Alberta’s Best Routes and Rides
We want you to experience the best of what Alberta has to offer a rider. So, we have put together this ever-expanding collection of rides that travel down interesting highways and backroads while visiting unique locations and of course include great places to stop for a bite to eat, a bit of hydration or a nights stay along each route.
Section 1: Day Rides
Southern AB
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Banff National Park is the largest draw for tourist in Western Canada for good reason. It is home to unsurpassed natural beauty and with so many great places to stop and enjoy this majestic place and it’s scenery it is a true riders paradise. And even if you have travelled here in a car there is simply no comparison to being immersed in this area on the back of a bike.
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If time is short, this quick ride West of Bragg Creek is loads of fun and has a couple worthy stops to satisfy both your fix of nature and of course riding some great roads.
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Imagine a wooded mountain rising up straight out of the prairie and creating a true oasis. Then take the ride down to Elkwater and find out it isn’t a dream, it’s a very real and special place.
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This loop follows mostly gravel backroads up and over Hailstone Butte which gives unparalleled views of the gorgeous foothills and valleys lying east of the summit. After you have taken in your fill from the pass you drop down the west side of the nearby peaks until you reach Highway 40 which will return you to the pavement and eventually back to Longview.
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Want to ride the highest maintained road in Canada? Here is your chance and you will not be disappointed.
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In the Rocky Mountains southwest of the city of Lethbridge lies Waterton National Park which is a truly stunning place to visit on a motorcycle. This route will take you from the prairie high into the alpine and back on some of the best roads in Southern Alberta.
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This route follows a beautiful winding forestry road up over a gentle pass with spectacular views at every turn. This is a dream road for Adv and dual sport riders and unlike most roads this route is great in both directions and gives a sense that you are riding a completely different stretch of backroad each way. Can be done as a loop or out and back.
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If you are looking for a great way to spend a half day SW of Calgary this route is for you with some twisty roads and spectacular views/stops along the way.
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There is something about the badlands that attracts bikers. They just seem to fit together and whether you are out for the day or the entire weekend the Drumheller Valley has a T-Rex sized list of things to see and experience.
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A quick jaunt NW of Calgary that gets you into the wilderness and out onto some great backroads with a few small town rest stops along the route.
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A great day of riding through miles of forested foothills and out to the wide open farmlands with so many great small towns to stop in.
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When you need some wind therapy but might be getting a late start or only have a couple hours to spare this route is chalk full of good pavement to quench your thirst for the open road with some excellent scenery mixed in for good measure.
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Need a mid week ride to clear your head? This is a great route just NW of Cochrane that you can hit after work for some fresh country air but gets you back in time for supper.
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This route leaves Nisku and zig zags west until you reach Cynthia at which point you loops back through many more small towns finally returning to Leduc on a different set of highways with great scenery going both directions. If you are looking for backroads leading to dots on the map you may have never heard of then this route is for you.
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If you are looking to ride a twisty backroad through the foothills of Western Alberta where seeing wildlife is a regular occurrence and you end up at a spectacular waterfall in a picturesque canyon then this route is the one you’re looking for.
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With plenty of small towns in a very close proximity to each other this loop gives you ample opportunity to support some awesome local businesses while exploring these dots on the map just West of Red Deer.
Central AB
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Four beautiful lakes on a loop that follows mostly two-lane backroads just over 200km travelling through a boatload of great small towns and is all just minutes outside of Edmonton. What more could you ask for in a perfect afternoon motorcycle outing?
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This all paved route heads north from GP into the heart of Peace country and crosses this extraordinary river valley in two distinct spots, once via the unique tug driven Shaftesbury Ferry. As a bonus the extended route also crosses the Smoky River twice as well. Expect beautiful scenery and opportunities to experience the history of this area while on this ride along with a couple great pit stops to keep you and your bike fueled up.
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Coming soon.
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By the time you stop and check out these historic towns on the route and maybe grab a slice of homemade cheesecake or some delicious ice cream this ride will take up the entire day, but trust me it will be a day well spent.
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This stretch of gravel road meanders along the bank of the North Saskatchewan River and although it’s quite short is full of surprises from days gone past and picturesque stops that can easily take up a good part of a day.
Northern AB
Section 2: Multi Day/Overnight
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Coming soon.
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Coming soon.
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Coming soon.
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Coming soon.
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Coming soon.
