With 2024 income tax returns completed and a good stretch of spring weather in the forecast, we’re getting excited for 2025 cycling season.
Great News for Cyclists
Earlier this week, Parks Canada announced that the three year pilot project to close a 17 km stretch of the Bow Valley Parkway to public vehicles from May 1 – June 25 and August 28 – October 2 was a success! In fact, the pilot project is going to run for another 5 years! 🙂 I expect this will be our first ride of the 2025 cycling season.
Here are a few photos from various rides over the past 3 years. For a full run down of parking / route options, read this blog post.
Highwood Pass
Another spring highlight is riding the Highwood Pass before it opens to motorized vehicles on June 15. It might be challenging to squeeze this one in this year. There’s been heavy snowfall at elevation as recently as this week. Read more about this cycling option here.
Moraine Lake Road
Like Highwood Pass, there’s sometimes a short window to bike up Moraine Lake Road before it opens to motorized vehicles (expected to be June 1). We’ve only done this ride once or twice, parking at the Fairview Day Use Area. I wonder how many more years this will be an option, as Parks Canada is working hard to eliminate private vehicle access to Lake Louise Drive. This blog post shares our most recent experience with this ride.
Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail
The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail between Canmore and Banff is a perennial favourite. There are lots of route options detailed in this post. Be aware that as of the date of writing, the Legacy is Trail is closed. I saw one closure order from Parks Canada for bridge repair (not able to find that one today). And Alberta Parks has a closure notice up for construction of the Bow Valley Community Fire Guard. Be sure to check both Banff National Park and Kananskis closure notices for this one.
Other Options
Although we’ve never done it, lots of people have told us the Sheep Valley Road is a great early season ride.
Any other road cycling recommendations in Banff and Kananaskis? Please share by leaving a comment.
Hello Denise: We rode the Bow Valley Parkway yesterday (Friday) from Banff to Johnston Canyon and back. It is still open to vehicles in April, but it was very quiet. We saw sheep and deer but no bears. Despite the trail closure signs, we saw countless people riding the Legacy Trail yesterday….. sigh!!! Other good spring rides: Hwy 66 past the winter closure, to Little Elbow PRA and the Yoho Rd. to Takakkaw Falls. Happy spring cycling!
Thanks, Mandy, these are some great suggestions!