Shred, Eat, Repeat: The Perfect Mountain Bike Weekend in Muskoka & Parry Sound
From the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre, Huntsville’s Hidden Valley and Deerhurst Resort, to epic riding at Georgian Nordic, guest blogger Martin Lortz created a road trip itinerary combining amazing trails with great food, local breweries, and outdoor adventure. This area is renowned for sparkling lakes, tall pines, and cottage country charm, but mountain bikers know it for something else entirely: stunning Canadian Shield riding, flowing singletrack, rocky technical sections, forested climbs, and endless chances to cool off in a lake after a ride. This makes Muskoka and Parry Sound one of Ontario’s top mountain biking destinations. Who’s ready for a road trip?
This three-day road trip takes you through some of the region’s top trail networks, blending epic riding with delicious food, local breweries, scenic sights, and comfortable accommodations. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape with friends or a solo riding adventure, this route offers the perfect balance of riding and relaxation.
Day One: Bracebridge Resource Management Centre
The Ride
Your adventure begins in Bracebridge at the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre (BRMC), one of Ontario’s hidden gems for mountain biking. The trail system offers about 19 kilometres of trails, ranging from beginner-friendly double track to flowing singletrack and technical rock features. The network has become a favourite among Ontario riders thanks to ongoing trail development and excellent maintenance.
The landscape is quintessential Muskoka: exposed granite, winding forest trails, small bridges, and numerous elevation changes to add variety. Riders can comfortably spend three to four hours exploring the trail network.
After your ride, head into downtown Bracebridge and explore the scenic Muskoka River waterfront. The Bracebridge Falls area is a great spot to stretch your legs and enjoy one of Muskoka’s most iconic views.
If you’re still energetic, explore Wilson’s Falls Trail or take a quick drive to High Falls for another breathtaking Muskoka waterfall adventure.
Need a bike? LivOutside is your spot for MTB rentals, including e-MTBs. It’s also a perfect place to cool down after your ride with a paddle on the Muskoka River.
If your post-ride routine includes relaxing on a patio with a craft beer, Muskoka Brewery has you covered.
Accommodations can make or break the road trip experience, and in Bracebridge, you can’t go wrong with a stay at the Inn at the Falls or the Quality Inn. If you prefer camping, Santa’s Village Whispering Pines Campground is the perfect spot.
After a good night’s rest, the best way to keep your energy high is with a full belly. Luckily, in Bracebridge, good food is part of the town’s reputation. Try Italian at Basilico, located downstairs at the Inn at the Falls. El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant, Main Street Delicatessen, and the Bracebridge Barrelhouse are all highly recommended.
MORCA – Muskoka Off-Road Cycling Association Founded in 2018 and powered entirely by passionate volunteers, MORCA has built and maintained over 14km of year-round trails at the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre, groomed 10km of winter fat biking routes, and is actively expanding into South Monck through a five-year partnership with the Town of Bracebridge, making Muskoka one of Ontario’s most exciting and accessible mountain biking destinations for riders of every skill level.
Day Two: Huntsville Mountain Bike Trails
The Ride
What all these riding locations have in common is a dedicated cycling community. Here, the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association has, in just a few years, established one of Ontario’s top spots for mountain biking and racing.
What distinguishes the riding here from Bracebridge is the elevation. The slopes that make Hidden Valley Ski Resort fun in winter provide the landscape with some of the best downhill trails in the province. Expect longer climbs, more rugged terrain, and beautiful forest scenery. Many trails wind through mature hardwood forests and along rocky ridges, offering a mix of fast-flowing forest trails and challenging Canadian Shield features.
Plan for another three to four hours of riding, depending on how many loops you choose to tackle.
After the ride, grab a bite from the deli counter at the Farmer’s Daughter, a local gourmet market and bakery with so many good treats. Then pull up a chair on the patio at Canvas Brewing Company.
What also makes the Huntsville Trails ideal for a road trip or a destination is its location next to Deerhurst Resort, creating a perfect play-and-stay experience.
There are many more accommodation options in town, and if you’re into camping, Arrowhead Provincial Park and Huntsville Lagoons are ideal choices.
In Huntsville, spend some time wandering downtown. It’s vibrant core features shops, waterfront parks, and famous Group of Seven-inspired murals.
If you’re extending your trip, nearby Arrowhead Provincial Park offers excellent hiking, paddling, and swimming opportunities.
Huntsville Mountain Bike Association – HMBA is a non-profit, volunteer run organization. Membership is the best way to support their efforts in building, maintaining and keeping trail access in Huntsville. The HMBA continues to develop a network of trails in Huntsville, and hosts weekly events including group rides, a weekly race series and a kids skills and ride clinic. HMBA members have access to all trails, but visiting non-members require a day pass to ride Deerhurst or Lance’s Loops.
Day Three: Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre
The Ride
Your final destination is the Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre (GNOAC), located just north of Parry Sound.
Known primarily as a cross-country ski destination, Georgian Nordic has quietly become one of Ontario’s best mountain biking locations. The facility offers three marked loops totalling 17 kilometres of trails across 800 acres of rugged Canadian Shield terrain. Riders can choose between beginner-friendly double track and technical singletrack that winds through forests, granite outcrops, and rolling terrain.
The trail network continues to grow, with a fourth loop in the works thanks to the efforts of local volunteers and the Get Outdoors Parry Sound organization.
The biggest draw is the true northern wilderness feel like no other. The trails offer a backcountry experience rarely found this close to the GTA.
After your ride, head into Parry Sound. Old Town Beach is a perfect spot for a post-ride swim, and the patio at Trestle Brewing offers craft beer and delicious food. If you want to keep it simple, The Kart food truck serves up excellent burgers and fish and chips.
If time allows, stop in town at The Charles W. Stockey Centre, Parry Sound Harbour, and Tower Hill Lookout.
The best thing about this road trip is that you can hit up these trails in any order, and if an overnight stay in Parry Sound is in your plan, Bayside Inn or Best Western Plus Parry Sound are good choices.
For campers, head over to the nearby Killbear or Oastler Lake Provincial Parks.
Muskoka and Parry Sound offer some of the best mountain biking in Ontario, and this three-day road trip showcases three distinctly different riding experiences. Bracebridge delivers accessible flow trails and classic Muskoka terrain. Huntsville offers rugged riding and a vibrant downtown atmosphere. Georgian Nordic finishes the adventure with a true northern wilderness experience and some of the province’s most rewarding singletrack.
Add in great breweries, excellent local food, waterfront scenery, and camping options throughout the route, and you have the perfect Ontario mountain biking getaway.
Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre (GNOAC) Just five minutes north of Parry Sound on an extraordinary 800-acre property, the GNOAC offers close to 50 kilometres of meticulously maintained trails across the rugged Canadian Shield. There are wide, welcoming doubletrack for beginners to tight, technical singletrack with names like Lynx, Wolf, and Otter for those who want a bigger challenge making it the premier mountain biking destination in the West Parry Sound area, with fat biking trails in winter ensuring the riding never has to stop.
Bike stores galore
Whether you are looking for a new ride, a service, or a spare part or two, our region has you covered!
Algonquin Outfitters Huntsville
The Bike Shop Huntsville
The Crank & Sprocket Bicycle Co Gravenhurst
Ecclestone Cycle Bracebridge
Liv Outside Bracebridge
Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop Huntsville
Nielsons Bicycles Bracebridge
Parry Sound Bikes Parry Sound