Canada's Top Bike Climbs

Photo collage clockwise from top left:  McBride Peak (Canada #1); Highwood Pass (highest pass)

Revelstoke (our favorite); Marmot Basin (gorgeous); Kootenay Pass (center)

A Mari usque ad Mare (Canada’s motto, meaning “from Sea to Sea”) -- cycling the top road bike climbs in one of our favorite countries, Canada.  We took a road trip to British Columbia and Alberta Canada in 2015 to document the top Canadian bike climbs. Not surprisingly, most of the top cycling climbs in Canada are located in the Canadian Rockies, home to Banff (where Highwood Pass is, the highest paved pass in Canada) and the incomparable Jasper (home to Marmot Basin) National Parks.

NUMBER 1 AND MOST DIFFICULT BIKE CLIMB IN CANADA

MCBRIDE PEAK 

The climb is on dirt, but manageable on a road bike.

This is IT!  Wow!!  Canada’s Top Climb, this beast lives up to its ranking. We cannot say enough about this adventure, it has it all.  At the outset, we must advise that the road as of June 2016 was entirely dirt and rock.

While we do recommend more than 23mm, the fat boys are a bit overkill . . . 🐭 v. 🐘

OUR FAVORITE BIKE CLIMB IN CANADA

MOUNT REVELSTOKE

A gorgeous bike climb located in Revelstoke National Park

#4 Hardest Bike Climb in Canada

We consider this Canada’s best bike climb (subjectively speaking, of course 👍😃).

Cycling Canada’s Mt. Revelstoke

25.4 km to 1853m gaining 1359m at 5.4% average grade.

This gorgeous climb begins on Summit Road at the outskirts of Revelstoke, BC just off Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway).  This road is situated generally in the center of the top Canadian climbs, which are predominantly located in the southern portion of Canada’s westernmost province, British Columbia, at the confluence of the Illecillewaet and Columbia Rivers at the north end of the Arrow Lakes.

PJAMM’S SECOND FAVORITE CANADIAN BIKE CLIMB

APEX MOUNTAIN FROM PENTICTON 

Wow!  This is a sleeper climb.  We did not expect to encounter such an exceptional ride when we originally researched and charted this one.  This is a must-do for any cyclists in the Penticton area, or those traveling anywhere near it.  While this climb begins in a weathered neighborhood it immediately enters thickly wooded forest and follows a creek (not shown on the map, but it’s there!).  Follow Green Mountain Road 18.5 kilometers then turn right for the final push up to Apex Mountain Resort.

PJAMM’S FAVORITE CANADIAN BIKE CLIMB #3

KOOTENAY PASS WEST 

Cycling Kootenay Pass West.

Well, this one takes a bit to get to, but it’s worth it!  One of the 10 hardest in Canada, this climb, while on a highway, is extremely scenic and challenging.

We are bordered by forest throughout this climb, and when we did it in July there were many wild flowers blooming along the side of the roadway.   Much of the climb is through a wide canyon and we have several good views of nearby rugged snow covered mountains.  

HONORABLE MENTION FOR MOST SCENIC AND FAVORITE CLIMB

MARMOT BASIN HILL CLIMB 

Cycling Marmot Basin, Jasper National Park, Alberta, CAN

This climb begins in the heart of Jasper National Park and offers many of the breathtaking views of majestic steep mountains that we see throughout this extremely scenic and popular national park.  While the climb itself is moderately challenging, it is the magnificent views and peaceful surroundings that set this climb apart.

CANADA’S HIGHEST PAVED PASS

HIGHWOOD PASS NORTH & SOUTH

Highwood Pass is the highest road bike climb in Canada

The finish of Highwood Pass is 7,148’ / 2,179m

CANADA’S LONGEST BIKE CLIMB

BOW SUMMIT SOUTH

Ride 24.8 miles gaining 2,189’ at 1.4% average grade.