| 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.
The 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.
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.
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
- 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
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