Discover Cycling Heaven in Muskoka

With a growing mountain bike community, a legacy of historical rural backroads and organized cycling events like the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Ride North, Muskoka was made for cycling—regardless of whether your tires are fat or skinny, or if it's summer or winter.

Muskoka is known for its winding roads, sparkling lakes, towering rock cuts and windblown pines. A ride anywhere in the area will take you through some of the province’s most spectacular scenery. There’s a bit of everything along the way, too, from quaint villages with delicious cafes and quirky souvenir shops, to touristy towns featuring high-end boutiques and upscale dining.

Choose from paved highways skirting famous cottage country lakes like Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka and Lake Rosseau, dirt backroads running through woods and past forgotten cemeteries and settlements, and trails weaving through quiet stands of pine, along rushing rivers and over slabs of Canadian Shield. In the winter, groomed fat bike trails provide incredible snowy experiences.

Come see what all the fuss is about.

Biking near Huntsville

Mountain biking

You’ll find incredible mountain bike trails just 10 minutes from downtown Huntsville at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and Deerhurst Resort. The Huntsville Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) maintains the trails at both locations.

There are 20 kilometres of trails between the two properties. The trail systems are connected; however, only HMBA members or Deerhurst day pass holders may ride the trails at Deerhurst Resort. The trails at Hidden Valley are free to use. Note that the trails at Hidden Valley are closed each year from November 1 to May 1 to accommodate ski operations.

Riders of all skill levels will enjoy these trails, featuring forested tracks, technical rocky features, wide-open meadows, steep descents and views of Peninsula Lake.

For more great riding, check out the Lance’s Loops south of town. This seven-kilometre trail network is maintained by the HMBA on private property. You must be an HMBA member or purchase a day pass from the organization to ride these trails. There is a mix of short, flowy and more technical trails here.

In the summer, the HMBA also hosts a range of events. Tuesday nights are dedicated to mountain bike races at Lance’s Loops. Or, plan a weekend getaway to participate in the Huntsville Enduro in July.

Just north of Huntsville, Arrowhead Provincial Park has two mountain bike trails. The first is a 5.1-kilometre blue loop around Arrowhead Lake, the second is a three-kilometre green trail. Park permits are required to ride the trails. 

Road cycling

Head out in any direction from Huntsville to find incredible riding, alongside lakes, over hills, through rock cuts and past charming villages.

Be sure you’re geared up for a big day before heading out on the 118-kilometre Lake Rosseau Training Loop. Start at the Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop in Huntsville and then head west out of town by way of Highway 3 toward the town of Rosseau. From there, you’ll head south between lakes Joseph and Rosseau through Minett and Port Sandfield. Pause for a moment at the south end of Lake Rosseau to explore the touristy town of Port Carling. Then start riding north through Windermere and travel east to Utterson. From here, you can choose between two routes back to town: take Old Muskoka Road to Domtar Road, Aspdin Road and Main Street, or ride Muskoka Road 10 to Brunel Road.

The route ascends more than 1474.49 metres, so be prepared. That said, it passes by many places that make for great breaks. Stop to marvel at Minnehaha Falls and Dee Bank Falls. Go swimming at Port Sandfield Park, Rosseau Beach, Skeleton Lake Park or Windermere Park. Pick up freshly picked strawberries at Taylor Strawberry Farm or browse around the historic Rosseau General Store.

The Lake of Bays Loop starts and ends in Dwight, a small town just east of Huntsville. This 73-kilometre route takes you around one of Muskoka’s famous lakes—Lake of Bays—and there is rarely a time on this route when you won’t see water. Passing through Dorset, Baysville and Dwight, you’ll climb just over 400 metres, up and down rolling hills, but with no steep sections to worry about.

While in Dorset, you can take a short detour to climb the Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower. Built in 1922, and restored in 1967, this original fire tower offers panoramic views of Lake of Bays.

Lakes and rolling hills dominate the Limberlost “Lost in the Woods” Route. You’ll ride into the bush northeast of Huntsville along quiet Limberlost Road. This is a great route if you want the chance of spying wildlife, particularly on early morning rides. This is an out-and-back route with lots of options for side routes to explore even more remote backroads, as long as you don’t mind riding on dirt or gravel. At 69 kilometres long and with 261 metres of elevation, this route makes for an enjoyable outing without too much strain.

Gravel biking

Huntsville and area is the home of the Greystone Gravel Grinder, put on by the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association.

You can choose from 100-, 80-, 50- and 20-kilometre routes through a mix of paved road, gravel and double track (ATV trail). All bikes are welcome (gravel and mountain bikes are best), with tires 38 millimetres or larger. Bring an extra tube. The race will include a midway aid station full of snacks, water and a washroom.

Can’t participate on the big day? Use a route from a previous race as a template to enjoy some great gravel riding in the region. This 50-kilometre loop from 2025 is a great one to start with, featuring 70% unpaved sections, 679 metres of elevation gain and views of Doe Lake.

Fat biking

Arrowhead Provincial Park has recently designated one of their ski trails as a multi-use trail, allowing for fat biking. The trail is three kilometres in length.

Deerhurst Resort offers winter fat biking on the resort property. Fat bikes are available to rent by the half-hour.

Another option is to ride the packed-down hiking trails at Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve. Check the weather before heading out to make sure the temperatures will be good and cold as soft snow is bad for fat biking.

Bike rentals and tours

Missing Link Adventure Tours offers various cycling retreats and events throughout the year. One option is to sign up for the Gravel Grazer: For Fork’s Sake three-day bike ride and foodie event, put on in collaboration by Pedals & Provisions Cycling Club, Missing Link Adventure Tours and Santosha Farm. You’ll be immersed in local gravel rides and local produce and cuisine, plus meet tons of great people.

Algonquin Outfitters offers mountain bike and fat bike rentals at its Lake of Two Rivers store in Algonquin Park in the summer and fat bikes in the winter at its Haliburton location.

Where to eat and stay

The Windmill Bakery & Bistro has a patio made for post-ride coffee, pastries and sandwiches. For tasty munchies, like pretzels and chicken tenders, and brew, head to the Lake of Bays Brewing Co. Huntsville Brewhouse.

For those with a sweet tooth, the Humble Pie Butter Tart Factory & Pizzeria is a popular spot for local berry pies and famous Ontario butter tarts.

Biking near Bracebridge

Mountain biking

The Muskoka Off-Road Cycling Association (MORCA) maintains the beautiful trails in Bracebridge. Since their 2018 inception, the association has been busy building new trails for a variety of riding levels.

The Bracebridge Management Resource Centre (BRMC) has over 25 kilometres of woodland trails along the Muskoka River. “This trail network offers everything from mellow flow trails that zip through the pine forests to punchy, technical climbs and descents that traverse the ancient exposed Canadian Shield,” says Scott Wilson, president of MORCA.

These trails are rockier than other mountain biking trails in the region. There are five trails at the BRMC. Expert riders will love the rock slabs and fast descents of black trails such as Gnarnia and Crazy Goat. The Freeway is an easier flow loop. You can pick up your trail pass at the Liv Outside store, which is located at the trailhead. Bike rentals are also available. 

MORCA also manages the South Monck Trails. The trailhead is located at 19 Lilac Lane, north of Bracebridge and consists of mostly green and blue trails. The 9.5 kilometres of trails follow beautiful Beaver Creek along a ridgeline.

Unlike the BRMC, this area features more dirt and sand. Riders can expect a mix of beginner and intermediate trails that roll up and down as they weave around Beaver Creek.

Road cycling

Falkenburg Road is the original road that ran between Bracebridge and Port Carling, helping to attract settlers to the area. This paved route involves 30 kilometres of riding along sleepy rural roads to Bracebridge. Start on the Port Carling side, but be sure to check out the Port Carling wall before leaving. The Wall consists of 9,028 historic photos from Port Carling’s first century (1860-1960), which together depict a larger image of the RMS Sagamo passing through the Port Carling locks circa 1922.

This smooth ride travels through forest and rolling meadows. Bird-watchers in particular will love the open valley in Bardsville. Be sure to stop at Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House in Bracebridge.

Kirby’s Beach is a 13.2-kilometre out-and-back trip from Ecclestone Cycle in Bracebridge. This family-friendly ride has some rolling hills, but is generally flat. Kirby’s Beach is a great spot for a picnic and swim; the beach is located downtown and washrooms are available.

You can also get ice cream from nearby Allport Marina. For a challenge, continue two kilometres past Allport Marina, up a big hill, and to the end of Beaumont Drive to Pride of Muskoka Marina, where you can also get an ice cream treat (adds approximately 17 kilometres round-trip).

Gravel biking

The Fraserburg and Purbrook gravel route involves 37 kilometres of cycling with only 300 metres of elevation gain, making for a gentle ride. Starting on Fraserburg Road, expect rolling hills—and look out for turtles! This area is known for snapping and painted turtles, as well as endangered Blanding’s turtles.

For a gravel ride bonanza just east of Bracebridge, the Bigwind & Beyond is a 75-kilometre route passing beside lakes and through lush forests of sugar maple, hemlock and yellow birch. It’s a rugged gravel road, so go big on the tires. Expect a beautiful array of low swampland and meadows, too.

Fat biking

The Bracebridge Resource Management Centre has 10 kilometres of dedicated groomed fat bike trails in the winter. Check the weather and the trail status before heading out.

Bike rentals

Ecclestone Cycle and Liv Outside are Bracebridge’s two main bike shops. Both are heavily invested in the local cycling community and will be great resources for riding in the area, as well as for getting you outfitted. Liv Outside rents mountain bikes, fat bikes and road bikes. You can also check out Fat Bikes Canada for fat bike sales.

Where to eat and stay

Attached to the same building as Ecclestone Cycle, The Ice Cream Shoppe is a great place to get a hearty burger followed up with a sweet treat. For artisanal breads and pastries that make all the hard climbs worth it, Big River Baking Company is top-notch.

For a charming place to stay, Inn at the Falls is centrally located downtown in an 1870s Victorian property. Some of the rooms back onto the Muskoka River. Stays include free breakfast and many amenities on-site, including an Italian restaurant.

Located on 1,100 acres of private wilderness, Bonnie Lake Resort offers family-friendly getaways for those who love to be immersed in nature. The resort offers waterfront cabins as well as those in more wooded areas. Hiking trails, a beach, a playground, multisport courts and more are all located on-site.

Biking near Gravenhurst

Mountain biking

The Devil’s Gap Trail is a four-kilometre linear trail that is an old colonization road with interesting folklore surrounding the natural rock feature that gives the trail its name. The trailhead is located on Muriel Crescent, and the trail is suitable for mountain bikes and fat bikes. Expect to ride past marshes and ponds teeming with wildlife, past giant boulders and through lush forest.

The Old Stone Road Trail is a historical route that was once an alternate route between Bala and Gravenhurst. The five-kilometre (one-way) former wagon trail runs through pine and spruce stands, making for a beautiful-looking and smelling ride. The trail has stone markers along the way and many other relics reminding you of times gone by. Expect some rocks and roots, but this mostly flat trail is suitable for families and beginner mountain bikers.

Torrance Barrens Conservation Area & Dark Sky Preserve, located a half-hour outside of Granvehurst, offers 11 kilometres of semi-wilderness mountain biking. The trails are marked, but the conditions vary year to year. Yield to hikers and make sure your biking and navigation skills are up to snuff before heading out.

Road cycling

The “TrainLoopGravy” is a 113-kilometre route out of Gravenhurst, originally mapped out by The Bike Shop (formerly there was a Gravenhurst location, but now there is just the one in Huntsville). The route travels out of Gravenhurst to the south, passes through Port Severn, loops around Sparrow Lake to Torrance, and then hits Hardy Lake Provincial Park before heading back to Gravenhurst. Note that while Hardy Lake is a non-operating park, it’s a nice spot to stop for lunch and offers many lovely hiking trails if you wish you challenge your legs in a different way en route. 

Gravel biking

Cyclists in the region advise to gravel ride in Northern Muskoka; experts say there are no known routes in this region.

Fat biking

Fat biking is available at Muskoka Bay Resort, located just outside Gravenhurst. You don’t have to stay at the resort to enjoy the trails; they offer a three-hour pass for purchase, which is more than enough time to sample their 20 kilometres of open-field fat bike trails that traverse the Canadian Shield. Many of the trails are packed down from snowshoe or cross-country ski traffic, so always check the conditions before going out. Once you have a pass, you can access the trail map.

About half an hour from Gravenhurst, there are fat biking opportunities at the Torrance Barrens Conservation & Dark Sky Reserve. Being a Dark Sky Reserve means this is a great place to try your hand at fat biking at night, so you can see the brilliant display of stars (this is best for those who are familiar with the trails during the day). The trails are not groomed, but do get packed down by snowshoers on a bed of Canadian Shield, which makes for relatively flat riding.

Bike rentals

There are currently no bike shops or summer bike rentals in Gravenhurst. You can rent fat bikes in the winter at Muskoka Bay Resort for use on their property.

Where to eat & stay

With classic glazed doughnuts and apple fritters the size of your head, The Bakery necessitates a visit while in the area, but also requires some serious calorie-burning beforehand.

For a true feast and a more substantial meal, Lo Siento Taco Bar serves up authentic tinga chicken, churros and carnitas.

Just south of Gravenhurst, Bayview Wildwood Resort is an expansive resort on Sparrow Lake. With boat rentals, a beach and on-site dining, the resort is a great jumping-off point for your bike adventures.

Offering two rooms in a cozy bed and breakfast setting, Robbins’ Tuktawayin is only a 10-minute walk to downtown Gravenhurst. Dave and Elaine are lovely hosts who know the area and the trails. 

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