A winding wooden boardwalk traverses a lush forest, surrounded by tall trees and moss-covered rocks, leading deeper into the natural landscape. Topp Notch mountain bike trail.
See all photos (4)
×
User
Today
 
  |   Rate it:

Tags:
Level: Advanced
Length: 4 mi (6.4 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +612/ -606 ft
Total: 22 riders
 

Mountain Biking Topp Notch

*****   Add a review
#9 of 219 mountain bike trails in Alberta
#1,730 in the world

Topp Notch is the first purpose-built mountain bike trail in a Canadian national park. As you might expect, this trail is a work of art! Fantastic benchcutting, delicious berms, technical rock gardens, awesome bridges, and fantastic flow all combine to create an extremely varied mountain bike experience in a gorgeous locale. Oh, and did I mention, that this masterpiece was built completely by hand?

First added by Greg Heil on Aug 12, 2014. Last updated May 11, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: yes
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
Buffalo Mountain Lodge


Topp Notch Trail map

Add to or improve this map // Share this map on your website

Local Info

Club Sponsor

-

Local Bike Shop

Trail checkins

hdwatson (Sep 22, 2019)
What's this?

Upcoming Events

None.
Add one

Trail conditions

(Sep 2, 2018)
login to update

Camping & Lodging

Coming soon!

Topp Notch videos

Add a video
We don't have any videos of this trail yet. Add one here.

More trail photos




Mountain Bike Trails Near Banff, Alberta

*****
Easiest | 3 mi
*****
Intermediate | 1 mi
| 3 mi
*****
Advanced | 5 mi

Add a review

Rating
 
Difficulty
 
Review

Reviews

  • Matthew Bonner
    *****

    This is just yet another great trail in the Banff area and has the best build-quality that I've ever seen. From the smooth (but feature-ridden) switchbacks of the upper portion to the technical trials of the bottom, is trail will separate the boys from the men according to technical capabilities. Be aware of the giant rock slab on one of the switchbacks because if you hit that sucker too fast, you'll most certainly go OTB.

    Reply | Thank
  • Deleite
    *****

    My wife and I were rolling through Banff camping with our 2 year old son and we had limited time to hit the trails. I had a 1 hour window in the rain and decided to try Topp Notch. Note: we live in North Vancouver so have the privilege of riding some very sweet X-country trails. Topp Notch started slow but by the midway point I was grinning like a fool and concentrating on every awesome upcoming feature. Tons of variety, tight, rocky, technical sections followed by flowy faster runs. The trail lives up to its name.

    Reply | Thank
  • Jeff Barber
    *****

    One of the most creative trails I've ridden! Berms, twitchy slow sections, ladder bridges, and more. Super fun and challenging!

    Reply | Thank
  • Greg Heil   ✓ supporter
    *****

    Topp Notch is pretty short, but this trail may be one of the most inspired mountain biking trails I've ever ridden! The utterly unique features and trail design make this absurdly entertaining. If you're anywhere close to Banff, you need to ride here!

    Reply | Thank

Rider questions

Q: How do you get up to the top of the trail