Vancouver Island's rugged, lush landscape has created a haven for mountain biking adrenaline junkies. Prepare for mountains, valleys, cliffs, canyons, forests and beaches as the island offers mountain biking trails that range from moderate to extreme alpine downhills. It also offers a variety of wildlife and topography that is enticing for both downhill bikers, as well as cross-country enthusiasts. If you've had a great mountain biking experience on Vancouver Island, share it with other visitors by writing a blog!
Vancouver Island Biking Highlights
Cumberland Trails
Mount Washington Bike Park
Award-Winning Mountain Bikers
The Island has also helped produce some top-tier bikers: Victoria native Roland Green was a member of the Canadian Olympic Mountain Bike Racing Team and won a Gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, while cross-country mountain cyclist Alison Sydor, a University of Victoria grad, won a Silver at the 1996 Summer Olympics and earned three gold world championships medals (among many other accolades). She was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in May, 2008.
Cumberland and Mount Washington Bike Park
The central island community of Cumberland is a riding hotspot and has produced a number of champion riders. Mount Washington Bike Park contains the only lift-accessed runs on the island with unparalleled ocean and mountain panoramas.Cumberland once produced a lot of coal; now it produces elite mountain bikers! Kiara Bisaro, Geoff Rabush, Leon May, and Darcy Turenne all cut their teeth on Cumberland trails. What makes the area such a great training ground? Trails with an ideal combination of natural and man-made obstacles, technical riding and speed. The range of difficulty makes Cumberland a riding destination for any level of rider.
Cumberland Trails
Notable rides include China Town Trail (easy), a converted rail bed that runs through old Chinatown and past beautiful, bird-friendly marshes; Buggered Pig (intermediate), a fast single-track with logs and roots but no dangerous stunts; and Bucket of Blood (difficult), which, after a hard initial climb, features log ride bridges, boardwalks and big drops. Non-experts can ride Bucket of Blood if they stick to the trail's "Chicken Lines." Mount Washington, just 30min away from Cumberland, offers chairlift access to its downhill trails from late June to early October. Cumberland is a 2.5-hour drive from Victoria, and located in the Comox Valley, on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
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Mount Washington Bike Park
Mount Washington is considered one of Vancouver Island's premier destinations for mountain biking. Its bike park is renowned for 505 m/1657ft of gravity-defying vertical, made all the more exhilarating thanks to astounding, 360-degree, alpine-to-ocean views. Two high-speed chairs lift riders to a network of 18 trails that access over 35km/22mi of terrain, which range from smooth and easy novice tracks to steep and wicked expert grades. Instruction runs the gamut from novice learn-to-ride clinics to pro-rider camps and private, guided rides. Mount Washington Alpine Resort is easily accessible from Vancouver by car via the Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo ferry route. The Comox Valley and Campbell River airports are both serviced daily from Vancouver. There is also a daily bus shuttle from Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum. While some restaurants and accommodations in the resort's pedestrian village are open year-round, most riders make day trips to the mountain.
Mount Washington Bike Park is open from approximately late-June to mid-September. Helmets are mandatory while in the park; body armour is recommended. Rentals and repairs are conveniently available at the mountain.
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Had a Great BC Biking Experience?
We want to know about it! Let other visitors in on the secrets of your favourite trails, BC biking experiences, or off-the-beaten path hidden gems. Write a short blog and share your stories!There are also some good mountain biking opportunities in Victoria, or find out more about Cycling on Vancouver Island!