Vacationing in Muskoka, Ontario, means you will have access to loads of outdoor activities like camping, fishing, kayaking, and hiking through the many parks and lakes. One of the best ways to take in all the hilly, wooded beauty surrounding you on your Muskoka vacation is mountain biking.
Don’t simply take in the spectacular views from the windows or decks of your Muskoka cottage rentals; get up close and take in the wildlife, foliage, and surroundings along a mountain bike trail through the area’s beautiful parks and other locales. Depending on when you plan to visit Muskoka, the weather expectations can vary significantly so make sure to plan in advance to ensure you have the right equipment.
From casual riding to more challenging trails, mountain biking in Muskoka is a sport for the whole family. Whether you’ve brought along your own bikes or are looking to rent, you’ll soon find out why Muskoka mountain biking is a highly popular activity and is well known around the world. If you happen to visiting the Muskoka region in the winter you can also see some of the best winter events to enjoy during your Muskoka cottage rental.
Where to Rent Mountain Bikes in Muskoka
If you don’t have your own bikes for this not-to-be-missed activity, no worries: you can rent whatever you need to go mountain biking in Muskoka from a few rental companies offering bikes, canoes, kayaks, and other rental items.
Here are two well-known mountain bike rental companies in the Muskoka area.
Algonquin Outfitters
Half or full-day bike rentals are available at the Lake of Two Rivers location of Algonquin Outfitters, located south of Highway 60 at km 31.4 between Lake of Two Rivers and Mew Lake campgrounds.
Mid to high-end bikes made by such top brands as Salsa and Specialized are available at Algonquin Outfitters. Adult mountain bikes are 27-speed and alloy framed, with 27.5-in. wheels, hydraulic disk brakes, and front suspension. You can also rent tandem mountain bikes.
A trail-a-bike attachment for your own bike can also be rented. In addition, fat-wheeled bikes and youth bikes are available.
Attached to the store is The Lake of Two Rivers Café & Grill, serving gourmet coffee, hamburgers, wraps, pizza, salads, pulled pork, and more. So, lunch or dinner awaits those taking a late morning or early afternoon ride.
Accessible from the store and café combo is the Old Railway Bike Trail; you can opt for a 16km trail or a 32km trail. The course is through an old railway bed and is level and hard-packed ground, making it an easy route for all riders in your party.
Algonquin Outfitters is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Online reservations can be made for mountain bike rentals.
Liv Outside
Liv Outside on Ecclestone Drive in the Muskoka Lake region of Bracebridge has a wide variety of mountain bikes for rent for those riding their own network of trails, the Riverside Adventure Trails.
Liv has various Revel Ranger, Rascal, Rail mountain bikes, IBIS Ripley, Ripmo, Exie, and Mojo models. There’s also a variety of fat bikes, such as Moose, Fatback and Corvus, Otso, and SURLY. Along with your rental comes a trail pass and helmet.
The available trails meander through stunning forests. The trails are for any biking level, from novice to expert.
Closed Monday and Tuesday, Liv Outside operates 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday – Friday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekends.
Where to Ride Mountain Bikes in Muskoka
If you’re not riding one of the two trails attached to the two bike rental shops discussed, where else can you ride?
The good news is that there are several options for mountain biking in Muskoka. Here are a few top trails!
Arrowhead Provincial Park
Along with three sand beaches, private campsites, and hiking trails, Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville offers two moderately challenging biking trails: the 3km Lookout Trail and the 4.5km Arrowhead Lake Trail. There are many great Provincial and National Parks to visit in Muskoka.
The Arrowhead Lake Trail accommodates bikers, hikers, and dog walkers, so if you’ve secured one of many pet-friendly Ontario cottage rentals and are looking for a place to walk and mountain bike, here’s one trail to consider. Note: some areas may have loose gravel, so walking the bike in these spots might be a good idea for beginners.
The Lookout Trail is a pretty and easy ride as you make your way through hardwoods and are afforded a great view of the valley.
Bracebridge Resource Management Center
At Bracebridge Resource Management Center (BRMC), just off Highway 11, you’ll find a double and single bike trail. Parking is generous from two lots offering access to the trails, but there’s plenty of signage, so navigating the paths is easy. These are multi-use trails, so, please be sure to accommodate walkers, joggers, dog walkers, and hikers.
Picnic and pavilion areas are found on the trails so that you can break for lunch or a snack. Outhouse-style toilets are also located on the trails. However, BRMC bike trails do not have water fill stations, so it’s highly recommended to have enough water for as long as you plan to be out riding.
The Muskoka Off-Road Cycling Association (MORCA) has information about trail conditions and other details on its website.
Porcupine Ridge
For expert riders, the 5.6 km Porcupine Ridge singletrack loop near Bracebridge has a relatively hard-to-navigate trail with lots of roots and rocks plus wood bridges. There are no water supply stations or picnic areas, so be prepared when you visit this Muskoka mountain biking route.
This is not a fast trail, being as technical as it is, so even if you’re an advanced rider, you’ll do best to take this trail at a level pace, as it will be necessary to descend the rock faces slowly. There’s also a wooden bridge on one path that’s 60 meters long—downhill!
With “no easy way in or easy way out,” according to MORCA, it is strongly suggested that riders carefully consider their riding skills before taking on this scenic but challenging trail. Bringing a spare tube is undoubtedly a great idea when riding a rough trail like Porcupine Ridge.
Plan Your Visit
After a long day of riding any of these mountain bike trails, remember to stop by one of the many breweries in Muskoka for a refreshing handcrafted beer! The perfect ending to a perfect day. Then, sit back and relax at your cottage rental and get some well-deserved rest.
Limberlost Forest
Public, free-to-use hiking trails for mountain biking in Muskoka are found at Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve in Huntsville, Ontario. Limberlost offers more than 70 km of trails through heavy woods and large lakes.
Access to Limberlost Forest is through the main gate, 12 km off HWY 60 (look for the forest sign). There is an office located 300 meters past the self-serve kiosk (where you can get a parking pass and trail maps), so you can stop there if you have any questions about park rules, trails, or other concerns. All principal parking areas at the reserve provide access to the trails. Trails are marked easy to moderate, moderate, and moderate to difficult.
You must sign a safety waiver before using the trails at Limberlost Forest.
Trails are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Other Exciting Things To Do During Your Muskoka Cottage Rental
After a day out on the trails, you will no doubt be in need of a beverage so make sure to check out some of the top Muskoka craft breweries in the area. Not much of a mountain biker? The Muskoka region has many other great day trips and activities like trying your luck on the links at one of Muskoka’s many great golf courses or exploring the many things to do in Huntsville during your Muskoka cottage rental.
