The Banff Legacy Trail is one of the most popular paved bike rides in Banff National Park, and for good reason. If you’ve ever driven the Trans-Canada Highway between Canmore and Banff in summer, you’ve likely noticed the pathway running beside the highway, often filled with cyclists. This scenic Canmore to Banff bike trail is a great way to spend a few hours outside, especially if you’re looking for an active way to enjoy Banff in summer.
Officially known as the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail, this 26.8 km paved pathway connects Canmore and Banff, making it a fun option whether you ride the full route, choose a shorter section, or bike one way and take transit back. It’s a 3-metre-wide trail built to commemorate Parks Canada’s 125th anniversary, with the first two legs completed in 2010.
Even though parts of the trail run close to the highway, don’t let that put you off. Cycling from Canmore to Banff still comes with plenty of mountain views, fresh air and a great payoff, especially once you slow down and make time for a few stops along the way.
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Banff Legacy Trail Quick Details
Banff Legacy Trail vs. Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail
The Banff Legacy Trail and the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing.
The Banff Legacy Trail is the 22.3 km paved section inside Banff National Park. It runs from the Bow Valley Parkway to the Banff East Gate, passing the Town of Banff and Cascade Ponds along the way.
From the Banff East Gate, the pathway continues for another 4.5 km outside the park boundary to Canmore. This shorter section connects the Banff park gates with the Canmore end of the trail near the former Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centre.
Together, these two sections make up the full Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail, which is the 26.8 km paved bike trail between Canmore and Banff. So when people talk about cycling the Canmore to Banff bike trail, they are usually referring specifically to the portion of the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail between the Town of Banff and Canmore. This is the portion of trail which we discuss in this blog post.
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How Long Is the Banff Legacy Trail?
For most visitors, the main section of the Banff Legacy Trail is the ride between Canmore and the Town of Banff. From Canmore to the east end of Banff Avenue, the paved bike trail is 20.3 km one way, or 40.6 km round trip.
Officially, the Banff Legacy Trail is the 22.3 km section inside Banff National Park, running from the Bow Valley Parkway to the Banff East Gate. If you include the additional 4.5 km section between the Banff East Gate and Canmore, the full Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail is 26.8 km one way.
If you ride the entire Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail from Canmore to the Bow Valley Parkway and back, you’re looking at a 53.6 km round-trip ride. For most people, the more practical option is to ride between Canmore and Banff, turn around at the east end of Banff Avenue, or make it a one-way ride using Roam Transit.
Is the Banff Legacy Trail Hard?
Considering this bike trail from Canmore to Banff is in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, it is surprisingly flat. The Town of Canmore has an elevation of 1,309 m above sea level, while the Banff townsite is 74 m higher at 1,383 m.
With a few ups and downs along the way, you’ll gain 480 m of net elevation biking from Canmore to Banff, most of which is over long, almost imperceptible uphill stretches. You’ll still encounter a few short, steeper hills, but they are manageable.
How Long Does It Take to Bike the Legacy Trail?
Plan on 2 to 3 hours round trip to cycle the Legacy Trail. Add on time for stops in Banff, Canmore or along the way.
If you are biking the Legacy Trail with kids, plan for it to take longer with bathroom and snack breaks.
Read More
Love cycling around Banff National Park? Add these other Banff bike trails to your list!
Banff Legacy Trail Map and Route
Banff National Park publishes a printable Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail map with a suggested route through the Town of Banff, plus the section along Vermilion Lakes Road to the Bow Valley Parkway.
Where the Trail Starts and Ends
As it currently stands, the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail starts in Canmore at the former Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centre on Bow Valley Trail. It extends all the way through the Banff townsite up to the Bow Valley Parkway, for a full distance of 26.8 km.
Eventually, the fourth leg of the Legacy Trail will extend all the way up to the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Best Time to Cycle the Banff Legacy Trail
April is the time of year when people start to get anxious about getting out on bikes and wonder if the Banff Legacy Trail is open. The typical dates you can cycle the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail is from mid-April to mid-October, but the exact opening and closing dates vary from year-to-year.
If you are visiting Banff in April or Banff in May we recommend checking Parks Canada trail conditions before heading out. Early season trail conditions depend on how much snow remains and whether the trail has been swept clean.
While the Legacy Trail will be busiest in July and August, if you are visiting Banff in September the crisp fall days are an excellent time for cycling the Legacy Trail!
Parking for the Banff Legacy Trail
Canmore Parking for the Legacy Trail
Parking for starting the Legacy Trail in Canmore to Banff is at the Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centre on Bow Valley Trail, where there is a free parking lot. This is a reasonably big parking lot, but it fills quickly on weekends and holidays.
Banff Parking for the Legacy Trail
If you wish to start cycling the Banff Legacy Trail from the Banff side, there are several places you can choose from. If you need to start in the Town of Banff, be sure to read our guide to finding free parking in Banff.
You still need a valid Banff National Park pass if you are spending time in the park outside any free-admission period.
Cascade Ponds
Parks Canada recommends Cascade Ponds Picnic Area as the starting point for the Banff Legacy Trail. Not only does it have a large parking lot, it’s one of the best picnic areas in Banff. Cascade Ponds is a great choice if you are cycling the Legacy Trail with kids, or would like to avoid cycling in the Town of Banff.
Banff Train Station
As the largest free parking lot in Banff, the Banff Train Station is a common place to start the Banff Legacy Trail. We especially like parking at the train station if we are cycling the Banff Legacy Trail westward towards the Bow Valley Parkway. Early and late in the season, this is a great way to get to the starting point for cycling the Bow Valley Parkway to the very popular Johnston Canyon hike.
If you are cycling towards Canmore, be aware that parking here means you will need to cycle through the Town of Banff to the trailhead near the east end of town.
The Banff Train Station Public Parking Lot has 500 free stalls with a 9-hour limit, open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Valleyview Picnic Area
A small amount of parking is available at the Valleyview Picnic area located off the Trans-Canada Highway (it can only be reached heading eastbound).
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How to Bike the Legacy Trail One Way
Taking Roam Transit with Bikes
If you only want to ride the Legacy Trail one way, you can take the bus back. Roam Transit Route 3 runs daily between downtown Canmore and downtown Banff. Bike space is limited and first come, first served, so do not rely on it if every rider in your group needs to bring a bike. You can get more details in our post on getting around Banff without a car.
Alternatively, you can park in Canmore, take your bikes on the bus from Canmore to Banff, then enjoy the mostly downhill ride back to Canmore. Please be aware that bike storage space on the Roam bus is very limited and shouldn’t be counted on. Read the Roam Bike Policy before heading out.
The only other option is to park in Banff and have one member of the group ride back for the car. The rest of the group can enjoy an ice cream in Canmore or a meal at one of Canmore’s best lunch restaurants.
Riding Banff to Canmore vs. Canmore to Banff
With the elevation gain, biking from Canmore to Banff is the more difficult direction, especially if there is a wind coming from the west (as there often is).
By comparison, riding the bike trail Banff to Canmore is mostly a gentle downhill, making it quite easy, with only a few uphill sections to deal with.
Best Places to Stop Along the Banff Legacy Trail
A bike ride along the Banff Legacy Trail is one of the best free things to do in Banff if you have a bike, and it’s much more enjoyable when you take it slowly.
Valleyview Picnic Area
From Canmore, the Valleyview Picnic Area is the first place to stop. You’ll find toilets, picnic tables and even a set of the Banff red chairs here. The Banff Legacy Trail can also be started here to shorten the overall distance of your bike ride.
Stop along the Legacy Trail for pictures of the surrounding mountain scenery, but give any wildlife you see plenty of space.
Cascade Ponds
Next stop is Cascade Ponds, which is only a short detour from the Banff Legacy Trail. Cascade Ponds is also a great spot to start the Legacy Trail if riding it only one way. The distance from Canmore to the turn-off to Cascade Ponds is 16.9 km.
Banff Townsite
From the intersection on the Legacy Trail at Cascade Ponds to the east end of Banff Avenue is only an additional 3.4 km. From there, ride into the Town of Banff and choose from one of the many amazing Banff restaurants for lunch.
Vermilion Lakes
To complete the entire Legacy Trail, ride through town to get to Vermilion Lakes Road. Don’t forget to stop for pictures of these stunning lakes with a mountain backdrop. The final 1.6 km of the Banff Legacy Trail continues from the end of Vermilion Lakes Road to the Bow Valley Parkway.
Related: Vermilion Lakes is also a great spot for stand up paddle boarding in Banff
Cycling the Banff Legacy Trail with Kids
Biking the Legacy Trail with kids is a fun thing to do while visiting Banff with kids. We recommend going early or during the week when biking the Banff Legacy Trail with kids. This Banff to Canmore bike trail can get quite busy, especially mid-day on a weekend.
Tips for Cycling the Legacy Trail with Kids
- If your kids aren’t up for the full round-trip distance of the Banff Legacy Trail, use the one-way advice described above.
- Our recommended direction with kids is to ride from Banff to Canmore. The wind will usually be at your back and the trail is more enjoyable for kids since it’s mostly downhill.
- To shave off some distance, start at Cascade Ponds. This also avoids riding through the Town of Banff.
- If you cycle it one-way, one parent can cycle back to pick up the car or see if the Roam Transit Route 3 can accommodate your family’s bikes.
Read More
If your family loves bike riding, don’t miss our favourite kid-friendly bike paths in Banff.
Tips to Make the Banff Legacy Trail Shorter
If you are looking to make the Banff Legacy bike trail a little shorter, you can choose one of the following sections of the Banff Legacy Trail:
Cycle the Canmore Section
If you’d like a nice, short and flat bike ride, you can start from Canmore. From here, the first 3 km of the Banff Legacy Trail is very flat and runs through a beautiful, dense forest.
Cycle around the Valleyview Picnic Area
If you only want to cycle a small portion of the Banff Legacy Trail, starting at the Valleyview Picnic Area is a popular option. Grab a picnic spot, then ride your bikes along the trail for as long as you feel comfortable, then return for a scenic Banff picnic.
Start from Cascade Ponds
This is the shortened Banff Legacy Trail route we’d do most often with our young kids. The section from the Cascade Ponds heading towards Canmore is also reasonably flat and runs alongside a nice mountain stream.
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Tips for Cycling the Banff Legacy Trail
Start the Banff Legacy Trail Early
The Banff Legacy Trail will be the busiest at mid-day on weekends. By starting early, you should be successful finding and you’ll also have the trail mostly to yourselves, at least for the first while.
Bike Banff to Canmore
Whether you plan to ride both ways or only one way, biking from Banff to Canmore is easier. If you’re riding the full trail in both directions, consider saving the easier Banff to Canmore leg for last.
Avoid Traffic & Congestion in Banff
If you don’t want to bike through the Town of Banff, make Cascade Ponds your turnaround point. If you’re only riding one way, start at Cascade Ponds and ride toward Canmore.
Get Free Parking
Parking in Banff and Canmore is hard at the best of times, let alone trying to park near a major attraction like the Banff Legacy Trail. By arriving early, you’ll have better luck finding free parking at the locations listed above.
Ride the Legacy Trail on a Weekday
If you can ride on a weekday, the Legacy Trail will usually be quieter and more enjoyable. This is especially true if you are visiting Banff in the summer.
Don’t Rush on the Banff Legacy Trail
Take the time to stop and take pictures of the incredible views along this Canmore to Banff bike trail. Make a day of it by stopping for lunch in Banff, visiting Cascade Ponds and Vermilion Lakes.
Safety First
This is a busy bike trail. Wear a helmet and teach kids about biking etiquette, most importantly about staying on the right side of the trail.
Carry Bear Spray
Even on a busy bike trail like the Legacy Trail, you can still encounter bears and other wildlife. Have bear spray with you and know how to use it. Don’t miss our expert tips for spotting wildlife in Banff National Park.
Bike Rentals for the Banff Legacy Trail
If you don’t have your own bikes while visiting Banff, bikes can be rented in either Canmore or Banff. We’ve included bike rental locations that also rent kids’ bikes, chariot bike trailers or trail-a-bikes. Always make sure you get a lock and everyone in your party gets a well-fitting helmet.
- Banff: Ultimate Sports or Snowtips Bactrax
- Canmore: Gear Up Mountain Sports
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Celine Brewer, a local Canmore resident, is the co-owner of Travel Banff Canada. She has a passion for being out in the mountains any time of year. In the summer, you'll often find her hiking or mountain biking. In the winter, she enjoys cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking the most.
As much as she loves the mountains, she also loves travel! When she's not playing outdoors at home, she's either traveling the world with her husband and two kids or working on their other two travel sites: Family Can Travel and Baby Can Travel.