Favourite Rides and Routes

So you want to motorcycle around Western Canada? That sounds epic to me!

I am incredibly lucky to call the Canadian Rockies my home. My husband and I have spent many years exploring the backroads of Western Canada to find the most epic roads, views and activities for two wheels, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

How to plan your ride:

• Are you starting in Vancouver or Calgary?
• How long do you have?
• Do you want paved roads or backroads?
• Are you here to get as many km’s as possible, or do you want to add in some other adventures?

Once you have an idea of what you are looking for, pick a route or combine routes to create your own epic story!

We start our rides in Calgary or Vancouver. These are two of the most beautiful cities in Canada, and serve as great starting points for your ride. If coming from the United States of America, riding through Going to the Sun Road in Montana to Waterton, Canada and then heading to Calgary would be a great additional route!

Route A: Famous National Parks Loop

Calgary to Jasper – Icefields Parkway and Secondary Highways (2 Days – 4 Days from Calgary)

This ride has you start in Calgary and ride through two of the most popular National Parks in Canada, Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.

• Roads – Paved Roads, primary and secondary highways.
• Scenery – Mountains.
• Attractions – Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, glaciers, hiking, hot springs, wildlife.
• Ability Level – All levels.
• Length – 2 days for riders, 4 – 5 days for adventurers
• Epic Rating – Scenery = 4, Roads = 2

 

 

Route B: Grand National Parks Loop

Calgary to Jasper Extended Loop via British Columbia (3 Days – 6 Days)

Starting in Calgary, ride through Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park and Jasper National Park.

• Roads – Paved Roads, primary and secondary highways.
• Scenery – Mountains, wetlands.
• Attractions – Banff, Jasper, Invermere, Golden, Lake Louise, hiking, hot springs, wildlife.
• Ability Level – All levels.
• Length – 3 days for riders, 5 – 6 days for adventurers
• Epic Rating – Scenery = 4, Roads = 2

Route C: Backroads of the Columbia Valley (1 – 2 Days Added to Route B)

• Roads – Non maintained forestry roads, gravel.
• Scenery – Mountains.
• Attractions –  Wildlife, hiking.
• Ability Level – Intermediate. No cell phone service.
• Length – 1 – 2 days. All rides are day rides from Invermere.
• Epic Rating – Scenery = 4, Roads = 3

Route D: Nakusp, New Denver and Gray Creek Pass (3 – 4 Days Added to Route C)

• Roads – Mostly Paved Roads, lots of curves. Optional backroads.
• Scenery – Mountains and Lakes.
• Attractions – Small towns, motorcycle campgrounds, lakes, hot springs.
• Ability Level – All levels with optional Intermediate/Advanced.
• Length – 3 days for riders, 4 days for adventurers.
• Epic Rating – Scenery = 3, Roads = 3

 

 

Vancouver Island

• Roads – Mostly Paved. Optional backroads.
• Scenery – Ocean, forest.
• Attractions –  Wildlife, ocean.
• Ability Level – Beginner. Intermediate / Advanced optional.
• Length – 3 days for riders, 7 days for adventurers.
• Epic Rating – Scenery = 3.5, Roads = 3 – 4

 

Grand Western Canada Adventure