| BIKING, CYCLING AND DOWNHILLING
Mountain Biking
The Central Ontari o
North region
has some of
Ontario's best mountain
biking. Hardwood Hills outside Barrie in the Simcoe region is considered
by most enthusiasts to be the best trail system going. The center is
dedicated to mountain biking (cross country skiing in the winter) and
the variety, condition and design of the trials reflect this. Just a
short distance from Hardwood is another of Ontario's finest, the
Mansfield Outdoor Centre. The trail system is well designed and
challenging with a lot of variety. Like Hardwood, many of Ontario's
races are held at the centre. To the west an array of other challenges
await you in the form of the Kolapore Uplands, the Loree Forest and the
Three Stage area. To the east, in the Algonquin/Muskoka regions, head
for the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre, Buckwallow Cycle Center,
the Minnising Trail or our favorite Porcupine Ridge.
The last five to
ten years has seen the ski hills make a real
push in the area of MTB trail development. The world class resort at
Blue
Mountain is one example. Further afield in the bordering regions you'll
find excellent biking at the Haliburton Center, and the Durham and
Ganraska Forests, each of which offers a variety of other outdoor
activities as well.
Blue Mountain -
The resort has a number of trails coming off the mountain and many more
nearby. The mountain has chairlift access (fee) for mountain bikers on
summer weekends. Onsite you'll find repairs, rentals and a mountain bike
school. You'll also find fine restaurants and accommodations in the
village and in nearby Collingwood. Take the 400 north to Barrie and exit
to highway 27, take the 26 east passed Collingwood about 11km to Blue
Mountain Road and the resort. It's about 2hrs drive from Toronto.
Collingwood, Simcoe County
| The
Georgian Trail: A 32km rail line Converted into a
Walking/Cycling trail that extends from Collingwood to Meaford.
Excellent views of Georgian Bay from Craigleith and connected to the
beautiful harbours of Thornbury, Collingwood and Meaford.
|
| The
Ganaraska Trail: Midhurst to Glen Huron (500 kms total) Passes
through Wasaga Beach (Over 30kms of trail along the beach starting
at Allenwood Beach). Beautiful views of the parks of Wasaga Beach,
Nottawasaga River, and the Nottawasaga Bay. |
| The
Loree Forest: Easy going
loop trail through forests and rock breaks. Great views of Georgian
Bay atop Georgian Peaks Ski Club. Interconnecting trails to take you
to Blue. |
| The
Three Stage: Heavy-duty trails winding through forests with lots
of technical single track, good downhill runs and usually lots of
mud. Deer and fox can be seen. Lots of interconnecting trails. There
is a great spring fed lake at the top of the mountain, and trails
leading to the Pretty River Valley to the south with nice rivers and
streams. |
| Kalopore:
Vast array of single track. Very technical with plenty of roots
and rocks. Great scenery and Red Death, a bumpy steep downhill. The
swamp at the bottom is great for a break. Terrain is destructive to
both rims and tires. |
| |
|
Adventure Mountain Bike School |
|
Blue Mountain Resort |
Collingwood |
705-445-0231 |
|
Jolley's Cycle Centre & Kids
Korner |
|
RR 1 |
Meaford |
705-538-3000 |
|
Kamikaze The Outdoor Store |
| 470
First St, |
Collingwood |
705-446-1234 |
|
Little Ed's Bike Shop |
| 15
Balsam St, unit 2 |
Collingwood |
705-444-5488 |
|
Skis & Bikes |
|
499 First St. |
Collingwood |
705-445-9777 |
|
Squire John's Of Collingwood |
|
Hwy 26 |
Collingwood |
705-445-1130 |
This information provided as a courtesy by
Blue Mountain Chalets, the Georgian Triangle's largest
selection of private, luxury rental accommodations... #1 in Vacation
Lodging and Rentals in the Collingwood/Blue Mountain Region of
southern Georgian Bay.
Call our reservations centre at
877-446-0824 (Toll-Free),
416-782-9988 (Toronto Direct),
705-446-0824 (Local),
or email us at:
vacation@bluemountainchalets.com |
