How long does it take to do the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route?

six to ten weeks
Typical times to ride the entire route range from six to ten weeks. Logistical issues complicate riding the GDMBR. Reliable food and water sources on some portions of the route are over 100 mi (160 km) apart.

How long does it take to do the Great Divide Trail?

A safe estimate for hiking the Great Divide Trail is eight weeks. The total time to hike the entire trail from Waterton Lakes National Park to Kakwa Provincial Park is dependent on individual hiking pace, planning and selection of routes.

How hard is the GDMBR?

Route Difficulty: While we awarded the GDMBR a difficulty rating of 5.5, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. The surfaces and terrain that make up the GDMBR are largely gravel and dirt roads, and therefore not technical in nature. Most Tour Dividers cycle it with a drop-bar bike similar to the Salsa Cutthroat.

What kind of bike is good for the great divide?

People do ride the route on fully rigid bikes, usually cyclocross or rugged touring bikes, so it’s certainly possible and I wouldn’t discourage anyone from trying it. 2,700 miles is a lot of dirt road, however, and the vast majority of riders will be more comfortable on a mountain bike with front suspension.

Where does the Great Divide Trail start and end?

It begins in Waterton Lakes National Park at the Canada-US border (where it connects with the Continental Divide Trail) and ends 1,123 kilometres to the north in Kakwa Provincial Park.

What is the best section of the Great Divide Trail?

Section C offers some of the most scenic parts of the Great Divide Trail (GDT). Starting at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis it passes through several national and provincial parks (including the iconic Banff National Park) on its way to the town of Field.

Can you ride the GDMBR on a gravel bike?

As far as a bike goes, you can do this route on a fully rigid gravel bike or a full suspension mountain bike, or some variation of the two. We are old school tourers who like rack and panniers, which we used. No issue at all with this and a perfectly fine choice as our focus was comfort not speed.

Can you mountain bike the Continental Divide trail?

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is Adventure Cycling’s premier off-pavement cycling route, crisscrossing the Continental Divide in southern Canada and the U.S. This route is defined by the word “remote.” Its remoteness equates with spectacular terrain and scenery.