9.3 miles
Distance
467 ft
Climb
-398 ft
Descent
01:45:14
Avg time

Minnewanka Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
  • AKA
    Major Wanker
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (2 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    Sept 15 - July 10
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • Global Ranking
    #11660 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #4562 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 65 in Trail Running
    • 75 in Hiking
  • Land Owner

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 Restriction for bicycle is in effect from July 10 - September 15.

Access Info

Public Transit - Route 6

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

More Stats for Minnewanka multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    69 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,923 ft
  • Altitude max
    5,143 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,923 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,990 ft
  • Grade
    0.1%
  • Grade max
    -28.2%
  • Grade min
    25%
  • Distance climb
    3 miles
  • Distance down
    3 miles
  • Distance flat
    3 miles
  • Avg time
    01:45:14
  • Avg reverse time
    02:24:09
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jul 10, 2025
Avg: 4.09 (16 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • One Direction
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Radar Time
x Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
  • mountain biking recent
  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
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  • Downhill Ski
  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
  • Snowmobile
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      Directions to minnewanka trailhead (51.247730, -115.500600)
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      Minnewanka Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jul 10, 2025 @ 10:21am
      Jul 10, 2025
      Jul 10, 2025 @ 12:00am
      Jul 10, 2025
      May 23, 2025 @ 7:14am
      May 23, 2025
      BEAR WARNING: Lake Minnewanka Trail Special caution is recommended when travelling in this area due to the following bear related situation. A...
      May 16, 2025 @ 3:48pm
      May 16, 2025
      WARNING: Bears in the area Multiple bears have been seen in the area in recent days. Bear Safety: - Always carry bear spray in this trail and...
      Apr 27, 2025 @ 8:15am
      Apr 27, 2025
      We rode as far as LM9 on 2025/04/26. A blowdown just before the campsite has been cleared from the trail, but there's a big one just after LM9. We...
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 8 rides
      • 19 miles avg distance
      All
      • 165 rides
      • Last: Jul 9, 2025

      Photos

      more »
      627 |
      Oct 27, 2017 @ 12:30pm
      Oct 27, 2017
      601 |
      Oct 14, 2014 @ 1:34pm
      Oct 14, 2014
      888 |
      Oct 27, 2012 @ 1:05am
      Oct 27, 2012
      716 |
      Aug 20, 2013 @ 8:25am
      Aug 20, 2013

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      15 Reviews & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      Places 2 MTB:  Lake Minnewanka Trail
      14:21 | 302 | Mar 19, 2023 , My City
      Minnawanka Bankhead Mountain Bike
      6:38 | 935 | Sep 19, 2019 , My City
      Motorboat Cruisin’
      0:00 | 17 | Aug 20, 2022 , My City
      Lake Minnewanka
      10:51 | 854 | Nov 22, 2012 , My City
      • By dannyTF Pro & contributors
      • #5946 - 33,517 views

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