Bike the Town of Banff – 6 exciting Must-Do Routes

2. Cycle Tunnel Mountain Road – Tunnel Mountain Drive

The Tunnel Mountain Drive route is the second longest and most strenuous trip on this list. It takes you along Tunnel Mountain Drive, providing stunning views across the Bow Valley and the town of Banff. This route involves quite a bit of climbing. Therefore, a decent condition is advised. 

The reward is many changing, stunning views, including the incredible hoodoos, composed of sedimentary rock covered by harder rock, making for peculiar and beautiful scenery. You will want to get off your bike here and spend some time before you continue your trip. It will lead you past the Tunnel Mountain campsites and several hotels to the Banff Centre on Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Make sure you turn onto Tunnel Mountain Drive right when you come across the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, right at the intersection. If you fail to do so, you’ll quickly return to downtown Banff and miss out on some beautiful views.

A couple of hundred meters after you’ve taken the exit, you’ll find an open space on your left hand at a gated path, providing a gorgeous view of Tunnel Mountain and Rundle Mountain. Soon after, the road goes up again and there will be a viewing point that provides a stunning view of the town of Banff on your right-hand side.

Then a decent follows, taking you to the Banff Centre on St Julien Way. I’d advise you to cycle around the interesting premises of this world-renowned art center before continuing. Or better still, make a stop here to have lunch or dinner at the MacLab Bistro or the Three Ravens Restaurant and Wine Bar. 

Once you’ve left the Banff Centre, continue on Tunnel Mountain Drive and make your last stop at the Surprise Corner Viewpoint. Hike up the beautiful giant staircase to have a stunning view over the Bow Valley, the Bow River and the majestic Banff Springs Hotel. 

When you get back on your bike, keep following the road. It will take you back to Banff Avenue.

Points of Interest:

• Cascade Mountain
• Tunnel Mountain
• Rundle Mountain
• Hoodoos viewpoint
• Town of Banff
• The Banff Centre
• Surprise Corner viewpoint
• Bow River

Starting Point: Banff Avenue at the intersection with Wolf Street
Distance: 13.29 km (8.26 mi) 
Duration: 1.15 hours – 1.45 hours

3. Cycle to Sundance Canyon

The trip to Sundance Canyon is a more extended trip on a partially sloping, asphalt road that leads you through the forest along the Bow River. Isn’t the color of the river marvelous (see the picture above)?

As it starts at the Cave and Basin location, it might be a good idea to wander around this exciting and beautiful historical place before starting your trip. 

The route follows the course of the Bow River for the most part. There are several excellent locations along the river to relax and enjoy the view. After 3.68 kilometers (2.29 mi), the road ends at the Sundance Canyon. There is a bike rack to store your bike. 

If you have enough time and energy left, you can combine this route with hiking the not-too-difficult Sundance Canyon Trail (9 km (5.59 mi) out and back). It’s not a strenuous trip at all, so this combination is a feasible option. And because it’s a loop, you’ll return to where you left your bikes.

Points of interest: 

• Cave and Basin
• Bow River
• Sundance Canyon

Starting point: Cave and Basin, 311 Cave Avenue
Distance: 3.68 km (2.29 mi)
Duration: 25 – 30 minutes

4. Cycle to the Bow Falls and the Banff Springs Hotel

The route to the Bow Falls and the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel is very touristic, so expect many tourists. That doesn’t mean you should avoid it. 

On the contrary, the Bow Falls is gorgeous and provides you with two stunning views of the Bow River: One upstream toward Norquay Mountain and one downstream, beyond Rundle Mountain. In the distance, you’ll see the impressive contours of Mountain Inglismaldie (2,964 meters or 9,724 ft) and Mount Peechee 2,935 meters or 9,629 ft). 

Before you arrive, you’ll pass the bridge across the Bow River and the Banff Administration Building at the T-junction right after the bridge. It’s worth checking out as it’s a recognized Federal Heritage Building in a domestic Tudor-Revival style, set in a beautiful, lush garden. You can either fit it in at the beginning or the end of your route. 

After you’ve spent some time here, continue your trip to the adjacent Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The route takes you along the backside of the hotel to the front side. The hotel in itself is an attraction and mandatory for every first-time visitor to Banff. Admire the beautiful lobby and impressive stairwell, have lunch or dinner here and stroll along the hotel’s many quaint little shops. 

On the way back, you’ll cycle back along Spray Avenue through suburbian Banff. A good way of seeing how enviable Banffites reside…

Points of Interest:

• Banff Bridge
• Banff Administration Building
• Bow Falls
• Bow River
• Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Starting Point: Banff Avenue at the intersection with Wolf Street
Distance: 4.79 km (2.98 mi)
Duration: 25 – 30 min 

5. Cycle to Vermilion Lakes

The trip to Vermilion Lakes is probably the easiest on this list. It’s not too long (8.87 kilometers (5.51 mi) out and back from Banff Avenue) and flat. But it’s also a pleasant and rewarding trip with simply stunning views. 

The route takes you past the famous Banff Town Sign on Mount Norquay Road. Once at the Vermilion Lakes, cycle to the end of this dead-end asphalt road to see all the ponds. You can relax at one of the docks in the water or on wooden benches along the road and enjoy the views.

I also included the Fenland Trail because it’s in the Vermilion Lakes area. You can either do it on your way to Vermilion Lakes or on the way back. It’s a lovely forested route providing a glimpse of Vermilion Lakes through the trees here and there.  

Make sure you watch out for hikers, as the Fenland Trail is a popular hike.

Points of interest:

• Banff Town Sign
• Bow River
• Vermilion Lakes
• Rundle Mountain

Starting point: Banff Avenue at the intersection with Wolf Street
Distance: 8.87 km (5.51 mi)
Duration: 50 minutes

6. Cyle the Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail is the only ‘official’ route on this list, as the Legacy Trail follows the course of the 26.8 kilometers (16.65 mi) cycling lane connecting Banff to Canmore. This means the trail is without motorized traffic, though at the beginning, you do share the road with motorized traffic. Despite the distance, it’s not too strenuous and the altimeters are also limited. However, don’t count out the headwind. 

This very scenic trail was constructed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Banff National Park. It takes between 3 and 5 hours to cycle it out and back (if you’re on a road bike and intend to develop some speed, you could do it in two hours). If you want to have a rest, there are plenty of benches along the way, allowing you to enjoy the scenery. 

Besides the trail constantly providing stunning views of the Bow Valley and the mountains surrounding it, it’ll get you past the park gates to Canmore. This town just outside the park is worth exploring and is a perfect destination for a nice lunch among the mountains and in the sun.  

It takes too much to describe everything noteworthy you’ll come across along the route, but have a look at the points of interest below to get an idea of what you’ll encounter during this incredible trip. 

Quick tips: 

• Bring bear spray with you. Close to Canmore, there’s no wildlife fence separating the pathway from the forest.
• If you can, try to cycle it during weekdays. During the (long) weekends, the trail can be very busy.

Point of Interest:

• Cascade Mountain
• Rundle Mountain
• Bow River
• Valleyview Day Use area
• Canmore

Starting point: The west wildlife gate at the junction of the Bow Valley Parkway
Distance: 28.8 km (16.65 mi) one way
Duration: 3-5 hours

Where to Rent a Bike?

Here’s a list of the bike rental shops in the town of Banff because you probably didn’t bring your bike along. If you did, please skip this section. 

Banff has quite a few bike rental places. Generally, renting a bike in Banff is relatively cheap. The lowest price I found is CAD 10 per hour at Banff Soul Ski and Bike for a town bike. 

There are also a few places where you can rent an e-bike to discover Banff at greater speed and with less effort. However, renting such a bike comes at a significantly higher price (starting from CAD 69).  

What kinds of Bike Can You Rent?

The above-mentioned rental shops rent out various types of bikes, basically the whole spectrum. You can rent town bikes, road bikes, fitness bikes, mountain bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, full suspension bikes, e-bikes and fat-tire e-bikes. 

All have their own characteristics and are suited for different terrains and or means of cycling. If you’re not sure what bike is the best for your intended trip, ask the staff at the rental shop for advice. 

Albertan Traffic Rules Cyclists in Banff Should Know

Yeah, I know, this topic is boring. And in case you don’t want to know, just skip this section. Still, it’s good to know what traffic rules apply to cyclists in particular. 

I studied the Alberta traffic rules for you and distilled the following rules:

1. Ensure your bike is equipped with proper lamps. Your bike must have one or two headlamps, at least one red tail lamp and at least one red reflector mounted on the rear.
2. Your bicycle must also be equipped with a horn or bell.
3. You must keep both hands on the handlebar unless you need to switch gears or indicate a right or left turn (point your finger in the desired direction).
4. You should ride as close as possible to the right curb or edge of the road unless you’re about to make a left turn.
5. You shouldn’t ride the bike next to another bike going in the same direction.
6. Any person under 18 riding a bicycle must adequately wear a safety helmet.