Mountain Biking Trails

Kananaskis Country, Canmore & surrounding area

Location: From Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 - gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right 5 km. to the Mount Shark parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.

Description: This trail leads to Karst Spring where boulders and driftwood are covered with bright green moss. The gentle elevation gain makes this hike a favorite with families, and the cool air near Karst Spring is appreciated hot summer days. The first 3.6 km. are open to bicycles. Walking on the road leads you through the Mount Shark Trail System into the forest above Watridge Lake where a short descent puts you at the shore of this lake known for it's trout fishing (don't forget your licence). Then follow the boardwalk and climb the trail along the creek to where Karst Spring bursts out of a rock face. The spring drains from passageways between limestone layers of Shark Ridge creating a karst formation. Snow and rain water seep into cracks and dissolve the rock, creating tunnels from which streams begin.

Location: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 9 km. south at the Barrier Dam Day Use area.

Description: A leisurely ride on gravel and dirt roads with very little elevation gain. At the trailhead at the Barrier Dam Day Use area, cross the dam and head through an aspen grove to the powerline.

Location: From Canmore, drive 7 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary and use Alpine Resort Haven exit. The trailhead parking lot is 1.25 km, just before the Resort.

Description: 200 metres from the trailhead use the left trail to the powerline and take the road to 1700 metres where the trail climbs steeply from here as it moves away from the powerlines. You will enjoy the great views of the Three Sisters Mountain.

Location: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 23 km. south at the Ribbon Creek Day Use area near Kananaskis Village.

Description: The trail follows along Ribbon Creek up a narrow valley to a view of Ribbon Falls. The medium grade and several waterfalls has made it a great hike for families, with the first 4 km open to mountain bikes. There is a campground for those wishing to make this an overnight hike. 2 hours further (1.8 km / 200 metre rise) is Ribbon Lake, which also has a campground. Note: This section is extremely strenuous with 3 chains that you must haul yourself up a cliff with.

Location: From Canmore, drive 9 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 - gravel road) 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 is an easy ride for the novice or the whole family.

Location: From Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 - gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Description: Turn right 5 km. to the Mount Shark parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.

Location: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 7.8 km. south to the Sibbald Creek Trail (Highway 68) and 1.5 km to the Lust Creek Day Use area.

Description: The demanding climb to Baldy Pass from the north is via dirt roads through trees. Their are great views once you reach the pass.

Location: From Canmore, follow the signs from downtown.

Description: Designed and developed for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the Canmore Nordic Centre offers you exhilarating cross-country outings on over 60 kilometres of world-class cross-country and biathlon trail systems. The trails are designed to meet international Nordic competitive standards, with a variety of challenging terrain to please skiers of intermediate or advanced skill, with some novice trails as well. Trails are groomed and trackset to accommodate both classic and skating techniques on the same trail. A 2.5 kilometre track is illuminated for night skiing. A Day Lodge offers a relaxing atmosphere, enhanced by the large stone fireplace, comfortable seating, and picture window views of soaring Mount Rundle.