Banff E-bike Tour: Mountain Lakes & Bankhead Ruins

Four hours circling three lakes and a ghost town, with bears and bighorn sheep as regular company

A half-day e-bike tour in Banff that circles the Minnewanka Loop, stopping at the historic ruins of Bankhead mining town, Lake Minnewanka (the largest lake in Banff National Park), and Two Jack Lake. The tour includes an e-bike, helmet, rain jacket and pants; a live English-speaking guide leads groups of at least 12 years old. Wildlife sightings of bears, bighorn sheep and elk happen regularly on this route.

The Experience

Four hours on an e-bike takes you around one of the Rockies' most scenic circuits. The route starts at Bankhead, where you walk through the ruins of an old mining town in the Cascade Valley, then moves to Lake Minnewanka—the largest lake in Banff National Park—where the water sits clear against the mountain backdrop. Two Jack Lake comes next, and this is where the wildlife watching matters: bears, bighorn sheep and elk move through the forest regularly enough that you should have your camera ready.

The e-bike handles the terrain and the distance, so the pedaling stays manageable even if you haven't ridden in years. You get the bike, a helmet, and a rain jacket and pants in case the weather shifts—common in the mountains. A guide leads the group and speaks English throughout. The tour works as a half-day commitment, which means you can fit it around other plans in Banff without eating up the whole afternoon.

Parking is free at the Banff Train Station, where the tour starts. You'll need to be at least 12 years old and comfortable on a bike; the operator notes that moderate fitness helps, since you're covering distance and some elevation. Public transit options exist nearby if you're not driving.

What’s included

• E-bike, helmet, rain jacket and rain pants.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full four hours.
• access to the Minnewanka Loop circuit and the historic Bankhead site.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Banff Norquay Summer Sightseeing Chairlift & Via Ferrata Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided ride that fits a half-day schedule, leaving your afternoon or morning free for another activity in Banff.

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Top questions

What exactly is Bankhead, and why does the tour stop there?

Bankhead is the ruins of a historic mining town in the Cascade Valley, and the tour includes a walk through the site so you see the old structures and learn about the region's mining history before moving on to the lakes.

How often do you actually see wildlife like bears and elk on this tour?

The operator describes wildlife sightings of bears, bighorn sheep and elk as a regular occurrence on the Minnewanka Loop circuit, though sightings are never guaranteed on any given day.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist to do this tour?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness and says you should be confident riding a bicycle; the e-bike assists with pedaling, but you're still covering distance and some elevation over four hours.

What's included with the e-bike rental on this tour?

The tour includes the e-bike itself, a helmet, and a rain jacket and pants; you'll need to bring your own water and snacks.

Is there parking at the starting point?

Yes, ample free customer parking is available at the Banff Train Station, where the tour begins.