Muskoka and Algonquin

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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.

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  • Kirby`s Beach – A 13km ‘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 15km 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 16km ‘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 9km ride, 25km ride, or a 40km return trip. Starting in Bracebridge, stop at Muskoka Brewery for a brewery tour (4.5km each way), or take a break at public beach near Taboo Muskoka Resort for a swim (12.5km each way).
  • High Falls Loop – A 27km recreational loop from Bracebridge to Hills Falls, with plenty of nice spots to stop along the way.
  • Bracebridge Cycling Route #1 – At 27km, 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 34km ‘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 39km ‘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 55km 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 21km 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 25km ‘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 55km, 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 65km 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 100km loop will test endurance, but takes cyclists past lakes, waterways and the surrounding countryside. Note: Hwy 169 can be busy and there is 200m 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 95km loop with two significant climbs.

Huntsville & Area

  • Huntsville Cycling Route #1 – Starting and ending in Huntsville, the Old Ferguson Road Cycling Route is a 14km ride and is considered an easier ride suitable for recreational riders.
  • Britannia Loop – This 34km 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 46km training route from Huntsville.
  • Lake Vernon Loop – A 40km 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 . 33km 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 69km 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 73km 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 75km training route heads west from Huntsville into Rosseau before heading back. The route has some decent climbs totalling 845m.
  • Skeleton Lake Loop – A 90km training route that heads west out of Huntsville to the community of Rosseau and back south around Skeleton Lake.
  • Muskoka 70.3 Ironman – A 94km training loop that follows the Muskoka 70.3 Ironman route and begins and ends at Deerhurst Resort and climbs over 1,100m.
  • Dwight to Huntsville – A 115km training route begins at the Dwight Municipal Office and takes the long way back to Huntsville.
  • Huntsville to Lake Rosseau Loop – A 118km 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 16km 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 15km 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 8km.
  • Strawberry Point Trail (Bracebridge) – At 5km 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 3km in length traverses through fields, forests and wetlands. Suitable for families and recreational cyclists.
  • Hunters Bay Trail (Huntsville) – Approximately 4km, 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 15km 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 4.5km and 8km.
  • 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 16km 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 8km of new trails were developed and are maintained by the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association. Also nearby are an additional 5km of trails for club members only.
  • Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail (Algonquin Provincial Park) – This trail network has over 25km 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 6.5km (13km 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 3.5km 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 12km 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 6km 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 6km 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 (13km), Gravenhurst Trans Canada Trail (49km), Bracebridge Trans Canada Trail (27km) , Huntsville Trans Canada Trail (55km), Seguin Recreational Trail (32km) and the Old Nipissing Colonization Road (86km), Commanda to Callandar Trail (37km).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bike Muskoka. Website – An online resource for cycling in Muskoka with information on local shop rides, cycling and triathlon. Features digital routes in Gravenhurst, Huntsville and Bracebridge.
  • 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 Workshops Partners: