These mountain bike trails feature the best of what biking in Northern Ontario has to offer: screaming descents, flowy flats, and challenging climbs that lead to lookouts over rugged shorelines. But the ride isn’t really over until you roll into one of the North’s favourite post-ride hang outs.
Timmins
Hersey Lake Conservation Area, just northeast of town on Highway 655, offers 25 km of easy-to-intermediate riding along 34 marked trails. The bush is full of glorious-smelling jack pine, and the trails are mostly on sand, so will keep speedy riders on their toes. Well-marked trails also lead into the Timmins Recreation Trail System for an additional 45 km. Local bike shop: O’Reilly Sports
Back in town, Full Beard Brewing uses four locally grown hops. Favourites include the Bearded Prospector Cream Ale, the Banks of the Mattagami Brown Ale (named after the river that cuts through town), and Goldbelt Barrel Series, in honour of Timmins' first brewery. To ease the post-ride aches, head brewer Andrew Easthope loves a refreshing Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Eh, Eh, Eh!—an Australian sparkling ale.
Sudbury
Sandwiched between two lakes, Lake Laurentian Conservation Area’s mostly moderate trails have climbs and vistas aplenty. If you’re a climber, the Around the Lake Trail (west), can hit grades of 15.6% along its five giant climbs. Naughton Trail Centre, manged by the Walden Mountain Bike Club, is a great family destination with marked trails for all levels where you can ride on top of smooth, whaleback-sized granite rocks. Local bike shop: Session Ride Company.
Award-winning Spacecraft Brewery makes a Citra IPA with Riesling wine that is out of this world. Big on local, the menu includes famous perogies from Perogy Princess, sourdough bread from Regency Bakery, and meatballs from Giamcomo’s. Employee Chris Carnovale loves the Citra post-ride: “The wine really balances out the hops!”
Thunder Bay
Once a silver mine, the area known variously as Shuniah Mines or Trowbridge Forest, now managed by Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club, has 17 km of singletrack and 14 km of double track, to say nothing of the huge expansion currently underway. Located in boreal forest with rolling hills and a few rocky outcroppings, trails are both technical and old-school flowy, with newly built berm banks. The Kinsmen Park campsite even has waterfalls for swimming.
Local bike shops: Fresh Air; Petrie’s Cycle and Sports
Opened in 2012, Northern Ontario’s largest brewery, Sleeping Giant Brewery is a must-stop hub for riders touring across Canada, and a fun-loving brewery that promotes Canadiana. When Justin Trudeau wore their Northern Logger T-shirt on social media last year, their website crashed from all the orders. Post-ride, co-owner Matt Pearson drinks White Out Pale Ale, or their award-winning Northern Logger.
Sault Ste. Marie
The Hiawatha Highlands in Algoma Country is the epicentre of all “Soo” mountain biking. It’s loaded with 31 intermediate to advanced paths. Well-drained, firm trails run through northern hardwood forests that lead into over 100 km worth of nearby backcountry trails. Ride up King Mountain for an amazing view of Lake Superior near Stokely Lodge. Park at Kinsmen Club and dip into Crystal Creek for a waterfall swim. Post ride, grab an ice cream and snacks at the park store.
Local bike shop: Vélorution
Since 2014, Outspoken has oozed comfy. Play Yahtze or Crokinole while sipping Deadfall Lagered Ale, named for the region’s rugged terrain. Or cozy into the couch to enjoy live music. Co-owner Graham Atkinson loves Cattle Run Ale in the summer (named after a local trail), and Maple Breakfast Stout in winter.
