What to Know Before Cycling Highway 40 This Spring
Details are different this year because of the G7 Summit
You’ve heard it from us before: every spring, there’s a small window of time when Highway 40 is closed to motorized vehicles, and simultaneously free of snow — making this scenic mountain road the perfect spot for an incredible bike ride. This year, that small window is a bit more complicated.
Typically, Highway 40 opens to vehicles June 15. But this year is different, because of the G7 Leaders’ Summit taking place in Kananaskis from June 15 to 17. Before, during and after the meeting, there’s temporary closures of roads, campgrounds, day-use areas and trails in the area.
We’ve been combing through confusing information on what this means for biking Highway 40 (yes, yes, we know there’s much bigger issues than this one). The Alberta Parks website now has FAQs that contains this question: What about cyclists? Is the Highwood Pass/Highway 40 South closed to everyone or can I get through on foot or bike during the June 1-20 period?
The Answer (bold emphasis is our own):
Highwood Pass/Highway 40 South will be closed to all vehicle traffic until it opens on June 21. Cyclists will not be able to access Highwood Pass from the north. Cyclists and pedestrians will still be able to access the Highwood Pass via the south. Cyclists will be turned around at the top of Highwood Pass just north of the Ptarmigan Cirque Parking Lot and be required to head back south. There will be increased security presence on the road and signage indicating the locations of closure points.
If users choose to cycle up the Highwood Pass, there may be a delay in emergency response due to the road closures. Alberta Parks recommends that cyclists fully research their trip, bring a satellite communication device, and consider their abilities before venturing out given these factors.
The section of Highway 40 North between Mount Lorette Ponds and Galatea day-use areas is within the controlled access zone and will be closed to the general public from June 10 to June 18, including vehicles, cyclists and hikers.
So, based on that info, you have until June 20 to bike from the south side without vehicles, but you keeners won’t be able to go gate-to-gate this year. What about biking from the north side before June 1? Cailynn initially understood that Alberta Parks info to mean you could still go from the north side (as the question refers to the June 1-20 period). But after scouring social media comments for more info, she’s only seen one single person in a road cycling group say they’ve been up there recently from the north, versus many comments saying it’s completely closed.
Cailynn has adjusted her bike plans for next week and now plans to bike from the south. If you’ve recently been out and have more intel, please add a comment.
A little background: this highway is often described as one of Canada’s best drives. Experiencing it at a slower pace, by bicycle, makes it even better. Just be prepared to climb — this is also the highest paved road in Canada, reaching 2,206 metres at Highwood Pass. Check out our newsletter from 2021 for more details on this memorable ride.
And if you can’t make this ride, don’t fret, you’ve got other options for beautiful mountain cycles. Moraine Lake Road is completely snow free (according to recent social media posts), and the Parks Canada shuttle buses don’t start running until June 1, so that should mean a quieter ride if you go soon. (Note some private vehicles are allowed on this road, so it’s not a completely car-free experience.)
You can also head to the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park, where vehicle access is restricted for 17 kilometres from May 1 to June 25, and again August 28 to October 2.
Parks Canada recently announced this pilot project (yes, they’re still calling it a pilot project) will be extended for five years, until 2030. Yay! Cyclists are encouraged to start and end their journey in the Town of Banff, parking at the Train Station Public Parking Lot.
Annalise and her family biked this route in mid-May. It's always such a delight.
P.S. A quick reminder that the urban cycling and bike commuting online course Cailynn helped create is 20% off until May 31 with the discount code EarlyBird. Check it out here!
I rode this on the weekend and can confirm there is no difficulty accessing the north gate at the moment and it is snow free from gate to gate.
An update! Alberta Parks now has a Facebook post up that says cyclists and pedestrians can access Highwood Pass from the north and south up to and including May 31.