A Mountain Biker’s Guide to Kamloops BC
Since the early days of mountain biking, the rolling hills and dusty landscape of Kamloops British Columbia have made for some of the best and most iconic riding zones in the country. With so many different places to explore by bike, it can be hard to fit it all into a weekend getaway, this guide was designed to help you plan the best trip ever!
As a rider that was born and raised in Kamloops, I feel as though I have a pretty good grasp on the riding scene here. So, with that being said, I have highlighted my top three must-ride locations in Kamloops, read on to find out more!
Top 3 Locations
Rides with friends are always better. Photo by Max Loukidelis.
Starting at #3 on my must-ride list is Harper Mountain. During the winter months, it’s a family-run ski resort but during the summer it turns into an amazing trail network. With a wide assortment of trails located next to the gorgeous Paul lake, this zone is perfect for a summer day when you need to escape the heat of the valley.
In the green room at Harper Mountain. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
In #2 we have the Kamloops Bike Ranch. The prime location of the Bike Ranch, the locally-owned shuttle service, and the awe-inspiring trail features have made this zone world-renowned for good reason.
Google map showing locations of both Harper Mountain and the Kamloops Bike Ranch.
Iconic Kampage freeride lines. Photo by Max Loukidelis.
Coming in at #1 on my must-ride list is the infamous Sun Peaks Bike Park which opened in 1999, this bike park is for riders looking for lift-accessed trails that are technical and steep. However with recent additions of family-friendly flow trails this bike park can accommodate a wide range of abilities.
Google map of the route from Kamloops to Sun Peaks Resort.
Harper Mountain
Eyes on the prize…more trail ahead. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
Located just 21 minutes or 20 km from the heart of Kamloops, Harper Mountain’s forested trails provide a nice contrast to riding within the city. This zone isn’t far from the city but for some, camping or renting a vacation property near the lake is the preferred option. Just make sure you have plenty of gas for shuttles and food to keep you fuelled all day as there are no restaurants or gas stations in the immediate vicinity. Oh, and when it comes to shuttling, if you want to avoid pedalling up the newly created climb trail, make sure you have a vehicle that can handle a pretty rough road once you arrive at the trail network parking lot. Just to be safe, you may not want to drive your honda civic up the shuttle road.
Make time to enjoy the views. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
The trails at Harper Mountain are primarily intermediate and advanced with no green trails listed on Trailforks. With that being said, your best bet will be an enduro or trail bike for this zone. With flow and singletrack trails highlighting the upper section, in the lower section, you can find a very steep and technical trail to get your adrenaline pumping, called Gnarwhal. If you are looking for a good mix of terrain, I’d suggest doing a full lap of Easy Rider, to Unicorn DH, to Nates Lower.
Wildflowers at Harper Mountain. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
Harper Mountain is also known for hosting a gruelling Canadian Enduro Series race each summer. If you aren’t afraid of some big climbs and long descents, this could be a great way to experience all the trails in the area! Alternatively, if you are looking for a quick and easy climb and lots of flow for the descent, the next location in this guide will be perfect for you!
Kamloops Bike Ranch
Sunset at Kamloops Bike Ranch. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
The Kamloops Bike Ranch, or, ‘the Ranch’ as the locals call it, is located just minutes from downtown Kamloops and is conveniently situated near one of the top bike shops in the city, District Bicycle Co. It’s also nearby the headquarters for the Canadian carbon bike rim manufacturer known as We Are One Composites! Oh and the best bit, the ranch is completely free to ride as it’s a city-owned and maintained bike park, even equipped with lights so that the fun can continue past sunset.
Dusty desert days. Photo by Max Loukidelis.
The dusty and hard pack composition of this zone makes it great for single track and flow trails. With that being said if you’re looking for technical and steep downhill, Sun Peaks will be more up your ally. One of the defining features of the ranch is its perfectly sculpted lips that progress throughout their multiple flow trails. As someone who has travelled far and wide to ride bikes, I can confidently say, nothing compares to the craftsmanship of the ranch. My favourite trail in the Ranch is, without a doubt, Wrangler. The ranch consists of 6 beginner trails, 3 intermediate trails, 3 advanced trails, and 1 expert trail. More details regarding specific trails can be found here.
Flying through the sky. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
Although the zone has hosted multiple BC Cup downhill races and the annual River Beaver Classic mountain bike festival, the Ranch most notably played host to Graham Agassiz’s Fest event which attracted all of the best freeriders in the world to travel to Kamloops to hit some inhumanly sized jumps. But the Bike Ranch isn’t the only place with big jumps, next-up in this guide is the legendary Sun Peaks Bike Park!
Sun Peaks Bike Park
Route 66. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
Where do we even start when discussing the masterpiece of Sun Peaks Bike Park. This bike park has evolved into a well-rounded network of lift-accessed trails that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities. Bike park operations usually begin at the end of June and run daily until the start of September with bonus weekends throughout September! Keep in mind when planning your trip that Sun Peaks is located about 45 minutes from downtown Kamloops.
Enjoy a moment of rest on the chairlift. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
From the newly built beginner trail, Level up, to the fresh, machine groomed, Bermalade and Canada Line, the bike park is now home to some of the best beginner and intermediate trails in the region. Whether you are just starting out or are looking for something that isn’t as demanding, I can’t recommend Canada Line to Bermalade enough, check out this fun video featuring the Canada Line trail! If you’re new to the sport, the option of taking a lesson and renting equipment might be a great option as well.
On a burner down Barn Burner. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
Stepping away from the image of a gnarly, technical, advanced bike park has been beneficial in attracting new markets, but don’t be fooled, those iconic rugged trails are still very present. With an old trail like Steam Shovel also being reworked into advanced/expert level flow, you can brush the cobwebs off your downhill bike for this zone. The bike park still hosts national-calibre downhill bike and enduro races on an annual basis which really is a testament to the type of terrain.
Rugged and raw terrain. Photo by Matt Staggs Visuals.
Since the bike park is located within the municipality of Sun Peaks, you can expect a wide range of amenities and services nearby as well as a range of accommodation options. Depending on your budget, camping in the parking lot may be more your style than renting a 5 bedroom condo with your family or friends, but both options are available for those that want to skip the daily drive between Kamloops and the mountain!
