Bed & Bike in the Rockies
Book your bed, book your bike and save!
The Canadian Rockies may be one of the best road trip destinations in the world, but once you get there, there's no better way to experience the grandeur and wonder of this amazing place than by bike. And you don't need to be a seasoned pro to do it! HI hostels in the Rockies have partnered with local bike shops to get you easily and affordably set up with a bed and a bike to complete your trip. Take advantage of special HI discounts at each shop and don't forget to chat with our friendly hostel and bike shop staff to find out the best routes for all levels of riders. We love this place and want you to see the best of it.
Banff
The roadways in Banff National Park are world-class rides. The busiest town in the Rockies can feel anything but when you hop on two wheels and set out to explore the many routes and paths around town and beyond. Keep the car parked and head out by bike to explore Vermilion Lakes or Lake Minnewanka. Cycle down to Canmore on the new Legacy Trail. Or take advantage of the closed southern portion of the Bow Valley Parkway, an easy, smooth ride with plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities along the way.
Lake Louise
Not into getting up at 4 a.m. to find a parking space at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake? Don't want to cram into a bus either? Cycling is a fantastic way to get around the Lake Louise area. Rent an e-bike for the 11 km bike to Moraine Lake or the 5 km ride to Lake Louise and the uphill pedals will drop away. For those looking for some off-trail adventure, Highline and Ross Lake Trails offer some excellent mountain biking opportunities and if you're really feeling ambitious, cycle the Icefields Parkway to Jasper—a world-class ride with unmatched views.
Jasper
With wide open valleys and lots of sunshine, Jasper is a cyclist's paradise. Pyramid Bench offers an endless variety of trails for all levels and e-bikes are welcome on many of them. Ganges, Magic Ridge and Cottonwood Slough are only a few of the highlights. If you want a more mellow day on the valley bottom, Lac Beauvert Loop, Old Fort Point Road and Wapiti Loop are all great. Of course for road riders, there are three roads into jasper and three roads out. All have fantastic scenery and are beautiful rides.
Canmore
For road cyclists or mountain bikers, Canmore has it all. Find a great variety of trails for all levels at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The newly constructed High Rockies Trail stretches from Goat Creek parking lot all the way to Kananaskis Lakes. Some parts are hard, other parts are not, but its all flowy and tons of fun so find your favourite section. Looking to challenge your technical chops? The Riders of Rohan awaits. If your tires are skinny, the Legacy Trail will take you all the way to Banff and back or just cruise the back paths of Canmore along the Bow River and through the woods, for a completely relaxing day. It doesn't stop in winter, when you'll find endless options for your fat tire bike.
Kananaskis
Kananaskis offers miles and miles of paved and gravel riding path riding and it's a great way to access the south end of the High Rockies Trail. From HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel, head straight out onto Ribbon Creek Trail, an easy route that winds it's way gently up the creek, crossing several bridges. If you're in the area before mid-June, Highway 40 is closed south of the Kananaskis Lakes turnoff for car-free riding up and over Highwood Pass.
Touring the Rockies by Bike
The roadways in Banff National Park are world destination rides. The Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper should be on every cyclist's bucket list. The Bow Valley Parkway between Lake Louise and Banff is a mix of history, scenery and cycling bliss. Recently the Legacy Trail has been built between Banff and Canmore where, on a Saturday afternoon, you'll find all types of people on every manner of conveyance. The best ways to see the pathways, backways and even main streets of these mountain towns is of course on a bike. If you'd rather not go alone, a guided bike tour is the way to go.