The Big Griz
By The Numbers
Distance: 2,325 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 36,000 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 85%/15%
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, forest paths, and a whisper 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 stunning ferry rides.
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 worn mountain and river scenery on the back side of Mission Pass
Lonely dirt road riding along the Christian Valley
Big mountain views of the High Rockies Trail
Plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife including elk, bald eagles, and, yes, the big griz
Camping at any of the numerous recreation sites that are often 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.
Trip Details
Navigation
The links below are the route files you need to navigate this route. It would be a challenge to properly navigate with a paper map.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42155021
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41816444
Note that the route is broken down into two segments. This allows for better navigation by using smaller file sizes.
You can use these files to navigate the route using a navigational device such as Garmin or Wahoo, and on your mobile phone using the Ride with GPS app. The benefit of having the file on the Ride with GPS mobile app is that you will be able to see the points of interest (POIs) during your trip. These include accommodation and food options. Zoom in on a particular area of the route as some POI’s overlap and some of them are not visible when zoomed out. Having the route on the Ride with GPS app is also a good backup in case your navigation device malfunctions, which is not unheard of.
Use this link to download the Ride with GPS mobile app. https://support.ridewithgps.com/hc/en-us/articles/17499515359643-Import-GPS-files-in-the-app
Some GPS navigation devices, including the Garmin eTrex, have a track-point limit to the .gpx files they can store. And some devices just don't function optimally when working with a lengthy route and large route file. For this reason, breaking up the route file into smaller segments might be necessary. Here (https://ridewithgps.com/news/9132-exporting-gpx-files-just-got-more-reliab) is additional information on when to break up the route into smaller chunks and when to reduce track points of a .gpx file. Note: you'll need to save the route to your route library on Ride with GPS before splitting the route into shorter segments.
The route can be updated or modified at any time, so it's best to review the route file in advance for trip planning purposes but only download the file shortly before your ride so you have the most up-to-date route. If you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about please contact me about this so I can update the route file as needed.
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 have a more moderate pitch. There can be some sections of hike-a-bike but this is kept to a minimum. 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. Riders with beefier bike set-ups will find these sections easier to navigate. Of course, weather can impact how easy an area is to navigate. 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 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 resupply 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 to 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 June to allow for a chance of 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 into later 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 the real 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
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.
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 for a time goal and pushing bigger mileage.
What Bike
The Big Griz was designed as bikepacking route with 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 often excellent), municipal campgrounds, cabins, motels, and Airbnb rentals. The route file lists numerous options for spending a night, but should not be thought of as being exhaustive of the options. A future goal is to have more route hosts available to riders.
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.”
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 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 travels on 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 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
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 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 is imperative as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
Distance: 2,325 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 36,000 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 85%/15%
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, forest paths, and a whisper 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 stunning ferry rides.
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 worn mountain and river scenery on the back side of Mission Pass
Lonely dirt road riding along the Christian Valley
Big mountain views of the High Rockies Trail
Plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife including elk, bald eagles, and, yes, the big griz
Camping at any of the numerous recreation sites that are often 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.
Trip Details
Navigation
The links below are the route files you need to navigate this route. It would be a challenge to properly navigate with a paper map.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42155021
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41816444
Note that the route is broken down into two segments. This allows for better navigation by using smaller file sizes.
You can use these files to navigate the route using a navigational device such as Garmin or Wahoo, and on your mobile phone using the Ride with GPS app. The benefit of having the file on the Ride with GPS mobile app is that you will be able to see the points of interest (POIs) during your trip. These include accommodation and food options. Zoom in on a particular area of the route as some POI’s overlap and some of them are not visible when zoomed out. Having the route on the Ride with GPS app is also a good backup in case your navigation device malfunctions, which is not unheard of.
Use this link to download the Ride with GPS mobile app. https://support.ridewithgps.com/hc/en-us/articles/17499515359643-Import-GPS-files-in-the-app
Some GPS navigation devices, including the Garmin eTrex, have a track-point limit to the .gpx files they can store. And some devices just don't function optimally when working with a lengthy route and large route file. For this reason, breaking up the route file into smaller segments might be necessary. Here (https://ridewithgps.com/news/9132-exporting-gpx-files-just-got-more-reliab) is additional information on when to break up the route into smaller chunks and when to reduce track points of a .gpx file. Note: you'll need to save the route to your route library on Ride with GPS before splitting the route into shorter segments.
The route can be updated or modified at any time, so it's best to review the route file in advance for trip planning purposes but only download the file shortly before your ride so you have the most up-to-date route. If you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about please contact me about this so I can update the route file as needed.
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 have a more moderate pitch. There can be some sections of hike-a-bike but this is kept to a minimum. 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. Riders with beefier bike set-ups will find these sections easier to navigate. Of course, weather can impact how easy an area is to navigate. 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 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 resupply 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 to 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 June to allow for a chance of 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 into later 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 the real 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
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.
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 for a time goal and pushing bigger mileage.
What Bike
The Big Griz was designed as bikepacking route with 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 often excellent), municipal campgrounds, cabins, motels, and Airbnb rentals. The route file lists numerous options for spending a night, but should not be thought of as being exhaustive of the options. A future goal is to have more route hosts available to riders.
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.”
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 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 travels on 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 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
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 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 is imperative as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
