Don Valley – MTB Trail – BMX

Length – 15+ km
30% MTB single track
50% hiking trail
20% double track access roads

Terrain – flat along river, large hills, steep climbs, off camber, some trail upgraded by MTB crews, windy and gnarly parts

Surface – smooth soil, (will be greasy after rain, AVOID)  some gravel, sandy, washouts by river, clay and wooden structures, BMX dirt jumps by river

Skill – Intermediate to Advanced rider, best for experienced

Facilities – parking lot, can be muddy and full at Pottery Rd., all the city services you can use close by

Highlights –  best MTB riding in the city, extra trails cut beyond map, bridge under tracks, fast drops

Maps – at trailhead, well signed, PDF bike trail map

Trail Pass – free

Phone – 311

Website – City of Toronto

Similar Trails – Albion Hills, Durham Forest

Local Clubs – Don Valley MTB on FB

Access – at the bottom of Pottery Rd. & Bayview Ave. west of the train tracks. Parking is limited on busy days and it could be muddy.

Other popular entry point is at the Loblaws parking lot which has tons of parking. And a huge grocery store with food and drink nearby.

And on the north end, the bottom of Thorncliffe Park Dr. access road.

Toronto’s best MTB ride spot is the Don Valley in the center of town called Crothers Woods. OK, officially it’s the only ride spot that kicks in town. (psst…there is more trails going north)

Over the years these trails are improving and getting better with the help of IMBA and others to make what was a hiking trail more of a safe, flowing trail system with less erosion problems.

Can be a challenging and hilly ride. Busy at times when the office crowd gets off. Well-worn trails and most are two-way, so watch your speed. Various ramps and stunts.

After a rainfall it will be muddy with very slippery clay, so stay off for a few days.

The Don Valley trail system extends in many directions. This part, Crothers Woods is the most popular and approved by the city for MTB riding.

It runs along the valley hillside and has a few steep and tricky inclines off camber.Best for the experienced rider.

For beginners, an easier ride can be the river trail which is not on the city map. It follows the river back to the other end and makes for a great loop.

It winds through fields and wooded area on a sandy base on the edge of the Don River. This flat ride is a change from the hillside climbs on the other run. You could also ride the paved trail back on the other side of the river. (if you must)

Watch for eroded trail in the spring from river flooding, stinging nettle bushes in mid summer and the train track as the trail comes up close at one point.

Unfortunately the Don Valley was  a dumping ground for years and there is plenty of sharp pointy stuff to give you a flat if you don’t pay attention. (including the wire caging under the Leaside bridge)

Mid way on the river trail you will encounter a local BMX ride park made by locals. Lots of jumps and a pretty decent if not confusing pump track that MTB riders should try.

Only a few reminders take you back to it being a city loop; with on occasion the drone of the hwy and smell of the treatment plant. (you’ll know it when you get there) Other times it’s a little of the country in the city.