Snow on the trails no longer means that bike season is over; it means that winter biking season has begun!
Winter bikes are mountain bikes with over-sized tires which allow the bikes to travel over snow with ease. One of the best things about winterbiking in the winter is that it’s a great way to get outside and be active all winter long and have a blast doing it!
Biking is a great way to improve cardiovascular health and is low-impact so it’s easy on your joints. The popularity of this sport is exploding across the world and even right here in Algonquin Provincial Park.
Donnie Collins, Bike Shop Manager at Algonquin Outfitters, told us the reason he thinks this winter sport is becoming so popular is that “winter bikes have become a great way to just get out and escape the day-to-day stresses. At the end of the day, it’s just fun to ride your bike in the winter.”
Winter biking Algonquin’s Old Railway Bike Trail
Many people enjoy pedaling Algonquin’s Old Railway Bike Trail during spring, summer and fall, but it’s actually open all year. The trail is groomed a distance of approximately 12 km from Pog Lake to Cache Lake throughout the winter as a multi-recreation trail.
Following the old rail bed in the park, this flat trail is a great ride even for those new to the sport.
Riders can choose their desired length of ride through snow-covered conifer forests. Cycle past frozen lakes and pedal over river bridge crossings. Look for wildlife tracks left by foxes, hares, wolves and other forest friends, and listen to the songs of winter birds.
Mew Lake Campground offers the best access point, with plenty of parking, heated bathrooms and convenient trail access just steps away from the campground.
You can check out a map of the trail here.
To help guarantee access for day use, our visitors are now able to plan their trip ahead of time and obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance.
Reservations can be made:
- online
- by phone: 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275)
For more information, including how seasonal-permit holders can take advantage of this opportunity, please visit our website.
Renting winter bikes near Algonquin
Ready to pedal through the winter wonderland of Algonquin? Check out Algonquin Outfitters at their Huntsville location. They offer a range of winter bike makes and models for rental and sale. New for 2020 is a trunk mounted bike rack rental option for those without a truck or van to transport the bikes.
Prefer to try winter biking the Old Railway Bike Trail in the spring, summer or fall? You can also rent bikes from the Two Rivers Store along Highway 60 in the park from spring until Thanksgiving weekend. The store offers convenient trail access right behind their bike shop.
