Mountain biking is wildly popular throughout Alberta, from the height of the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the rolling prairies.
In the northern half of Alberta, the trails begin within riding distance of the provincial legislature in the capital city of Edmonton. The Edmonton River Valley is the largest urban parkland in North America and home to 160 km (99 mi) of maintained pathways. The park also includes an endless network of mountain bike trails that range from beginner to expert. Further afield, dedicated mountain bike parks are beginning to open in cities like Grande Prairie and smaller towns like Hinton and Edson.
Mountain bikers in Calgary usually travel west towards the Rocky Mountains, to places like Canmore, Bragg Creek and Crowsnest Pass. All three destinations offer a mix of machine-made, flow-style trails and technical single-track, along with standard beginner-rated double-track trails. These communities are home to thriving bike groups too, who develop new trails every year.
As trail networks continue to grow in every community, selecting the best rides becomes more difficult each year. These five rides are an introduction to the thriving mountain bike scene in Alberta.
High Rockies, Kananaskis
Ride highlight: This is a truly epic ride, combining purpose-built single-track and double-track trails with stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. A highlight of this 16.3 km (10.1 mi) trip includes the suspension bridge across Blackshale Creek and wide-open panoramas that will stop any cyclist in their tracks.
How to get there: The High Rockies trail parallels the Smith Dorrien Trail scenic highway between the Goat Creek trailhead and the Peninsula Day Use area. The Chester Lake parking lot, located 48 km (30 mi) from Canmore along the Smith-Dorrien Trail, is roughly the halfway point.