Mountain Biking in Squamish
Cross country, downhill, or freeride. You will not run out of satisfying singletrack in this town. Welcome to the home of some of the greatest mountain biking in Canada.
Serving up over 300 kilometres of trails, Mountain Bike Magazine has named Squamish as one of the top 25 wildest places to ride in the world. Tucked between Vancouver and Whistler and nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, Squamish's endless mountain biking trails range from gentle cruises in the estuary and friendly cross-country trails to hairball downhill descents.
Cultivated over years of sustainable trail development by a vibrant culture of local mountain bikers and trail builders, there are trails here for all ages and abilities and perfect for those who live life on two wheels. Technical singletrack, long rock slabs, fast, loamy descents, jump trails, climb trails and pump tracks, Squamish is a mountain biker’s paradise.
Our local bike culture is friendly and welcoming, and there are a wealth of resources for riders both new to the sport and new to the area.
Where to go
Faced with an expansive trail network, it can be challenging to know where to start. We’ve outlined the main areas below to help you get oriented and roll out with confidence.
Diamond Head
This area is located above Quest University along the Garibaldi Park Forest Service Road above the Garibaldi Highlands subdivision. It is probably one of the best-known areas for riding in Squamish, made famous by the construction of the popular trail Half Nelson. There is a huge variety of well-signed trails in this area with easy access to a massive network. All varieties from flow to technical to steep and gnarly can be found in this zone. This is also the only area for vehicle access making it paydirt for big bike shuttles. Popular trails here include Half Nelson, Pseudo-Tsuga, Legacy Climb, Angry Midget, Word of Mouth, Somewhere Over There, and Cake Walk.
Valleycliffe
This area is located in the south of Squamish and offers a network of intermediate to expert singletrack trails. The majority of the trails here are cross-country with some advanced to expert descents. This area is not very well signed so be sure you know where you are going or have a map to help guide you. Popular trails in the zone include Far Side, Farther Side, Meet Your Maker, and Endo.
Alice Lake & Highlands
Located between Alice Lake Provincial Park and the Garibaldi Highlands subdivision, there are loads of trails in this zone ranging from beginner to expert. The majority of trails are hand built and combine technical cross-country riding with some flow sections. There are three main arteries to access the trails here: Jack's Trail, Mashiter Trail and 50 Shades of Green. Popular trails in this zone include Cliff's Corners, Rob's Corners, Wonderland, Rupert, Entrails, and Credit Line.
Lava Flow
While the trails in this area are not numerous, they tie into a number of popular Diamondhead trails and allow you to get a little further from the crowds. With a quick FSR pedal, you can also roll into Valleycliffe to join multiple trail networks together into one mega outing.
*Please note this is one of the primary dirtbike areas in Squamish and there are a number of trails that are multi-use.
Brackendale
Often referred to as the "dump trails", this area offers a fair bit of variety at the beginner to intermediate levels. The trails are flat and rooty with soft dirt. Popular rides in this zone include Ray Peter's Trails, Rusty Bucket, Cracked Patella, and Zombie Crawl.
Alpine Riding
Looking to take your biking to the next level? How about dropping in via Helicopter to explore unique and long descent lines, and spectacular views from vantage points at 2000 meters above the heart of the Coast Mountain Range and the Straight of Georgia. You'll want to sign up through a local guiding outfitter to make this multi-day trip a reality.
Useful information
Play it safe
Remember that biking is often in remote places where even a small injury can turn into an epic rescue. There is wildlife and inherent risk associated with riding through the woods. Please keep this in mind and be prepared for the unexpected.
Visit the Visitor Information Centre in the Squamish Adventure Centre for maps, guide books, suggested trail routes and everything you need to know to help plan your day out.
When
Be sure to check the BC Parks website for the latest seasonal, trail and park updates.
