Eight of Canada's Best Mountain Bike Trails

Usually, when someone mentions the words “Canada” and “mountain biking” together, the first thing that pops into people’s heads is Whistler. YouTube is full of riders tearing down the mountain in full armor spending more time in the air than on the trail. Its reputation is well earned, the Top of the World Trail to Khyber Pass ranks high on every rider’s must-do list.

However, Canada is almost unfathomably massive and has countless trail systems with endless singletrack for riders of every level. While it’s impossible to compress a country as vast, varied, and expansive as Canada into a small mix of the best trails, this list is going to try. So, here is just a tiny sampling of the best cross-country riding in the Great White North

Cumberland, British Columbia
Considered the hub of cycling on Vancouver Island, Cumberland offers a huge spider web of trails. In the same day, riders experience a lung-busting climb to the top of a mountain, a fast, flowy descent through some of the greenest, lushest forests on Earth, and then pedaling along picturesque coastline all in the same day. Here, the 165 miles (265km) of trails deliver a mix of flow in the forest, bermed, scenery-blurring descents, techy test pieces, and of course, "North Shore"-style features like skinnies and boardwalks. If there’s time, check out nearby Hornby Island. It takes a couple ferry rides to get to, but the riding is unforgettable and the solitude sublime.

Kamloops, British Columbia
Sure, Kamloops in south-central British Columbia is considered the birthplace of freeriding, but don’t be fooled, there is an endless amount of XC trails here. There are over 2,400 acres (1000 hectares) of signed trails with everything from full-on black-diamond DH tracks to buff, flowy blue runs, and family-friendly rides. Just one small area of Kamloops called Shuswap, boasts over 292 miles (470km) of mountain bike trails. It’s also got some of the most diverse biking terrain in the country. Riders can start a ride in a rainforest in the morning and end up in the desert in the afternoon.

Seven Summits, Rossland, British Columbia
The old mining town of Rossland calls itself the “Mountain Biking Capital of Canada.” With over 180 miles (289km) of expertly crafted and maintained trails. If there is one trail that should be on every rider’s list, it’s the Seven Summits Trail. An IMBA Epic, this 5-star route is 22 miles (35km) long. It’s alpine riding at its best, snaking its way through old growth forest, grasslands, and valleys with stunning views of the Columbia River Valley and Selkirk Mountains. Done as a point-to-point shuttle, the 3,500 feet of climbing delivers a whopping 6,300 feet of downhill. Not a bad ratio, eh?

Fernie, British Columbia
This whole article could be filled with the amount of riding in Fernie, B.C. Without any hyperbole, it would take weeks to ride everything here. This mecca proudly boasts seven distinct riding areas with over 435 miles (701km) of trails! From XC to lift-accessed DH, beginner to expert, Fernie has it all. There’s even a skills park. And most of it is rideable from town. Get pumped for huge alpine vistas, old-growth forests, deep pine groves, and that perfect loamy dirt that all mountain bikers dream of. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the massive amount and huge variety of trails here. Start easy: head to Ridgemont in the southeast, it’s filled with intermediate trails, a perfect intro to all Fernie has to offer.

Mont-Sainte-Anne, Québec
OK, enough of British Columbia. The downhill course at this bike park is world famous and is a stop on the World Cup tour. Aside from that, Mont-Sainte-Anne features 80 miles (130km) of cross-country trails for all levels. The best part? They are all lift-accessed. So, everyone from beginners to the most hardcore can experience the joy of taking a chair to the top and riding back down. There’s even a pump track to work those skills. It’s an easy trip too, being only 30 minutes outside of beautiful Quebec City.

Collingwood, Ontario
It's hard to believe that just 2.5 hours outside of Toronto, Canada's largest city, there is a haven of lush, forested singletrack. Collingwood is ideally situated on scenic Georgian Bay, perfect for post-ride beach trips. Right in town, there are over 37 miles (60km) of trails of differing levels. And just outside of town, check out the Kolapore Uplands, with 20 miles (32km) of mostly intermediate trails. Or, Three Stages with its 40 miles (64km) of sweet, sweet ribbons of earth. During a 2-hour ride, it’s possible to ride through five different forest systems, from huge stands of deciduous trees to fragrant cedars. Nearby Blue Mountain Resort also offers lift-assisted DH madness. Riding here in the summer, it’s impossibly green. Riding it in the fall is a kaleidoscopic explosion of color that has to be seen to be believed.

Jasper National Park, Alberta
Biking is Jasper in the Canadian Rockies is a special experience. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a hub of all things outdoors: biking, climbing, camping, fishing, skiing, dog sledding, and hiking, it’s all here. Yet, get out on the trails, and solitude is easy to find. The region boasts over 378 miles (608km) of some of the best-maintained trail systems in all of Canada’s National Parks. Everything from family-friendly cruisers to white-knuckle black diamonds, Jasper has it. This is the Canadian Rockies at their best with majestic snow-capped peaks, waterfalls cascading into emerald lakes, and postcard-worthy alpine meadows blanketed with wildflowers. Not sure where to start? Go counter-clockwise on the 20-mile loop/Saturday Night Lake Loop, a great intermediate ride, and a good tasting menu of what’s on offer here. Jasper is also the world's second largest Dark Sky Preserve, so be sure to spend at least a few nights here and stand in stunned silence at the glorious Milky Way.

The Great Trail
This is the definition of cross country, and no list of biking in Canada would be complete without a mention. The Great Trail is a 100% connected trail that runs coast to coast for a mind-boggling 15,000 miles (24,000km) through 13 provinces and territories. The route is the very embodiment of Canada's vastness and its varied terrain. The path takes riders through busy urban sections, scenic rural villages, remote wilderness, and along all sorts of greenways, waterways, and roadways. Fun fact: it’s the world’s longest unbroken network of land and water trails.

This list barely scratches the surface of this bike-crazy country but acts as a good starting point for some of the highlights. So, grab the bike, lube up the chain, pack a tube and some food and go. The Great White North is calling.