Goat Creek Trail

Canmore / Banff, Alberta, Canada

Goat Creek is a fire road (doubletrack) consisting of dirt and rock that hugs the Rundle Mountain range and follows the Goat Creek. It may be ridden one way, as an out-and-back, or as a loop when combined with either the Rundle Riverside trail or the Banff Legacy trail. It makes for a perfect trail for family outings provided that a car shuttle can be arranged.

Expect some great views of the surrounding mountains, long descents, and a number of bridge crossings as the trail takes you through a pine and spruce forest.

Many riders choose to ride this trail Canmore to Banff - the elevation profile and trail info provided is based on this option. Riding it from Banff to Canmore increases the physical rating from easy to moderate; it's a lot more up when riding east to Canmore.

bikepirate rating:

Trail Stats

Distance: 19 km (one way)
Time: 1 - 3 hrs
Elevation Gain: 176 m
Elevation Loss: 435 m
Min Elevation: 1,393 m
Max Elevation: 1,663 m
Technical Rating: Beginner - Intermediate
Physical Rating: Easy - Moderate
Season: June - October
Permit Required: Yes (Park Pass)

Trail Location

Trailhead: From Canmore drive or ride south (up the mountain) on Spray Lakes Road – note that Spray Lakes Road turns into the Smith Dorrien Road – for about 9 km. Drive past Whiteman’s Pond and park at the carpark located on your right-hand side (west); a map board is located in the carpark. The trailhead is well marked.

GPS: N51 03.711 W115 25.119 (Canmore)

Downloads

Map: click here
GPS Map (GPX): click here
Google Earth: click here
Rundle Mountain Cycling Club: click here
Trail Report: click here

Google Earth trail view only works if you have the program; download it here (free)

Buy your Canmore trail guide:
Bow Valley Mountain Bike Trail Guide

Options

1) Make the return trip to Canmore by combining Goat Creek with Rundle Riverside and the 742 which takes you back-up to the Whiteman’s Gap carpark . Total distance for this option is 48 km.

2) Make the return trip to Canmore by combining Goat Creek with the Banff Legacy Trail and the 742 which takes you back-up to the Whiteman’s Gap carpark. Total distance for this option is 58 km.

3) Park one car in Banff (retrieval) and drive to Whiteman’s Gap. From there mountain bike to Banff, using your second vehicle parked in Banff to retrieve your first parked at Whiteman’s Gap.

 

 
  • http://www.facebook.com/lonnie.hartley Lonnie Hartley

    Did this trail on September 29 2012 with a buddy of mine. Trail was quick, muddy in some spots. But after the last bridge they have done some bulldozing work on the trail and it is pretty slow and sandy. but not for very long. Still lots of rocks and ruts. but the bridges are in great condition all in all a great trail yesterday.

    Of note – we parked at the trail head and rode into banff where there are shuttles available to drive you back to the trail head. Next weekend is the last weekend for this. It’s only $20 http://www.bikeandhikeshuttle.com/rates

  • idan

    Pretty decent conditions on Monday (July 2).  Some puddles still, mostly avoidable or minor, but there’s one doozey about 5km in from the Canmore side – 2″ deep mud under 3″ water and probably 10m long.  Hit it fast and deal with a rooster tail of spray behind you or go slow and get your feet wet as your bike stops.  Other than that, good fun.

    • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

      Thanks again for the trail update Idan. Looks like you’re having a great time out there! Cheers.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=666495688 Idan Shoham

    Thx to Peter for hosting this site and posting news and to ‘Sasquatch’ for giving recent feedback.  ;-)

    • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

      Thanks Idan, glad to see you using bikepirate and enjoying it. Check out our Trail Report page, if you haven’t already, for the full report listing all trails and their current conditions (
      http://www.bikepirate.com/trail-report/). Also, post your own in our Forum (http://www.bikepriate.net). Thank you again. 

  • Sasquatch 01

    I went through May 21st on a commute to work from Canmore to Banff and it is in great shape. All dry and the new bridge in place. Lots of people out on the trail over the long weekend lost or with breakdowns :) I was slow going through at an hour fixing a rental bikers chain and explaining how to get to the gondola from spray river lol.

    • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

      Thanks for the update. You can also check out the latest trail reports for all trails in the area found on our Trail Report page: http://www.bikepirate.com/trail-report/. This is where we post all the updates by us and by visitors to bikepirate that send us an email update or visit our Trails Forum to post their own reports.

  • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

    Goat Creek is now open once again. Both bridges have been repaired and currently the trail is open for x-country skiing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=666495688 Idan Shoham

    Anyone know when they plan to reopen it?

    • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

      Sorry Idan, no news yet on the reopening. I sent Parks a note asking for an update, I will post it here and on the Trail Report page once I hear back.

    • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

      Hi Idan,

      The latest on Goat Creek from Parks is:

      There are two bridges on the Goat Creek trail that have been impacted by the high water flows: one across Goat Creek and the second across the Spray River. Both bridges have impacts to the sub-structure (the material that supports the bridge). The water level in Goat Creek should return to a more normal flow level next week, allowing for a thorough assessment of the impacts and repairs required. The water level in the Spray River has nearly returned to a normal seasonal level, the impacts to the support for that bridge are fairly extensive and the bridge will require a re-design and new construction. The assessment and design process has begun, it will take some time, there is not a quick-fix option. The intention is to re-open the trail as soon as the safe use of the bridges can be ensured. Weather constraints for construction work may become an issue.

      Stay tuned for further updates; however, looks like it will be closed to the end of the bike season.

  • Steve E O’S

    AWSOME NESS    Rode this trail a few days before it was closed due to high water levels and she’s a fun one with nice downhill rocky sections bridge river crossings and a few climbs to chalange the rider in you.  I started my journey in Banff riding legacy to canmore then up to the nordic centre this section is slow and seriously up up up hill but wicked views dudes.  while worth the ride to catch the trail from the nordic centre parking lot.  Rundle riverside is next ….  

  • Suilenroc

    Yes was just there Sat Aug 6th lots of people pulling up and disappointed it was closed. Signs posted you would be charged if using trail.
    thx trans alta

    • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

      Yup, not the best of news having this great connecting trail closed. Apparently a number of the bridges along the trail are damaged and need to be repaired. I believe we reported about the closure the day it happened, sorry to hear you couldn’t get out and ride it.

      Stay tuned, if anything changes will post it here, the home page and our facebook page. I’ll also remove the “Please Note: Trail is closed” next to the map on this page once the trail opens to the public.

      Thanks for posting the update to let others know in case they missed it.

  • Suilenroc

    Thsi trail closed July 25th/11 till further notice

  • Kelly

    09jul11 – anyone taken this trail recently?

    • http://www.bikepirate.com Peter Oprsal

      Last week a few friends rode it; it’s in great shape. What did you want to know?

  • Snow

    Anyone been here lately?  Still wet or ok?  thx



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