Note that all courses are subject to changes up until race week.
2026 COURSE INFO
STAGE 1
CUMBERLAND
TOTAL DISTANCE: 27.6 kilometres
ELEVATION: 746 metres
We kick off our 20th year with the town that’s been with us through it all: the Village of Cumberland. Not only has this small bike-obsessed town hosted at least one stage for every single race, but they have such a massive and diverse trail network that we have hosted 2 stages here for the past few years. The committed members of the United Riders of Cumberland do an amazing job of developing new trails while maintaining what’s already there. We can’t think of a better place to start!
See the course map and elevation on Trailforks.
STAGE 2
CAMPBELL RIVER
TOTAL DISTANCE: 47.6 kilometres
ELEVATION: 843 metres
The second stage is a classic epic XC ride with a lot of up and down through the phenomenal second-growth forest of the Snowden Demonstration Forest and Elk Falls Provincial Park. The course immerses you in the green room all day on a sliver of brown trail as you skirt alongside remote lakes and out onto open rocky bluffs. You’re going to love rolling through this emerald paradise.
See the course map and elevation on Trailforks.
STAGE 3
CUMBERLAND
TOTAL DISTANCE: 38.3 kilometres
ELEVATION: 1,261 metres
Yes, Cumberland has enough trails for us to run 2 full stages—441 kms! Stage 3 will have a slightly different flavour than Day 1 and is guaranteed to leave you with a big smile at the end.
See the course map and elevation on Trailforks.
STAGE 4
Hammerfest, Parksville
TOTAL DISTANCE: 31.8 kilometres
ELEVATION: 1,107 metres
Our course team is busy working on a route in this brand new stage location. There’s plenty of local race history in this amazing riding area. Take a peek at what’s in store in this video.
See the course map and elevation on Trailforks.
STAGE 5
MOUNT TZOUHALEM, COWICHAN VALLEY
TOTAL DISTANCE: 21.5 kilometres
ELEVATION: 845 metres
This stage will be similar to the 2025 course with a few tweaks. Racers wove their way all around Mount Tzouhalem with 5 climbs and super fun descents. With an undulating profile rather than a big up and a big down, every effort had an amazing reward. We finished it all off with a smile-inducing rip down the mountain’s favourite flow trail, Double D.
See the course map and elevation on Trailforks.
STAGE 6
NANAIMO
TOTAL DISTANCE: 33.9 kilometres
ELEVATION: 1,021 metres
With an abundance of trails, Nanaimo has been a staple mountain bike location on the mid-island for decades. The 2026 course will likely be similar to 2025, taking you to 3 distinct riding zones: The Abyss, Mount Benson and Westwood Lake.
See the course map and elevation on Trailforks.
STAGE 7
MAPLE MOUNTAIN, COWICHAN VALLEY
TOTAL DISTANCE: 44.8 kilometres
ELEVATION: 1,079 metres
Today is your victory lap and you are in for a sweet treat! Not only will you be riding one of the signature trails on Maple Mountain, but we have some fun surprises in store for you, the cherries on top of the BCBR cake, if you will. It will be a fun and challenging finish to a week of riding, earning you a full plate plus dessert at the gala dinner.
See the course map and elevation on Trailforks.
