Riding

Where to ride in the Muskoka and Algonquin Park area

Beautiful scenery, amazing fall colours, interesting back roads and several excellent, well-developed mountain bike trails make Muskoka a great cycling destination. Whether you need a quick tune-up, a few accessories or a brand-new bike, Algonquin Outfitters' full-service bike shop will help make your next cycling adventure a great one.

Road riding ideas:

Gate to Gate through Algonquin Park
This beautiful ride on Hwy 60 can be done as a point-to-point by bringing two vehicles and setting up a car shuttle between the East and West Gates. The ride is 56 km one way and there are some big hills! Caution is required as Hwy 60 can be a busy highway, with a high volume of truck and tourist traffic, especially on summer and fall weekends. Parking pass required ($12 per vehicle).

Old Rail Trail in Algonquin Park
Not exactly a road ride but suitable for recreational road bikes and, best of all, there are no cars or trucks. This flat gravel path follows an old rail line from Mew Lake to Rock Lake. Parking is available at both ends. The 10 km one-way trip is scenic, easy, pleasant riding. For maps and more info check the trails page on the Algonquin Park web site (scroll down to see the Old Rail Trail). Parking pass required ($12 per vehicle).

Spin the Lakes Road Bike Tour, May 27th 2007
This fun bike tour comes back to Huntsville for the second time. Ride a short (55km), medium (95km) or, for those of you who want a challenge, a long (122km) course. The first Spin the Lakes tour in 2006 drew over 200 riders we have to say it was a success.

For more information on Spin the Lakes and other great road rides visit www.bikemuskoka.ca

MTB riding ideas:

Minnesing Trail, Algonquin Park
There aren't many places where you have to brake for moose on the bike trail. The Minnesing Trail is one of them. Four loops wind through beatiful hardwood forest and the riding is technical and often muddy. For maps and more info check the trails page on the Algonquin Park web site. Parking pass required ($12 per vehicle). Make a weekend out of it by car-camping at the Canisbay Campground. You can bike from your campsite to the trail! Mountain bike rentals are available at AO in Oxtongue Lake.

Buckwallow Cycling Centre
Just outside of Gravenhurst, Buckwallow offers over 20 km of dedicated, technical mountain bike trails. Buckwallow doesn't have a web site but for trail maps, directions and reviews of the Buckwallow trails, visit Crankarm or read excellent reviews at Canada Trails. For more information, call Mike at Buckwallow: 1-705-687-8858. Low cost trail pass required.

Porcupine Ridge Mountain Bike Park
Developed and maintained by an enthusiastic group of riders from Bracebridge, these "North Shore" style trails are best suited for intermediate and advanced riders. If the riding here doesn't you pumped up, there's always Santa's Village just next door. For a trail map and directions, visit Bike Muskoka, then click on "local riding" and "mountain biking." Low cost trail pass required.

Ride with the locals every Tuesday night!
New to the area? Up at the cottage? What better way to find places to ride and meet people who enjoy biking! Our bike staff and their friends know many trails that aren't found on a map, or even on the Internet. From early May till the end of October, weather and trail conditions permitting, the Tuesday Night Ride leaves from Algonquin Outfitters' Huntsville Store at 86 Main St. E. There usually two or three riding groups, so routes are available for all fitness levels and abilities. If you have your own mountain bike, just show up behind the Huntsville store by 6 pm and enjoy a ride with fellow cyclists. The ride can take anywhere from an hour to three hours to complete, depending on daylight, weather and the enthusiasm of the group. This ride is free of charge and helmets are mandatory. Limited rental bikes are available - call ahead to check availability: 1-705-787-0262. After-ride refreshments are often enjoyed at the On The Docks Pub, right next door.

Have a question about riding in Huntsville? Contact the bike shop: Contact Us