Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Banff Legacy Trail

Legacy Trail passing by Water Tower and Trans-Alta Power Station at other side of Trans-Canada Highway.  Snowy Cascade Mountain center left

May 2, 2020

Banff Legacy Trail is paved cycling pathway built for Banff National Park 125 Year Anniversary.   It travels on south side of Trans-Canada Highway from Alberta Visitor Centre 4km east of Banff Park East Gate to Fireside Junction of Bow Valley Parkway (1A) west of Banff.  Past Lake Minnewanka Road junction trail passes through Banff townsite and resumes on Vermilion Lakes drive after crossing Rail Tracks at Heritage Railway station. There are several alternatives how to approach the trail;  Banff locals will often go for casual Vermilion Lakes drive,  Canmorites might cycle to Cascade Ponds and back, and trail can also be used as return leg when cycling to Banff from Goat Creek at Whiteman Gap above Canmore.  In spring of 2020 when Visitor Vehicle Access to National Parks was closed because of COVID-19 Pandemic, Legacy was often used for Bow Valley residents recreation and/or access to Banff area trailheads.

Here is brief description if cycling westbound from Canmore.  Start from Alberta Visitor Centre just west of Canmore.  If driving it will be exit 86 from Trans-Canada Highway.  Car be left at large parking lot.  Paved pathway passes through aspen forest, past Banff Park East gate then after brief steep section resumes gradual uphill to highpoint -- picnic area with great views of Rundle range (see gallery).  This is excellent spot for a break, and Red Adirondack Chairs Parks Canada has been scattering at strategic viewpoints in National Parks will be hard to leave.  Trail then descends on the other side -- great coasting -- and after passing Trans Alta power station by Water Tower (lead photo on this page) approaches Cascade Ponds junction.  Cascade Ponds are well worth scenic break, peaceful ponds under towering Cascade Mountain.  Re-join Legacy by topping up on Lake Minnewanka road then cycle southbound on what is to become Banff Main Avenue.  Cross over streets and Railway station, then turn west on Vermilion Lakes drive.  This is probably most scenic part of entire ride and very famous photographer spot;  if here in the evening you will encounter many enthusiasts setting up their tripods for that fabled sunset shot!  Past end of Vermilion road paved pathway resumes for another ~1.5km to official end at small Parking lot on Fireside Junction of Bow Valley Parkway (1A).  This parking lot can also be used to leave vehicle for very popular cycle trip to Johnston Canyon in Springtime, when 1A is seasonally closed.  Return the same way unless you have arranged transportation back.

Full details are available on official Parks Canada site.  In 2019 trail has been officially extended to Canmore Nordic Centre.  Last section above Engine Bridge over Bow River are very steep switchbacks and typically cycled by Canmore local MTB community.

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