Whistler, BC, Canada
(hiking, mountain biking)

Flank Trail - Some say this is one of the most beautiful scenic mountain bike rides in the Whistler Valley. The 45 km biking route is filled with ups and downs traveling along a hard-packed earthy single-track trail with wicked downhill sections, some switchbacks and some climbs offering views of the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

The biking trail offers many views of the valley. Some of the more spectacular views include the flowering alpine meadows, the snow capped mountain peaks, the rumbling rivers and the wildlife. Most of the mountain bike trail is single track riding and includes some technical riding with exposed roots and boulders.

The trail is considered challenging because of the distance and the difficulty of some of the sections of the mountain biking trail. The one-way route follows the slopes of Sprout Mountain from Alexander Falls in the Callaghan Valley to 16 Mile Creek Trailhead on Cougar Mountain Road. There are other access points to the trail throughout the valley. One of the most used access routes are the two trailheads mentioned above and the Rainbow Trail.

The trail highlights the valley between Rainbow and Sproat Mountains and should take 5 to 6 hours to complete on a mountain bike. The highest point of the trail is near 16 Mile Creek reaching an elevation of 1500 metres. From the creek trailhead the route leads to Alpine Meadows via following 19 Mile Creek. Continue along the trail to 21 Mile Creek before reaching Function Junction and Alexander Falls.

Trail Access - The northern trailhead is located 6 Km north of Whistler Village, BC, Canada on the Cougar Mountain FSR near 16 Mile Creek. The trailhead is marked with signage. The southern entrance to the mountain biking trail is near Alexander Falls near Callaghan Valley about 15 km south of the Village.