The Big Griz
By The Numbers
Distance: 2,380 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 36,000 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 85%/15%
Status: Worthy of a resounding ROAR!!
The Big Griz is a point-to-point bikepacking route that spans the province of British Columbia and into the Canadian Rockies. The long-haul bikepacking route starts in Victoria on the western fringes of Canada and finishes in the mountain-clad town of Banff in Alberta. This route offers a stunning mix of gravel roads, singletrack, rail grade trail, forest paths, and a touch of hike-a-bike to keep you feeling extra adventurous.
Riders can expect an exceptionally scenic journey through a wide range of topography from the coastal mountains to the towering Rockies. Enjoy views of rushing glacial rivers, tranquil sub-alpine lakes, grasslands, canyons, deep forested valleys, and grand mountains. It’s a guarantee you’ll experience many of B.C.’s most exceptional wild landscapes on two wheels as you pedal from one mountain range to another. A route that highlights the natural beauty of Canada’s rugged west. The Big Griz is also punctuated by beautiful campsites, charming and historic towns, great eateries, and tranquil ferry rides.
To obtain the detailed route file for The Big Griz, go here.
Note that the route is broken down into two segments. This allows for better navigation by using smaller file sizes.
Highlights Include:
Fantastic trail riding on some of the country’s best long-distance singletrack including the Chef Isadore Trail and the Coal Discovery Trail
Spending plenty of time riding off the beaten track
Visiting the bike-crazy communities of Cumberland and Fernie
Cruising over the famous Myra Canyon trestle bridges
Riding to the top of Canada’s highest unpaved pass – Gray Creek
Scenery galore along the 125km Sea to Sky trail network
The dramatic mountain and river scenery on the back side of Mission Pass
Lonely dirt road riding along the Christian Valley
Big mountain views along the High Rockies Trail
Plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife including elk, bald eagles, fox, and, yes, the big griz
Camping at any of the numerous recreation sites that are often situated in idyllic spots
Car-free bliss on Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Trail
A visit to Wilson, Six Mile, Lower Elk, St. Mary, and other fetching alpine lakes
Riding among some of the last remaining tree giants on the Sunshine Coast
Picturesque ferry rides on the West Coast
A visit to Banff National Park – Canada’s oldest park
This route takes inspiration from the Sea to Sky, The Great Granby, and B.C. Epic bikepacking routes that are located within British Columbia.
The Big Griz is also the B.C. segment of the Great Northern Bikepacking Route, although there are some routing variances between these two routes.
Riders who are attempting to ride The Big Griz and would like to be tracked can hop on the Trackleaders for the GNBR route, which follows much of the same route from Victoria to Banff. To register, fill out this form. (Works with SPOT, Garmin InReach, and Zoleo devices.)
Route Difficulty
Physical: 8 out of 10
With numerous dramatic elevation changes, this route should be considered physically demanding, especially if you are trying to push big daily mileage. With approximately 36,000 metres of elevation gain spread out over more than 2,000 kilometers, it’s no easy cruise. You didn’t come to B.C. expecting endless miles of pancake flat riding, did you? Inclines can be very steep or blissfully have a more moderate pitch. There can be some sections of hike-a-bike, but this is kept to a minimum. Several trail sections will be more challenging for those with limited mountain bike skills or using a less beefy bike set-up. The length of the route will also contribute to the physical toll. It’s important to consider the elevation when planning your daily rides, as the climbs can be long and tiring. At times, you will push your limits, but hopefully in a good way.
Weather patterns can also contribute to how physically difficult the route seems. For instance, the area around Lillooet can be very hot during late spring and summer, which can make the terrain feel more arduous. Rain and possible snow are also weather challenges that riders may face.
Technical: 6 out of 10
For the most part, this route does not require expert riding skills and is non-technical in nature. The dirt roads and trails selected are largely easier ones to ride and nothing is too gnarly. No need to pack your knee pads and full-face helmet to be able to tackle any black diamond stuff. However, there are a handful of more technical uphills and descents that require more attention. And some trail sections can be more rugged with some roots and rocks to navigate. Riders with beefier bike set-ups will find these sections easier to navigate. Of course, the weather can impact how manageable a certain area is. Rain can turn a flowy singletrack section into one that is a slow-going mudfest.
Logistics: 4 out of 10
On the Big Griz, food resupply generally points come at regular intervals and there are plenty of natural water sources that can be filtered, making the logistics of riding the entire route relatively straightforward. Where there are times when distances between resupplies are lengthy, it will be marked on the route file. It’s also possible to find a range of accommodation options – in a tent or under a roof – in many places along the route, which can dampen much of the stress of figuring out where to rest for an evening. Let’s just say it’s a route where you’ll often feel you are very remote without actually being very remote.
Trip Start/Finish
The ‘official’ start point is Victoria (Beacon Hill), but it is possible to jump in anywhere along the route. Some riders will decide to begin their trip in Vancouver instead of commencing the trip on the island as a way to trim some miles and save time. The finish line for the Big Griz is the village of Banff in Banff National Park.
It’s certainly possible to break the route into two outings – Kelowna is a natural fit for a finish and restart point. (Note: when scouting this route, I traveled between Victoria and Kelowna in one trip and then cycled from Kelowna to Canmore for a section trip.)
If you are planning on riding the full route, you can fly into Victoria or Vancouver and then fly out of Calgary. A few other locations along the route, including Penticton and Kelowna have airports that are serviced from Calgary and Vancouver. Once in Banff or Canmore, it’s possible to get a reliable shuttle to the Calgary airport. Brewster Express (https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/brewster-express/) and The Banff Airporter (https://banffairporter.com/) are two reliable bike-friendly options.
Route Direction
The Big Griz can be tackled west to east or east to west. There is no clear advantage to which direction you go. Keep in mind that if starting in Banff, you’ll want to delay your depart until mid-June to allow for better weather conditions, including less snowpack during the initial miles of the route.
When to Go
Mid-May to mid-September is likely the best time to ride the route, especially if you are starting the route in Victoria. Winter weather can come early to the Rockies and linger later into spring. The benefits of traveling the route outside peak summer months is that there is less tourist stress on resources such as campgrounds. Some regions in the interior of B.C. can get scorching hot during the summer. Keep in mind that July and August can present a heightened risk of forest fires that may require routing changes. Areas along this route are increasingly susceptible to forest fires. It is always advisable to check the BC forest fire map for current conditions. https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map
You can also use this map to identify any fire smoke locations.
Be prepared for sudden weather changes whenever you choose to ride the route. I experienced snow on the High Rockies trail the day before summer solstice, which was no fun. That is not normal, but it speaks to the fickle nature of mountain weather.
Trip Length
For most riders, a realistic period of time for completing the route is 1 month. This allows for shorter daily distances and an opportunity to more thoroughly enjoy the surroundings. But nothing is stopping a rider from trying to go for a faster time goal and pushing bigger mileage.
What Bike?
The Big Griz was designed as bikepacking route that places an emphasis on rugged terrain. So a hardtail mountain bike, rigid ATB, or big-tired gravel bike is likely your best choice for the route. Tires in the range of 2.1 to 2.5 will work well on 650b or 29-inch wheels. If using 700 wheels, it’s advised to use 45mm tires or larger for improved comfort on the trails and tougher dirt road sections. Skinny rubber will make the ride less fun. Good gear ratios will make it easier to tackle some of the punchy inclines when loaded down with gear, so you can ride more and push less. You really can’t have enough gears for this route. Run tubeless if possible to mitigate the chances of flats in some of the rockier areas.
Provisions
There are larger supermarkets, smaller general stores, cafes, and gas station convenience stores throughout the entire route, and most are within 50 to 100km of each other. You’ll see many of these listed on the route files. For the most part, flowing stream, creek, and river water is abundant on the route and a perk of bikepacking in British Columbia. Save for a few areas, finding natural water sources should not be a major issue. So pack a water filter, as you will put it to good use.
Accommodation
There are many different options for accommodation along the route. This includes established rec sites (often free to use and frequently excellent), municipal campgrounds, cabins, motels, Warmshowers hosts, and Airbnb rentals. Hipcamp can also be a good resource for finding a place to pitch your tent. The route file lists numerous options for spending a night, but should not be thought of as an exhaustive list of options. A future goal is to have more route hosts available to riders.
If you live on or near the route and would like to be a 'trail angel' by providing tenting space for riders, water bottle refill etc. please let me know. This is a great way to build up the bikepacking community and improve rider experiences on the route.
Wild Life
The length of The Big Griz is home to many animals including deer, elk, coyote, fox, black bear, and grizzles. Because you are in bear country for the entire trip, consider bear spray a mandatory piece of gear and make sure it’s easily accessible while you are riding. If you are wavering on bringing bear spray, be advised that one rider on the route did have to deploy it on an aggressive grizzly, and it worked! Practice safe food storage and #LeaveNoTrace to avoid attracting wildlife. As bikes can sneak up on animals, making sporadic loud, human noises can alarm animals of your approaching presence and ward off any unwanted, surprise encounters. So get out there and practice your best “Hey bear.” This is an excellent resource for understanding how to play safe in bear country: https://wildsafebc.thinkific.com/courses/wildsafebc-Bear-Safety-When-Recreating
If camping in a park with no dedicated metal lockers for your food, it might be possible to stash your provisions overnight in the back of the metal brown (garbage) or blue (recycling) units. They lift up from the back with room to stash a food bag. Just make sure you gather up your belongings before park officials come to collect the garbage/recycling in the morning.
Mobile Coverage
Cell coverage is not universal on this route. There are pockets where you will be offline. Using a GPS tracker is strongly recommended in case of an emergency situation.
Traffic
For the most part, The Big Griz travels on quiet gravel roads and trails. However, there are a few spots where it is necessary to travel on roads with a fair amount of traffic. The route also makes use of some active logging roads, so be aware when logging trucks are barrelling towards you and be sure to move off to the side of the road, even when they are passing from the other side. Bicycles yield to logging trucks, not the other way.
Route Alternatives
On the route files, you’ll notice several spots where riders are provided with route alternatives. Some of these provide options for easier routing, while at other times there is the opportunity to take a longer, more challenging route. Route add-ons are also available such as the excellent Texada Ridge Runner route.
Gray Creek Pass
At times when this unpaved pass (the highest in Canada) is not accessible due to snowpack – snow can linger on the top of the pass well into June – it might be necessary to take this bypass: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45452796
It is possible to get a current snow depth report for Gray Greek Pass using this site.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should be aware of, please contact me about this.
Lastly
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their well-being on the Big Griz route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the Big Griz route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours (these are marked with a Control Point symbol). If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence are imperative, as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
If you enjoyed your time on the Big Griz bikepacking route, consider making a donation to help support future route development. Building and maintaining these routes takes a huge amount of time and dedication. If you prefer not to use PayPal, other donation methods can be arranged, including e-transfer. Of course, no donation is required to ride the route.
Distance: 2,380 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 36,000 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 85%/15%
Status: Worthy of a resounding ROAR!!
The Big Griz is a point-to-point bikepacking route that spans the province of British Columbia and into the Canadian Rockies. The long-haul bikepacking route starts in Victoria on the western fringes of Canada and finishes in the mountain-clad town of Banff in Alberta. This route offers a stunning mix of gravel roads, singletrack, rail grade trail, forest paths, and a touch of hike-a-bike to keep you feeling extra adventurous.
Riders can expect an exceptionally scenic journey through a wide range of topography from the coastal mountains to the towering Rockies. Enjoy views of rushing glacial rivers, tranquil sub-alpine lakes, grasslands, canyons, deep forested valleys, and grand mountains. It’s a guarantee you’ll experience many of B.C.’s most exceptional wild landscapes on two wheels as you pedal from one mountain range to another. A route that highlights the natural beauty of Canada’s rugged west. The Big Griz is also punctuated by beautiful campsites, charming and historic towns, great eateries, and tranquil ferry rides.
To obtain the detailed route file for The Big Griz, go here.
Note that the route is broken down into two segments. This allows for better navigation by using smaller file sizes.
Highlights Include:
Fantastic trail riding on some of the country’s best long-distance singletrack including the Chef Isadore Trail and the Coal Discovery Trail
Spending plenty of time riding off the beaten track
Visiting the bike-crazy communities of Cumberland and Fernie
Cruising over the famous Myra Canyon trestle bridges
Riding to the top of Canada’s highest unpaved pass – Gray Creek
Scenery galore along the 125km Sea to Sky trail network
The dramatic mountain and river scenery on the back side of Mission Pass
Lonely dirt road riding along the Christian Valley
Big mountain views along the High Rockies Trail
Plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife including elk, bald eagles, fox, and, yes, the big griz
Camping at any of the numerous recreation sites that are often situated in idyllic spots
Car-free bliss on Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Trail
A visit to Wilson, Six Mile, Lower Elk, St. Mary, and other fetching alpine lakes
Riding among some of the last remaining tree giants on the Sunshine Coast
Picturesque ferry rides on the West Coast
A visit to Banff National Park – Canada’s oldest park
This route takes inspiration from the Sea to Sky, The Great Granby, and B.C. Epic bikepacking routes that are located within British Columbia.
The Big Griz is also the B.C. segment of the Great Northern Bikepacking Route, although there are some routing variances between these two routes.
Riders who are attempting to ride The Big Griz and would like to be tracked can hop on the Trackleaders for the GNBR route, which follows much of the same route from Victoria to Banff. To register, fill out this form. (Works with SPOT, Garmin InReach, and Zoleo devices.)
Route Difficulty
Physical: 8 out of 10
With numerous dramatic elevation changes, this route should be considered physically demanding, especially if you are trying to push big daily mileage. With approximately 36,000 metres of elevation gain spread out over more than 2,000 kilometers, it’s no easy cruise. You didn’t come to B.C. expecting endless miles of pancake flat riding, did you? Inclines can be very steep or blissfully have a more moderate pitch. There can be some sections of hike-a-bike, but this is kept to a minimum. Several trail sections will be more challenging for those with limited mountain bike skills or using a less beefy bike set-up. The length of the route will also contribute to the physical toll. It’s important to consider the elevation when planning your daily rides, as the climbs can be long and tiring. At times, you will push your limits, but hopefully in a good way.
Weather patterns can also contribute to how physically difficult the route seems. For instance, the area around Lillooet can be very hot during late spring and summer, which can make the terrain feel more arduous. Rain and possible snow are also weather challenges that riders may face.
Technical: 6 out of 10
For the most part, this route does not require expert riding skills and is non-technical in nature. The dirt roads and trails selected are largely easier ones to ride and nothing is too gnarly. No need to pack your knee pads and full-face helmet to be able to tackle any black diamond stuff. However, there are a handful of more technical uphills and descents that require more attention. And some trail sections can be more rugged with some roots and rocks to navigate. Riders with beefier bike set-ups will find these sections easier to navigate. Of course, the weather can impact how manageable a certain area is. Rain can turn a flowy singletrack section into one that is a slow-going mudfest.
Logistics: 4 out of 10
On the Big Griz, food resupply generally points come at regular intervals and there are plenty of natural water sources that can be filtered, making the logistics of riding the entire route relatively straightforward. Where there are times when distances between resupplies are lengthy, it will be marked on the route file. It’s also possible to find a range of accommodation options – in a tent or under a roof – in many places along the route, which can dampen much of the stress of figuring out where to rest for an evening. Let’s just say it’s a route where you’ll often feel you are very remote without actually being very remote.
Trip Start/Finish
The ‘official’ start point is Victoria (Beacon Hill), but it is possible to jump in anywhere along the route. Some riders will decide to begin their trip in Vancouver instead of commencing the trip on the island as a way to trim some miles and save time. The finish line for the Big Griz is the village of Banff in Banff National Park.
It’s certainly possible to break the route into two outings – Kelowna is a natural fit for a finish and restart point. (Note: when scouting this route, I traveled between Victoria and Kelowna in one trip and then cycled from Kelowna to Canmore for a section trip.)
If you are planning on riding the full route, you can fly into Victoria or Vancouver and then fly out of Calgary. A few other locations along the route, including Penticton and Kelowna have airports that are serviced from Calgary and Vancouver. Once in Banff or Canmore, it’s possible to get a reliable shuttle to the Calgary airport. Brewster Express (https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/brewster-express/) and The Banff Airporter (https://banffairporter.com/) are two reliable bike-friendly options.
Route Direction
The Big Griz can be tackled west to east or east to west. There is no clear advantage to which direction you go. Keep in mind that if starting in Banff, you’ll want to delay your depart until mid-June to allow for better weather conditions, including less snowpack during the initial miles of the route.
When to Go
Mid-May to mid-September is likely the best time to ride the route, especially if you are starting the route in Victoria. Winter weather can come early to the Rockies and linger later into spring. The benefits of traveling the route outside peak summer months is that there is less tourist stress on resources such as campgrounds. Some regions in the interior of B.C. can get scorching hot during the summer. Keep in mind that July and August can present a heightened risk of forest fires that may require routing changes. Areas along this route are increasingly susceptible to forest fires. It is always advisable to check the BC forest fire map for current conditions. https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map
You can also use this map to identify any fire smoke locations.
Be prepared for sudden weather changes whenever you choose to ride the route. I experienced snow on the High Rockies trail the day before summer solstice, which was no fun. That is not normal, but it speaks to the fickle nature of mountain weather.
Trip Length
For most riders, a realistic period of time for completing the route is 1 month. This allows for shorter daily distances and an opportunity to more thoroughly enjoy the surroundings. But nothing is stopping a rider from trying to go for a faster time goal and pushing bigger mileage.
What Bike?
The Big Griz was designed as bikepacking route that places an emphasis on rugged terrain. So a hardtail mountain bike, rigid ATB, or big-tired gravel bike is likely your best choice for the route. Tires in the range of 2.1 to 2.5 will work well on 650b or 29-inch wheels. If using 700 wheels, it’s advised to use 45mm tires or larger for improved comfort on the trails and tougher dirt road sections. Skinny rubber will make the ride less fun. Good gear ratios will make it easier to tackle some of the punchy inclines when loaded down with gear, so you can ride more and push less. You really can’t have enough gears for this route. Run tubeless if possible to mitigate the chances of flats in some of the rockier areas.
Provisions
There are larger supermarkets, smaller general stores, cafes, and gas station convenience stores throughout the entire route, and most are within 50 to 100km of each other. You’ll see many of these listed on the route files. For the most part, flowing stream, creek, and river water is abundant on the route and a perk of bikepacking in British Columbia. Save for a few areas, finding natural water sources should not be a major issue. So pack a water filter, as you will put it to good use.
Accommodation
There are many different options for accommodation along the route. This includes established rec sites (often free to use and frequently excellent), municipal campgrounds, cabins, motels, Warmshowers hosts, and Airbnb rentals. Hipcamp can also be a good resource for finding a place to pitch your tent. The route file lists numerous options for spending a night, but should not be thought of as an exhaustive list of options. A future goal is to have more route hosts available to riders.
If you live on or near the route and would like to be a 'trail angel' by providing tenting space for riders, water bottle refill etc. please let me know. This is a great way to build up the bikepacking community and improve rider experiences on the route.
Wild Life
The length of The Big Griz is home to many animals including deer, elk, coyote, fox, black bear, and grizzles. Because you are in bear country for the entire trip, consider bear spray a mandatory piece of gear and make sure it’s easily accessible while you are riding. If you are wavering on bringing bear spray, be advised that one rider on the route did have to deploy it on an aggressive grizzly, and it worked! Practice safe food storage and #LeaveNoTrace to avoid attracting wildlife. As bikes can sneak up on animals, making sporadic loud, human noises can alarm animals of your approaching presence and ward off any unwanted, surprise encounters. So get out there and practice your best “Hey bear.” This is an excellent resource for understanding how to play safe in bear country: https://wildsafebc.thinkific.com/courses/wildsafebc-Bear-Safety-When-Recreating
If camping in a park with no dedicated metal lockers for your food, it might be possible to stash your provisions overnight in the back of the metal brown (garbage) or blue (recycling) units. They lift up from the back with room to stash a food bag. Just make sure you gather up your belongings before park officials come to collect the garbage/recycling in the morning.
Mobile Coverage
Cell coverage is not universal on this route. There are pockets where you will be offline. Using a GPS tracker is strongly recommended in case of an emergency situation.
Traffic
For the most part, The Big Griz travels on quiet gravel roads and trails. However, there are a few spots where it is necessary to travel on roads with a fair amount of traffic. The route also makes use of some active logging roads, so be aware when logging trucks are barrelling towards you and be sure to move off to the side of the road, even when they are passing from the other side. Bicycles yield to logging trucks, not the other way.
Route Alternatives
On the route files, you’ll notice several spots where riders are provided with route alternatives. Some of these provide options for easier routing, while at other times there is the opportunity to take a longer, more challenging route. Route add-ons are also available such as the excellent Texada Ridge Runner route.
Gray Creek Pass
At times when this unpaved pass (the highest in Canada) is not accessible due to snowpack – snow can linger on the top of the pass well into June – it might be necessary to take this bypass: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45452796
It is possible to get a current snow depth report for Gray Greek Pass using this site.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should be aware of, please contact me about this.
Lastly
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their well-being on the Big Griz route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the Big Griz route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours (these are marked with a Control Point symbol). If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence are imperative, as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
If you enjoyed your time on the Big Griz bikepacking route, consider making a donation to help support future route development. Building and maintaining these routes takes a huge amount of time and dedication. If you prefer not to use PayPal, other donation methods can be arranged, including e-transfer. Of course, no donation is required to ride the route.
