Cycling

Provincial parks across B.C. offer cycling trails for riders of every skill level. Many of the most popular trails are located near campgrounds. These often have shower facilities, and some even have pump tracks that help kids hone their skills.

For an overview of camping in BC Parks, see the camping page. For details of facilities for cyclists at a specific campground, find the park’s webpage.

This section highlights some of the most popular and well-maintained areas for cycling in BC Parks. For more detailed information on a specific park’s cycling trails and facilities, click that park’s name to visit its webpage.

This is just a selection of what is on offer. There are practically limitless adventures for cyclists to explore in parks across British Columbia. To see a full list of bike-friendly parks, go to the find a park page and, under ‘activities’, filter by ‘cycling’.

Okanagan: Kettle Valley Railway

The Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) is an abandoned railway bed that winds through southcentral BC and is popular with cyclists. The portion running through Myra-Bellevue Park near Kelowna features extraordinarily dramatic scenery.

Private companies in the area offer bike rentals, guided tours, and shuttle services along this stretch of the KVR. The summer months can be very busy, so advance booking is advised.

Vancouver Island: Goldstream and the Pumphouse

Just 16km from downtown Victoria, Goldstream’s campground offers excellent amenities for bicycle touring, including shower facilities. It also provides a track for kids and 240 metres of skills loop trails.

The Pumphouse trail network connects Campbell River’s Snowden Demonstration Forest to a campground in Elk Falls Park. A few kilometres south of Snowden is the Radar Hill trail network, offering intermediate-to-expert trails.

Lower Mainland: Golden Ears

The campground at Golden Ears Park includes shower facilities and 20 bike-in campsites. The park contains plenty of great family rides, and downtown Maple Ridge can be reached via a scenic 11km excursion.

South Coast: Alice Lake

Alice Lake Park is an ideal destination for cyclists looking to explore the trails around Squamish. The campground has 12 bike-in tent sites plus shower facilities. The park also features several multi-use trails.

Kootenay: Mount Fernie

The Fernie area offers six multi-use trail networks. These can be accessed from Mount Fernie Park, and some of the easier trails are within the park itself. The park’s campground offers shower facilities and bike-in campsites.

Chilcotin: South Chilcotin Mountains

Some of the best mountain biking experiences in B.C. can be found at South Chilcotin Mountains Park. There are single-track trails throughout the park, some with steep, muddy, and rocky sections.

To see a full list of bike-friendly parks, visit the find a park page and, under ‘activities’, filter by ‘cycling’.

BC Parks offer an abundance of mountain biking trails for riders of every skill level. Beginners can meander through grasslands or glide through lush rainforests. There are also plenty of rocky slopes and steep drops for more advanced riders.

Designated mountain biking trails are usually outlined on signs and maps at major trailheads. Some of the most popular mountain biking areas in the province are listed below (click a park’s name to visit its webpage):

• Alice Lake
• Brandywine Falls
• Garibaldi
• Golden Ears
• Mount Fernie
• Mount Seymour
• Pinecone Burke
• Silver Star
• South Chilcotin Mountains

For a full list of mountain bike-friendly parks in B.C., go to find a park and filter by ‘mountain biking’.

To ensure you have the best possible mountain biking adventure:

• Stick to designated mountain biking trails, which are the only areas in BC Parks where mountain biking is allowed
• Remember that many bike routes are multi-use trails you will be sharing with hikers and possibly horses and their riders
• Check the park’s webpage ahead of time to plan your route and adjust for any trail closures.

For more information on keeping bike trails safe for you and other visitors, see riding responsibly, below.

Electric bikes are welcome in many BC Parks. To help minimize any impact on the environment and the cultural values of parks, e-bike usage is regulated. Regulations follow the classification system outlined below.

E-bike rules by class

• Class 1 e-bikes are allowed where cycling is already permitted, unless signs indicate that a trail is closed to e-bikes
• Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are usually allowed where motorized vehicles are permitted, such as roadways and off-road vehicle areas
• Adaptive mountain bikes for people with disabilities are usually allowed in areas designated for Class 1 e-bike use

E-bike classifications 

Parks may have additional e-bike regulations, due to specific environmental or cultural concerns. Always check the park’s webpage before heading out.

Everybody using bike trails in BC Parks is expected to follow a few basic rules of cycling etiquette. These will help keep you and other visitors safe, while minimizing your impact on the natural environment.

Stick to designated cycling trails and respect temporary trail closures

Always check the park’s webpage for information and updates before you head out. Watch for relevant signage at the trailhead when you arrive and throughout the trails as you ride.

Stay alert and watch for wildlife, especially bears

Ride cautiously in areas of known animal activity, near streams and dense vegetation, on windy days, and when approaching corners. Ride slowly, stay alert, and make noise to avoid unexpected encounters.

Pass with care and be courteous

Let hikers, horse riders, and other cyclists know you are coming. If you are going downhill, yield to anyone heading up. Yield to hikers on shared trails. Pass horses with care and follow their riders’ directions.

Do not build unauthorized trails

Never try to create new cycling trails without supervision. Building cycling trails can have serious environmental impacts and safety consequences. Creating new trails is illegal, unless done in partnership with BC Parks.

We partner with volunteer organizations across the province, which provide invaluable trail-building work. To learn more about trail-building partnerships in your area, please contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca.

Practice responsible recreation

Show respect for the natural and cultural values of the park you are visiting. Do not litter or leave any food waste behind. Make sure all natural objects and cultural artefacts remain undisturbed for others to discover and enjoy.

For more information on staying safe and helping everyone enjoy BC Parks for years to come, see the visit responsibly section of this site.