9 miles
Distance
182 ft
Climb
-81 ft
Descent
01:14:59
Avg time

Minnewanka Details

  • Riding Area
    Banff
    Banff, Alberta
  • AKA
    Major Wanker
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Green (1 vote)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat
  • Trail Usage
    Multi-use
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    Sept 15 - July 10
  • Global Ranking
    #12611
  • Land Manager
    Parks Canada

Out and back trail along Minnewanka lake. Usually opens up early in the season for riding. The hardest climb is near the beginning, the rest is up and down along the lake shore. The riding is not super-technical, but it is singletrack with roots and rocks. It's also fun in the winter, where you can ride on the frozen lake [studded tires recommended - make sure it's frozen - ride at your own risk].

Note that Minnewanka is one of the most popular trails in Banff. There can be HUGE crowds of hikers on weekends. Start and finish early on the weekends, or ride on weekdays to avoid the masses. If you are riding the trail, don't stop for a rest on the narrow exposed sections - keep moving until you can find a spot to stop where others can pass you.

Seasonal Closure to bikes is from July 10 - September 15. The Parks staff take this seriously.

Access Info

From the Minnewanka parking lot, the trail starts at the northeast end past the picnic tables.

Disclaimer

Seasonal Closure to bikes is from July 10 - September 15

Local Trail Association
More Stats for Minnewanka bike trail
  • Altitude change
    101 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,886 ft
  • Altitude max
    5,003 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,886 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,987 ft
  • Grade
    0.205%
  • Grade max
    -21.088%
  • Grade min
    23.985%
  • Distance climb
    4,229 ft
  • Distance down
    3,491 ft
  • Distance flat
    8 miles
  • Avg time
    01:14:59
  • Avg reverse time
    01:41:41
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Oct 29, 2018
Dry
Avg: 4.25 (11 votes)

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Layers winter
Trail Style
  • ?
Activity Type
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Directions to minnewanka trailhead (51.247740, -115.500560)
update trails status or condition

Minnewanka Trail Reports

datedescription
Oct 29, 2018 @ 1:29pm
Oct 29, 2018
 Great dry conditions, few tourists as winter approaches.
Oct 19, 2018 @ 10:43am
Oct 19, 2018
 There was ice from the trailhead to the right hand corner after the bridge. There was mud from there until the rocky section. From there on it was...
Jun 13, 2018 @ 9:00am
Jun 13, 2018
 Trail in good condition as far as LM9. A few minor challenging sections, but definitely still on the low end of intermediate by BC standards.
May 6, 2018 @ 4:00pm
May 6, 2018
 Trail is in great shape! One tree down before LM8 and one more between LM8 and the Cabin! Lot's of ticks out right now (I had 3 on my leg). Check...
May 6, 2018 @ 3:58pm
May 6, 2018
 Trail is dry. One tree down before LM8. One down between LM8 and the Cabin. Enjoy!
view all reports »

Photos

more »
7 |
Oct 29, 2018 @ 1:31pm
Oct 29, 2018
Minnewanka, Banff
104 |
Dec 24, 2017 @ 8:39am
Dec 24, 2017
Minnewanka, Canmore
128 |
Oct 27, 2017 @ 12:30pm
Oct 27, 2017
Minnewanka, My City
312 |
Oct 14, 2014 @ 1:34pm
Oct 14, 2014
Minnewanka, Banff

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Trail Products

3 Reviews & Comments

  • + 4
flag pinkrobe CMBA (Oct 19, 2014 at 14:16)
 Views on this ride are absolutely spectacular, and worth riding it just for that aspect. Now, a warning: this trail is RAMMED with people on the weekends all summer. It is nicknamed "Major Wanker" for a reason - the hordes that hit this trail on the weekend have no clue how to interact with others. Sadly, some of the worst offenders are people on group rides. You'll be happier if you ride it on weekdays or well before/after the tourist season.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag traviswbrown82 (Jun 11, 2017 at 21:17)
 Ive never seen so many people and dogs on a trail before in my life! If you can hit it during the week or before 10am on any weekend its super fun. Conditioned legs are a must. For the hard tail riders lower tire pressure for extra traction on the loose shale and rock. But not TOO low to force a puncture. The last half is typically less busy as larger groups of hikers have turned back by this time. Well worth the ride to the end if your up for a serious workout. Unfortunately most who hike this are tourists who have no idea of trail etiquette so be prepared to brake hard often.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag StoshIam (Sep 23, 2017 at 18:42)
 Rode it 23/09 equal numbers of Hikers and Bikers, no conflicts today.
[Reply]

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Videos

more »
Lake Minnewanka
10:51 | 478 | Nov 22, 2012 , Banff
XC ride at Lake Minnewanka
4:18 | 536 | Oct 31, 2012 , Banff

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