Muskoka and Algonquin

Muskoka and Algonquin

Photo credit: Explorers’ Edge

Cyclists visiting Muskoka and Algonquin Provincial Park will enjoy a destination with a remarkably diverse range of cycling experiences. From trails to mountain biking to the fantastic road riding across the region, cycling in Muskoka and Algonquin connect the spectacularly scenic landscapes of dense mixed forests rich with wildlife, picturesque lakes and meandering rivers and rocky Canadian Shield outcrops.

Road riding in in the region offers world-class training and cycle touring experiences with routes that criss-cross a rugged landscape dotted with hundreds of lakes and rivers. There are plenty of opportunities to stop at quaint general stores, interesting cultural heritage sites, and welcoming communities along the way. Recreational cyclists will discover the beautiful quiet roads and trails that connect communities and Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario’s first provincial park.

The region also has a growing number of mountain biking trail networks on both private and public lands and in provincial parks ranging from easy to challenging; making the region increasingly popular for daytrip and overnight mountain bike adventures.

Regional Road Routes

  • Kirby’s Beach – A 13 km ‘out and back’ recreational route from Bracebridge with few rolling hills. A family friendly ride to the public beach, washroom facilities, and change rooms at Kirby’s Beach.
  • Beaumont Stagecoach – A 15 km recreational loop suitable for hybrid or mountain bikes with a dirt road section and one large hill. Starting and ending in Bracebridge.
  • Wilson Falls – This 16 km ‘out and back’ recreational route is best suited for hybrid or mountain bikes. The midway point is Wilson’s Falls, one of the most scenic on the north branch of the Muskoka River.
  • Brew & Beach Tour – This ‘out and back’ recreational route can be customized to a 9 km ride, 25 km ride, or a 40 km return trip. Starting in Bracebridge, stop at Muskoka Brewery for a brewery tour (4.5 km each way), or take a break at public beach near Taboo Muskoka Resort for a swim (12.5 km each way).
  • High Falls Loop – A 27 km recreational loop from Bracebridge to Hills Falls, with plenty of nice spots to stop along the way.
  • Bracebridge Cycling Route #1 – At 27 km, this route starts and ends in Bracebridge, with views of three spectacular waterfalls; Bracebridge Falls, Muskoka Falls and High Falls.
  • Cedar Lane to High Falls – A 34 km ‘out and back’ recreational route starts from Bracebridge and is a perfect picnic ride with picnic tables and portable washrooms at High Falls.
  • Grav Wharf – This 39 km ‘out and back’ recreational route is ideal for riding between Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. Enjoy the public beach at Gull Lake Rotary Park with public washrooms on site. Ride to Muskoka Wharf before returning.
  • Bracebridge Cycling Route #2 – This 55 km route starts and ends in Bracebridge, with a short optional detour to the Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail with stunning views of Lake Muskoka.
  • Muskoka Lakes Cycling Route #1 – Starting and ending in the charming village of Windermere, this 63km route explores Muskoka countryside with rolling hills, farmland and barns. Finish the ride off with views of Lake Rosseau.

Gravenhurst & Georgian Bay Area

  • Georgian Bay Cycling Route #1 – This 21 km route begins in MacTier, and makes its way around the shorelines of Lake Joseph before returning with views across Stewart Lake.
  • Muskoka Beach – A scenic 25 km ‘out and back’ recreational route from Gravenhurst to the lovely public beach near Taboo Muskoka Resort. Stretch it a bit further to Muskoka Brewery and take a brewery tour.
  • Gravenhurst Cycling Route #1 – At 55 km, this route starts and ends at Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst and explores Muskoka’s countryside and a number of small hamlets.
  • Georgian Bay Cycling Route #2 – Starting and ending in Port Severn, this 65 km route explores the Honey Harbour area with spectacular Georgian Bay shorelines. Ride out towards the Big Chute, the only marine railway of its kind in North America.
  • Gravenhurst Cycling Route #2 – Starting and ending near the spectacular Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst, this 100 km loop will test endurance, but takes cyclists past lakes, waterways and the surrounding countryside. Note: Hwy 169 can be busy and there is 200 m on Hwy 11 to get across Severn River.
  • Muskoka Lakes Cycling Route #2 – Starting and ending in Bala, Ontario’s cranberry capital, head north on this 95 km loop with two significant climbs.

Huntsville & Area

  • Huntsville Cycling Route #1 – Starting and ending in Huntsville, the Old Ferguson Road Cycling Route is a 14 km ride and is considered an easier ride suitable for recreational riders.
  • Britannia Loop – This 34 km training route begins and ends at Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville and while shorter in distance it makes it up in hills. White House Loop – Stretch the Britannia Loop a little further on a 46 km training route from Huntsville.
  • Lake Vernon Loop – A 40 km training loop out of town out of Huntstville takes cyclists around Lake Vernon to the west and back into Huntsville along Muskoka Rd 3. Also consider Lake Vernon Loop 2 a shorter. 33 km training route loop around Lake Vernon
  • Port Sydney Loop – A 44km training loop heads south out of Huntsville on Brunel Rd past the Brunel Lift Locks and around the south end of Mary Lake and into Port Sydney before heading north back to Huntsville.
  • Lake of Bays Cycling Route #2 – This 69 km route starts off Hwy 60 at the northern edge of Fairy Lake. Enjoy a scenic ‘out and back’ route with plenty of rolling hills and lake views. Park in the parking lot beside the fire hall.
  • Lake of Bays Cycling Route #1 – Starting and ending in Dwight, this 73 km route circumnavigates one of Muskoka’s famous lakes, passing through Dorset, Baysville and Dwight. While in Dorset, turn off of Hwy 35 onto Dorset Scenic Tower Rd to see one of Muskoka’s best lookouts.
  • Rosseau Out and Back – This 75 km training route heads west from Huntsville into Rosseau before heading back. The route has some decent climbs totalling 845 m.
  • Skeleton Lake Loop – A 90 km training route that heads west out of Huntsville to the community of Rosseau and back south around Skeleton Lake.
  • Muskoka 70.3 Ironman – A 94 km training loop that follows the Muskoka 70.3 Ironman route and begins and ends at Deerhurst Resort and climbs over 1,100 m.
  • Dwight to Huntsville – A 115 km training route begins at the Dwight Municipal Office and takes the long way back to Huntsville.
  • Huntsville to Lake Rosseau Loop – A 118 km training loop that climbs over 1,400m and takes cyclists through Huntsville, Rosseau, Minett, Port Carling, Windermere, and Utterson.

  • Old Railway Bike Trail (Algonquin Provincial Park) – This 16 km rail trail is suitable for family and recreational cyclists and is accessible spring to fall. The Old Railway Bike Trail runs from Rock Lake Campground to near Cache Lake.
  • Beausoleil Island – Located in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park, ride over 15 km of unpaved scenic trails around the island. Bike rentals available at Cedar Springs campground and the Day Tripper ferry makes access from Honey Harbour easy.
  • South Monck/Covered Bridge Trail (Bracebridge) – While this trail incorporates both roadways and trails, the terrain can be difficult at times and best suited for durable hybrids or mountain bikes. Combined these trails total 8 km.
  • Strawberry Point Trail (Bracebridge) – At 5 km in length this linear trail follows part of the Trans Canada Trail and incorporates country lanes and wooded areas towards Lake Muskoka. Access points to the trail are James W. Kerr Park, Henry Road and Strawberry Bay Rd.
  • Fairy Vista Trail (Hunstville) – This paved trail is over 3 km in length traverses through fields, forests and wetlands. Suitable for families and recreational cyclists.
  • Hunters Bay Trail (Huntsville) – Approximately 4 km, this trail winds along the river between Lake Vernon and Fairy Lake, under the railway trestle bridge, along the south side of Hunters Bay. Bike lanes connect the trail along Centre Street North with Caroline Street East to downtown.
  • Grandview Inn Nature Trails (Muskoka) – This 15 km trail network is located just east of Huntsville at the Grandview Inn Resort. Pick up maps at the hotel and the 15km trail is suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes on its compacted soil terrain.
  • Golf Course Bicycle Trail (Muskoka) – The Golf Course Bicycle Route connects the Fairy Vista Trail with two loops of 4.5 km and 8 km.

  • Muskoka Off Road Cycling Association – Muskoka – Developing and sustaining new and existing trails within Muskoka including Resource Management Centre Trails outside of Bracebridge, which features approximately 16 km of multi-use single and double track open to mountain bikers in spring, summer and fall. Washrooms available on trails.
  • Hidden Valley Highlands – (Muskoka) – Located close to downtown Huntsville and opened in 2021, the 8 km of new trails were developed and are maintained by the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association. Also nearby are an additional 5 km of trails for club members only.
  • Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail (Algonquin Provincial Park) – This trail network has over 25 km of trails and incorporates steep, rugged sections consisting of hilly, sometimes muddy, terrain filled with rock, roots and obstacles suitable for moderate to experienced riders, unsuitable for small children. Download trail map HERE
  • Byers Lake Mountain Bike Trail (Algonquin Provincial Park) – Open spring to fall, this 6.5 km (13 km round trip) trail network is moderately difficult. Take a short side trail to Gut Rapids with views across a scenic canyon on the York River.
  • Arrowhead Provincial Park (Muskoka) – Arrowhead Provincial Park has two moderately challenging mountain bike trails totally 7.5 km, the 4.5 km Arrowhead Lake Trail and the 3 km Lookout Trail. Find more information HERE
  • Echo Valley Nature & Bike Trails (Muskoka) – With a total of over 3.5 km of trails consisting of a main trunk line and 14 smaller trails, this trail network offers varying degrees of difficulty, as well as a pump track.
  • Porcupine Ridge (Muskoka) – Totalling nearly 12 km these trails are considered technically challenging and suitable for more experienced mountain bikers. The network of trails offers riders stunning landscapes across Lake Muskoka, granite outcroppings, rock gardens, roots, drop-offs, and several man made features including bridges, teeter-totters and jumps.
  • Torrance Barrens (Muskoka) – Located northwest of Gravenhurst, this 11km trail network is relatively flat with a mix of rolling Canadian Shield.
  • Devil’s Gap Trail (Muskoka) – This 6 km linear trail/rural road was once the original colonization route between Gravenhurst and Torrance. Suitable for mountain bikes or fat bikes. Trail can be wet.
  • Old Stone Road Trail (Muskoka) – A 6 km historical route between Bala & Gravenhurst, this is one of Muskoka’s original roads and is suitable for mountain bikes or fat bikes.

  • Trans Canada Trail – This cross-Canada trail runs through the region, travelling north-south. The TCT is a four-season, multi-use trail system with various surface types and users. A number of the trails located in Muskoka are incorporated within this larger, national trail system including: Washago to Coopers Falls Connector (13 km), Gravenhurst Trans Canada Trail (49km), Bracebridge Trans Canada Trail (27 km) , Huntsville Trans Canada Trail (55 km), Seguin Recreational Trail (32 km) and the Old Nipissing Colonization Road (86km), Commanda to Callandar Trail (37 km).
  • Park to Park Trail – The Park to Park Trail spans 230km from the western shore of Georgian Bay at Killbear Provincial Park to Algonquin Provincial Park’s West Gate. This multi-use trail system stretches across the Parry Sound, Almaguin Highlands and Muskoka regions. Trail conditions are challenging and considered suitable for mountain bikes. Cyclists should be experienced riders capable of riding difficult terrain with longer distances between services. Be cautious of other trail users.
  • Great Lakes Waterfront Trail – Stretching over 3,600 km, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is a route connecting over 151 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie, Detroit River and Lake St Clair, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and the North Channel. The fully signed Trail uses the safest infrastructure possible, a mix of both on-road and off-road facilities, and is primarily paved, with sections of unpaved path and gravel roads. It can be enjoyed for as part of a day trip or on a multi-day long distance cycling adventure.
    • The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Muskoka connects 10 communities and over 25 lakes. There are two signed signature cycling loops in Muskoka, the 90 km Lake Muskoka Loop, circumnavigating Lake Muskoka, and the 66 km Lake Rosseau Loop, circumnavigating Lake Rosseau.

  • Bike Cottage Country. Website – A comprehensive online and interactive trip planning tool for the entire region features over 70 routes segmented for touring, training and trekking. Routes include descriptions, maps and GPS coordinates.
  • Muskoka Cycling Routes Map (2017) – Available only in print this map was developed and produced by The Bike Shops, in partnership with regional bike shops, local businesses and tourism partners. To request print copies for your location, contact a local bike shop.
  • Muskoka Tourism. Website – The tourism destination website for Muskoka, featuring 11 road cycling routes with descriptions and links to digital mapping as well as visitor information for Muskoka.
  • Almaguin in Motion – Cycling – The tourism destination website for the Almaguin Highlands region. Find the local cycling routes, trail information and visitor information for the region.
  • Almaguin in Motion (AIM – Facebook) – AIM is a Cycling Committee in Almaguin Highlands, made up of bicycle enthusiasts, that are working towards turning Almaguin Highlands into a cycling hub.

  • Northern Airport Passenger Service Access the great cycling within Muskoka and beyond with a passenger shuttle service between the Muskoka area and Pearson Airport with the ability to accommodate bikes, and if required also have a trailer which can hold 12 bikes. Northern Airport Passenger Service offers various departure times each day from Pearson and Muskoka.

Muskoka and Algonquin – Related Blogs:

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Winter Cycling & Fat Biking in Ontario

January 19, 2025|

While many Canadian cyclists may be fair weather riders, there is a large and growing contingent of cyclists that actively bike 12 months a year. Whether it is for transportation or recreation, getting outside and being physically active, in a safe manner, is more important than ever. Here are some top tips for winter cycling plus info on fat biking in the snow, rentals and trail destinations.

For more information on accommodation, attractions and activities within Muskoka and Algonquin visit Explorers’ Edge or Muskoka Tourism

Muskoka Workshops Partners: