Routes & Stages

TransRockies was the first to bring the epic format to North America. In 2010 we raise the bar to new heights. TransRockies IX opens in the iconic mountain biking destination of Fernie BC. The town surrounded with legendary single track trail serves as a stunning backdrop to our opening stage. Riders starting at timed intervals will get to ride some of the worlds best singletrack and spend our first night enjoying the comforts of this exciting mountain community.

New for 2010 are 9 am starts giving every one a bit more time to clear the cobwebs away before hitting the trails. Day two finds us rolling out of the town of Fernie and heading North and East to Elkford, famous for it’s incredible TransRockies Hospitality.

After enjoying the amenities of the Elkford recreation center, riders tackle stunning stage 3 – up and over the spine of the Rocky Mountains Canada’s Continental Divide and across the border into Alberta. Remote, rugged, and real this all-new stage will be sure to leave a lasting impression. Four days of riding on the legendary trails of Kananaskis Country wait. Overnight stopovers include scenic wilderness campsites and two authentic Western ranches. Who wants to go for an evening trail ride?

A new 9 am start from Etherington Creek promises trail, trail and more trail. Stage four starts with a short role out of camp then heads for the hills, featuring Grass Pass Trail, High Rock Ridge Trail, and Sullivan Pass Trail. This ride offers more outstanding views of Rocky Mountain vistas and rolling foothills.  Finish at the Anchor D Ranch, an authentic horse ranch just outside the Kananaskis park boundaries.

Just when you thought it could not possibly get any better we bring you the new stage 5.
Wow, out of bed, a great breakfast, and straight into classic single track trail. We’re impressed with day 5 and know you will be as well. Like the rest of the race it’s all about the best riding the Rocky Mountains have to offer and today will not disappoint.

Stage 6. A few of our past TransRockies riders know about this stage and will tell you it’s the greatest ever stage of TransRockies. We are so happy to have it back for 2010. It’s the best riding we have ever offered! After a tough and rewarding day your finish is the Rafter Six Ranch east of Canmore. Join your new friends around the evening campfire. When morning dawns you will roll to the finish line in Canmore.

Our final stage has a lot of different meaning and emotion but one thing everyone can agree on is that the trail’s lot of fun. The stage ends with rolling singletrack descending onto the Main Street of Canmore and the awaiting crowds. Welcome home TransRockies Finishers!

We end the week with our famous TransRockies finisher banquet, Bring you family and friends – it’s not to be missed and you earned it!

Preliminary 2010 Route Description

We're working closely with our route designers and land managers to finalize routing details. The majority of the route plan is in place, with a few sections requiring more planning and scouting. As we confirm route details, we'll update the information below. Please note that all information is subject to change and pending final permits.

Stage 1 - Fernie to Fernie Time Trial

Fernie is well known for its world famous singletrack riding. Designed by multi-time TransRockies Finisher and Fernie trail-builder extrordinaire, Pat Gilmar, stage one will highlight some of thebest and funnest singletrack in Fernie. To minimize congestion on the narrow trails, this stage will be a time trial (Team Time Trial for TransRockies Teams and Individual Time Trial for TR3).

Stage 2 - Fernie to Elkford

Explore the mountains surrounding the Elk Valley. The source of some the world's highest quality metallurgical coal, this region is also the source of some of the best mountain recreation on the planet, from deep powder snow in the winter to the finest trail rides anywhere in the summer. With a 9 AM departure from Fernie, you're in for a great day!

Stage 3 - Elkford BC to Etherington Creek Campground, AB

Cross the spine of the continent - the Continental Divide - into the province of Alberta and the vast parklands and trail system that make up Kananaskis Country. Finish at the scenic Etherington Creek Campground, and our first Wilderness Camp.

Stage 4 - Etherington Creek Campground to Anchor D Ranch

From Etherington Creek a short road roll out will quickly give way to a day of trails, featuring the Grass Pass Trail, High Rock Ridge Trail, and Sullivan Pass Trail. This ride ofers outstanding views of Rocky Mountain vistas to the west, and out to the rolling foothills to the east. Sightings of wildlife up high can be expected. Finish at the Anchor D Ranch, an authentic horse ranch just outside the Kananaskis park boundaries.

Stage 5 - Anchor D Ranch to Little Elbow Campground

From Anchor D it's straight onto trails, starting with trails on the ranch property, and quickly linking into the Death Valley Trail in Kananaskis Country. We'll pop back out onto the road for a few km to access a checkpoint and refuel, and then it's back onto trails, finishing of with a popular classic singletrack: Wildhorse Trail. A ford of the Elbow River will take us into our camp at Little Elbow Campground.

Stage 6 - QUEEN STAGE - Little Elbow Campground
to Rafter Six Ranch

Our "Queen Stage" will be one of the funnest days you will have on a mountain bike. Our longest stage with significant climbing, stage 6 will also be the most rewarding, with dozens of kilometers of marquee mountain trails that will challenge your stamina and riding skills, and reward with fantastic ridgeline views and incredibly fun descents. Locals will surely recognize Powderface Creek Trail, Prairie Creek Trail, Jumpingpound Ridge Trail, Coxhill Ridge Trail, and Lusk Pass Trails as some of the best rides in the area.

Stage 7 - Rafter Six Ranch to Canmore, AB

Our final stage takes us up the beautiful Bow Valley to the town of Canmore, just outside Banff National Park. This stage features the TransCanada Trail, fun singletrack riding leading to the town of Canmore. Once in the town, the route will explore some of the Quarry Lake trail network, and then into the Canmore Nordic Centre, host venue of the 1988 Winter Olympics and UCI Mountain Bike World Cup racing from 1998-2000. Finally, the route will descend into the Town of Canmore and the cheers of the assembled crowd on Canmore's Main Street.

Projected Overall Route Statistics