The Best Mountain Bike Trails in Ontario

Every sport has its iconic destinations that get your adrenaline rushing when their names are mentioned. In Ontario, the diverse terrain makes it a natural venue for free riding and mountain biking on single or double-track trails.

The top places for you to ride will depend on your level of experience and type of ride you are looking for. Do you want an easy scenic tour through a forest, a thrilling descent down a mountain or to test your skills in a mountain bike park? Check out these best places to mountain bike in Ontario.

Best Mountain Bike Trails in Ontario

Sudbury

Sudbury and the area surrounding it is a haven for mountain biking, the hills, forests and rocky landscape making for beautiful and varied riding that keeps things interesting. The area has a very active mountain bike club—Walden Mountain Bike Club—meaning local trails are well-maintained and there are lots of resources to draw from. Read our Guide to Biking Sudbury to find out more.

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area has a multi-use trail system used by both hikers and bikers. Some of the trails are very technical and challenging with lots of exposed bedrock, but this makes for exceptionally scenic riding, also thanks to the many ponds and marshes you'll come across. Read our Guide to Biking the Lake Laurentian's Trails to plan your adventure.

Kivi Park

Kivi Park, with higher altitude expert trails to gentle singletrack trails, is one of the most popular places to ride in Sudbury.

Walden Mountain BikeTrails

Managed by the Walden Mountain Bike Club, Walden is a great destination with six marked routes that cover all ranges of riding ability. The distinctive feature here are the massive and smooth granite rocks which many of the trails utilize. The terrain is rolling and moderately hilly, with numerous rock outcrops typical of Sudbury’s iconic Precambrian Shield landscape. Walden is home to 15 kilometres of incredible singletrack, in addition to the 23 kilometres of doubletrack. Read our Guide to Biking at Walden for more info.

While you’re in Sudbury

• Bike shops: The Outside Store, Sessions Ride Company and Adventure365
• Dining: Old Rock Coffee Roasters and Tucos Taco Lounge
• Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Towneplace Suites 

Timmins

The small town of Timmins might not look like much on a map, but you'll find a growing mountain biking community here and trails that make the long journey worth the visit. The Boreal Cycling Club is your resource for the best riding in the area, and you'll be sure to make a friend or two among this group of passionate cyclists. Read our Guide to Biking in Timmins for help with planning.

Hersey Lake Conservation Area

The Hersey Lake trails are within Hersey Lake Conservation Area and they connect with the larger Timmins Recreational Trail Network, contributing to a total of nearly 70 kilometres of multi-use trails. Starting just northeast of Timmins on Highway 655, the trail network weaves through magnificent jack pine forests and offers plenty of beginner-friendly terrain as well as some more challenging trails. Favourite trails here include Golden Springs, Brutal Bruin, Labrador Tease and Ridgerunner.

While you’re in Timmins

• Bike shops: Trails n Slopes
• Dining: Siva’s Family Restaurant and Full Beard Brewing 
• Accommodations: Super 8 and Comfort Inn 

Sault Ste. Marie

Head north for seriously fun mountain bike trails and passionate riders. Sault Ste. Marie is a hub for mountain biking, with access to various wilderness areas and established trail systems. The Sault Cycling Club is your resource for all things cycling in the region.

Hiawatha Highlands

Hiawatha Highlands is home to an impressive trail network encompassing three mountain bike trail systems and more than 30 individual trails. The fantastic variety of fun singletrack here means that you can easily put in 50 kilometres of mountain biking and never get bored. Read our Guide to Biking at Hiawatha Highlands to plan your trip. 

Algoma Highlands Conservancy

The Algoma Highlands Conservancy is not for the faint of heart. Ride the biggest elevation drop north of Lake Superior. The best way to experience all the Algoma Highlands Conservancy has to offer is to book a stay at Norm’s Cabin, an off-grid log cabin located on the shores of remote Bone Lake. Read our Guide to Biking the Algoma Highlands Conservancy to plan your adventure.

While in Sault Ste. Marie

• Bike shops: Vélorution and Algoma Bicycle Company 
• Dining: The Breakfast Pig, Giovanni’s, Outspoken Brewery and Northern Superior Brewing Company
• Accommodations: The Water Tower Inn 

Thunder Bay

Located on the shores of pristine Lake Superior, Thunder Bay and area offers beautiful views, legendary terrain and an adventure-loving community. The Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club is responsible for maintaining many of the trails in the area, as well as running popular events. Read our Guide to Biking Thunder Bay to plan your visit.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

The trails at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park are are must-do rides for beginners to experts. Pedal and hike to some of the best views of Lake Superior. Read our Guide to Biking at Sleeping Giant to learn more.  

Trowbridge Forest

Trowbridge Forest is a massive area of greenspace located in Thunder Bay. It consists of over 35 kilometres of trails between Centennial Park, Shuniah Mines, Trowbridge Falls Park and Kinsmen Park. In the winter, this system is groomed for fat biking, making it a year-round destination. The whole area is the result of the vision and determination of the local volunteer Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club. Read our Guide to Biking the Shuniah Mines to plan your visit.

While you’re in Thunder Bay

• Bike shops: Fresh Air Experience, Rollin Thunder, Petrie’s and 3 Ride Bicycle 
• Dining: Sleeping Giant Brewery, Bay Village Coffee, The Foundry Pub and Both Hands Pizzeria
• Accommodations: Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel and The Courthouse Hotel

North Bay 

North Bay offers four seasons of cycling with excellent mountain biking and fat biking trails. It has an active cycling community in the North Bay Mountain Bike Association, which is always advocating for more trails and improved maintenance. Read our Guide to Biking in North Bay to plan your trip.

Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area

There are two trails at the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area that are maintained by the conservation authority: the Fred McNutt Family Trail and the Richardson Ridge Trails. While there are many more trails, ride with caution as these are constantly changing. The North Bay Mountain Bike Association has a master plan to further develop and maintain the trail system here. 

Three Towers Trail Network

The Three Towers Trail Network offers 13 kilometres of fun riding with something for every skill level. It's maintained by the North Bay Mountain Bike Association. Stoneridge and Hindsight both offer a real technical challenge for even advanced mountain bikers.

While in North Bay

• Bike shops: Wheelhouse Cycle, Cheapskates and Cycle Works
• Popular dining: Gateway City Brewery, Twiggs Coffee Roasters and My Thai Palace
• Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn

Dryden

Another small-but-mighty cycling community exists in the town of Dryden, located in the far reaches of Northwestern Ontario. The Dryden Ghost Riders Mountain Bike Club are the folks to approach for advice on the best riding in the region. You can read our Guide to Biking in Dryden for ideas to get you started.

Ghost Lake

The Ghost and Mavis Lakes area offers a Crown land network of singletrack wilderness trails developed by outdoor recreationalists for mountain bikers and hikers to share. These trails are rocky and challenging, so they’re most appealing to experienced riders. The majority of the trails are rated intermediate to advanced in difficulty with the technically demanding Ferguson Trail being a favourite for skilled riders while The Boneyard is popular with riders of all abilities. 

While you’re in Dryden

• Dining: Riverview Lodge, Patricia Inn Family Restaurant and Kano Reid
• Accommodations: Best Western, Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn Express

Haliburton 

Located in classic Ontario cottage country, Haliburton draws in adventure-lovers thanks to its many lakes, trails and wilderness areas. The Haliburton Mountain Bike Club is your resource for riding in the area.

Haliburton Forest Wild Life Reserve

For beginners to experts, Haliburton Forest has over 300 kilometres of incredible mountain bike trails to explore plus lots of other fun adventures to round out your getaway. Rental bikes are available.

Glebe Park

Located on the edge of town, Glebe Park offers 175 acres of winding trails. Haliburton is known for its climbs and descents—so mentally prepare!

While you're in Haliburton

• Bike shops: Algonquin Outfitters
• Dining: Hook Line & Sinker and Boshkung Smokehouse
• Accommodations: 23 Maple B&B, Lakeview Haliburton and Haliburton Forest

Kenora

Kenora might seem like it's a world away to those living in Southern Ontario—but it's worth the long journey to experience all this outdoor adventure destination has to offer. Read our Guide to Biking Near Kenora to learn more.

Tunnel Island

Tunnel Island features several multi-use trails, making it a popular destination for mountain bikers and hikers alike in Kenora. Here you will find a welcoming trailhead, lots of parking and signage leading into nine kilometres of technical singletrack. These trails weave around both the east and west end of the island with connecting options throughout the middle portion. Keep an eye out for wildlife and be sure to stop and observe the turtles in the pond. Tunnel Island is actually the hub of a much larger trail network. 

While you’re in Kenora

• Bike shop: Hardwear Company
• Dining: Lake of the Woods Brewing Company and Log Cabin Tavern
• Accommodations: Super 8 

Bruce County

Mountain Bike Adventure Park

Ride in the Mountain Bike Adventure Park—built in the heart of the Niagara Escarpment, just north of Wiarton. Over 30 technical trail features including skinnys, rock drops, teeter totters and suspension bridges. The Park boasts a progressional riding design and is suitable for all skill levels.

Southern Ontario

Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club Trails, Turkey Point

The Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club has created some of the best mountain bike trails in Ontario. Over 86 kilometres of singletrack trail will take you along 100-foot deep cut ridges adjacent to the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve and through Turkey Point Provincial Park, Long Point Eco Adventures and St. Williams Conservation Reserve.

The Hydrocut, Kitchener-Waterloo

The extensive trail system at The Hydrocut is known as some of the best mountain biking in Ontario. Its 35 kilometres of trails weaves through the forest and across, yes, a hydrocut. Trails feature boardwalks, bridges, switchbacks and more so you can practice all your skills in one place. The Waterloo Cycling Club is your resource for riding in K-W.

Best Downhill Mountain Bike Parks in Ontario

Horseshoe Resort, Barrie

Explore the Horseshoe Bike Park, offering 14 trails of downhill adventure. The park's trails are accessed by riding their high-speed chair lift to the top with a lift ticket or season pass. The trails are fun and the park offers options for all levels of riders. Rentals, including bikes and protective armour, are available on site. 

Sir Sam's, Haliburton

Sir Sam's offers lift-access downhill mountain bike trails with incredible views of Eagle Lake. Note that the trails will not be open in 2026 due to the installation of a new chairlift.

Where to Ride Your Electric Mountain Bike in Ontario

According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, an e-bike or electric bicycle is a bicycle with an added battery-powered electric motor that assists the rider in pedalling. Many mountain bike trails allow the use of e-bikes. Read our Guide to E-Biking in Ontario to learn where to ride.

Mountain Bike Events in Ontario

Mountain bikers love to share the adventure with friends and/or challenge themselves at an event. Discover the Ultimate List of Mountain Bike Events and Races in Ontario. 

Plan your mountain bike adventure

There’s no shortage of places to mountain bike in Ontario. Pick a trail system, grab your gear, and head out for an adventure you won't soon forget.

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