Where to go fat biking in Ontario

Northeastern Ontario

Walden Trails

Embark on an exciting fat biking ride on the well-groomed trails in Walden Trail Park (formally called the Naughton Trail Centre), about a 15-minute drive west of Sudbury in Lively.

The Walden Mountain Bike Club develops and maintains just under 20 kilometres of singletrack trails in the 140-hectare park. Marked trails are developed to take full advantage of the hilly and rocky Precambrian shield terrain with varying degrees of difficulty

Location: 1 Denis Avenue, Lively

Planning details

• purchase a trail membership to ride throughout the season or pick up a single day or evening pass
• locally owned and operated, Adventure 365 provides fat bike and other rental equipment, as well as repair and tech services in Kivi Park in Sudbury; reserve your rentals online in advance
• choose from a variety of hotels and lodges in and around Sudbury for overnight accommodations
• excellent dining options in Sudbury include Ripe, the legendary Respect is Burning, upscale Tommy’s Not Here and fresh, bold vegan fare at Tucos Taco Lounge

Northwest Ontario

Trowbridge Forest Trails

The Trowbridge Forest trail system connects trails through several parks, including Centennial Park and Shuniah Silver Mine off Trans-Canada Highway 17 at the east end of Thunder Bay.

The multi-use trails at Centennial Park are great for beginners, while the more technical, singletrack trails at Shuniah Mines snake around a now-defunct century-old silver mine that delivers some gnarly topography, more suited for experienced riders.

Trails are maintained by Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club, a volunteer-run, not-for-profit group; check trail conditions before you ride.

Location: 751 Centennial Park Road, Thunder Bay

Planning details

• head to Rollin’ Thunder Bike & Ski for new bikes, services, repairs and rentals (check on availability)
• select Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel or lakeside Delta Hotels by Marriott for waterfront views. The Courthouse Hotel is another great option.
• Sleeping Giant Brewery is a popular spot for a meal and a beer.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Along the shore of the mighty Lake Superior, just over an hour drive south from Thunder Bay, Sleeping Giant on Sibley Peninsula features multi-use trails and roads that can be explored year-round by bike.

Mountain biking is popular on Thunder Bay Lookout Road and Marie Louise Drive. Find the best fat biking on the challenging Burma Trail or the easier Pickerel Lake Trail.

Location: RR#1, Pass Lake

Planning details

• purchase day use permits in advance through Ontario Parks online reservations
• after the long-running Sleeping Giant Nordic ski loppet in Sleeping Giant held in early March, a fat bike loppet loop challenge is hosted by the Thunder Bay Cycling Club and Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club; check for upcoming dates and weather and trail conditions

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma

Hiawatha Highlands

Just outside of Sault Ste. Marie, part of the groomed Crystal Creek Ski Trail System at Hiawatha Highlands, is open to fat biking in the winter.

To use the trails, purchase a bike-only day pass or a season pass for Hiawatha Highlands. A cross-country ski pass also provides access to the fat bike trails.

Location: 780 Landslide Road, Sault Ste. Marie

Trip planning details

• spend the night in comfortable, spacious rooms at the nearby Ambassador Motel or head into the city for an overnight at the full-service Water Tower Inn
• check out this list of not-to-miss restaurants in Sault Ste. Marie

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre

Explore smooth trails with open vistas and tight, winding single tracks through old-growth forests on private and crown land just a 10-minute drive from downtown Parry Sound.

Almost 20 kilometres of trail are dedicated to fat biking; check trail conditions in advance.

Location: 4 Nine Mile Lake Road, Parry Sound

Trip planning details

• on-site fat bike rentals are available, or you can rent your bike and equipment (including helmet and gloves) from Parry Sound Bikes
• get a day pass or season membership, which goes towards supporting and maintaining the trails and chalet facility
• spend the night at Bayside Inn, close to the harbour and within walking distance of local restaurants
• check out the menu at Trestle Brewing Company

Deerhurst Resort

Overlooking Peninsula Lake in Huntsville, Deerhurst year-round resort knows how to make the most of winter with a wide variety of winter activities offered, including fat biking.

Location: 1235 Deerhurst Drive, Huntsville

Trip planning details

• book your fat bike rentals with a helmet on-site and explore the trails directly from the resort
• Deerhurst Resort features comfortable rooms and home-style rentals as well as great on-site restaurants
• if you’re looking to discover even more amazing Muskoka landscapes, check out nearby Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville, which also rents fat-wheeled bikes in the winter

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Copeland Forest at Horseshoe Valley Resort

Experience the beauty of the snow-covered trails at Copeland Forest on an all-new adventure.

Set out on the nine-kilometre fat bike trail at Horseshoe Resort, suitable for beginners to intermediate cyclists. Fat biking trails in Copeland Forest are generally available from November to April.

Location: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Road West, Barrie

Trip planning details

• bike rentals (including a helmet) are available, and you’ll need to purchase the unlimited trail pass separately
• Horseshoe Valley Resort also offers accommodations in a variety of hotel and condo style rooms, so you can rest well and hit the trails again the next day

Hardwood Ski and Bike

This facility is dedicated to high-adrenaline outdoor pursuits, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and biking, with over 100 kilometres of multi-use trail systems.

Ride “phatty,” the dedicated 5-kilometre fat bike trail or see if any of the cross-country ski trails have been opened up to fat biking; info on the trail conditions is updated frequently during the season to show fat biking trail status. 

Fat bikes are available for all-day or half-day rental. Reserve online in advance as they book up quickly.

Location: 402 Old Barrie Road West, Oro Station

Trip planning details

• check out the stay-and-play packages at Carriage Ridge Resort, conveniently located just a few minutes drive away

York, Durham and Headwaters

Albion Hills Conservation Area

About an hour’s drive north of Toronto, Albion Hills offers fat biking adventure in the winter.

Explore the mixed terrain on the 6.5-kilometre Black Trail system, open to snow biking each season between December and March, weather permitting. Make sure you’ve also got a CSA-approved safety helmet, as they’re mandatory to wear while biking on the trails.

Location: 16500 Peel Regional Road 50, Caledon

Trip planning details

• for the ultimate rest and relaxation after your ride, the Millcroft Inn and Spa is only a few minutes away in Alton

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

The Hydrocut

West of Kitchener, the 35 kilometres of single track mountain bike trails in the Hydrocut are renowned for challenging technical features.

There are two trailheads, one at the Glasgow parking lot in Kitchener and the other on the Pines site at the Snyder’s Road parking lot, which is where winter fat rides commonly begin. The trails are open and free to the public. 

Location: 1974 Snyder’s Road East, Petersburg

Trip planning details

• a Kitchener landmark, The Walper Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore downtown
• savour fresh-from-scratch pasta dishes at 271West Restaurant

Wildwood Conservation Area

Less than a 20-minute drive south of Stratford in Southwest Ontario, Wildwood Conservation Area maintains four mixed-use hiking and biking trails.

In the winter, check for the fat biking schedule to access the 25-kilometre Lake Trail or the shorter loops in Dr. R. S. Murray Forest. Cyclists should travel counter-clockwise on odd dates and clockwise on even dates. You’ll need to purchase a daily admission permit or a seasonal pass to use the trails.

Location: 3995 Line 9, St. Marys

Trip planning details

• check in with Totally Spoked in Stratford for rentals; helmets are mandatory on the trails, so make sure you rent a properly sized helmet along with your bike
• Westover Inn in St. Marys is the perfect spot to end your day with delicious meals and comfortable accommodations

Southwestern Ontario

Trails at Turkey Point

The trails on Turkey Point crown land, on the shore of Lake Erie, were founded and are maintained by the Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club, a community of local mountain bike cyclists.

Visitors are welcome to use the trails; just purchase a day pass in advance. Because the trails are on crown land, trail use is seasonal, and trails are closed during hunting season, check in advance that the trails are open to use.

Location: 1730 Front Road, St. Williams

Trip planning details

• Long Point Eco Adventures rents out the Mabee Marsh log cabin to groups throughout the winter or truck up to the Best Western Little River Inn in Simcoe
• find all your favourite comfort foods at Turkey Point Hotel Bar and Grill and check out the calendar of events and entertainment

Southeastern Ontario

Kingston’s rural portion of the K&P Trail

The K&P Trail is a multi-part, mixed-use recreational trail that extends (with unconnected sections) for almost 200 kilometres between the city of Kingston on the shore of Lake Ontario and the town of Renfrew close to the Ottawa River.

The trail follows the old Kingston and Pembroke Railway line, and the 15-kilometre rural stretch outside of Kingston from Binnington Court to Orser Road is an exciting ride—it climbs bluffs and escarpment, traverses wetlands and ravines, and passes farm fields and a historic mill. The trail is open year-round and is free to use.

Location: Binnington Court, Kingston

Trip planning details

• Frontenac Cycle on Barrie Street is Kingston’s oldest bike shop, selling new and used bikes, and provides great repair service
• from secure bike racks to indoor storage, find cycle-friendly accommodation in Kingston
• create your perfect piping-hot pizza at Wooden Heads Gourmet Pizzeria

Potter’s Creek Conservation Area

Explore the western outskirts of Belleville by fat bike on the trails at Potter’s Creek, part of Quinte Conservation. This nature preserve contains an assortment of tree-lined, mixed-use trails that are great for beginners.

Purchase the daily parking pass on-site or online.

Location: 2061 Old Highway 2, Belleville

Trip planning details

• Ideal Bike in Belleville will set you up with your ideal ride and gear, including lock, map and roadside assistance
• rest in comfort at Ramada by Wyndham, with cozy rooms overlooking the Bay of Quinte
• open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Birdy’s Casual Fine Dining is always a good choice; take in harbour views at The Boathouse Seafood Restaurant and discover classic and elevated cocktails at The Lark

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Cataraqui Trail

Following the former Canadian National Railway Line, this multi-use trail stretches over 100 kilometres between Strathcona community just northeast of Napanee and Smiths Falls on the Rideau Heritage Route.

The entire trail system is free with several access points along the way. Most of it is double track and features a variety of terrain and scenery, from small towns to farmland and forests. 

Location: Smiths Falls trailhead at 145 Lombard Street, Smiths Falls

Trip planning details

• Hotel Rideau is a recently upgraded heritage hotel in the centre of town, or opt for the convenience of the riverfront Best Western Smith Falls
• The Vault Eatery and Pub offers convenient grab-and-go lunches or check out The Lockmaster’s Taphouse for fresh pub food

Ottawa Region

Kichi Sibi Winter Trails

In Canada’s capital, follow the Ottawa River shoreline on the groomed, multi-use Kichi Sibi Winter Trails.

Running between Lebreton Flats (west of Parliament Hill) all the way to Dominion Station, this trail system is a wonderful way of exploring the Ottawa River Capital Pathway in winter. Parking is available at Westboro Beach, Champlain Park and the Canadian War Museum

Location: Ottawa River Pathway, Ottawa

Trip planning details

• there are many places to stay in Ottawa, including the bicycle-friendly Lord Elgin Hotel which offers secure storage for your bike
• dining options in Canada’s capital are endless; find the perfect restaurant in Ottawa to satisfy your appetite