Just outside of Orangeville, Ontario, lies the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park mountain bike trails. At roughly one hour north of Toronto, Mono Cliffs is an excellent destination for any mountain biker in the GTA that’s looking for a beautiful set of trails in one of Ontario’s most unique geological regions.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes mountain biking at Mono Cliffs special and get you prepared for an incredible few hours of riding.
Why Mountain Bike at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park?
I’ve been mountain biking at Mono Cliffs for as long as I can remember. Seriously. I’m 28 now, and the first time I rode a bike there, I was 6 years old.
Here’s what keeps me coming back!
Fast and Flowy Trails
The general style of Mono Cliffs’ mountain bike trails is fast and flowy. I love nothing more than dipping, diving, twisting, and turning my way through a mountain bike trail. There’s nothing better than finding that flow state while going fast, and Mono Cliffs does this very well.
So, if you’re like me and love that feeling of floating through the trails, Mono Cliffs is a great option.
Easy Going
Overall, the mountain bike trails at Mono Cliffs are relatively easy, with none exceeding a blue (novice) rating. At this point, I’m an experienced mountain biker who mostly rides advanced and technical trails. That said, I still enjoy an easy-going mountain bike ride where I can relax and take in my surroundings, which Mono Cliffs is perfect for.
If you’re a beginner mountain biker, these trails may not feel that easy. That said, they are still very approachable and provide an encouraging level of challenge thanks to some rooty sections and steeper climbs. If you’re an experienced rider looking for a challenging ride, Mono Cliffs is a bad option. But if you’re like me and want to chill for a few hours, check it out!
Beautiful Scenery
Some of the GTA’s most unique and stunning scenery is at the heart of Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Whether it’s the 100’ cliffs, wildflower meadows, or the multiple ponds packed with painted turtles, there’s always something beautiful and unexpected around the next turn.
Half of Mono Cliffs’ mountain bike trails are on top of the 100′ cliffs, providing some incredible viewpoints of the surrounding area. The other half are in the valley bottom, bringing you into a completely different biome full of ferns and lush undergrowth. Most mountain bike trails are through the forest, so seeing so many different sceneries during one short ride is a nice change.
Connection to Dufferin County Forest Mono Tract
The mountain bike trails at Mono Cliffs are great, don’t get me wrong. But there isn’t a ton of distance which can leave you wanting more. That’s where Dufferin County Forest’s Mono Tract mountain bike trails come in.
Roughly 2 kilometres to the west of Mono Cliffs is Mono Tract. There you’ll find an additional 22 kilometres of trails, adding at least another hour to your ride. Like Mono Cliffs, Mono Tract’s trails are also incredible, full of fast and flowy trails and a surprising number of features. A basic link trail connects the two networks, making it a no-brainer to ride both when you visit.
Things to Know Before You Go
Alright, I’ve convinced you; mountain biking at Mono Cliffs sounds awesome, and you want to check it out as soon as possible.
Perfect, here are a few things you should know before you go!
Where to Park
Primary Lot (Paid)
The main entrance to the park is located at 795086 3rd Line EHS, Shelburne, ON L9W 5Y2. Here you’ll find a large gravel parking lot and washroom facilities, along with Mono Cliffs’ Carriage Trail providing access into the park.
If you plan on parking here, I recommend you purchase a daily permit in advance to guarantee your spot, as the lot can become very busy, especially on weekends and during the fall. If you regularly visit Ontario provincial parks or plan on doing so, an annual or seasonal permit may be a better option!
Mono Community Centre (Free)
The alternative parking option is at the Mono Community Centre located in Mono Centre, at the park’s southern entrance. You’ll also find a large gravel parking lot here with usually ample space (sometimes it fills up depending on local events).
From here, you enter the park via the South Section of the Walter-Tovell Trail. Parking here is nice because it’s free. But, it does remove the Carriage Trail from your loop, which I generally love riding as it provides a good warm-up climb at the start of your ride and a fun descent at the end of your ride. So, I typically park at the primary lot to extend my ride and get a lap on Carriage Trail.
*By the way, parking is not permitted on the side roads surrounding the park, meaning you risk being ticketed, fined, or towed if you decide to park there.
You Can’t Bike on Every Trail
You can’t bike on all of Mono Cliffs’ trails. Some are restricted to just hiking and horses. So, keep an eye out for the signs and respect the restrictions.
If you decide to jump on a hiking/horse-only trail, you’ll likely get an earful from anyone you see, and the park rangers will ticket you if caught.
Shared Trail Network (Lots of Horses and Hikers)
There are no mountain bike only trails at Mono Cliffs, meaning you’re sharing the trails with hikers and horses. This means you have to remain extra vigilant, as there may be someone, or something, around every turn.
The trails are especially busy during the weekends and fall when the leaves change colours, so I recommend avoiding those times. If you can only ride on the weekend, try to finish before 11am. Regardless, remember that the trails are shared and follow good trail etiquette when passing others.
Limited Facilities
The facilities at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park are limited.
You will find washroom facilities at the primary parking lot for both men and women. They are minimal and far from luxurious, so don’t expect much if you have to use them. There is one additional set of washrooms within the park, but again, they aren’t particularly nice. Still, they get the job done if need be.
Unlike other parks or conservation designed for picnicking, barbequing, and full day-use, such as Albion Hills Conservation Park or Belfountain Conservation Area, Mono Cliffs is strictly focused on hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding and not designed to be used for anything beyond that.
Limited Cell Service
The cell service could be better at Mono Cliffs. I use Bell and have basically no service throughout the entire park. Something to keep in mind if you need to be in contact with someone while riding or feel uncomfortable having no way to call or text someone if something goes wrong.
This may not be true for users with other carriers. Just something I’ve experienced with Bell for 10+ years now.
Mountain Bike Trails at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park: An Overview
Here’s an overview of each mountain trail at Mono Cliffs!
Carriage Trail
Carriage Trail is a wide doubletrack trail with scattered rock features and several rutted sections thanks to persistent erosion over the years. Heading west, it’s a gradual climb with a few technical spots, making for a nice warm-up from the parking lot. Heading east, it’s wide open and fast, providing a fun 1 to 1.5-minute downhill section.
Cliff-Top Trail
Cliff-Top Trail is the jewel of Mono Cliffs’ mountain bike trails. Best ridden from the north, it’s a long, gradual climb through varied terrain (rocky doubletrack, sandy doubletrack, rooty singletrack, etc.) until you get to one of the highest points in the park. From there, it’s all downhill, with tight, flowy singletrack weaving through Mono Cliffs’ many meadows. Add some rock gardens, one very tricky turn, and some boardwalks through marshland, and you have one heck of a trail!
Spillway Trail – North Section
The north section of Spillway Trail is flat and fast, providing a relaxed route through the valley’s meadows. Trails don’t get much simpler than this, and I generally skip it in favour of the northern section of the Walter-Tovell Trail. That said, this section of Spillway does provide the easiest access to the in-park bathrooms, so if you’re looking to get to those quickly, this is your best bet.
Spillway Trail – South Section
In the southern section of Spillway Trail, you’ll find prime singletrack through some of the best dirt in Mono Cliffs. Like the northern section, this section is also relatively flat and fast, but it makes excellent use of the area’s large trees and many roots. This classic singletrack style makes for a fun and engaging ride as you twist and turn through the forest. Tall cliffs tower over the trail’s eastern side, making for one of Ontario’s more unique mountain bike landscapes.
Walter-Tovell Trail – North Section
An out-and-back trail, the northern section of Walter-Tovell Trail drastically differs depending on what direction you’re riding. When riding north, the trail starts with twisting and flat singletrack before abruptly hitting a steep, rocky, 165 ft climb to the top of the escarpment. From there, you continue for another kilometre through a flat meadow with apple trees and wildflowers. When riding south, the flat singletrack remains the same, of course, but the lung-busting hill turns into a fast descent, getting you from the top to the bottom of the escarpment as fast as your brakes will allow. For me, challenging climbs are always fun and are made even better when you turn around and go down them!
Walter-Tovell Trail – South Section
The southern section of the Walter-Tovell trail is the most relaxed and easy-going trail within Mono Cliffs. It’s a wide doubletrack and runs through the flat valley floor. The speeds are high, and it’s a good spot to get your legs turning as you blast through the forest. There are cliffs on either side of you, so the surroundings are pretty special, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t pause briefly to appreciate where you are.
Additional Information
Here’s some additional information you may find helpful if you’re looking to extend your day or spend a weekend in the area!
- If you need a bike shop, check out Cycling Elements.
- If you’re looking for places to stay, consider Hockley Valley Resort or Best Western Plus.
- If you want to grab some food and drinks, check out Mono Cliffs Inn, Black Birch Restaurant, Hockley Valley General Store, Mono Centre Brewing Co., or Superburger.
- If you’re looking for other things to do, consider hiking in Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve, visiting Adamo Estate Winery, mountain biking at Palgrave, mountain biking at Albion Hills, or riding the Bike Trails at Hockley.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been mountain biking at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park for as long as I can remember, and it never gets old. The trails aren’t overly difficult or special, with most of the terrain being fast, flowy, and easy-going. But, the surrounding scenery is incredibly unique and beautiful, adding to the sense of peace and enjoyment that comes from riding at Mono Cliffs. And, if you are searching for more mountain bike trails, Mono Tract is packed full of them and only a short ride away. So, get out there and discover what mountain biking at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is really like!
– Garrett
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Accessible for all levels of mountain bikers
- Well-built, well-maintained trails
- Fast, flowy, and enjoyable riding
- Beautiful and unique scenery
- Easily connects to the mountain bike trails at Dufferin County Forest’s Mono Tract
Cons
- Trails are shared with hikers and horses
- Can be very busy, especially on weekends and in the fall
- Minimal distance; relatively short compared to other trail networks
Stats
Total Trails: 6
Total Trail Length: 8.2 KM
Trail Type: Rolling/Fast/Flowy
Average Trail Rating: 3.15/5 Stars
Trail Difficulties: Green (3), Blue (3)
Best Trail: Cliff-Top Trail
Max Elevation Change: 108 m or 354 ft
Terrain Type: Sand Mix
Skill: Beginner, Intermediate
Facilities: Parking Lot, Washrooms, Map Board
Cost: $8.50
Local Association: Ontario Parks
Other Info: Watch out for other trail users, especially on weekends and during the fall when the leaves are changing.
Is it allowed e bike on mono cliff
Hello, that’s a great question. I reached out to Ontario Parks and this was their response – “Power-assisted bicycles, commonly referred to as e-bikes or electric bicycles, are permitted on park roads and most designated bike trails.” So yes, e-bikes are allowed in Mono Cliffs. That said, the e-bike will have to meet the requirements listed here – https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike.