McBride Peak Bike Climb | Cycling British Columbia, Canada

Canada McBride Peak

31.6

PDI

6.6 mi

DISTANCE

3,639 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

10.4 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

McBride Peak is a mostly-gravel climb up a well-built former logging road (the McBride Peak Forest Service Road, also known locally as Rainbow Falls Road) in the Robson Valley of east-central British Columbia. The 6.6-mile, 3,639-foot climb averages 10.4% - by our data, the steepest sustained climb in Canada - starting from the small village of McBride and finishing near treeline at 6,024 feet, just below the peak's true 6,722-foot summit, which is reachable from the road's end by trail.

The road climbs through second-growth forest via a series of tight switchbacks, passing Rainbow Falls along the way, and was graded well enough for logging trucks despite the steep, sustained pitch - it's unpaved the entire way but rideable on a road bike with wider tires in dry conditions.

McBride sits in the Robson Valley, within reach of Mount Robson Provincial Park - home to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet (3,954 m) - making the area a worthwhile stop beyond the climb itself for hikers and cyclists exploring the Yellowhead Highway corridor.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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McBride Peak averages 10.4% over 6.6 miles (10.7 km), gaining 3,639 feet - by PJAMM's data, the steepest sustained climb in Canada. 63% of the climb is at 10-15% and 10% is at 15-20%. The steepest 500 meters is 14.4% and steepest 2 kilometers 12.1%.

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area.

Roadway: Unpaved the entire way, but a well-built former logging road that's manageable on a road bike with 28mm+ tires in dry conditions, though it's narrow, loose in spots, and threaded with tight switchbacks.

Traffic: Very light. This is an active forest service road, so occasional trucks are possible, but on a past ride up the mountain we encountered only one vehicle the entire climb.

Parking: There's room to park near the base of the climb, or you can ride out from McBride village, about 3.6 km (2.2 mi) away.

Provisions: None on the climb - the road dead-ends near the summit and you descend back the way you came, so carry what you need from McBride.

Gear: A gravel bike is a natural fit, though the climb is rideable on a road bike with wider (28mm+) tires in dry conditions.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

McBride is a small, friendly village in the Robson Valley, worth a night's stay before or after the climb - it's also a natural base for exploring Mount Robson Provincial Park, home to the Canadian Rockies' highest peak, about an hour east on the Yellowhead Highway.

There are no other major PJAMM climbs in the immediate area, but the Robson Valley has plenty of quieter riding along the Fraser River and the Yellowhead corridor for those extending their stay.