Trail Descriptions

This is an advanced loop on 4WD roads and singletrack. First, the climb is gentle along doubletrack. It switches to a singletrack a little under half way through the ride. The climb is followed by a technical, off-camber downhill singletrack.

Trailhead: here

The Prairie View Parking area which can also be used to ride the Baldy trail.

The Benchlands are a network of trails in the city of Canmore.The Benchlands Trail and the Alpine Club both offer a variety of single track that is for the most part, unsigned. There are many interconnecting trails and there is no right way to follow them. Use caution while on these trails as they can be done in either direction and are popular with hikers, as well as horses. Depending on which routes you take, you can spend from an hour and a half to a half a day on these trails.

Trailhead: here

The best place to begin both these trails is at the Cougar Creek parking lot. Go down Bow Valley Trail until you get to the highway overpass and turn left on Benchlands Trail. Follow this until you reach Elk Run Boulevard and take a right. The Cougar Creek parking lot is immediately on the left.

This ride begins at the Little Elbow recreation area. This is definitely one of the epic rides of the summer, but completely manageable for riders of all levels. It's long but not particularly technical. This trail is best if done counter-clockwise. You'll spend the first half gradually climbing up dirt and gravel roads with some excellent views of Mt. Romulous and the Opal Range (keep an eye out for Devonian reefs in the cliff faces!). You will pass turn-offs for some back-country camp sites (Romulous, Tombstone Lake, etc... that could be done as bike & hikes). The moderate grind to the top is well rewarded because after a nice break at the highest point of the pass you get to stay out of the saddle for a while on a long coasting descent through 4WD road and single track until you loop back around to the parking lot.

Trailhead: here

From Bragg Creek follow HWY 22 south and turn right on HWY 66, follow this road until you get to the Little Elbow recreation, park near the campground entrance.

Fun rolly singletrack network in this in-town park can be great for all levels of riders. Long rolly hills on the north end, twisty singletrack in the trees. On the far east end of the park there is a trail named Sideshow Bob that isn't too challenging but may make novice riders nervous due to the steep escarpment to one side. Please be mindful of other users in area - runners, dog walkers and off leash dogs. Ride accordingly.

Trailhead: here

An extensive network of trails of all difficulty levels. Several loops are marked with coloured signs which are easy to follow. Recommended ride: Orange trail (EKG) ~1.5-2 hr loop.

Trailhead: here

Network of fun windy singletrack in trees (joined up with some paved pathways) makes you feel like you are in Kananaskis during this in-town ride. Enough variaty to make this area fun for all riders. Ride ONLY on the marked trails (maps available) as this a provincial park and bikes are only allowed on certain trails!

Trailhead: here

The ride is ~ 40 kms with moderate elevation. Goat Creek is a smooth dirt and gravel doubletrack but the Rundle portion has lots of roots and rocks and steep little ups and downs.

Trailhead: here

Starting from the West Bragg parking area and riding south across the bridge, Golidlocks loop comprises of Ranger's Summit and Strange Brew trails. Ranger's Summit, goes up steeply right at the start then climbs up more gradually.  You think you've hit the summit, but you haven't so you keep riding up!  It will get your heart and legs working!  The downhill is flowy switchbacks and the odd fun berm.  Enjoy!

Trailhead: here

A fun x-country trail that takes you along the slopes of Ehagay Nakoda Range, this trail is quickly becoming a locals’ favourite. Consisting of winding singletrack with plenty of climbing, this is one of the more challenging routes in Canmore. A number of breaks in the thick forest offer spectacular views of Canmore and surrounding area.
More information: here.

Trailhead: here

Start at the left side (Quarry Lake side) of the parking area where there is a Highline Trail signboard. The gravel trail crosses mostly open ground to the powerline where it jogs left and almost immediately right. In a little while there is a junction where you bear right up a moderately steep and winding trail with well-banked corners to the Highline Trail.

This trail has a very moderate gradient and is great for all levels of riders. It has some fast singletrack for the more advanced riders, while beginners will appreciate the small elevation gain and rolling nature.

Trailhead: here

This trail offers a lot of advanced singletrack. It combines Stoney Trail with singletrack on the east side of Barrier Mountain and along the Kananaskis River. It climbs through switchbacks, and drops into a technical, steep singletrack. The ride continues with a singletrack along the river.

Trailhead: here

This rough and somewhat exposed sidehill singletrack leads east to the park boundary at Devil's Gap. Fun, rolling singletrack, this trail is popular with hikers and can be quite congested for the first 4 km. Seasonal closure from July 10 - September 15.

Trailhead: here

There are multiple ways to get to this trail. Start at station flats parking area, then you can either take Sulphur Springs to the Moose Mountian Road, then climb the gravel road for about 5 km, turn right onto Moose Mountain Trail, then one more right after about 0.5 km to get onto packers. Or you can climb the awesome Pneuma trail which is singletrack greatness but will add time and km's to this trail. You will still have some road to climb once you get off Pneuma. Once on 'packers you will get 10 sweet singletrack switchbacks to decend. Most are steep and fast. At about km 14 you will meet up with Tom Snow where you can either take Tom Snow Trail back to the parking lot or ride the Ridgeback Trail back as well.

Trailhead: here

Nose Hill Park is a great early season ride, lots of rolly singletrack located within Calgary city limits. Wildflowers are phenomenal at certain times of year. Stay on established trails.  Note: In May we will start at 2 difference parking areas for the 6pm and 7pm rides.

Trailhead: here

This trail is cross country oriented and acts as a climbable trail to access other downhill trails or to do a “summit-and-down” ride. The width of the trail and flow are designed with a XC bike in mind. It should be a fun challenge for the beginner and be a blast for the expert. As a climb, it starts mellow and twisty and climbs its way to steeper, more physically and technically demanding terrain. There are very few man-made technical features but lots of flow, up or down, with a few spectacular views thrown in. Keep an eye out for riders going the opposite way. Right-of-way goes to the downhill rider since it is harder for her to stop. Lastly, yield right-of-way to trails that Pneuma crosses, in particular, Race of Spades.

Trailhead: here

It starts innocently enough on the gravel road that is Powderface Trail (also named after Tom Powderface) where you might notice a very steep trail coming out of the woods just above the spot where hwy 66 ends, and yes, that is the Finish. For 7 km's it's about as exciting as a gravel road can get, but it's a small price to pay for what lay ahead. From the trailhead it's 2.7 km's of gruelling uphill to the Pass and the junction with Powderface Creek which breaks east and runs all the way to Hwy 66 (this is part of the Powderface - Prairie Creek Loop).

Keep right at the Pass and you're on the Powderface Ridge Trail where another 45 minutes of push 'n pedal through rocky meadows takes you to the ridge's summit. Here you can soak up the impressive expanse of mountainous skyline all around you, with Nihahi Ridge featured prominently to the west amidst the sprawl of peaks further south that include Cornwall, Bluerock, Cougar, Burns and Forgetmenot ridge. From the summit you drop down on a trail to the left which traverses through dense forest descending to a col which is yet another in a series of spectacular sightseeing stops on this trail. Here you can get psyched up for the ensuing freefall on a slippery slope descending 500 meters in 3km, winding mercilessly through a pine forest slalom. If you haven't tuned your brakes in a while you can also refer to this last leg of the trip as suicide run.

Trailhead: here

This is a great trail that climbs for the first half, and is followed by a great singletrack downhill. There are a few technical sections that will challenge intermediate riders. Beginner riders will likely be intimidated by both the climb and some singletrack sections.

Trailhead: here

This loop couples a long climb with a fast, seemingly endless downhill. The elevation gain is approximately 500m over the course of a 6Km climb. Although the climb is long, it is very rideable. Upon reaching the peak, you must hike your bike up a short section and over to the other side of McConnel Ridge. The downhill that follows is narrow, fast, long, and technical, not to mention an absolute blast! This ride will tire out intermediate riders and is not recommended for beginners on a weekday evening.

Trailhead: here

Super happy, awesome, fun trail. A smooth and flowy beginner to intermediate downhill trail, with beautiful banked curves and switchbacks, no loose gravel and no stunts, but with a few optional natural bumps if you care to loft a hop or two. There are a couple of steep sections that DH newbies might prefer to walk, but such a thrill when you learn to ride them! Starts next to T-Dub. You can ride up Pneuma or Moose Mountain road, or shuttle it and do multiple runs! Exits onto Ing's Mine road. Fun enough on your XC bike but the bigger the bike, the bigger the fun!

More information: here

This trail has a climb with a 200 m gain in elevation over the course of approximately 4 km, followed by a superb winding, singletrack downhill. This trail will definitely be a challenge for beginner riders. The climb is steep in some sections and presents a challenge for intermediate riders. Sulphur Springs is the setting of the Summer Solstice mountain bike race. Park at Station Flats.

Trailhead: here

CLOSED THIS SEASON DUE TO LOGGING.

This is a rolling trail to be enjoyed by all riders. It is a loop on both 4WD roads and singletrack. Note – This trail has a tendency to get very muddy so be prepared with some extra clothes for after the ride. This trail is in the West Bragg area.

Trailhead: here

This is an out-and-back ride that goes between Mount Kidd and the Kananaskis Golf Course. Terrace Trail is mainly roly-poly singletrack with no significant sustained climbs of note. It is not overly technical or exposed but novice riders may feel the need to dismount and walk up or down a couple of steep and loose sections. A fall here would simply put you into the bushes, not a sports bloopers show.

Trailhead: here

Tom Snow is mostly 4WD double track that is best used to climb up in order to get to the new Ridgeback Trail. Ridgeback is a rolly, twistly climby, sweet singletrack on the ridge that has enough roots, rocks and rolls to keep things interesting.

Trail map: here

Trailhead: here

This is a great foothills ride with moderate elevation gain and loss. Shoulders are narrow in some places so take care and ride single file. A real road bike, touring or cross bike is recommended.

From the meeting place at Westside King church parking lot, we head northwest on Lower Springbank Rd. paralleling Glenmore Trail/Hwy 8 until it diverges, and continue to where Lower Springbank Rd angles to due west. We follow it to the end, where the pavement makes a right turn and becomes RR32. At the main Springbank Rd we turn left. At the Springbank School we turn right onto RR33 and go north, cross the overpass over Hwy 1 to the Springbank Airport road (TWP250), turn right and go east to Old Banff Coach Road, then south. crossing over Hwy 1 again, then wind southeast up the big hill to the 'Y' intersection of OBCR and Springbank Rd. Turn left, go east to 101 St .then turn south, up and down the rollercoaster dips, get some speed down the final hill and turn left onto Lower Springbank Rd, and back to the church parking lot. Total distance is 37 km.

To make a longer loop out of it, don't turn at the Springbank school, keep going west to Hwy 22, go north to cross Hwy 1, then turn right onto the Springbank airport road and proceed to OBCR as described above. That would add another 16 km.

Trailhead: here