Panorama of Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies
Panorama of Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies

Norquay Road

Banff National Park
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Beautiful cycle on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesRiding upon Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesTrail of Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesBeautiful views on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesAmazing mountain scenery on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesFreshly paved ride up to the top of Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesCycling upon Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesBeautiful trail of Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesViews down to Vermilion Lakes on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesAutumn colours on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesView of Banff from the cycling of Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesRiding into Mt Norquay resort on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesRiding downhill on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesSummer views on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesFast downhill on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian RockiesEvening ride to Banff on Norquay Road road biking route in Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies

Norquay Road

Distance: 9.4mi
Elevation: 1,050ft
Time: 1-2h

Difficulty Rating:

User Ratings:
8 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty

The bike ride up the Norquay Scenic Road is a wonderful route, providing great views on a challenging road made up of repetitive switchbacks. This is a great training ride and also a nice ride to pair with one of Banff’s other bike rides.

Norquay Road Map

Getting there

You can start anywhere in Banff. We usually start on Banff Ave. in summer parking can be hard to find, so arrive early. There is overflow parking at Fenlands, out on the way to Norquay.

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About

Re-supply points

Mt Norquay Ski Hill

When to do

May - September

Toilets

Mt Norquay Ski Hill

Level of Car Traffic

Low

Road Type

50km/h road

Family friendly

No

Route Signage

Average

Crowd Levels

Low

Route Type

Out and back


Norquay Road
Elevation Graph


Route Description for Norquay Road

The Norquay Fire road gains 1148ft of elevation over the 3.5mi ascent! That’s an average gradient of over 6%! This is not a walk in the park, so this bike ride is typically done on road bikes with fit riders. Many riders use this as a training ride for climbing or pair it with another bike ride in the Banff area.

The hardest part of this bike ride could be finding parking if you’re not staying in Banff. We usually get there early and park in the parkade near Nester’s Market, at 122 Bear Street. This is right in central Banff and also allows us to pick up last minute snacks before we head out. Other parking options can be found on the Banff parking site. The Fenlands parking lot is another great option, and is out by the road up to Norquay.

If you’re at Nester’s, go right on Lynx Street and you’ll pass Banff Park Lodge and a Petro Canada and Shell Gas Station. Continue straight, following this road, as it becomes Mount Norquay Road.

Soon after passing Fenlands Recreation Centre, you’ll see a road on your left; this is the wonderful Vermilion Lakes Road, and a great additional bike ride to cool down after you’ve climbed up Norquay. For now, continue straight ahead, and soon come to a wildlife gate. Some people may ride over these, but we sure don’t. We get off our bike and either walk along a seam or better yet cross the road and use the pedestrian gate on the other side of the road.

Once over this wildlife gate, cross over the Trans-Canada Highway and continue straight, soon coming to another wildlife gate. Dismount, cross the road and use the pedestrian gate.

Mount your bike, and begin to climb. The road is about to steepen! The road initially curves to the right, before curving back to the left and rising.

Follow the road up these consecutive switchbacks, using each corner to take in the valley below. The views on this bike ride stack up quickly, offering great perspective on the Bow Valley, however the vital pit stop on the ride is around the 3rd switchback. This is the famous Norquay Viewpoint, or the grass patch to locals. You’ll be able to catch an incredible view of bustling Banff under Mount Rundle from the Parks Canada Red Chairs—a photo opportunity not to miss. Don’t forget to #sharethechair.

The switchbacks are behind you from here on, yet you’ll continue to ascend the 131ft over the next 2789ft to the base of the Norquay Ski Hill. Here at Norquay there are some wonderful summer activities, such as the Via Ferrata, access to hiking trails, and the sightseeing chairlift to the Cliffhouse Bistro. Views can be accomplished only by hopping on the chairlift, so if you are planning to give your wallet a break, you’ll head down the way you came.

The descent is fast and technical, be mindful of vehicle traffic whose drivers may be distracted by the views. This is the place for defensive bike riding, and not reliving dreams of the Tour de France.

At the bottom remember that you’ll need to take the pedestrian gates to get around the wildlife gates in the road. Consider adding the easy bike ride along Vermilion Lakes to this ride for a bit more distance.

Insider Hints

  • Watch out for bad drivers on the descent!

  • We like to pair this bike ride with an easy spin along Vermilion Lakes Road.

Comments

Lisa B 6 years ago

Norquay Road is a fun ride, especially the descent but I really had to be watching for traffic.

8.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
1 Comment

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