Banff National Park
Route Details: 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.
Leaving Cochrane you head west on Highway 1A which is a very cool, twisty backroad that is narrow and demands your full attention on your way towards the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Once you reach Canmore you may choose to stop for a break but I would push on towards Banff via Highway 1 (Trans Canada). Banff is home to the Banff Springs Hotel, the Sulphur Mountain Gondola and Hot Springs, Bow Falls, Cascade Mountain, Lake Minnewanka and a huge variety of restaurants, pubs, cafes and eateries for you to grab some nourishment and hydration. Not to mention the gorgeous gardens, parks, museums and trails to experience. Although if you are on a day ride you won’t have much time before heading towards Lake Louise. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Lake Louise (townsite) from Banff where the big attraction is the Chateau and Lake Louise (lake) itself with it’s blue-green hue and mind blowing mountain backdrop. The parking here can be pretty full during peak times in the day but there are a few bike only spots so you can usually get parked even when the place is packed. There are a few shops and restaurants in the Chateau and at the townsite and once you have had your fill return to the highway and continue west until you reach the intersection with Highway 93 that turns north towards Jasper and continues to follow the Bow River to it’s headwaters at Bow Lake and Bow Glacier. Bypass Bow Lake on the way and ride for another couple minutes to reach your turn around point of Peyto Lake (named after Banff Park Warden and resident Bill Peyto). This lake is one of the most impressive lakes in the Rockies and the unique viewing platform high above the valley floor gives you an unobstructed view of the lake and the upper valley where Peyto Glacier sits. Once you get back on your bike you will be retracing your steps but a quick pit stop at Bow Lake and Numtijah Lodge is worthwhile to take in just a little more of the beauty this area has to offer. You will then return to Highway 1 and follow your route back the way you came which gives you option of hitting places you might have skipped on the way out and you can rearrange any of the stops on the list to suit your day. You may also decide to return on Highway 1 or at Canmore return to the 1A and take it back depending on timing and where your end of the day destination is.
There could be an entire book written about riding in Banff National Park but this outline will give you the basics. I didn’t go into too much depth with this route since most riders have already been to many of these places before and there are way too many great businesses, attractions and pull offs to mention. So don’t be afraid to do some exploring on your own and if you can be sure to do this route on a weekday in the shoulder season to avoid the large mid-summer crowds. Note you will need to purchase a National Parks Day or Annual Pass while in the park.
Highlights: The entire ride!
Local Businesses: Vine Coffee Company (Cochrane)
KM/Hours of Riding: 396 km, 4.5 hours riding
