Bracebridge RMC – MTB / Park Trail

Length – 17 km 

50% single-track
50% double-track path

Elevation – Stone ridgeline runs parallel to the highway with the area sloping down to the river.

Terrain – Smooth soil base, random rock outcrops, boulders, boardwalks, and a gravel mix on access roads.

Skill – Best for Intermediate / Advanced MTB riders; Intermediate Park type ride on the access roads.

Traffic – Two way trails, light use by local hikers and cyclists. Active Nordic skiing area in winter. Fatbikes only on the snowshoe trails in the winter. No grooming is currently done. 

Maps – Map at the trailhead, as well as new signpost maps.

Facilities – 3 Parking lots, with outhouses, shelter and benches on the trail. 

Highlights – New MTB track on ridgeline, additional trail being developed. Scenic river and rapids.

Trail Fee – Donation post – pay what you can 

Phone – None

Website –  MORCA,   BRMC on Facebook

Similar Trails – Buckwallow, Porcupine Ridge, Naughton

Local Clubs –  Muskoka Off Road Cycling Assoc.   MORCA on Facebook

Access – Two parking areas now exist. A new south end parking lot was added, with the entrance on the north side, on Holiday Park Dr. just 100 meters east of Hwy 11 interchange. This new entrance is best suited for seasoned MTB riders.

The main parking area is further up 2.5 km north, right off Hwy 117. There is only one Hwy. sign posted mere seconds from the turnoff (!), so start hitting the brakes as soon as you see it—the turnoff comes up suddenly, and if the highway is busy I find this a tad dangerous. 

Do not miss that turn, or you are in for one long loop around with a rather significant U-turn up, around and back down to the interchange. 

If you need to go back home by the south route later, this requires you to drive up the highway to the next crossover a few kilometres up the road.

 An exciting transformation has taken place recently at the BRMC. The addition of MTB trails has made this area worth the drive to Bracebridge. With 9 km of new single track, (some trails so new they are still nameless), this is good news in the mountain bike world.

The highlight is a hidden long rock ridge that has been maximized by an avid new MTB club — MORCA. Along this rock feature run five trails that are a blast! 

On my recent visit, club riders eagerly took me on a tour of their fine work. From the new south parking lot off Holiday Park Dr., we headed uphill to take on the expert x2 Black Diamond Crazy Goat. What an introduction and immediate challenge for this old goat! LOL

Another trail, Gnarnia runs parallel with the same insane difficulty. These trails ride up over large humpback smooth rock mounds, around and down fast descents and across boardwalks in a somewhat flowy line.

If your skill level is Advanced and your mountain bike has 29” wheels and shocks to match the rocky terrain, then you’re good to go. 

A third line called The Freeway is an easier way up, or a fast long bomb down to return to your car. There are other tamer Intermediate loops as well, (Jakes Break) that do not test your skills constantly, yet are equally well-designed and varied to keep it fun.

You will find on the north end a few short Easy loops for mountain bike beginners to navigate Eg. Rabbit Run, Pine Pedaler.

For some, just 9 km of MTB trail may seem rather short. Ah, but it’s never about the distance, it’s all about the amount and variety of challenges packed in…and they’ve got them. (and more coming…)

For others interested in a leisurely Park forest ride, the 8.5 km of paths are still here traversing the gravel/dirt access roads.

You will encounter a few wooden bridges and some benches so you can stop and view (swim) the Muskoka River. A hybrid bike would be a good choice to navigate these paths which are cross-country skiing routes in the winter. 

There is nothing too strenuous on these double track routes until you go up the gravel hill at the south end; most may walk it, or perhaps a counter-clockwise route would be the better riding direction.

Duck Chutes are small rapids that can be seen from afar on the northern loop.

It is worth mentioning that across the highway, there is a picnic spot by High Falls at the Hwy 117 turnoff. Here, you can see impressive waterfalls at any time of the year.

The trail is well-signed and impossible to get too lost. As for the bugs, it’s cottage country. 

Not often can I celebrate new trail construction? It’s labour-intensive and full of bureaucracy, but the new MTB club MORCA club has taken it on with much success…and your volunteer help is also welcome.

What once was just an outing for Park riders to cycle in the woods, now also has excellent MTB trails to consider so add the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre – BRMC (can we give this a better name?) to your “must check out MTB list”.

Right by the highway, it should be noted the main entrance is tricky to find. (See Access.)