Project 9 Mountain Biking Route

Local Trail Association

Stats

9 Reviews & Comments

Trails in Route

Details

Trail Issues on Route

Route Supporters

Past Events

4.5 miles

Distance

1,145 ft

Climb

-1,148 ft

Descent

4,493 ft

High Point

-5 ft

Altitude change

3,440 ft

Altitude min

3,445 ft

Altitude start

3,438 ft

Altitude end

-86.9%

Grade max

48%

Grade min

2 miles

Distance climb

2 miles

Distance down

932 ft

Distance flat

How to find it
Head up the gravel road towards Island Lake Lodge, and it's the second yellow gate on your right, about 2.5km from when you leave the paved road. There's a little hump to the left of the gate you can ride over. Head up this double track until you get to the poweline, when you need to bear left onto the powerline road. Less than 100m of powerline road later, there's a right heading uphill. Get on that and start climbing When you get to the top of road, it ends with a turn around spot for vehicles, follow the trail into the forest and round to the right to reach the downhill section. Keep to the right-hand trail at the start of the down for the less steep version (they both join up pretty quick).

The trail
A serious climb from the road on a disused jeep track. One of those ones that everyone wants to clean, but not everyone does. There's a race up it every year. The record so far is 13 minutes to the top from the Island Lake Road...

The down is a trail of three distinct sections - the first is a very cool section along a river bed - rocky, rooty and with little drops and rolls along the way. This then gives way to a very mellow flowing section through more open woods and fields, in which you can see some old stunts that should probably be avoided unless you've got off your bike and checked them out closely. Once you hit the powerline, the trail then heads modestly upwards for a short distance before launching into a roller-coaster of downs and flats that is pretty unique.

source: http://www.bikefernie.ca/trail/project-9

Detailed Description

Project 9 is a 4 mile popular expert route located near Fernie British Columbia. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 5 trails. This route climbs 1,145 ft with a max elevation of 4,493 ft then descends -1,148 ft.

Significant Issue / Amber: 2 trails (newest: Aug 2, 2026)

Fernie Trails Alliance
Builder

Fernie Trails Alliance (www.fernietrailsalliance.com)

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- 9 Sep 2018
P9 Race
Race

Distance

4 miles
Avg time

1 hr 34 min
Altitude min

3,440 ft
Altitude start

3,445 ft
Altitude end

3,438 ft
Climb

1,145 ft
Descent

-1,148 ft
Grade max

-86.9%
Grade min

48%
Distance climb

2 miles
Distance down

2 miles
Distance flat

932 ft

Score Time Route Post Comment

3PJwqs Jul 18, 2024 at 14:29

300 lb black bear on Lizard connector just south of P9. Calm, well mannered bear

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Lazy Lizard from Island Lake parking lot

Lazy Lizard Connector

Project 9 Access

Island Lake Road

Riding area

Mount Fernie Provincial Park
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Difficulty rating

Black Diamond
Route Type

Loop
Bike type

AM
Direction

One Direction
Physical rating

Moderate
Activity Logs

2

trail	date	description
Project 9	Aug 20, 2026 @ 7:56am (America/Creston) Aug 20, 2026	reporter
Project 9 Access	Aug 20, 2026 @ 7:56am (America/Creston) Aug 20, 2026	reporter
Lazy Lizard Connector	Aug 2, 2026 @ 1:24pm (America/Edmonton) Aug 2, 2026	Big tree down from wind. Needs a saw.
Lazy Lizard from Island Lake parking lot	Mar 30, 2026 @ 11:46am (America/Edmonton) Mar 30, 2026
Island Lake Road	Jul 20, 2020 @ 11:28am Jul 20, 2020