The feeling of summer coming to an end can be devastating, knowing that the long days filled with activities and warm weather are behind us. However, something that is there to ease the blow of summer ending is the fact that there is still plenty of amazing mountain biking to be had in the Canadian Rocky Mountains! Alberta is an amazing place to ride your mountain bike, and the fall is no exception. Buckle up and let us explore the best fall mountain bike rides in Alberta!
Why is fall mountain biking in the Canadian Rockies is great
Fall mountain biking in the Canadian Rockies is spectacular for many reasons:
- The scenery is incredible – Although it’s quite unpredictable how long the leaves will last, when they turn their golden color, it is unbelievable against the backdrop of the stunning Rocky Mountains. Additionally, fall is when the larches turn a vibrant golden color, heightening the fall experience.
- Fewer crowds – As summer fades away, so do the crowds in the Rocky Mountains, especially in popular mountain towns like Banff, Alberta. With fewer people visiting the area, you will have the trails to yourself.
- Milder weather – Depending on the summer month, temperatures in the Rocky Mountains can reach up to 32 degrees Celsius, which can be quite toasty when you are biking up a mountain. Therefore, mountain biking in the fall still offers sunny, warm days; however, you’ll also enjoy the crisp fall mountain air, which makes it more comfortable for biking.
- Wildlife encounters – Fall is when the wildlife in the Canadian Rocky Mountains become more active as they prepare for a long, cold winter. Consequently, your chances of encountering some magical wildlife are greater!
Things to consider while biking in the fall in the Rockies
Before diving into the best fall mountain biking rides in Alberta, it’s important to consider a couple of other factors to ensure a successful ride.
- Colder Temperatures – While milder temperatures make biking more enjoyable than hot, sweaty conditions, it’s crucial to remember that weather in the Rocky Mountains can be unpredictable. Mornings and evenings are significantly colder during the fall and should be taken into consideration before heading out. Be sure to check local weather stations to ensure you are prepared for changing conditions throughout the day.
- Layering – This brings us to our next important point – bring multiple layers! As mentioned, mornings can be extremely cool, but after climbing a mountain on your bike, you’ll likely want to shed a layer or two. You’ll work up a sweat on the ascent, so this is the perfect time to utilize merino wool to absorb any perspiration before speeding down the hill. Windbreakers are ideal for the descent!
- Reduced daylight – Lastly, don’t forget that the long days of Canadian summers are behind us (sad face). Plan your ride accordingly to avoid getting caught in the middle of your ride when the sun goes down. It’s always a great idea to pack a headlamp in your bag if you think this might happen.
Now that we have covered the logistics, let us get into some of the best fall mountain bike rides that you can do in Alberta!
Moose Mountain
Moose Mountain is a popular riding area for many Calgarians seeking to escape the city and enjoy fantastic biking. It is maintained by the Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society, operated by a group of dedicated volunteers, ensuring that the trails are in excellent condition. The trail network is accessible through shuttling, which is available from around mid-May through the end of the season. Alternatively, you can choose to pedal up using Family Guy, Pneuma, or the road itself. The area features approximately 2 green, 6 blue, and 11 black diamond trails, making Moose Mountain well-suited for intermediate to experienced riders. Be sure to check out Pneuma to 7-27 to Stone’s Throw!
Cox Hill Trail
Cox Hill Trail is a challenging technical trail that offers stunning views of the Bragg Creek area. Accessing this trail can be a bit tricky, as you need at least two cars to complete it since it’s a through trail. You should park one car at the Dawson trailhead to use when you finish the trail and then drive another car to the Barrier Dam parking lot to start.
Begin with the Baldy Pass climb, switch to the Lusk Pass trail, and finally take on the Jumping Pound Ridge for a challenging yet efficient ascent. After covering approximately 1.12 km on Cox Hill Trail, you will, unfortunately, face a final ridge to climb. However, the breathtaking views make it entirely worthwhile and doing this trail in the fall will take the experience to a whole other level with the golden leaves!
- Lusk Pass — Blue, 6.6 km, 241 m
- Jumping Pound Ridge – Black Diamond, 3.9 km, 409 m
- Cox Hill Trail – Black Diamond, 8.8 km, 246 m
In total, our Strava calculated the whole trail as 11.82 km, 721 m. Definitely remember to pack lots of water and snacks as this makes for a long day!
The Canmore Nordic Center
The Canmore Nordic Centre offers an extensive network of trails that cater to various skill levels. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced rider, you will find a variety of trails to keep you going for days. The trails are very well-maintained and vary from cross-country trails to downhill trails and technical singletrack. The Canmore Nordic Centre is surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains and provides stunning views during your ride. It offers some of the best fall mountain biking experiences in the valley and is the perfect place to witness the golden leaves. One of our favorite routes is FYI to EKG to Swamp to Sherwood Forest to The Odyssey to EKG.
Montane Traverse
Montane Traverse is an enjoyable cross-country trail located on the sunny east side of Canmore. This is truly one of the best fall mountain biking rides because there are so many deciduous trees in this area, creating a golden riding experience. The climb out of Cougar Creek (park your car at Cougar Creek parking lot) involves two steep hills (Cougar Hill and Cardio/Golf Course Hill), which can be a bit challenging. However, once you access the trail, it offers a smooth and pleasant ride, and the views with the golden leaves are stunning. Montane Traverse is rated as a blue trail, making it suitable for a range of riders, so be sure to bring the fam out!
- Montane Traverse – Blue, 6 km, 184 m
- Finisher Harvie Heights Descent – Black Diamond, 2 km, 12 m
- Return to car Ridge Traverse to Horse Ravine to Douglas Fir Trail
Prospector
This classic mountain bike trail in Exshaw, Alberta, is added to the one of the best fall mountain bike rides for the views and of course being an awesome trail! The trail itself has everything to offer including a nice climb, switchbacks, wooden features, jumps, flow and of course rock slabs.
- Prospector – Black Diamond, 8.98 km, 319 m
For a fall bonus ride, we are bopping over to British Columbia as this province is known for having stellar mountain biking in general, especially some of the best fall mountain bike rides!
Deja View and Old Coach Trail Loop
Invermere has some amazing mountain bike trails, and Deja View should be added on your fall bucket list of MTB trails for the views! This trail overlooks the valley with incredible views of the Columbia River and will likely have the opportunity to spot plenty of wildlife like eagles, deer and even moose!
The trail itself is multi-use so expect to encounter hikers, as well as bikers. To access it, you should park at the Old Coach Trail parking lot and head north on the trails that follow the ridge. Along the way, you’ll come across five main “jut-outs,” and you can complete the trail by heading back south on the Old Coach Trail, the gravel path that leads you back to the parking lot.
- Deja View and Old Coach Trail – Blue, 16.12 km, 206 m
Adios, Chicos!
Thank you for tuning into VentureVida and in our opinion, some of the best fall mountain rides in Alberta (and a bonus in British Columbia (; )! Let us know which are your favorite mountain bike trails and do not forget to subscribe for more adventures!
