MTB Project Logo

A really short & sweet easy loop from West Bragg Creek with options to extend it.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.8

Miles

9.3

KM

100%

Singletrack

5,325' 1,623 m

High

4,624' 1,409 m

Low

1,000' 305 m

Up

1,000' 305 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Dogs are required to be leashed within the Provincial Recreation Area, but that only includes the parking lot and a few hundred meters around it.

Overview

If you're looking for an easy introduction to the West Bragg Creek trail network or you've only the time or energy for a quick spin, then this is probably may be your best option. It's easily extended by taking in some (or all) of Long Distance or adding the Merlin View loop.

Need to Know

Reconnect can be wet and muddy after a prolonged wet spell; in this case the Merlin View option with Braggin' Rights out-and-back is probably preferable.

Description

This ride is probably best done clockwise so that you climb Reconnect and descend Long Distance. The ride begins on Braggin' Rights, which starts near the northwest corner of the West Bragg Creek parking area. The first section of Braggin' Rights to the Long Distance junction is best saved for the final descent, so immediately after the first bend, turn right on Whitetail.

At the Long Distance junction, go straight ahead to rejoin Braggin' Rights, which winds gently around the south-facing hillside, drops down and crosses the old Telephone trail and finally climbs gently to the junction with Reconnect and Merlin View. A very popular option is to add the Merlin View loop to extend your ride into a 15km (9 mile) figure-eight: turn left and then immediately right to start the climb on Merlin View, which will return you to the same spot; after that you can continue the original loop or simply return via Braggin' Rights.

Otherwise, turn right on to Reconnect and after a short stretch of singletrack to a small bridge and a very brief climb you'll reach the old Telephone Loop trail (again). Turn left on to the loose, rocky trail and almost immediately leave it again, turning right and starting the climb.

From here the trail climbs steadily up an old forest 'road', first to the north and then, after reaching an old junction, back south again. This final section climbs a bench along the hillside with views to the west. This trail wasn't built specifically as an all-season trail and sometimes it shows; it can be very wet and muddy early in the summer and after heavy rain, especially if equestrians decide to chew it up!

At the top of the hill you'll join the Long Distance trail. You can extend this ride by turning left and riding up Long Distance as far you like before returning here. Otherwise continue ahead and about 30m later turn right to stay on Long Distance (Demi-Tel continues ahead/left). From this junction there's a fairly short climb to a viewpoint on the final ridge.

From the viewpoint you then descend rapidly through a series of switchbacks to the junction with Braggin' Rights. It's always a shame this section is over so quickly!

Keep straight ahead through the junction and swing left on to the busy part of Braggin' Rights for the final descent. Give climbing riders the right of way and take it slow when passing hikers. If you're lucky enough (or patient enough to wait) and get a clear run down then it makes fantastic finish to the ride.

Contacts

Shared By:

Paul Lindfield

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 5 votes

#2889

Overall
  3.8 from 5 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
40%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#10

in Alberta

#2,889

Overall
1 Views Last Month
1,805 Since May 3, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

The finale of Braggin Rights
Jul 12, 2014 near Cochrane, AB

0 Comments

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.