Biking - West Canada 1

This mountain biking trip is a real challenge, and is geared towards intermediate and advanced riders. There's incredible scenery on our full-day cross-country bike through Kananaskis, plus awesome canyon biking in Invermere and Golden. The highlight for some being the 5000 vertical foot descent down Mount Seven.

Day 1 - Fernie, BC
After breakfast we ride right from the hotel to awesome trails like Roots, Roots Extension and the Coal Creek Heritage Trail. After a full morning of riding, we'll stop for lunch by Coal Creek and fuel up for a big afternoon of mountain biking. Up to Ridgemont we go, ground zero for the Fernie mountain biking scene. There's dozens of trails fanning out from this spot, and we'll pick and choose the best ones, such as Kid's Stuff, Splitting Bears and Eric's Trail.

After getting our fill, we'll shower before driving to our spectacular campsite overlooking the Elk River Bluffs. Before dinner, we'll head to nearby Silver Springs Lakes for some cliff-jumping and swimming in the crystal-clear water. Then it's dinner by the campfire, under the stars.

Day 2 - Invermere, BC
After breakfast at the Elk Bluffs, we'll hop in the van for a 1 1/2-hour ride to Invermere, for a day of sweet biking in this emerging mountain biking destination. This town on the shores of scenic Lake Windermere boasts some world-class mountain biking. Trails like Toby Creek Canyon and Paradise Mines feature challenging single-track and stunning scenery. After the day's riding, we'll hop in the van for a 15-minute drive to our campsite north of town and savour a delicious dinner under the stars.

Day 3 - Golden, BC
Up the Rocky Mountain Trench we go today: a short drive brings us to the town of Golden, nestled into a scenic valley under the jagged mountains of the Dogtooth Range. This town is quickly developing a reputation for its mountain biking, and will be our home for the next 2 days. Today, we'll check out the Moonraker trails just south of town, including the stunning Canyon Creek Trail. This trail follows the edge of a massive canyon whose walls drop 1,500 feet below - keep your eyes on the trail when riding!

There's plenty of other great trails to explore in the area, and we'll do our best to ride them all before we set up camp at scenic Cedar Lake, situated conveniently at the top of the trailheads. After set-up we'll head over to the rope-swing for some fun in the lake before a hearty fireside dinner at the campsite.

Day 4 - Golden, BC
Having barely scratched the surface of the Golden mountain biking scene, we'll hop on the bikes after breakfast for a morning ride down North Star or Bear's Claw. The van will be waiting for us at the bottom for the start of shuttle day. Mount 7 is the local mecca for mountain bikers, and van access to all of the trailheads means a full feast of singletrack today! First stop is the hang-glider launch, 15 kilometres up the road and 5300 feet above the valley floor.

Numerous trails wind their way down the mountain, over ridges and through thick forest and narrow gullies. There's lots of fast, smooth singletrack as well as steeps, and plenty of B.C. stunt-riding. We'll gorge on a smorgasbord of each before heading back to our campsite at Cedar Lake.

Day 5 - Kananaskis, AB
A scenic drive brings us to Kananaskis Country, 1 hour west of Calgary. This massive outdoor playground features hundreds of kilometres of trails carved into a spectacular Rocky Mountain landscape. We'll sample a few of the local delights including the Elbow Loop trail and the spectacular 7000 ft high ridge ride on the Jumping Pound Ridge trail.

Day 6 - Kananaskis, AB
We'll break down camp one final time, before hopping on our metal horses for one last roundup. There's so much riding here, you'll be wiping the drool off your chin for days. After getting our fill, we'll head back to our hotel in town for dinner and the post-tour party!

Technical Grading: Intermediate + / Advanced.

Skills such as log-hopping, riding steeps, riding in tight trees and general familiarity with bike handling and bike skills are absolutely necessary. Advanced riders will love the challenge while intermediates will find their skills challenged and will come away from the trip with their mountain bike skills greatly enhanced and a solid introduction to the B.C. single track scene. Less experienced riders will become better acquainted with walking their bike.

Departure Dates: July 9, Aug 6, 27 and Sep 3 2008

Mountain Bike hire: CA$25 - $35 per day.
Camping Gear Hire: A two person tent and two sleeping bags - CA$100 for the trip.

What is included
All transport from Fernie BC and back to Kananaskis, with a driver and cook to support the biking (carrying provisions, utensils etc. Plus spares for bikes). 2 nights of accommodation (1 night in Fernie and 1 night in Kananaskis), and dinner and breakfast before and after the tour. Provincial park entry fees, camping fees. Local taxes of 7%, some of which may be refunded later by the Canadian government to foreigners.

What is not included
The price allows for joining in Fernie, BC and does not include international or national airfare and departure taxes. Personal insurance, visa fees, vaccination costs. A bike or helmet (available to hire) and personal clothing. Tent and camping equipment (tent and sleeping bags are available to hire), all items of a personal nature and all alcoholic drinks.

Additional Accommodation
If you need accommodation in the cities you travel through book online or advise your Muir's Tours consultant (always use this option for extra accommodation in remote locations).

Personal Insurance (for UK only)
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. We recommend the BMC policies www.thebmc.co.uk