Elk Lake Bikeovernight

Elk Lake

The Elk Lake Bikeovernight is a high reward out-and-back route and great option for the first time bikepacker. Distance into the campsite is under 20kms and can be as short as 13km if you stage from the Boulton Trading Post. The trail itself is absolutely stunning and not super technical.

Recommended months to try this ride would by July, August, and September.

Nestled high in the Rockies, on the GDMBR route, is a not-so-secret shangri-la called the Elk Lake Campground. Accessible in only 2 ways: By vehicle via Sparwood BC and almost 170kms of driving, much of it on rough forest service road or by bike/foot via Peter Lougheed Park and the Elk Pass Trail as well as a newish section of the High Rockies Trail.

Our suggested route starts at the Peter Lougheed Visitor Centre and hops onto the PLPP - the Peter Lougheed Paved Pathway - for some easy kilometres. You could also park at the Boulton Trading Post or the Elk Pass Parking lot if you want to shorten the day.

Once you have reached the Boulton Trading Post the fun begins. On the south side of the trading post there is a trail marker indicating “High Rockies Trail/Elk Pass and this is where the off-pavement begins.

We’d rate the singletrack trail as Green/Blue for difficulty: Not too technical and no steep sections but fun and rideable on a bikepacking bike. The trail will eventually drop you onto the Elk Pass Trail proper after a tough final couple hundred metres to the summit. Once over the top, it’s about 5.5kms downhill to Elk Pass Provincial Park on 2-track fireroad.

Ride past the ACC cabins and follow the well defined trail - about 1km - down to the lake and the campground. At $5/night camping here is a super deal and there is a drop box for your cash.

If you have an extra day to hang out and maybe do some easy hiking, there are a few trails accessible right from the campground.

Check out the photos below.