banff to Canmore. We felt like we we’re flying and the 15 miles took us under an hour.
My favorite view on the ride was an off-the-road picnic area. Valleyview Picnic Area had incredible views of the Three Sisters, a trio of mountain peaks and Parks Canada’s iconic red chairs. This is a great stop for a photo-op or a midride snack (and in our case de-layering). Coast into Canmore, past the trail user counter and if you have time I highly recommend exploring the quaint town. It’s a famous cross-country ski area and is decorated as such. There are lots of trail branches and bike lanes to tour you around. We didn’t have time to thoroughly explore, but we did take a quick loop around the town borders.
When you’re ready, hop back on the Legacy Trail for the return trip back to Banff. Unfortunately, now you face a slight uphill grade for most of the way back and likely a headwind. There is one short, but incredibly steep hill just outside the picnic area I mentioned above. We even passed a few people walking their bikes. Despite the grade, it’s still a fairly easy, but slower, ride. Plus, Cascade Mountain towering in front of you the entire time distracts you from any thigh burning.
Hill Alert
This trail was actually last on our trip agenda and planned only if we had time during our short weekend visit. But it was a fantastically maintained trail and gorgeous between the vast mountain views and wildflowers. The trail is a little narrow compared to other multi-use paths we’ve ridden. It wasn’t busy when we rode, but watch for tourists stopped in the middle of the trail taking pictures. This is a must not miss ride for all bike enthusiasts and would be an equally enjoyable family ride.
