Mountain bike trails in Whistler

Mountain Bike Trails

The Trails described below are a sampling of nearby rides that we recommend. The staff at the front desk would enjoy helping you select a ride that is exactly right for you. There are over 100 trails to choose from, many can be reached by bike directly from the Wildwood Lodge. There is a full selection of trail maps and guide books available at the front desk. In Whistler, we are fortunate to have almost unlimited access for mountain bikes. Unless a trail is specifically marked as closed to bikes, you can assume that it is open for you to ride. Please help us keep the trails open to bikes by yielding to pedestrians and sharing the trails in a friendly manner.

TrailsThe Valley Trail
A paved trail system running the full length of Whistler Valley from Emerald Estates in the North to Alpha lake in the South (and on to Function Junction via unpaved Miller Creek Trail). The trial runs beside several lakes and rivers and provides spectacular views of the ski mountains. The trail connects together all the parks and offers carefree cycling routes to almost anywhere you want to go in Whistler. Novice riders should try the section between Meadow Park and Rainbow Park which is flat (no hills) and very pretty.

Lost lake Park
Located just moments away from Wildwood Lodge, Lost Lake Park contains a network of dirt trails to explore. The winter cross-country ski trials become double-track riding trails in the summer and range from easy (Mill Road) to challenging (Centennial). The double track is clearly signposted and mapped. In addition there are many miles of excellent single track which are not mapped or signposted. The single track has been used for some major international races and remains a favorite for local riders (look for entrances off Centennial). From Wildwood Lodge you can ride through the park to connect with the Valley Trail at Meadow Park.

Thrill Me - Kill Me
Classic west coast single track, as good as it gets for the advanced rider. The trail is physically and technically demanding, yet 100% rideable. The trail is ridden only in one direction - Northbound. The return is done on the highway (wide shoulders). To find the trail go north of town on the highway to the Cougar Mountain road (on the left), about 100 yards further north, on your left where the highway starts to bend , next to the first cement barrier is an obscure entrance into the trees. After 1.5 - 2 hours of riding you will emerge onto the highway.  A round trip from Wildwood Lodge is about 3 hours. Parking at the Cougar Mountain road is also an option.

Riverside/Helm Creek Trail 
We recommend this trail as intermediate single track. Although some climbing is required there are no technical obstacles. Mountain biking The trip is out and back on the same trail, mostly uphill going and downhill on the return. To find the trail by car, drive south on the highway to Function Junction and turn left onto Cheakamus  Lake Road. The trail starts at the parking area to your left, or you can ride up the road and join the trail just after the bridge crossing on the paved road. Riverside Trail parallels the river. When you reach the top of the trail, go across the road and find the start of Helm Trail, directly under the signboard. This single track goes on to cross one fire road, then ends at the next road. The two trails add up to just over 1 hour round trip. There are several other trails in the immediate area which can be added on, to make a full day of riding.

A River Runs Through It
A technical fun-fest that has become the most famous trail in Whistler. Technically demanding, but no climbing at all. Only 2 miles long, this ride is an ideal site to practice your skills and get dialed for west coast style riding. If you can clear all the obstacles on this one, you are among the best! (Now can you do it in the other direction?). There are many other trails to explore nearby, enough for a full day. The trail is on the west side Road (Alta. Lake Road)  across the road from the large Rainbow Trail sign. The easiest route from Wildwood Lodge is via the Valley Trail to Rainbow Park, then north along Alta Lake Road for about a mile.

Cheakamus Lake Trail
Ride through a rare old growth forest to a pristine mountain lake surrounded by glaciers. One of the most scenic rides - plan for a picnic by the lake. The trail is wide with no technical obstacles, suitable for low intermediate and aggressive beginners. Although the first hill on the trail is a little challenging, the rest of the route is easy riding. From the trailhead to the  lake, is only about 1/2 hour. More advanced riders should ride up the gravel road to the trail. By car, drive south on the highway to Function Junction, turn left onto Cheakamus Lake Road, then left again on to the gravel access road marked Cheakamus Lake.

Binty's High Trail
You can see most of this advanced level trail from the front of Wildwood Lodge. Binty's runs across the top of the two logged-off areas on the mountain directly across the valley from Wildwood Lodge. The climb is on fire road and the descent is on tight single track. Access by climbing to the top of Alpine Way (near Meadow Park) and continue up the fire road. At 2.6 km on the fire road turn sharply left onto single track through the trees. At 5.6 km take the left turn down. At the old fire road go left slightly uphill for a while and take the first single track to the right, downhill. You will emerge on the west side road near Rainbow Park. It's a good solid ride.

Getting air

Soo Valley Loop
This long circle trip takes you into the next valley, behind the ridge of mountains that you see across the Whistler Valley from the Wildwood Lodge. Although it is all on the fire roads, you will pass through some remote areas and will likely see wildlife. Deer, bear and moose are regularly spotted in the Soo Valley. The loop takes 3 - 4 hours from Wildwood Lodge and includes about 3/4 of an hour on the highway coming back. Take the highway north from Whistler to the Cougar Mountain Road, on your left just beyond Green Lake. Climb up the gravel road and take the left fork at 3.5 km. Take the rough road to the right  1/2 km after the fork. At the bottom of the BIG HILL, turn right and follow the Soo Valley downhill to the highway.

Sea To Sky Trail
Ride from Whistler Ski Resort down to the Pacific Ocean on a mix of single track, fire road and a little highway. This epic ride, 68 km, has everything (except a convenient way back). Most people drive down with 2 cars and leave one at the south end of the trail (Brackendale/Squamish), then return to Whistler to start their ride. It's a bit of a hassle, but this point to point ride is well worth it. You will need to talk to someone who has ridden this route to get all the details on finding the many connections along the way. This trip will take 4 - 6 hours and will leave you very tired. In general terms the route is:
           - Valley Trail to Function Junction
           - Cheakamus Lake Road to Brandywine Forest Road
           - Brandywine Road through Sugar Cubes to Calcheak Recreation Area
           - Across Calcheak suspension bridge Riding
           - Single track to McGuire Rail Crossing
           - Double track to Brandywine Falls
           - Highway to Pinecrest Fire Road
           - Fire Road, past Lucille Lake to Garibaldi
           - Single track via Ross Rip or Doris Burma to Salt Shed
           - Highway to closed viewpoint on right
           - Gravel road to Paradise Valley
           - Paved road to Brackendale

One To Dream About...
About 2 hours drive (or 1/2 hr flight) north of Whistler is an immense area of wilderness mountains, totally untouched by roads, called the Spruce Lake Trails. Several thousand square miles in area, the only access is via old Indian trails, now horse packing trails. The surface of the trails are perfect for biking. The length, quality and variety of trails here make them some of the best in the world for biking. Mostly in high alpine meadows, the trails are limitless in scope. A full day's ride barely scratches the surface of the potential for the area. We have detailed maps and route instructions at the front desk. Once you see the trail maps you will join the rest of us dreaming about a chance to ride Spruce Lake.

Wildwood Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain
4749 Spearhead Drive,  Whistler British Columbia Canada V0N 1B4

[ Home | Accommodations | Rates | Facilities | Reservations | Driving Directions | FAQ | Contact Us ]