Have you ever asked yourself where can I ride my mountain bike in Ottawa?
If so, here’s your answer!
Velo MSM
Overview
Velo MSM is a volunteer-managed trail network north of Ottawa in Lac-Saint-Marie, Quebec.
With more than 1,500 feet of vertical, Velo MSM provides by far the biggest descents and most advanced riding within an hour’s drive of Ottawa.
The network is a continually growing system of fun and sustainable mountain bike trails professionally built by some of the best trail builders in the area.
Velo MSM is a can’t-miss ride for anyone gravity oriented looking for fast, flowy downhill trails packed with features!
Stats
Trail Map: Here
Singletrack Length: 45kms
Total Trails: 51
Trail Type: Fun, fast, and flowy downhill trails. Big mountain experience.
Average Trail Rating: 4.35/5 Stars
Trail Difficulties: Doubletrack (8), Green (14), Blue (15), Black (9), Double Black (4), Proline (1)
Best Trail: Growler
Max Elevation Change: 457m or 1,500ft
Terrain Type: Primarily downhill. Dirt, roots, rocks, and slabs.
Skill: Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Facilities: Parking, skill park
Cost: A membership is required to access the trails. Find the best option for you here (day pass, season pass, etc.).
Local Association: Velo MSM
Other Info: These are downhill trails and thus come with a higher level of risk. While they are professionally built and designed with safety in mind, please consider the increased difficulty of these trails compared to typical cross country trails.
Trailforks
I highly recommend downloading Trailforks and using it during rides at new and unfamiliar trail systems. Even with great signage, which direction or trail to turn onto 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. You can find download links for both iOS and Android here.
Strava
If you don’t know already, Strava is a fantastic app if you’re interested in tracking 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. For those of you that are competitive, this is a lot of fun. You can download Strava here.
Camp Fortune
Overview
Located a mere 15 minutes north of Ottawa is Camp Fortune, a lift-accessed downhill bike park offering the best downhill and enduro riding in the immediate Ottawa area.
These high-speed, technical downhill trails bring another level of fun and excitement to your typical mountain bike experience.
You do have to pay for this added level of fun, with a lift pass required to access the trails. But it’s totally worth it for the truly one-of-a-kind mountain bike experience Camp Fortune offers!
Stats
Trail Map: Here (XC + DH)
Summer Season: May 7 to November 30
Singletrack Length: 24kms
Total Trails: 46
Trail Type: Demanding and technical cross country riding. Steep and fast downhill riding.
Average Trail Rating: 4.25/5 Stars
Trail Difficulties: Doubletrack (1), White (1), Green (6), Blue (13), Black (15), Double Black (9), Proline (1)
Best Trail: National
Max Elevation Change: 180m or 590ft
Terrain Type: Primarily downhill. Dirt, roots and rocks.
Skill: Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Facilities: Parking (Skyline Lift, Valley), bike shop + rentals
Cost: A pass is required to access the trails. Find the best option for you here (day pass, season pass, etc.).
Local Association: OMBA
Other Info: These are lift-accessed downhill trails and thus come with a higher level of risk. Please take that into consideration if riding for your first time.
By the way, Camp Fortune is also one of our favourite ski hills near Ottawa. If you want to hit the slopes near Ottawa this winter, check out our post, “The Best Ski Hills Near Ottawa,” to discover ten amazing options!
Gatineau Park
Overview
Located just across the border in Gatineau, Quebec, Gatineau Park is a sprawling network of any and all types of mountain bike and cycling trails.
From gravel roads and smooth dirt trails to technical rock features and challenging climbs, Gatineau Park has it all.
The sheer size of Gatineau Park and the variety that comes with it makes it a great option for all abilities of mountain bikers, offering everything from short gravel rides to all-day epics spanning 100+ kilometres!
Stats
Trail Map: Here
Summer Season: Mid-May to late November
Singletrack Length: 242kms (90kms singletrack)
Total Trails: 65
Trail Type: A bit of everything. Asphalt, gravel, dirt, rocks, roots. Very hilly.
Average Trail Rating: 4/5 Stars
Trail Difficulties: Doubletrack (3), Green (6), Blue (40), Black (16)
Best Trail: Glazer
Max Elevation Change: 315m or 1,033ft
Terrain Type: Varied
Skill: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Facilities: Parking (Parking, Parking, P1, P5, P15, P16, P17, picnic areas, campgrounds
Cost: Free
Managed By: NCC
Other Info: The trails are multi-use, so please stay vigilant and watch for hikers. The park is massive and hilly, so don’t underestimate the trails and be sure to bring enough food, water, supplies, etc.
Did you know? With long, cold winters, Ottawa offers some of the best fat biking in Ontario.
To learn more about fat biking, check out our post, “What is a Fat Bike? Plus 12 Pros & Cons of Fat Biking!“
South March Highlands
Overview
Located just to the west of downtown Ottawa lies the South March Highlands, an old-school, technical set of trails full of rocks, roots, twists and turns!
These trails are geared toward the more advanced rider, so if you’re starting out, it’s best to steer clear and start somewhere a bit easier (more on that below).
But if you’re a novice rider or better, you’re in for a treat, with lots of technically demanding features that are sure to test your strengths and provide some fun challenges.
Stats
Trail Map: Here
Singletrack Length: 23kms
Total Trails: 30
Trail Type: Flat but technical. Lots of roots and rocks. Tons of twists and turns.
Average Trail Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Trail Difficulties: Green (12), Blue (11), Black (3), Double Black (2)
Best Trail: Outback
Max Elevation Change: 36m or 118ft
Terrain Type: Rocky
Skill: Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Facilities: Parking, map board + mechanical station
Cost: Free (but please consider donating to OMBA for maintaining the trails)
Local Association: OMBA
Other Info: The trails are multi-use, so please stay vigilant and watch for hikers, dogs, and whomever else may be using the trails.
Larose Forest
Overview
Is Larose Forest open for mountain biking? Yes, it is, and it’s as good as ever!
Located east of Ottawa, Larose Forest provides an extensive network of mountain bike trails perfect for beginner and intermediate riders, offering a much better entry point to mountain biking than the South March Highlands discussed above.
The trails are primarily dirt, flow very well and have little elevation change, creating a great trail network for beginners looking to become better riders or families looking for a day out on the trails!
Stats
Trail Maps: P4 Access, P1/P7 Access
Singletrack Length: 35kms
Total Trails: 40
Trail Type: Smooth and flow. Dirt-surfaced with very few roots and rocks.
Average Trail Rating: 4/5 Stars
Trail Difficulties: Majority green with blue and black options mixed in (ride-arounds available).
Max Elevation Change: 17m or 56ft
Terrain Type: Dirt
Skill: Beginner, Intermediate
Facilities: Parking lots (P4 + P1/P7), rest areas
Cost: An OMBA membership is required to access the trails. Cost = $30/year/person.
Local Association: OMBA
Other Info: Certain sections of the trails are multi-use, so please stay vigilant and watch for hikers, dogs, horseback riders, and whomever else may be using the trails.
Honourable Mentions
The five trail networks we just discussed are, in my opinion, the best Ottawa mountain biking.
That said, here are some other Ottawa mountain biking areas that may still be worth visiting!
Stony Swamp, Bruce Pit, Shirleys Bay
Squeezed between Ottawa’s Kanata and Nepean neighbourhoods, the trifecta of Stony Swamp, Bruce Pit, and Shirleys Bay provides an enjoyable ride in the heart of the city.
Forest Valley, Bilberry Creek, Petrie’s Landing, Scenic St. Joseph
On the other side of Ottawa in Orleans lies the assortment of trails shown above. None are connected by trails (have to ride the road), but they are each easily accessible and perhaps a good option for a quick morning or after-work ride.
The Yard, Carlington Bike Park
If bike parks are more your thing, you may want to check out The Yard (Ottawa’s only indoor bike park) or Carlington Bike Park, a free pump track and skills park!
PS – I wrote a post on the best Ontario bike parks, like Horseshoe Resort and Joyride 150. Be sure to read it if you want to visit more bike parks in the future!
Conclusion
And there you have it. Ottawa mountain biking at its best!
Are you a local Ottawa mountain biker? Have you ridden any of these areas?
If so, let me know your thoughts below. I’d love to hear what you think is the absolute best mountain bike trail in Ottawa.
I’ve ridden them all and nothing compares to Mont Ste. Marie, love that mountain for biking and skiing 🙂
Absolutely! It’s an incredible destination for both!