Inhoud
Route
A Cycle tour from Calgary to Vancouver is not without its challenges. That’s why I’ve compiled the most important information for you.
The entire route is 1,095 kilometers.
Calgary
The first part from Calgary to Canmore is 104 kilometers. I didn’t cycle this section because I got a ride from someone. It’s not a pleasant road to cycle on, as it is a large and busy highway. Once you reach Canmore, the bike journey through the Rocky Mountains begins. There are three major highways that take you from the eastern to the western side of the Rocky Mountains. Which one you choose depends on where you want to start, as they are far apart. The options are limited.
Canmore
From Canmore, you cycle on the ‘Banff Legacy Trail’ to the village of Banff. From Banff, you cycle on Highway 1. In Banff National Park, you have options for quieter roads. Once you leave Banff National Park, you stay on Highway 1 until you reach Sicamous. Keep in mind that this is over 500 kilometers of highway. From Sicamous, you can take Highway 97A to Vernon. This highway has a narrower shoulder, but the route is beautiful and much quieter than Highway 1. From Vernon, you cycle for a while along Okanagan Lake. This is a stunning and enjoyable area. I followed the Okanagan Rail Trail to Summerland.
If you want the GPX file for this route, click here
Summerland
From Summerland, I followed the Kettle Valley Rail Trail to Princeton. This is an old railway now used as a bike path. Keep in mind that it is a gravel road and quite remote. With a touring bike and luggage, it takes a bit longer, but it is doable. The plan was to follow the Kettle Valley Rail Trail to Hope, but due to flooding, the trail is closed in some places. You can go through Merritt to Hope, but this is a detour. I chose to take Highway 3 towards Vancouver. Be aware that the road is busy and has a narrow shoulder. Due to forest fires, I opted to hitchhike this section. On the last stretch to Vancouver, you cannot cycle on Highway 3. At Hope, you can cross the bridge to Highway 7, where cycling is allowed.
Preparation
A Cycle tour from Calgary to Vancouver requires some preparation. I wouldn’t recommend parts of this route if you’re short on time, as you will be cycling a lot on highways. Consider which season you want to go. It can be very cold in the winter, but during summer it can get very hot. Cycling 500 kilometers on the highway during a heatwave is no fun. There is little shade and quite a few slopes.
Wildfires
There are a lot of wildfires in this part of Canada, especially in July and August. I couldn’t cycle part of the route because it was too close to a wildfire. You can keep track of the current wildfire situation via this link: https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/
Supplies
Don’t forget to plan ahead for groceries, as there are no stores on some sections (for example, between Golden and Revelstoke). If you have a water filter, you probably don’t need to worry about water. There are many rivers and lakes where you can refill your water. I carried 3 liters with me for the entire route and never ran out of water, as I always had the opportunity to refill.
During the heatwave on the highway near Rogers Pass, someone gave me water. This was the only time I had very little water left.
My experience in Canada is that people are incredibly friendly and happy to help you.
They often have more information about the route.
Route Check
It’s common for parts of the route to be impassable. If you want to check this in advance, you can do so via the following link: https://www.drivebc.ca/mobile/pub/events/byarea.html
Camping in National Parks
In the national parks, wild camping is not allowed. There is a lot of wildlife, and it’s strictly controlled, so I wouldn’t recommend it. There are campsites, but keep in mind that almost everything is fully booked if you don’t reserve. I only reserved a few days in advance. If there is no space, you can cycle to the campsite and ask if someone will share their spot with you. A tent doesn’t take up much space. To secure it in advance, an online reservation is required, and you need to create an account. You can do this through the following government website:
https://parks.canada.ca/
Finally, there is a lot of wildlife in this region, and my advice is to read up on what to expect and how to prepare for it.
Highlights
My Cycle tour from Calgary to Vancouver had several highlights.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is one of them. It is a joy to cycle through. There is nature and wildlife everywhere. For many, Lake Louise is a highlight. It is beautiful if you don’t mind mass tourism; I found it too crowded.
The Okanagan Rail Trail
The trail is an old railway over 50 kilometers long. This bike path runs along a lake, and it is beautiful. Here, you will find good spots for wild camping. If you start in the north, you end in Kelowna, a small city by the water. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is a fun place to stay.
Encounters along the way
Finally, the biggest highlight for me is the people you meet along the way. The friendliness and helpfulness of Canadians are truly remarkable. I didn’t even use the Warmshowers app because people are so hospitable and more than happy to offer you a place to sleep.
