Mountain Biking

South Chilcotin mountain biking is the stuff of legend. The 200+km trail network winds through a region that is vast, remote, and truly wild. The vibrant colours of alpine flowers and foliage blend with the unique orange hue of volcanic pumice, all set against a brilliant blue sky. Epic climbs and endless descents are the rule rather than the exception here. These trails have kept riders who have traversed them coming back for decades, and for those who haven’t, insipre a deep longing to experience them first hand.

The South Chilcotins carry their reputation for a reason. Rugged, raw, and long are words often thrown around when describing a day out in the mountains here. The 200+km trail network in the area takes in an array of differing eco-systems – green grasslands, flowering sub-alpine and alpine meadows, glacial lakes and towering mountains. The length and difficulty of the trails are just as numerous and diverse as the regions you’ll be riding.
Overall, the trails are rocky and loose, due to the prominence of the region’s pumice rock. And they are in absolute mint condition after a light sprinkling of rain. During dry spells, the lower trails can become dusty, with the trails at higher elevation retaining more solid dirt. A basic level of backcountry competence and navigation ability is recommended to explore the area unguided.
Trails are based in South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park and generally exist on crown land and unceded territories of the St’át’imc Nation. These trails are developed and maintained by largely volunteer-based organizations and we strongly recommend donating via the Trailforks Trail Karma program.

Refer to Trailforks for trail information and loop suggestions. Our partners at Tyax Adventures also offer guided rides.

A float plane drop is the ultimate way to experience the majesty of the South Chilcotins. Our partners at Tyax Adventures will fly you out to one of the many remote alpine lakes in the region, setting you up for a truly epic ride back to the lodge or a remote campground.

The terrain in the region is technical, and experience on the mountain bike is a must. We recommend that riders are of an advanced ability. If you’re confident riding blue and black trails in your local area, then you have what it takes to come mountain biking in the South Chilcotin Mountains.
It’s best to arrive at Tyax Lodge fit and injury-free. The trails are spread out across long, undulating landscapes, requiring a good level of fitness, and a great command of your dropper-post! Hike-a-biking is a frequent feature of the riding in the region.

We recommend that you bring your preferred all-mountain / enduro bike to Tyax Lodge. We find that they are the best choice for a day mountain biking in the South Chilcotins. There is a good mix of pedaling and descending, so it’s great to have a bike that is capable of doing both.

It’s very important that your bike is in great working order and recently serviced. You’ll be riding in some of the most remote terrain that you’re ever likely to be in. Spare bike parts and bike mechanics in the region are limited. It is strongly recommended you bring with you all replacement parts you may require and the tools you will need. Make sure your bike won’t let you down!

Note that there is limited cell service in the region with the exception of wifi at the lodge. Downloading maps and routes in advance is highly recommended.

A fully-stocked day bag is imperative. We recommend the following essentials, but you are free to add whatever you like to tailor your gear to your riding style:

• Helmet
• Waterbottles/hydration bladder (filter or water treatment tablets)
• Rain jacket
• Base layer
• Knee pads
• Adequate nutrition for a full day excursion (packed lunch options available from the lodge with notice provided)
• Riding glasses
• First aid kit
• Bicycle repair kit (spare tubes, chain breaker, tools, pump at a minimum)
• Bear Spray
• SPOT device or equivalent
• Phone or camera