Within the pristine landscape of Dufferin County Forest is a sprawling system of incredible mountain bike trails that offer up some of the best riding in the area.
Let’s set the stage for mountain biking at Dufferin County Forest and get you set for your first visit to these incredible trails.
Why Mountain Bike at Dufferin County Forest?
Ontario is packed full of incredible mountain bike trail systems. So why visit Dufferin County Forest? Well…
Extensive Network of Trails
Dufferin County Forest’s mountain bike trails are extensive. With more than 32 kilometres of singletrack, there is a solid 2.5+ hours of riding without ever having to ride the same trail twice. This distance is more than most systems and an attractive reason to visit if you love longer rides on sprawling trail networks.
Very Quiet
Mountain biking at Dufferin County Forest is very quiet. Rarely do you come across others on the trails. This lets you get into the zone and simply enjoy the flow of the trails and the peacefulness of the surrounding forest. Sometimes, busy trail networks are a blast as they are full of energy and the mountain bike spirit. Sometimes, though, a peaceful ride in nature is what you want. Dufferin County Forest is an excellent option if you’re looking for the latter.
Highly Approachable
Dufferin County Forest’s mountain bike trails are highly approachable. Most are beginner and intermediate, with only a few rated as advanced. Overall, the trails rise gently, descend gently, and have very few technically challenging sections, making them highly approachable to beginner and intermediate mountain bikers (this also makes the trails great for expert riders looking to ride fast and build their conditioning).
Beautiful Terrain
Dufferin County Forest is vast, full of mature trees that provide open vistas of the surrounding hills and valleys. It adds a sense of adventure and makes you feel like you’re exploring the wilderness (if you’re familiar with Copeland Forest, it’s a similar feeling). It’s a beautiful ride and stands out amongst the typical Ontario mountain bike trail network.
Well-Built & Naturalized
Dufferin County Forest’s mountain bike trails find an outstanding balance between being well-built and very naturalized. The trails make great use of the surrounding terrain, comfortably following the forest’s topography. This building style keeps things natural, as the trails aren’t fighting or cutting across natural slopes or features. As a result, everything is raw and natural, and it provides a very enjoyable riding experience.
Great Drainage
Dufferin County Forest is quite sandy and drains very well. This makes it a top destination for post-rain rides or for rides where you think you may get caught in a storm and have to ride through some rain. Short of torrential downpours, the trails are rideable in the wet, which is pretty uncommon for mountain bike trails in Dufferin (within Dufferin, Mono Tract also dries well. Outside of Dufferin County, Palgrave, SCMBC Oro, and Durham Forest are all good post-rain rides).
Things to Know Before You Go
Alright, here are a few important things you should know before heading to Dufferin County Forest.
Parking
The parking lot for Dufferin County Forest is on the east side of Airport Road, roughly 11 kilometres north of Highway 89. There’s ample space, so no need to worry about finding a parking spot. Just head straight in (don’t hang a right at the split – that takes you to the Mansfield Outdoor Centre), and you’ll be good.
Shared Trail Network
Dufferin County Forest is a shared trail network actively used by equestrians. As such, you may see some horses while on the trails. They primarily stick to the wider double track trails, so just be vigilant when crossing over them or exiting onto them.
Logging
Dufferin County Forest is actively managed, meaning the county undertakes logging operations to thin the forest and promote healthier, more balanced growing. As such, some portions of the forest will be closed for prolonged periods as they are logged. Trailforks typically show this, so jump in and see if there are any active closures before heading out on your ride.
Trailforks
I highly recommend downloading Trailforks and using it during rides at new and unfamiliar trail systems. Even with great signage, the direction to go or the trail to turn on next isn’t always clear. Having Trailforks, especially if you’re following a predefined route, that problem disappears, and you’ll quickly know where to go during your ride. If you don’t have Trailforks downloaded, you can find download links for iOS and Android here.
Strava
If you don’t know already, Strava is a fantastic app to track your rides. It not only lets you compare yourself to your previous rides, but it also lets you see how you stack up compared to others riding the same trails as you. This is a lot of fun for those of you who are competitive. You can download Strava here.
Mansfield Outdoor Centre
The Mansfield Outdoor Centre borders the southwest side of Dufferin County Forest. The Outdoor Centre is privately held land that requires a trail pass to access. The boundary is well marked, so you shouldn’t cross in without knowing, but it is just something to keep in mind while riding that side of the network.
Dufferin County Forest Mountain Bike Trails: An Overview
Now, the fun stuff. Here are the best mountain bike trails at Dufferin County Forest, plus my favourite route within the network!
The Best Trails
Ken’s Trail / Ken’s Extension
When leaving the parking lot, Ken’s Trail is the first place you want to head. It’s a long, flowing trail that, combined with Ken’s Extension, delivers more than 90 metres or 300 feet of descending. It’s fast, fun, highly engaging and a great opener to mountain biking at Dufferin Forest.
*Note: Trailforks shows the riding direction as East to West, but I recommend riding it West to East.
Switchback and Ladders
At the end of Ken’s Extension is Switchback and Ladders. Riding North to South, the first half is an easy, enjoyable climb up, which is a nice change from your earlier descent. That quickly changes, though, as you top the hill and rip down an incredible, sweeping bench cut that seems to last forever. It’s one of the fastest sections of trail in the whole network and an absolute blast.
The Lollipop
On the surface, The Lollipop doesn’t look that great. It’s just a big, mostly flat, generally featureless circle that can be ridden in either direction. In reality, it’s like a mountain bike crit course, perfectly built to push the power and see how fast you can complete a lap. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s a trail I always look forward to.
MaxTrail
Last up is MaxTrail. It differs from the other trails mentioned here, with the terrain being punchier and more abrupt. This contrasts the other trails mentioned above and mimics the much more common riding style of Ontario mountain biking. It’s super engaging and offers a very fun ride as you quickly transition from steep descents to sharp climbs.
*Note: This description is based on riding the trail from East to West.
My Favourite Route
Combine the four trails I just discussed and several other gems, and you have my favourite route through Dufferin County Forest. This route is a great starting point for your first visit to Dufferin County Forest and will take you through most of the forest!
Additional Information
- If you need a bike shop, check out:
- Cycling Elements – Orangeville
- If you want to grab some food and drinks, check out:
- Superburger – Shelburne
- William’s Restaurant – Alliston
- Creemore Spring Brewery – Creemore
- The Globe Restaurant – Rosemont
- If you’re looking for places to stay, consider:
- Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn – Orangeville
- Hockley Valley Resort – Hockley Valley
- Foxingham Farm Bed & Breakfast – Mansfield
- Stevenson Inn & Spa – Alliston
Final Thoughts
Dufferin County Forest is the place to go if you’re looking for a peaceful escape into some of South-Central Ontario’s most pristine forests.
Whereas other trail networks can feel crowded and overbuilt, Dufferin County Forest feels natural and raw, embracing the vast solitude of its forest and making the most of its natural terrain.
All of it comes alive as you blast through the forest, feeling as though the pleasant climbs, fast descents, and beautiful terrain were handmade for you. For me, someone who mountain bikes to get away from it all, this is an incredibly rewarding experience and something anyone similar to me will surely appreciate.
– Garrett
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very quiet; rarely see others on the trails
- Sandy; drains very well after heavy rain
- Steady climbs and long descents; not as gruelling as systems full of punchy climbs and short descents
- Beautiful terrain; vast, sprawling forest that provides a sense of adventure
- Approachable; great system for beginners and intermediate riders wanting to build their conditioning
- Well built; trails are very natural and hold up well to weather and traffic
Cons
- Not overly engaging; it has more straight-line sections than other trail networks
- Lots of log rolls take away from the flow, especially when they are on high-speed sections
- Logging closes some areas for long durations
Stats
Total Trails: 33
Total Trail Length: 32 KM
Trail Type: Flat & Flowy w/ Sustained Climbs and Descents
Average Trail Rating: 4.25/5 Stars
Trail Difficulties: Green (12), Blue (17), Black (4)
Best Trail: Ken’s Trail / Ken’s Extension
Max Elevation Change: 69 m or 226 ft
Terrain Type: Sand/Loam/Dirt Mix
Skill: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Facilities: Parking Lots, Map Board, Mechanical Station
Cost: Free
Local Manager: Dufferin County
Other Info: Trails are used extensively by equestrians, so remain vigilant, especially at trail crossings.
