8 Great Bike Rides to Explore Across Canada

Steve Lyons

May 20, 2026

About an hour into our ride, we pull into Backswamp Viewpoint along the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park. A few cyclists are already gathered at the railing, looking out over the Bow River as it winds through a wide, forested valley beneath the Canadian Rockies. It’s a clear afternoon with blue sky, cool air and no wind—perfect riding conditions.

On rides like this, you really appreciate being on two wheels rather than in four. You notice things you’d miss behind a windshield—the scent of pine, the rush of air in your face, the hum of tires on the pavement. You can stop whenever something catches your eye or simply take it all in at your own pace.

You can find many experiences like this all across the country.

From coastal rail trails to prairie river paths and urban waterfront routes, here are eight great bike rides I’ve taken in Canada.

Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta

This is one of my favourite bike rides, largely because during the months of May, June and September the road is closed to vehicles, creating a safe, low-stress riding environment for cyclists.

I rode from Banff townsite to Johnston Canyon, about 25 kilometres, with mountains rising on one side and a broad valley opening on the other. It’s quiet, peaceful and endlessly scenic—with plenty of spots to stop, catch your breath and take it all in.

Several outfitters in Banff offer acoustic or e-bike rentals, along with guided rides that include return transportation from Johnston Canyon.

ʔapsčiik t̓ašii, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

This multi-use trail through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve linking the seaside villages of Tofino and Ucluelet is not only a beautiful ride—it’s a meaningful one. The 25-kilometre route winds through lush coastal rainforest, with occasional openings to the rugged shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. Smooth pavement makes for an enjoyable ride, with a few short boardwalk sections crossing low-lying bogs.

What made the ride especially memorable was learning the story behind the trail. Developed in partnership between Parks Canada and local First Nations, it reflects a balance between recreation and respect for the land it passes through. Even the name, which means “going the right direction on the path” speaks to that relationship and is a reminder to move through this landscape, life really, with care and awareness.

Vancouver Seawall, British Columbia

I’ve always loved riding along a water’s edge and one of the most enjoyable places to do that is the Seawall around Stanley Park. The roughly nine-kilometre loop hugs the shoreline, with views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains. The path passes beneath the Lions Gate Bridge and by landmarks like Siwash Rock, a striking sea stack, as you circle one of the most beautiful urban parks in the country.

I’ve ridden it a few times and always find myself stopping near the statue of legendary Canadian sprinter Harry Jerome, where you have a clear view of the city’s spectacular skyline.

The path can be busy on summer days, but the energy is part of the experience. The route flows one way, counterclockwise, making it easy to navigate.

Galloping Goose Trail, Victoria, British Columbia

I’ve always liked how the Galloping Goose rolls out from downtown Victoria and gradually leaves the city behind. Following a former railway line, the trail runs about 55 kilometres to the rural community of Sooke. It’s a mostly flat, well-paved route with gentle grades.

One of the highlights early in the ride is crossing the Selkirk Trestle, a long wooden bridge with great views over the Gorge Waterway. From there, the trail weaves through forest and farmland before reaching the Sooke Potholes—a series of smooth, rock-carved pools and cascading falls shaped by the Sooke River, where many riders stop for a refreshing plunge.

Meewasin Trail, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

“Meewasin” is a Cree word meaning “beautiful”—a fitting name for a route that connects many of the city’s prettiest places.

The trail runs through the heart of Saskatoon, with multiple access points along the downtown riverfront. Following both sides of the South Saskatchewan River, the trail offers a mix of city skyline, green space and riverbank views.

There are plenty of worthwhile stops along the way, including the Gordie Howe Bridge and The Weir—a low dam across the river where I always like to stop and watch the pelicans gather and fish.

If you’re up for a longer ride, the trail extends north toward Wanuskewin Heritage Park, about 15 kilometres from downtown—an important Indigenous cultural and archaeological site with trails, interpretive exhibits and a reintroduced bison herd.

Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, Ontario (Lambton Shores/Grand Bend)

Stretching more than 3,600 kilometres across Ontario, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail follows the shores of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, connecting communities and First Nations along the way.

I rode a stretch of it near Grand Bend on a late November afternoon, with a cool, late-season chill in the air. A brisk wind off Lake Huron made for an invigorating ride and, in a way, added to the appeal of the landscape of sandy beaches, a rugged shoreline and low dunes.

The Lambton Shores section also provides access to Pinery Provincial Park—the largest protected forest in southwestern Ontario and home to more than 750 plant species, 300 bird species and 60 butterfly species.

Valley Trail, Fredericton, New Brunswick

I’d be hard-pressed to come up with a Canadian city that has better cycling trails than Fredericton: the city has more than 120 kilometres of non-motorized, multi-use pathways on both sides of the Wolastoq (Saint John) and Nashwaak rivers.

Much of the system follows former rail lines converted in the 1990s, creating a mix of urban and suburban riding environments that are easy to access and well connected.

My favourite is the Valley Trail, a 10.7-kilometre, mostly gravel route (part of the Trans Canada Trail) that heads west from the city and offers wide-open views of the Wolastoq. One of the more unusual features is that sections of the trail pass through a residential stretch, where homeowners have allowed the route to run along the back of their riverfront properties that provides a glimpse into some truly impressive backyards. It’s very cool.

Ministers Island, St. Andrews, New Brunswick

This is one of the most unique rides I’ve ever done. It isn’t a trail in the traditional sense, but a one-of-a-kind experience. At low tide in St. Andrews, I rode a bike across the ocean floor to Minister’s Island.

The gravel road begins at the ocean end of Bar Road, just outside town, and is submerged for much of the day. When the tide recedes, it reveals a wide, hard-packed path you can walk, drive—or cycle—across. Riding it feels surreal, with seaweed-covered rocks and tidal pools stretching out on either side.

On the island, quiet roads wind past fields and shoreline to the historic Van Horne estate, once the summer home of Canadian Pacific Railway president Sir William Van Horne. Just keep an eye on the tides—or you might be staying longer than planned.

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