The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
The GDMBR is the longest off pavement cycling route in the world. Stretching 2,700 miles from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, it follows the Continental Divide through some of the most spectacular landscapes in North America.
The route was created between 1995 and 1998 by Michael McCoy and the Adventure Cycling Association. It was the first route of its kind, a long distance off road cycling trail that helped pioneer the sport of bikepacking.
By the Numbers
| Total Distance: | 2,700 miles |
| Start: | Banff, Alberta, Canada |
| Finish: | Antelope Wells, New Mexico |
| States and Provinces: | Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 200,000+ |
| Highest Point: | Indiana Pass, Colorado (11,910 ft). |
| Terrain: | Unpaved roads, paved roads, and singletrack |
| Typical Duration: | 40 to 60 days |
| Created By: | Adventure Cycling Association (1995 to 1998) |
The Route, North to South
Alberta and British Columbia (~100 miles) The journey begins in Banff, one of the most iconic mountain towns in the Canadian Rockies. The route follows the scenic Legacy Trail through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park before climbing to Elk Pass, where you cross the Continental Divide for the first time and drop into the remote wilderness of Elk Lakes Provincial Park in British Columbia. It’s a stunning introduction to what lies ahead: big mountains, big country, and grizzly bear territory.
Montana (~725 miles) Montana is the longest and one of the most challenging sections of the entire route. The riding takes you through heavily timbered mountains, historic mining towns, and vast open landscapes that stretch to the horizon. Key resupply stops include Whitefish, Helena, and Butte. Expect long stretches between towns, dramatic climbs, and some of the most beautiful and isolated riding on the GDMBR. Montana is where the route earns its reputation.
Idaho and Wyoming (~575 miles) A short stretch through Idaho follows blue ribbon fishing streams and the old Oregon Short Line rail trail west of Yellowstone. Wyoming brings the Wind River Range into view and some of the most dramatic landscape shifts on the route. Union Pass and the Great Divide Basin are standout sections. The Basin is a high, open expanse of sparse desert at 7,000 to 8,000 feet where the Continental Divide splits in two. It is one of the most remote and exposed stretches of the entire ride.
Colorado (~550 miles) Colorado is where the route reaches its highest point: Indiana Pass at 11,913 feet, with over 4,000 feet of climbing in a single ascent. Much of the riding is above treeline, with views that make the effort worth every pedal stroke. The route winds through South Park, crosses Boreas Pass, and passes through the high country of the Tusas Mountains. Salida is a popular resupply town and a welcome stop after days in the high alpine.
New Mexico (~700 miles) The final stretch trades alpine peaks for high desert, but don’t let the lower elevations fool you. New Mexico is one of the toughest sections of the route. The Jemez Mountains, Polvadera Mesa, and the San Mateo Mountains all deliver punishing climbs. Heat, sand, and long waterless stretches test your resolve in ways the mountains never did. The route ends at Antelope Wells, a tiny border crossing on the Mexican border in the far southwest corner of the state. There’s nothing there but a gate, a sign, and the satisfaction of knowing you rode every mile to get there.
Bill Rides 