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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 5

PDF iconDetailed Itinerary

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Premiere Inns
Trip Price:
  • $3,498 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$790 for sgl. occ.)
TRIP NOTES

All meals included.

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Meet / Depart

Banff, Alberta

Special Interest

Fine Wine & Cuisine, Geological Wonders, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Raft, Spa, Water Activities

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

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Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
E-mail us

801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

Canadian Rockies Vacations

Canadian Rockies Biking

Beneath the Peaks in Banff & Jasper National Parks

Venture with Backroads to the Canadian Rockies, where soaring peaks rise from stunning ice-cut valleys, and prepare to discover some of the world's most spectacular mountain scenery. Embark on an awe-inspiring journey along the sensational Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper National Park on what National Geographic Traveler refers to as "a highway strung from the stars." Follow our legendary route past dramatic glaciers, thundering waterfalls and turquoise lakes. Each day keep your eyes peeled for Rockies wildlife - mountain goats, bears and elk, to name a few - as you journey from one welcoming mountain lodge to the next.

View the Classic Deluxe Camping Itineraries.

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Day 1 banff

Meet in Banff Pedal to Lake Minnewanka, rimmed by stunning snowcapped peaks, and enjoy a bountiful picnic lunch.

Day 2 lake louise

Ride through the Bow River Valley, over rolling hills, past soaring peaks and along the striking blue-green Bow River Stretch your legs on a hike to the dramatic waterfall in Johnston Canyon  Enjoy the rustic elegance of the award-winning Post Hotel & Spa,  located near stunning Lake Louise.

Day 3 bow lake

Shadowing the Continental Divide, bike on the Icefields Parkway, considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world Along the way, watch for black bears, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep Soaring glaciated peaks flank a long gradual ascent to jewel-blue Bow Lake.

Day 4 Columbia Icefield

On your way to Sunwapta Pass, revel in the scenery of vast ice fields and immense glaciers  Admire views of Athabasca Glacier from our chalet, or venture onto its icy slopes in a specially designed vehicle during an optional (not included) guided tour.

Days 5-6 jasper

Pedal alongside the Athabasca River in the Sunwapta Valley Check out the area's wildlife on a relaxing optional float trip down the river or pedal to Maligne Canyon Shuttle back to Banff.

Guest Trip Reviews

This was my 8th active vacation and it was the best of them all! Great cycling and scenery. And outstanding trip leaders were both very professional, service oriented, and generated lots of fun.
Steven Hill - Tacoma, WA

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Canadian Rockies tour experts. For biking tours in Canada, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Canada biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Canada walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Canada multisport tours click here.

Canadian Rockies Biking

ALPINE LODGES: Premiere Inns*

Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Banff (1 night)
Cozy touches such as down comforters and in-room fireplaces make this lodge deserving of its high praise. The restaurant features inventive cuisine and a wine list lauded by Wine Spectator

Post Hotel & Spa
Post Hotel & Spa

Lake Louise (1 night)
A prestigious Relais & Châteaux member, this European-style chalet is the epitome of rustic elegance. Its award-winning restaurant houses an impressive wine cellar and was honored with a Grand Award from Wine Spectator. The wonderful menu of services at its Temple Mountain Spa completes the package.

Num-ti-Jah Lodge
Num-ti-Jah Lodge

Bow Lake (1 night)
Brimming with character, this rustic and simple mountain retreat offers an atmosphere of secluded tranquility on the banks of beautiful Bow Lake.

* With 1 Casual Inn night

Columbia Icefield Chalet
Columbia Icefield Chalet

Columbia Icefield (1 night)
We selected this modest lodge for its phenomenal location overlooking the famed Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield.

* With 1 Casual Inn night

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Jasper (1 night)
This Condé Nast Traveler Gold List hotel on the shores of Lake Beauvert offers abundant amenities, from a spa to tennis, golf and boating.

Canadian Rockies Biking

Route Rating: Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours
10-20
miles
2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours
21-30
miles
5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours
31-40
miles
7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours
41-55
miles
9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours
56-75+
miles
11-13+
miles
Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 20, 26 miles
  • 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
  • Hiking 2.2 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Biking 38, 40 miles
  • 1500 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 4  4 Route Options Available
  • Hiking 5.7 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Biking 35, 41, 51 miles
  • 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • Hiking 3.4 miles
  • 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Biking 46, 57 miles
  • 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Level 5 3 Route Options Available
  • Biking 56, 67, 70 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Biking 11 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain