The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail was built in 2010 for commemorating Banff’s 125th birthday. This 26.8km long paved pathway connects Bow Valley Parkway in Banff and Canmore. Bikers frequent this recreational pathway between mid-April and October. During this time, the weather remains best suited for biking. Planning to get active while basking in the beautiful sunny weather? Hop on your cycle or strap on your rollerblades for diving into this Trans-Canada Highway.
Total time required to cover The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail
This ride takes between 1 to 3 hours each way depending on your pace. You can finish the ride faster while riding an eBike or road bike whereas longer time is required with a mountain bike or cruiser.
What is the difficulty level of the Legacy Trail?
Although the biking trail isn’t very difficult, it is a lengthy one. With only 60 meters of elevation trial, you won’t have to experience a lot of up and down. Compared to trail running through other mountains, the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail is relatively flat.
Cycling on the Banff Legacy Trail
The biking trail becomes snow-free between middle to late April. You can’t bike during winter months as the path remains filled with snow. The biking trail receives maximum footfall between July & August, especially during weekends and other holidays. If you wish to avoid the crowd, then it’s advisable to wait till 5pm to start your ride.
Do you have to cycle it?
The Legacy Trail serves multiple purposes for thrill seekers. Other than biking, you can try out walking, horse-riding, skateboarding and rollerblading.
Best spot to start – Banff or Canmore?
If you are riding from Canmore to Banff, be prepared to encounter a strong headwind. This will make you move slower and thus the route takes longer to complete. You will encounter a steep spot after the Banff Park East Gates and before the Valleyview Picnic Area. The route from Banff to Canmore is easier.
Renting out a bike
You can rent out a road, mountain, gravel or pedal-assisted bike to cove the Legacy Trail. If you are starting from Canmore, you can visit GearUp Mountain Sports and Rebound Cycle. The recommended rent shops in Banff are Snowtips-Bactrax and Banff Cycle & Sport.
Can you bike with kids?
Yes, you can bike with kids. But in this case you need to take snacks and toilet breaks every now and then. It’s important to carry snacks as all the shops on the way might not offer kid-friendly options. The Valleyview Picnic Area is a popular stop you can make along the way. Here you will find multiple picnic tables, toilet facilities and comfortable red chairs for relaxing your tired nerves.
Important points to note
- You will find some rubber gates and mats along the way. People mostly keep these to protect wildlife from passing vehicles that might run them over. You should keep riding over the mats. It’s advisable to be extra cautious while riding over the rubber mats with your pets as some of them are electrified.
- If you are a slow rider then make sure you don’t take up the entire pathway. There are faster cyclists and you might be causing an inconvenience for them. In case if you are a faster cyclist, then make sure to ring your bike bell for making others aware of your presence.
- There have been bear sightings on the Legacy Trail. You can carry a bear spray for extra protection.
