Agreement Forest – MTB Trail

Length – 38+ km

50% MTB singletrack
30% hiking trail
20% doubletrack access roads

Terrain – Generally flat, a few small hills, slopes east down to creek

Surface – Smooth dirt trail peppered with stones, some gravel, mud patches, limestone rock/boulders aplenty, boardwalks, all slippery when wet

Skill – Advanced, Intermediate (there is a bypass option on most harder routes)

Traffic – Light traffic, mainly MTB riders, hikers, dog walkers; in winter there are Fatbikes, skiers, snowshoers

Trail Pass – Free

Facilities – Small parking lots, three locations, amenities nearby in town

Highlights – Rocks and more rocks! Endless technical challenges; super-fun on a Fatbike in the winter

Trail Maps – None on trails (on purpose, to keep it natural), but plenty online

Phone – None

Website – HAFTA (Halton Agreement Forest Trail Association)

Similar Trails – Porcupine Ridge, Buckwallow, Laurentian, South March

Local Clubs – HAFTA

Access – There are three small parking areas:

9475 Guelph Line: long gravel driveway, no sign at street level (Mohawk Racetrack is kind enough to allow overflow in their lot)

Two entry points at Sideroad 10 & Fourth Line Nassagaweya

Two areas for cars on the far side of the forest along Sixth Line Nassagaweya, north of Campbellville Rd.

Additional photos by Paulo LaBerge

As with many secret riding haunts, the Agreement Forest area has become increasingly popular over the years and has matured into a legit MTB destination. This is a technical rock riders’ paradise that will challenge the best and dismember the reckless.

This area near Milton is part of the Niagara Escapement and as such is littered with limestone rocks and boulders. You can’t farm it, it does not drain well, but it’s a perfect space for mountain bikes to roam.

This well-treed forest has a hydro corridor cut through it and a few access roads. No signs are posted, so finding your way to the sweet stuff is a bit of a mystery.

Meandering around 38+ km on MTB cut trails and old hiking paths could be an adventure your seek. Most will access maps online. The Halton Agreement Forest Trail Association (HAFTA) MTB club website has some of the best descriptions of each trail any club has posted.

With the help of IMBA, HAFTA has applied great enthusiasm in building and maintaining some really enjoyable loops. The 2.3 km The Den trail is a recent addition that’s sure to please you rockhounds.

Nearly all of the 61 trails in here feature rocky sections and wooden structures that you can nimbly work your way over or around. There’s a constantly changing array of rock and twisty trail for the advanced rider to enjoy, and for added kicks there are plenty of wooden ramps, log skinnies and hops to play on.

The Rock  Wall is aptly named: it’s a long, lumpy highway of stones left over from farmers clearing the land. Other favourites of mine are the Boundary Trail A, BC Rocks and Hammerhead.

If you’re an Intermediate rider learning your way, you may find it a…

Read more of this review in my MTB guidebook with topo maps and riding tips, available as an eBook or paperback.