Coordinator: Ronan Culligan
Level Ride: Intermediate/Advanced
Distance: 117km
Elevation gain: 950m
Pace: 25-30km/hr
E-bikes: No e-bikes
Parking: Fenlands Recreation Center
Address: 100 Mt Norquay Rd #2F, Banff, AB T1L 1C3
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE A VALID PARK PASS
Starting at the Fenlands recreation center in Banff, we will get moving at 9am sharp. Bring snacks, fluids, repair kits.
We will stop for a quick regroup at Castle Junction on the way out and on the way back. We will stop for lunch at the Lake Louise ski hill. One of the restaurants should be open. I will confirm with them a couple of days in advance. If they are not, we will go to the village instead.
We will split into different groups to accommodate everyone's pace levels.
Please enjoy this AI generated description of the route.
Cycling from the Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff to Lake Louise is one of the most iconic, scenic, and rewarding road-biking routes in North America. You will be trading the bustling townsite for a deep dive into the heart of the Canadian Rockies, riding nearly parallel to the massive peaks of the Bow Valley.
The route is roughly 60 to 65 kilometers (37 to 40 miles) one way, featuring a steady, rolling net incline.
️ The Route Breakdown
1. The Warm-Up: Vermilion Lakes Drive
· Distance: ~4.5 km
· The Vibe: Flat, peaceful, and stunning.
· Leaving the Fenlands Recreation Centre parking lot, you will immediately hop onto the paved connector path to Vermilion Lakes Drive. This quiet, low-speed road edges three beautiful lakes, offering postcard-perfect views of Mount Rundle reflecting on the water. It is the perfect, gentle warm-up for your legs.
2. The Connector: Legacy Trail to the 1A
· Distance: ~1.5 km
· At the end of Vermilion Lakes Drive, the road ends, and you will transition onto a short, paved section of the Banff Legacy Trail. This quickly guides you safely across the Trans-Canada Highway interchange and drops you right at the eastern gateway (Fireside Day Use area) of Highway 1A, also known as the Bow Valley Parkway.
3. The Main Event: The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A)
· Distance: ~50 km
· The Vibe: Rolling hills, thick pine forests, and dramatic mountain vistas.
· Once you hit the Parkway, the real journey begins. The road is heavily forested, beautifully paved, and snakes alongside the Bow River and the Canadian Pacific railway tracks.
· The Terrain: It is not one massive mountain climb; instead, it consists of continuous rolling hills. You will experience short, punchy climbs followed by sweeping descents. The net elevation gain from Banff to Lake Louise Village is about 300 meters (1,000 feet), meaning you will be working a bit harder on the way out than on the way back.
· Key Landmarks: You will pass Johnston Canyon (km 17), a great spot to use the restroom or grab a snack. Further along, you'll ride right past the jaw-dropping, fortress-like cliffs of Castle Mountain (km 30), and the historical Baker Creek (km 45).
4. The Final Stretch: Lake Louise Village to the Lake
· Distance: ~4 km
· The Vibe: The ultimate test of your quad strength.
· The Bow Valley Parkway ends at Great Divide Lodge/Route 1. You will cross over the highway into Lake Louise Village (a great place to stop for a pastry at the bakery).
· If your final goal is the actual shores of Lake Louise (and the Fairmont Chateau), you have one last hurdle: Lake Louise Drive. This final 4 km stretch climbs steeply out of the village, packing about 200 meters of elevation gain into a short distance. It will burn, but watching the turquoise water appear makes every pedal stroke worth it.
