Rocky Mountain Ramble

Click here for the RideWithGPS route.

Advanced 3-5-day one-way route for the adventurous bikepacker.

It can be ridden in either direction, we prefer north to south. Our shuttle dropped us off at the Mt. Burke parking area and picked us up 4 days later at the Castle Falls Campground. You can add another day by returning to Blairmore.

Big mountain riding with long climbs, epic descents, non-stop postcard views, swimming opportunities, all on quiet roads and only 22kms of pavement in the Crowsnest Pass area. There’s even a brewery stop - if that’s your thing.

Starting at the Mt. Burke trailhead on the Forestry Trunk Road south of Highwood House, this route takes the little known Lost Creek Road deep into the backcountry, climbing up over 2000m in the first17kms, eventually leading you into the headwaters of the Oldman River, and descending from there back to the trunk road for 35kms. Day 2 starts with a 20km long climb on the Atlas-Dutch Creek Road eventually taking you to Chinook Lake Campground - which has a beautiful lake suitable for swimming. Day 3 you’re off through all the little towns in the Crowsnet Pass including Coleman, Blairemore, and Frank. After the stiff climb out of the valley you drop down into the Castle Wilderness area, finishing at Castle Falls Campground.

There are all kinds of gravel roads to explore in this area, including Lynx Creek Road which completes a optional loop back to Blairmore.