Biking with Kids in Squamish
Biking with Kids in Squamish
Squamish has one of the best mountain biking trail networks in the world. There is plenty of terrain to explore, and if you’re out for a day with your little ones, it helps to know where to go. There are plenty of trails where your kids can learn, progress and have tons of fun. Here are some of our favourites:
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Recommended Rides
Mamquam Salmon Spawning Channel Trails - Easy
Home of some of the easier trails in Squamish. The flat grade and generous width of the trails make the area very user-friendly for all levels. The bonus here is there are a few singletrack offshoots that are a little more challenging, but still beginner-friendly. To access you can park along Mamquam road just east of the Squamish Valley Golf Club, the trail starts along the dyke by the Squamish Valley Golf Club. Parking is available at the Adventure Hub at 2458 Mamquam Road and includes a bike wash, bike tool station and porta potty.
Ray Peters Trail Network - Easy
Located in Brackendale, these beginner to intermediate singletrack trails offer lots of options for riders who want a slightly greater challenge than the Mamquam Salmon Spawning Channel trails. You can do loops, out and backs and there are even some technical features and a few options to ride woodwork. This is a good trail network to introduce kids to riding over roots. Access is best from Ross Road, near the north end or along Squamish Valley Road just west of Highway 99. Parking is also available at the Adventure Hub at the Don Ross Middle School lower parking lot and includes a bike wash, bike tool station and porta potty.
Kids on a mountain bike tour through Squamish | Photo: @harookz, @dialedincycling
Rob’s and Cliff’s Corners - Easy / Intermediate
These two trails are great for learning to corner, riding berms and getting ready for a trail such as Half Nelson. The faster you ride, the harder they get! There are two access points, one is along Mashiter Trail from the Garibaldi Highlands, parking is available at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School or park at Alice Lake Provincial Park at the Stump Lake parking lot and ride up the Alice Lake Access FSR road between Garibaldi Highlands and Alice Lake Provincial Park.
Wonderland Trail - Intermediate
Wonderland is a singletrack trail that has a mellow grade. Best ridden north to south, it starts off the road into Alice Lake Provincial Park and pops out just north of Depot Road near the MTN Fun Basecamp. It is recommended to shuttle the trail for smaller kids and only ride it in the downhill direction beginning at Alice Lake. Older kids can ride the trail as an out and back starting in either direction. On a run bike? No worries, Wonderland is perfect for little groms. If you want to add some extra distance, try starting out on White Rabbit which begins north of Wonderland. White Rabbit is a notch more difficult than Wonderland.
Happy high fives on Wonderland Trail | Photo: christieimages.com
Half Nelson - Intermediate
Probably one of the most famous trails in Squamish, Half Nelson is a machine built bike park style trail of berms, rollers and jumps. It’s a bit of a pedal up to the top, but absolutely worth it. This is an intermediate trail, so every feature is rollable, which is to say your wheels don’t have to leave the ground. Once your little ones are ready to ride here, we guarantee they will want to lap it all day. Access is up the Garibaldi Park Road where you can park at the exit of the trail.
Bike Parks
The SORCA Mountain Bike Skills Park | Photo: D'Arcy McLeish
SORCA Mountain Bike Skills Park at Brennan Park
Want to sharpen your mountain bike chops in a fun and safe learning environment? The dirt features at the skills park include berms, jumps, bridges and teeter-totters that will have you playing all day long. There's ample space nearby to spread out afterwards for a family picnic.
BMX Track
Located within walking distance of the SORCA Bike Skills Park, the Squamish BMX track is situated between Brennan Park Recreation Centre and the Squamish Municipal Campground. Kids are welcome to enjoy the park, and it is common to see a range of users from two-year-old's just learning how to balance on their bikes all the way to experts enjoying the track.
Alice Lake Skills Park
Families with young riders may enjoy a visit to the Alice Lake Skills Park. This park is the first of its kind in a provincial park and features a pump track and entry-level skills park for young kids to practice their bike handling skills. The park is located at Alice Lake Provincial Park next to the public day parking and playground.
Equipment Rentals and Tours
Rental bikes in all shapes and sizes at Flying Spirit Rentals | Photo: Flying Spirit Rentals
Pack light and rent bikes in Squamish. Bike rentals and tours for kids are available through the following providers:
Year-Round Operators
Ages 4-7: RideHub
Ages 7+: Corsa Cycles
Spring to Fall (roughly April to October)
Ages 4-7: Flying Spirit Rentals, Paradise Valley Campground (campers only), RideHub
Ages 7+: Corsa Cycles, Paradise Valley Campground (campers only), RideHub, Sea to Sky Adventure Company
Tours: Dialed in Cycling, Ride BC, RideHub, Sea to Sky Adventure Company