Lake Minnewanka

Banff, Alberta, Canada

A locals’ favourite and a classic Rocky Mountain ride, this sweet and scenic singletrack trail takes you along the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka. As it’s a very popular early-season ride and hike, expect a lot of hikers on the first few kilometres of trail in early May to June. Please remember to give hikers the right-of-way when mountain biking.

Lake Minnewanka trail is best described as a narrow rolling singletrack with a number of technical sections, a few creek crossings, and some amazing views along the shoreline of the lake. This is a must-do ride for anyone visiting the area to mountain bike and is best ridden in the spring or fall. Start early on the weekends to avoid the heavy hiker traffic.

Beware of bears. Lake Minnewanka is a popular area for bears and it is recommended that you ride with bear spray and preferably in a group. An annual summer closure to reduce encounters was enacted in 2011, closing this popular ride to bikers from July 10 – September 15. Please respect this closure.

bikepirate rating:

Trail Stats

Distance: 30 km (return)
Time: 2 - 4 hrs
Elevation Gain: 429 m
Elevation Loss: 427 m
Min Elevation: 1,480 m
Max Elevation: 1,560 m
Technical Rating: Advanced
Physical Rating: Moderate
Season: May - October (summer closure)
Permit Required: Yes (Park pass)

Summer closure: Lake Minnewanka is closed to bikers July 10 – September 15.

Trail Location

Trailhead: From Hwy. 1 at the east Banff interchange, drive 6 km north on Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive to the parking lot on the north side of Minnewanka dam. The trailhead is located 500 metres east of the carpark. Ride through the picnic and boat launching area to the well-marked trailhead.

GPS:
N51 14.905 W115 30.013 (carpark)
N 51 15.005 W115 29.764 (trailhead)

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 Banff trail guide:
Bow Valley Mountain Bike Trail Guide

Options

The trail information provided will take you to the warden cabin – 15 km one way. You may choose to continue on route to Devil’s Gap.If you choose to continue past the warden cabin, please note that the trail does get considerably harder to ride. The singletrack becomes very narrow and very technical.

Distances

8 km to Aylmer Pass junction – keep right

15 km to warden cabin – turn around here; or for the adventurous, continue on

24 km to east end of lake

26 km junction – keep right

27 km ford – time to turn back

 

 
  • MtSass

    rode yesterday out to cabin…only 3 trees down to dismount for! april 13th epicness. in great condition, of course still some ice/snow cover up to bridge and alittle up first climb.Good To Go! Was on Phatty.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ron.rouben Ron Rouben

    WOW! WOW! WOW! Brilliant ride!!! Apart from two blown tubes and one blown tire (among a group of 7 riders) we enjoyed an epic day on this trail! Not an easy one to be sure but worth the ride…6 of us had to walk our bikes up the last hill on the return to civilization but that doesn’t mean that you will have to! Views were awesome…no bears in sight but we did see a few deer…not much traffic either…go do it before it snows!!

  • http://profiles.google.com/corinbanff Corrine Harris

    I love this trail, it is so beautiful, a great ride in the spring or fall.  Take a snack as the beach at the wardens cabin is a great spot to take a break and relax for a bit.



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