Mountain Biking near Cox Hill
The Canadian Rockies are one of the finest places in North America for cross country mountain-biking! World-class Canmore Nordic Centre, Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park are right at your doorstep…
Invigorating, challenging, inspiring and fun – a few words to describe the feelings conjured up by this sport for all ages.
This is truly Canmore’s sport. We are proud of the vast trail network designated to the mountain biker throughout the mountains and the multi-use paved and groomed trail system on the valley floor.
Professional mountain biking competitors, amateur enthusiasts and spectators, gather annually in this region to take part in the fun of numerous mountain biking events.
For groups of friends and families with a love of this ’2-wheelin’ sport and the beautiful outdoors – this is the place to ride.
Bring your own gear or rent it locally. The outfitters are plentiful and excursions endless…
A few trail suggestions from Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge’s Staff…
Canmore Nordic Centre Trail System
Difficulty Rating: light to difficult
Distance: over 60 km of trails
Location: from Canmore, follow the signs from downtown.
Description: Designed and developed for the cross-country ski and biathlon events of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the Canmore Nordic Centre offers you over 60 km of exhilarating trails, ranging from rolling doubletrack to plenty of steep and gnarly singletrack. A stop on the World Cup mountain bike circuit from 1998-2000, the Nordic Centre has challenged the world’s best riders. Rental bikes are available at Trail Sports in the Bill Warren Centre – they will also point you in the right direction of the trails, hone your skills with a lesson, or guide you around the area.
Goat Creek Trail
Difficulty Rating: moderate
Distance: 18 km to Banff
Elevation gain: minus 300 m
Time: 1 – 3 hours one way
Location: from Canmore, drive 9 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Hwy 742) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right into the parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.
Description: This is an exciting ride on a gravel and dirt doubletrack that is mostly downhill all the way to Banff. Leave a vehicle in Banff and another at the trailhead to make this an easy ride for the novice or the whole family.
Remark: This trail can be combined with the Rundle Riverside Trail to make a Mount Rundle loop ride of 48.4 km (a local’s favourite). The Rundle Riverside Trail runs from the Banff Springs Golf Course back to the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Mt. Shark Mountain Biking Trail System
Difficulty Rating: light to moderate
Distance: anything
Elevation gain: 30 – 50 m
Time: anything from 0,5 hour to several hours
Location: from Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Hwy 742) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right and continue 5 km to the Mount Shark parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.
Description: This system of trails offers scenic and rolling riding on wide gravel and cinder fire roads.
Mountain Biking Guide Books for Canmore & Area
Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies
by Doug Eastcott
Rocky Mountain Books
ISBN: 0-921102-69-0 – 3rd edition
Price: $21.95
Pages: 408 – 5″ x 7″ – paper
Illustrations: 57 2-colour maps, 128 black and white photos
Maps for Canmore & Area
Best of Canmore – Map and Guide
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:35 000
ISBN: 1-895526-19-1
Retail: $6.95
Full color 18 x 24 folded to 4 x 9 inches
Canmore and Kananaskis Village – Kananaskis Country
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:50 000
ISBN: 1-895526-27-2
Retail: $10.95
Full color 26 x 36 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
Kananaskis Lakes Region – Kananaskis Country
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:50 000
ISBN: 1-895526-35-3
Retail: $10.95
Full color 26 x 36 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
Banff and Mount Assiniboine
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:100 000
ISBN: 1-89526-34-5
Retail: $10.95
Full color 27 x 39 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
Lake Louise and Yoho
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:50 000
ISBN: 1-895526-15-9
Retail: $10.95
Full color 27 x 39 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
