Bikepacking is an exciting blend of cycling and backcountry camping, allowing riders to explore remote landscapes on two wheels. Unlike traditional bicycle touring, which often follows paved roads, bikepacking takes cyclists off the beaten path—onto gravel roads, dirt trails, and rugged backcountry routes. Riders carry all their essential gear on their bikes, making self-sufficiency a key part of the experience.
Bikepacking requires careful planning and a minimalist mindset. Riders pack only the essentials using specialized bags such as frame, saddle, and handlebar bags, ensuring they can navigate rough terrain without excess weight. Standard bikepacking bikes include mountain and gravel bikes, as they handle varied landscapes more effectively.
A successful bikepacking trip involves route planning and proper gear selection, including packing lightweight camping and cooking gear, adequate clothing, food, water, repair kits, navigation tools, and emergency supplies. In short, you’re on your own, so be prepared!
Alberta, a Premier Bikepacking Destination
Alberta’s diverse landscapes make it a dream destination for bikepackers. From the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the sweeping prairies, rolling parkland, foothill forests, and dramatic Badlands, the province offers a vast network of trails and gravel roads perfect for exploration. Forestry roads, township routes, and remote pathways provide endless opportunities to immerse yourself in nature away from busy highways.
Whether you’re a seasoned bikepacker or a beginner looking to embark on your first overnight adventure, Alberta’s breathtaking terrain and abundant routes make it an ideal place to ride, camp, and discover the wild. Here are five recommended must-do trips for the adventurous biker.
Icefields Parkway Banff to Jasper
Route details: Four days | Three nights | 290 km (180 mi) | +2,805 m (9,202 ft) | Start: Banff | End: Jasper
The Icefields Parkway, stretching between Banff and Jasper, is hands down one of the most breathtaking roads in Canada. For decades, it’s been a bucket-list route for bike tourers, offering jaw-dropping mountain views, glacier-fed lakes, and endless adventure.
In summer, the parkway can get busy with traffic, which—while the scenery more than makes up for it—can be a little frustrating for some riders. The good news? Parks Canada has repaved the road and widened the shoulders, creating a bike-friendly lane the entire way. Even so, most cyclists hit the road early in the morning when traffic is light, and wildlife sightings are more likely. Just plan ahead—campgrounds fill up fast in peak season!
But here’s something you might not expect: winter bikepacking on the Icefields Parkway is becoming a thing. Sure, it’s cold, but the reward? A nearly empty highway winding through a snow-covered wonderland. For those willing to bundle up and embrace the elements, it’s an unforgettable Canadian winter adventure. Plus, a string of cozy wilderness hostels along the route provides warm shelter at the end of each day.
Guided tours are a great option if you’re new to bikepacking or want to take the stress out of planning. Many companies offer support vehicles to carry your gear, pre-book accommodations (so you’re sleeping in lodges instead of tents), and even rent e-bikes to help tackle those challenging climbs. That way, you can soak in the scenery without worrying about whether your legs will reach the next stop.
Download the complete route here.
The Alberta Rockies 700 Coleman to Hinton
Route details: Six days | Five nights | 720 km (447 mi) | +9,148 m (30,013 ft) | Start: Coleman | End: Hinton
If the Icefields Parkway feels a little too polished for your taste—with its smooth pavement and tourist facilities—but you’re still craving an epic mountain adventure, then the Alberta Rockies 700 Route (AR700) might be just what you’re looking for. This 700+ km journey along remote forestry trunk roads from Coleman to Hinton promises solitude, rugged landscapes, and plenty of adventure.
Initially designed for the Alberta Rockies 700 Bikepacking Race, this route takes you deep into the foothills, mainly following gravel roads with only a couple of paved sections—including the climb over Highwood Pass, the highest paved road in Canada. It’s a physically demanding ride but technically straightforward, with easy navigation and resupply points in Canmore and Nordegg. A few rural outposts also offer hot meals along the way, making it manageable enough to feel like an adventure without being totally off the grid.
Camping options are plentiful, from provincial recreation sites to random camping areas, but make sure you’re prepared for wildlife encounters. Bear-proof food storage and bear spray are a must! And since you’ll be refilling water from streams, bring a good water filter to stay hydrated safely.
A fat bike is the best choice. The route is about 80% gravel, with occasional paved sections to connect the dots.
If you’re up for the challenge, this is the ultimate way to experience the untamed side of the Alberta Rockies—thin crowds, thick adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Download the complete route here.
Hurt’n Albert’n 550 Beiseker Return
Route details: Four days | Three nights | 550 km (342 mi) | +3,874 m (12,709 ft) | Start/Finish: Beiseker
This 550-km loop is like a rolling geography lesson through Alberta’s most diverse landscapes. One minute, you’re pedalling through lush foothill forests, the next you’re cruising past golden wheatfields, crossing endless prairies, and weaving through the surreal, otherworldly badlands. It’s a true snapshot of Southern Alberta—small towns, rolling farmland, oilfields, and rugged backcountry, all in one epic ride.
The route sticks mostly to gravel roads, using a mix of range and township roads. While it feels remote sometimes, you’re never too far from a paved road or a quick detour to grab supplies. And when it’s time to rest, you’ve got options—municipal campgrounds along the way or small-town motels if you prefer a roof over your head.
Whether you’re after a challenge, a scenic escape, or just a deeper look at Alberta’s wild and varied landscapes, this route delivers. Download the GPS route here and get rolling!
Old Porcupine’s Choice Route
Route details: Three days | Two nights | 265.5 km (165 mi) | +3,264 m (10,708 ft) | Start/Finish: Willow Creek Provincial Park
Old Porcupine’s Choice Route is a bikepacking adventure just waiting to become an Alberta classic. Designed by the owner of BikeBike in Calgary’s historic Inglewood neighbourhood, this route takes you from wide-open ranchlands to the wild Rockies and back again, exploring some of Kananaskis Country’s most remote gravel roads. This ride is for you if you’re craving solitude, rugged beauty, and a true backcountry challenge.
The loop is mostly gravel and dirt, with just 33 km of pavement, making it a multi-surface dream for adventurous cyclists. Expect to spend 4-5 days out here, with plenty of camping options along the way. But be warned—no stores or facilities are on the route, so you’ll need to carry all your food and bring a water filter for refills from streams or campground wells.
Timing is everything: The best months to ride are July, August, and September. In spring, river crossings can be intense, and if it’s wet, the mud can be brutal, turning your ride into a serious slog. Dry conditions make for a much better experience.
If you’re up for an epic backcountry challenge, grab the route map here and start planning your adventure.
Wizard Battle Gravel Grinder 165, Pigeon Lake
Route details: Two days | One night | 166.4 km (103 mi) | +930 m (3,051 ft) | Start/Finish: Yeoford
If you’re new to bikepacking and looking for the perfect starter trip, the Wizard Battle Gravel Grinder is just what you need. The shortest of the five routes listed, this figure-eight loop winds around Wizard, Battle, and Pigeon Lakes in central Alberta, following quiet country roads that are ideal for building confidence and testing out your gear.
While gravel cyclists might crush the entire route in a single day, those just getting into bikepacking will find it a great overnight adventure—challenging but totally manageable. Plus, it’s only 118 km (73 mi) from Edmonton, making it easy to access for a weekend getaway.
This route was dreamed up by Tim Bulger and Greg Nicholson, two riders who have a knack for finding new roads to explore—though their idea of a “good time” leans more toward gritty, sufferfest-style rides than leisurely spins. If you’re up for a fun challenge with just the right amount of gravel, scenery, and adventure, this is a great place to start! Download the route map here.
