Hardwood – MTB Trail

Length –  50+ km
60% MTB single track
40% double track – nordic ski 

Elevation –  main route straight flat as it climbs northward, lots of short hills (some steep) as you move onto side loops

Terrain – loam, sandy,  leaves in fall suck your energy, structures, pump track

Skill – all levels, best for seasoned riders with good legs

Maps – well signed on trail,  Hardwood site map

Facilities – full facilities, parking, change rooms, bike body wash station, cafe, bike shop, bike rentals, lessons, pump track

Highlights – pro services, endless challenging trail, excellent technical sections, lookout to south

Trail Fee – $16 adults, 13-19 years $12.25   Kids 6-12 $9.25,  younger free

Phone – 705 487 3775 or 1 800 387 3775

Website – Hardwood

Similar Trails – Copeland, Durham Forest, Albion Hills

Local Clubs – Hardwood Next Wave

Access – Hwy 400 to Exit 111, a few km past Barrie. Go about 9 km northeast on Forbes Road (Simcoe Rd 11) which becomes Old Barrie Road W., follow this for 10 minutes to Hardwood Hills, north side of the road.  Grab a map and head northward

Hardwood Ski and Bike  north of Barrie, is a private, well- managed playground to let loose your MTB energy. Tons of variety and skill challenges for everyone.

The terrain is hilly indeed and wooded for most of the trail, with structures and challenges scattered about the property.

This is Ontario’s premier world-class center. The Pan Am Games raced here in 2015. With the higher cost of riding, comes all the extras and well maintained trails to ride on.

Within the Nordic ski trails area are countless singletrack MTB side trails that weave in and out. Some are strictly for the experienced rider, while most any fit cyclist can manage. Eleven courses have been designed to fit the range of skill levels.

The base of the tracks is smooth with a few roots, logs and the odd rock. Too much riding on some areas has the sandy soil exposed.

Lots of well laid out track that flows with some leg-burning hills. Harder trails to try are Crank’d, Sidewinder, Gnarly and Radical.

Fat Bikes are welcome in the winter to share Hardwood as this spot turns into a major cross country ski destination when the snow comes.

Races are Wednesday night plus…

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

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