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Biking the Dinosaur Trail near Drumheller
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If you’d like to go biking through an otherworldly landscape of canyons, hoodoos and coulees with the added attraction of seeing the world’s largest dinosaur, then you need to bike the Dinosaur Trail near Drumheller.
The city of Drumheller is just 90 minutes from Calgary but with its badlands scenery it feels a world away. On the drive there make the short-detour to see Horseshoe Canyon. It will whet your appetite for what’s ahead.
Be sure to take LOTS of water on the bike ride as this part of Alberta gets hot.
Biking the Dinosaur Trail
In Drumheller look for a parking lot near the world’s largest dinosaur. It’s pretty easy to find. Look up and you can’t miss the dinosaur. It’s near the bridge going across the Red Deer River.
Start from here heading west on Highway 838 towards the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology. If you’ve got a few hours slip in here before continuing.
Head for Horse Thief Canyon
The biking is easy for the first 45 minutes or so as it’s mostly flat. As you curve northwest towards the Horse Thief Canyon Lookout you’ll hit a steep hill – offering a view of the Drumheller Valley, with the Red Deer River below.
The skies are huge in this part of the world and the cloud formations stunning. Make the short side trip to the viewpoint at the canyon before continuing on the Dinosaur Trail.
You might want to read: A Weekend Canoe Trip on the Red Deer River
The Bleriot Ferry on the Dinosaur Trail
At the 21 km mark you’re in for a treat. There’s a wonderful downhill with a 13% grade that will have you at the Bleriot Ferry in short order. The small, free cable ferry runs seasonally from May 9th to the September long weekend from 8 AM to 11 PM and then from 8 AM until 7 PM until October 30th. Find more information here.
On the far side of the river – which just takes minutes to cross, start climbing again to reach the plateau. At the top turn left onto Highway 837, continue past the spur to Orkney Lookout and east towards Drumheller. Along the way you’ll also pass a handsome grain elevator.
Note that if you don’t have skinny tires, it’s well worth cycling the kilometre on dirt road to reach the Orkney Lookout. The views up and down the Red Deer River are gorgeous.
How much time do you need to bike the loop?
At the 46 kilometre mark look for a T-junction that will take you back to your starting point via Drumheller’s industrial section. All told the Dinosaur Trail is 50 kilometres in length and should take 2.5 – 3 hours. Don’t forget a patch kit or you may end up like me – walking the last 7 kilometres!!
It was a 90 minute drive to get home – with the countryside continuing to delight until I reached the outskirts of Calgary.
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Reading Sharon Butala’s book The Perfection of the Morning a few years ago (one of my all time faves) opened by eyes to what the prairies could offer. Biking the Dinosaur Trail confirmed her observations. I highly recommend it though if you go in the summer be prepared for hot weather. Consider taking an insulated water bottle so you have something cold to drink. And don’t forget your patch kit!
A rough map of the route
Another biking option to the Dinosaur Trail near Drumheller
There is the option to bike east along Highway 10 to Rosedale and then south along a scenic section of Highway 10X to reach the hamlet of Wayne and the Last Chance Saloon. It would add 30 kilometres round-trip. In the fall it’s particularly lovely.
Where to stay in Drumheller
There is no shortage of chain motels and hotels in Drumheller. The Canalta Jurassic is one of your best choices. But if you want to put money into a local’s hands – and you love the B&B experience along I would recommend The Heartwood Inn and Spa.
Further reading about bike rides in Canada
- Biking Le Petit Train du Nord in the Laurentians
- 5 of the Best Bike Rides Around Calgary
- The Best Bike Rides in Canada You Can Do in a Day
- Victoria to the Cowichan Valley: A 6-Day Biking Itinerary
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
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I live in Edmonton, and I’ve visited Drumhellar, but I’ve never considered doing a biking tour there. I love the badland landscape down by Drumhellar. Great photos.
I live in Edmonton, and I’ve visited Drumhellar, but I’ve never considered doing a biking tour there. I love the badland landscape down by Drumhellar. Great photos.
I have a copy of the book Calgary: The 10 Premier Road Trips by Kathy & Craig Copeland. They can all be done in a day. I love exploring an area by bike and Drumheller’s roads and in particular the Donosaur Loop is a wonderful choice. There is almost no traffic & many people that passed me gave me a wave.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful big sky photos. I lived in Edmonton for 4 years and while that part of Alberta doesn’t possess the same dramatic scenery as coastal BC, it is absolutely stunning in its own way.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful big sky photos. I lived in Edmonton for 4 years and while that part of Alberta doesn’t possess the same dramatic scenery as coastal BC, it is absolutely stunning in its own way.
@Sara I loved the skies and actually think I’ll end up doing lots of exploring to the east. Photography has become a real interest and with all the drama on the prairies and the bird life I think I’ll be back often.
Hi Leigh and welcome to Calgary! Jason and I moved here from Victoria just ahead of you in April. I’m finding that I love, love, love the prairies and am looking forward to seeing what winter can bring. Drop us a line once you’re settled and maybe we can plan a hike together! Also thinking of a small travel blog meetup with @travelfootprint (from Lake Louise) in October. Cheers!
Hi Leigh and welcome to Calgary! Jason and I moved here from Victoria just ahead of you in April. I’m finding that I love, love, love the prairies and am looking forward to seeing what winter can bring. Drop us a line once you’re settled and maybe we can plan a hike together! Also thinking of a small travel blog meetup with @travelfootprint (from Lake Louise) in October. Cheers!
Gillian – What a wonderful, warm welcome to Calgary! Thank you for stopping by – and yes I would love to meet up for a hike & a travel blog meetup. I’ll email you.
Hi this looks amazing! Just curious if the trail was paved all the way? I am a wheelchair biker and can only really handle paved trails a two this point! Look forward to
Your reply!
@Loirinda It was – pretty quiet for traffic too. There’s one good hill before and after the Bleriot ferry just as a heads up. All in all a varied, very pretty bike ride. Enjoy.
Hi Leigh,
Thanks for the article! Looking for places to cycle around Calgary and this sounds great.
A couple of questions though:
1. Some of the “trail” is on the highway, correct? Is it well marked, or do you need to pull out the GPS at times?
2. Having trouble finding info on the BLERIOT FERRY operations, the link you gave doesn’t seem to have hours/dates if operation. Do you have any more info?
Thanks and happy cycling!
Greg
@Gregory All of the trail is along the highway but its quiet. Once you’re on it its very obvious. The ferry doesn’t run til the summer and then it literally just keeps going back and forth across the river, depending on who is waiting. It’s not a long wait.
[…] can bike the Dinosaur Trail too but be warned. In summer this area is one of the hot spots in […]
Recently rode this loop (mid July) and no issue with the ferry crossing. Had also paddled the Red Deer river in June and had to wait for it. Rather quiet mid week and was able to teach my 15 yo to draft me.
@Robert That’s very good news. Thanks for the update.
Hi there,
I’m excited to give this loop a go! I am a bit confused on which highway. It shows South or there is a North Dinosaur trail.
Do you take the south all the way to the ferry then the north back?
Thanks!
@Leanna The loop we did took us out towards Royal Tyrrell Museum on the North Dinosaur Trail; left when you reach Township Road 302 – down towards the Red Deer River, cross on the Bleriot Ferry. Continue on Hwy 838 to reach Hwy 837 – the south Dinosaur Trail, Highway 585. Go south towards Drumheller continuing on Railway Avenue to get back to your starting point. You could do it in either direction but if I remember correctly the ride up to North Dinosaur Trail from the Bleriot Ferry would be steeper.
Hi! Is this route entirely on paved roads or are there unpaved/gravel sections of trail? Thank you 🙂
Hi Nataliya – The whole route is paved so easy on the tires.