When you think of biking in Ontario, it’s easy to assume you need a traditional mountain bike for the most adventurous trips. But what about a fat bike?
This increasingly popular style of bike is not only a fantastic way to explore nature and get some exercise, but it also provides a unique opportunity to traverse nearly any terrain in any season with ease.
From trails winding through the forests of Ontario’s most populated cities to off-road expeditions in the wilds of Northern Ontario, fat biking opens up all kinds of possibilities for outdoor adventure.
In this post, we’ll look at where to go fat biking in Ontario and discuss the different experiences each location offers.
Fat Bike Trails in Southern Ontario
Centred around the Greater Toronto Area is an incredibly dense network of fat bike trails. With a booming population and a culture of avid cyclists, the fat bike trails near Toronto continue to grow and evolve for the better!
Don Valley / Tommy Thompson Park – Toronto
Located in the heart of Toronto, the Don Valley and Tommy Thompson Park offer an extensive network of fat bike trails stretching from Lawrence Avenue in the north to the tip of the Leslie Street Spit in the south. Their location in a megacity like Toronto makes for truly unique and unforgettable riding!
Details
- Both trail networks are free to ride
- Neither are mechanically groomed and rely on walkers, snowshoers, and other fat bikers to compact the trails.
- There are no tire size restrictions in place.
- You’ll find more advanced trails in the Don Valley and more beginner-friendly trails in Tommy Thompson Park.
- Head over to Bateman’s Bicycle Company if you want to rent a fat bike.
- Read my Don Valley guide and Tommy Thompson Park guide to learn more about each trail system before heading out
Parking
Where to Stay
- Stay at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites or The Broadview Hotel for a great night’s sleep close to the trails.
Where to Eat
- Stop by Delina’s for some tremendous Mediterranean take out, or visit Cherry Street BBQ for delicious pit-smoked meats.
Durham Forest – Uxbridge
Located northeast of Toronto is the growing fat biking mecca of Durham Forest. It’s a can’t-miss stop for anyone fat biking in Ontario, with a dedicated group of volunteers providing excellent trail conditions and a fantastic experience.
Details
- The trails are free to ride, but consider donating to DMBA as a thanks for their incredible work building and maintaining the trails.
- The network is mechanically groomed, offering consistent and reliable trail conditions throughout the winter.
- Riding the groomed trails requires a minimum tire size of 3.8″.
- You can visit DMBA’s Facebook page to see the latest trail conditions.
- The trails are incredibly well-built, with 20+ kms of perfectly linked, flowy singletrack.
- Read my guide to Durham Forest to learn more before heading to the trails.
Parking
- Main Parking Lot (Primary Entrance)
- Trail Hub (Southern Entrance)
Where to Stay
- Check out The Piano Inn & Cafe for a relaxing night’s stay in Port Perry’s historic Lenard building.
Where to Eat
Stop by Anina’s at Trail Hub for a variety of delicious food and drink options.
Albion Hills / Palgrave – Bolton
Located north of the GTA in Bolton, Ontario, Albion Hills and Palgrave combine to offer more than 30 kilometres of pristine fat bike trails. Thanks to their location on top of the Niagara Escarpment, temperatures remain cold, and snow conditions are generally far better than neighbouring systems to the south.
Details
- A pass is required to fat bike at Albion Hills, and all tires must be at least 3″ wide and inflated to less than 10 psi (passes can be purchased at the main entrance gate).
- Palgrave is free to access, and there are no tire width or pressure requirements in place.
- Albion Hills features advanced trails, while Palgrave offers all types of trail difficulties.
- Travel on Duffy’s lane between Palgrave’s Duffy’s Lot and Albin Hills’ Duffy’s Lane Entrance to get from one system to the other.
- Read my Albion Hills guide and Palgrave guide to learn more about each trail network.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Stay at the nearby Hockley Valley Resort for luxury accommodations, or head to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Bolton for a great night’s sleep.
Where to Eat
- Visit Greystones in Orangeville for a fine dining experience, or stop by Cheeks Bar & Grill in Bolton for some classic pub food.
The Hydrocut – Kitchener
With more than 80,000 annual visitors, The Hydrocut is one of Ontario’s most recognized mountain and fat biking destinations. Located west of Toronto in Kitchener, Ontario, the system comprises 35+ kilometres of professionally built trails, providing some of the best flow and feature variety of any fat bike trails in Ontario.
Details
- The trails are free to ride, but consider donating to give thanks to the countless volunteers that keep everything running smoothly.
- Most of Hydrocut’s trails are mechanically groomed, providing consistent and well-packed conditions.
- There is no minimum tire width, but stay off the trails if you’re leaving ruts.
- Check Hydrocut’s website or follow them on Instagram for the latest trail status and conditions.
- Head to Eastside Cycle if you want to rent a fat bike.
Parking
- Glasgow Parking (Eastern Entrance)
- Snyder’s Parking (Western Entrance)
Where to Stay
- Stay at Kitchener’s historic Walper Hotel or Cambridge’s impressive Langdon Hall.
Where to Eat
Head to Arabella Park Beer Bar or Abe Erb for amazing food and great beer.
Turkey Point – Turkey Point
Turkey Point and its sprawling network of fat bike trails are on the northern shores of Lake Erie. The network offers an immense number of flat and fast trails to ride on, which, when added together, total 85+ kilometres in length. The weather is far warmer here than in most other locations on the list, so while you may not be riding on snow all the time, you will enjoy more comfortable temperatures and far less ice.
Details
- The trails are free to ride, but consider purchasing a membership from or donating to TPMBC to help support the trails.
- Turkey Point compacts its trails with mechanical grooming and snowshoers/walkers. There are no tire restrictions in place.
- Check out TPMBC’s trail status page, visit their Facebook page, or follow them on Instagram to see the latest conditions.
- Easier trails are located on the western side of Turkey Point, while the more advanced trails are in the northeast quadrant of the network.
Parking
- Concession Road Two (Primary Entrance)
- Mole Road (Central Entrance)
- Front Road (Southern Entrance)
Where to Stay
- Enjoy a unique stay at the trails with Long Point Eco-Adventures’ glamping suites and pods, or have a more traditional hotel experience at the Best Western Little River Inn in nearby Simcoe.
Where to Eat
Grab some classic pub food on the patio at Sandbar on the Beach or eat some Mexican food at Tacos’ N’ Tequila.
Fat Bike Trails in Eastern Ontario
In the east, we have Ottawa, its surrounding areas, and much colder winter temperatures (pogies may be required). With that comes a longer season, better conditions, and various commercial operations providing some of Canada’s best fat biking!
Larose Forest – Casselman
Located to the east of Ottawa, near Casselman, is Larose Forest. Here you’ll find 35 kilometres of fat bike trails perfect for beginner and intermediate riders, with great flow and little elevation change.
Details
- An OMBA membership is required to access Larose Forest’s fat bike trails.
- The trails are mechanically groomed, providing some of the most consistent and reliable fat biking in Ontario.
- A minimum tire width of 3.8″ is required to ride the trails.
- You can visit their interactive trail map to see if the trails are groomed and ready to go.
- You can rent a fat bike from The Mana Centre, located across the street from the P1 parking lot.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Check out the Microtel by Wyndham right in Casselman for a very close stay, or head into Ottawa and stay at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier for something far more memorable.
Where to Eat
- Head to the aptly named Casselman Restaurant, or visit Casselman’s Asian Bistro for various Asian dishes.
South March Highlands – Kanata
Located just west of downtown Ottawa lies the South March Highlands and its 23 kilometres of old-school and technical trails full of twists, turns, and some of the most challenging fat biking near Ottawa.
Details
- The system is free, but consider buying a yearly membership to OMBA to show your support.
- The trails are not mechanically groomed and rely on compaction from walkers and snowshoers to be rideable.
- There is no minimum tire width, but please stay vigilant and avoid the trails if you leave ruts.
- There is no reliable source for current trail conditions, but due to no mechanical grooming, you’re best to wait a day or two following significant snowfalls before you go fat biking here.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Book a night at the Brookstreet Hotel for the quickest access to the trails, or head into Ottawa and stay at the historic Metcalfe Hotel.
Where to Eat
- Head to Burrito Gringo for the closest food option, or drive to the Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre for many classic restaurants like Moxies, Baton Rouge, Kelseys, and Montana’s.
Gatineau Park – Gatineau, Quebec
Gatineau Park and its sprawling network of fat bike trails are located just across the river from Ottawa. Gatineau Park’s fat bike trails are among the longest in North America, totalling an impressive 49.4 kilometres. Visit the Meech Creek Valley at the park’s north end for intermediate to advanced trails or the Southern Sector for beginner and intermediate trails.
Details
- A day pass is required to access Gatineau Park’s fat bike trails. You can also purchase a season pass if you plan on visiting frequently.
- The trails are not mechanically compacted or groomed, relying on snowshoe traffic to do the work.
- A minimum tire width of 3.7″ is required, and Gatineau Park requests tire pressures be 10 psi or less.
- Visit Gatineau Park’s interactive trail guide and conditions table to see up-to-date trail conditions, recommended parking, snow temperature, and 24-hour snowfall totals.
- Stop by Expeditions Wakefield to rent a fat bike.
Parking
*Accessible via public transit
Where to Stay
- Stay at Lofts du Village for the best trail access, or head to the Hilton Lac-Leamy and visit the casino for a fun night after your ride.
Where to Eat
Visit the Chelsea Pub for great food and ambiance or the L’Orée du Bois for fine dining French food.
Fat Bike Trails in Central Ontario
Central Ontario and its sprawling network of fat bike trails are in the heart of the province. The distance, density, and commercialization of trails remain robust here, with various systems offering a uniquely rugged and adventurous experience.
Mansfield Outdoor Centre – Mansfield
Located roughly 100 kilometres north of Toronto, the Mansfield Outdoor Centre boasts the “best single track and groomed fat bike trails in all of [Central] Ontario,” offering 36.4 kms of groomed trails across both doubletrack and singletrack trail types.
Details
- A pass is required to access the trails. You can purchase a day pass or season pass, depending on how much you plan on visiting.
- The trails are mechanically groomed, providing some of the best fat biking conditions in Central Ontario.
- A minimum tire width of 3.8” is required to access the trails.
- You can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest trail conditions.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Stay in one of Mansfield’s rustic cabins for excellent trail access, at the Foxingham Farm Bed & Breakfast for your classic B&B experience, or head to Hockley Valley Resort for your more traditional hotel experience.
Where to Eat
Head to The Globe Restaurant in nearby Rosemont for some unique local dishes, or visit Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant in Violet Hill for some of the best food in the area.
Mono Tract / Mono Cliffs Provincial Park – Orangeville
A little closer to Toronto are the fat bike trails at Mono Tract & Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Located just outside of Orangeville, more than 20 kms of beautifully cut singletrack trails wind through dense coniferous forest and old-growth maples.
Details
- The trails are free to ride; however, if you park at the Mono Cliffs Entrance, you’ll have to pay for parking (available at the lot or in advance via their reservation page).
- Volunteers mechanically groomed the trails, providing excellent conditions all winter.
- No minimum tire width is required, but please be mindful of conditions and stay off the trails if you’re leaving ruts.
- Mono Tracts offers a dense network of trails, while Mono Cliffs are more spread out. Both systems are easy to ride and perfect for beginner riders.
- Read my Mono Tract and Mono Cliffs guides to learn more about each trail network.
Parking
- Mono Tract Entrance (Western Side)
- Mono Cliffs Entrance (Eastern Side)
Where to Stay
- Stay at Orangeville’s Best Western Plus, or check out the Millcroft Inn & Spa for something more luxurious.
Where to Eat
Grab a delicious bite to eat at the Mono Cliffs Inn, or head a bit more south and visit the Black Birch Restaurant in Hockley Valley for another incredible meal option!
Copeland Forest / SCMBC Oro – Horseshoe Valley
Honestly, this “where to go fat biking in Ontario” list could be completed with just trails located in Simcoe County. That said, most of Simcoe County’s fat bike trails are between Barrie and Orillia, with the hot spots being Copeland Forest and SCMBC Oro. These trails are extensive and full of passionate fat bikers. And, thanks to trails being Ontario’s snow belt, they get tons of snow and maintain great conditions all winter long!
Details
- The trails are free to ride, but consider purchasing a membership or donating to SCMBC to say thanks for their hard work building and maintaining the trails.
- The trails are mechanically groomed. You can visit SCMBC’s Facebook page to see which recently groomed trails.
- There is no minimum tire width or psi restriction in place, but, as always, be mindful of conditions and don’t ride if you’re leaving ruts.
- Stop by Horseshoe Resort, just across the road from Copeland Forest, if you want to rent a fat bike.
- Ready my guide to Copeland Forest and guide to SCMBC Oro to learn the networks a bit more before heading out.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Book a room at Horseshoe Resort across the road from Copeland Forest, or drive into Orillia and stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot.
Where to Eat
Grab some pizza at Horseshoe Resort’s Eleven 01 restaurant, or head down the road to HQ Restaurant and Tap House for some great burgers and beers.
Hardwood Ski and Bike – Barrie
Hardwood Ski and Bike is arguably Ontario’s premier cross-country destination, hosting yearly Ontario Cups, their well-known Epic 8-Hour Series, and most notably, the 2015 Pan Am Games. In the winter, some of these trails get groomed for fat biking, becoming a dedicated 7km fat bike trail called “Phatty.” Monday through Friday, fat bikers can also ride alongside the cross-country skiers, opening up an additional 30+ kilometres of groomed fat bike trails.
Details
- You must purchase a pass online to ride Hardwood’s trails. Day passes and season passes are both available.
- All of Hardwood’s fat biking trails are mechanically groomed. You visit their conditions page or follow them on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to see the latest conditions.
- Tires must be wider than 3.5″ and inflated to 10 psi or less to ride the trails.
- Hardwood offers fat bike rentals right at their main lodge.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Hardwood is very close to Copeland Forest and SCMBC Oro, so see the above recommendations or look for any hotels in Barrie or Orillia.
Where to Eat
- The same goes here; see the above recommendations or do a quick Google search for restaurants near Barrie or Orillia.
Fat Bike Trails in Northern Ontario
Last up is Northern Ontario and its notoriously brutal and extreme weather. Everything steps up a notch here, with even longer winters and colder temperatures than in Eastern and Central Ontario. Unfortunately, the population is much less dense, meaning fewer trails to explore. But, where there are people, there are trails, resulting in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay each having their own unique networks that provide some of the best fat biking in Ontario!
Kivi Park – Sudbury
Located in Sudbury, Kivi Park makes the most of northern Ontario’s winters, offering a respectable 15.4 kms of incredibly well-built fat bike trails. Thanks to the climate, the season is long, and you can ride for many months!
Details
- A pass is required to access Kivi Park’s fat bike trails. You can buy a day pass or an annual pass.
- The trails are mechanically groomed, providing consistently firm and fast conditions. Visit Kivi Park’s website or follow them on Facebook or Instagram to see the latest trail status.
- No tire width restrictions are in place, but stay mindful of the weather and check trail conditions before heading out on non-fat tire bikes.
- Adventure 365, a partner of Kivi Park, offers fat bike rentals.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Stay the night at the Hilton Garden Inn or the Travelway Inn for a great night’s sleep.
Where to Eat
- Grab some wood-fired pizza or pasta at di Gusto’s, or visit The Kouzzina for great Mediterranean food.
Hiawatha Highlands – Sault Ste. Marie
Just outside of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is Hiawatha Highlands. Here you’ll find some of Ontario’s best-maintained fat bike trails, with professional groomers working hard to ensure everyone riding the trails has the best time possible.
Details
- A pass is required to access Hiawatha’s fat bike trails. Both day passes and season passes are available.
- The trails are mechanically groomed, offering great conditions throughout the winter.
- You can visit Hiawatha’s website for the latest grooming report or follow them on Facebook or Instagram for the latest trail updates.
- Tires must be wider than 3.5,” and tire pressure must be less than 10 psi to ride the trails.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Sleep at the Ambassador Motel to be closest to the trails, or stay at The Water Town Inn for a bit nicer accommodations.
Where to Eat
- Visit Giovanni’s for Italian classics, or head to Burger Don for gourmet burgers and craft beer.
Trowbridge Forest Trails – Thunder Bay
Moving to Thunder Bay, we have the Trowbridge Forest Trails. The network is quite impressive, with a dense network of 45+ kilometres of fat biking trails packed into a tiny area. Trowbridge might offer some of the most diverse fat biking in Ontario, with a mix of groomed and naturally packed trails plus beginner, intermediate, and advanced difficulties available.
Details
- The trails are free to ride, but consider purchasing a membership from or donating to Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club to say thanks for their building and trail maintenance.
- The trails are mechanically groomed, providing consistent and well-packed trails.
- Visit Black Sheep’s website for the latest grooming report, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates.
- Check out Rollin’ Thunder if you’re looking to rent a fat bike.
Parking
Where to Stay
- Book a night at the Strathcona Motel to be closest to the trails, or stay at the boutique Courthouse Hotel.
Where to Eat
Stop by Beefcake’s Burger Factory for classic pub food, or visit Masala Grill for great Indian and Thai dishes.
Before You Go Fat Biking
Ready to head out fat biking? Here are some helpful reminders to ensure you have the best time possible:
- Check the trail conditions beforehand. Many trail networks provide condition reports through their website, Facebook page, or other social media accounts. So, search around before getting in the car to ensure the trails are in good shape and ready to be ridden.
- See if the trail network you are heading to enforces tire restrictions. There’s no point in going to a trail network that requires tires to be at least 3.8″ wide if yours are only 2.6″.
- Check the weather. A small change in temperature or a very sunny day can quickly change conditions and turn a solid, well-packed trail into a soft mess that’s exhausting to ride. If you see the next day will be warm, try to get out early before the trails soften.
- Dress in layers. Any veteran of winter sports knows how much dressing in layers helps. The last thing you want to do is sweat; you’ll quickly become cold once your heart rate drops. By dressing in layers, you can take stuff off as you heat up, and then put it back on once you cool down. This layering will keep you dry, letting you ride longer and be more comfortable while doing it. Layering is essential when heading to a new trail system, as you may be surprised by the trails’ difficulty (or easiness), meaning you will only be entirely sure of just how warmly to dress once you’re out there riding.
Final Thoughts
Ontario is huge, larger than most countries, and with that size comes an incredible amount of fat bike trails. This list is just the tip of the iceberg, there are thousands of other trails and paths all across Ontario that are perfectly suitable for fat biking. All you have to do is get out there, adventure around, and you’re sure to find something that’s an absolute blast to ride!
What do you think about my list of where to go fat biking in Ontario? Did I miss some obvious choices? Let me know in the comments below!
Have you tried fat biking at the HAFTA Agreement Forest trails in Milton?
They’re extremely popular during the winter months. On an ideal day, there is sometimes a kilometer-long row of cars parked along Fouth Line, up from Ten Side Rd. Surprised it didn’t make your previous ‘Top 10’ list.
Hey Paulo! You’re right, HAFTA’s trails are great. You’re actually the second person to mention HAFTA missing on my lists, so I’ll have to update this post and my Toronto fat biking post to include HAFTA. Thanks for the feedback!