Hinton sits on Highway 16 at the edge of the Rockies, between Edmonton and Jasper, and it has plenty of riding close to town. The Hinton Mountain Bike Association (HMBA), a registered charity run by volunteers, builds and looks after about 90 km of trail here, plus a free 37-acre bike park in town.
If you're planning a ride, here's a rundown of where to go and what to know before you head out.
Bighorn Ridge: the big climb
Bighorn Ridge is the crown jewel of the Hinton networks. It's a 12 km climb trail with descents built throughout, and it has the most elevation and technical riding on any club-managed trail in the area. Expect a solid workout on the way up and big views from the top.
The trail has a long history. It was built in the early 1900s by the Dominion of Canada Forestry Service as a pack trail to patrol the forests along the eastern slopes, and a telegraph line once ran beside it. You can still spot old insulators along the way. Today HMBA manages it as the trail manager with the Government of Alberta.
Happy Creek: singletrack in town
Happy Creek is a set of connecting singletrack trails right in Hinton, with options for every skill level. The signature trails mix roots, sidehills, climbs, features, boardwalks and viewpoints, with plenty of cross-country riding. You can ride in from the Hinton Bike Park or from the Maxwell Lake town trails, so it's an easy one to fit in after work.
The Hinton Bike Park
The Hinton Bike Park at 281 Robb Road is free to ride from dawn to dusk. It has a skills area, two pump tracks, dirt jumps, a flow trail and an advanced jump line, so it works for beginners and experts alike. It's also a handy starting point for the rest of Hinton's trails. Directions and parking are on our website.
Jack's Trail Network: a classic coming back
Jack's was built by Jack Liebrecht, who named many of the trail sections after members of his family. Clearing in 2018 damaged parts of the network and forestry and pipeline work cut off access, so the club downgraded it to unsanctioned. In 2026 HMBA started reviving Jack's and added it to the club's trail maintenance plan. Watch our news and social media for updates.
Nordic Centre and Athabasca Ranch
North of town on Highway 40, the Nordic Centre and the Athabasca Ranch Public Land Use Zone have multi-use trails along the river valley. These trails are unsanctioned and are not managed or maintained by HMBA, so ride them with that in mind.
Plan your ride
Check the trail status on our home page before you go.
Live maps and trail reports for the Hinton networks are on Trailforks.
If you're leaving ruts or footprints, the trail is too wet. Give it time to dry.
Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
What to bring
Helmet
Bear spray
Water and a snack
Spare tube, pump and a multi-tool
A phone and a light layer for the top of the climb
Ride with the club
HMBA runs a Wednesday Member Ride for members of all skill levels and a Monday Ladies Ride from May to early October. Both meet at 6:45 pm at the Bike Park parking lot. Check the event calendar for changes.
HMBA's trails are looked after by volunteers, and memberships help pay for that work. A membership goes 100% back into biking in Hinton and comes with discounts at local businesses. If you'd rather give directly, you can donate to HMBA.
Questions about riding in Hinton? Get in touch. See you on the trails.