Laurentian – MTB Trail

Length –  20+km

90% hiking trail
10% double track access roads

Elevation – Large smooth rock mounds with a few steep inclines. Level riding by the water.

Terrain – Gravel sand base, with grasses and random rock and boulders on path. Gravel access roads. Enjoy open rock ridges, flat tabletop rock, drops, gnarly bit and mud patches.

Skill –  moderate to advanced – very technical

Traffic – MTB riders, popular hiking area, Nordic skiing in the winter.

Maps – none yet , paint swatches on posts

Facilities –   parking lot – metered

Highlights –  open flat rock riding, scenic high points, lakeview, fall colours

Trail Fee – donation box

Phone – 705 674-5249

Website – Rainbow Routes

Similar Trails – Naughton,  South March,  Georgian,  BNRC

Local Clubs – Walden MBC

Access – parklot at SE, the back of the sports field of Laurentian University (flag on map location), also entry from Laurentian Conservation Area

If you love to ride open, flat rock, you will get more than enough thrills at Laurentian in Sudbury. You’ll find 50+ km to crank and conquer behind Laurentian University, encompassing the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area.

This is an adventurous rock ride with half of it requiring Advanced skills – Attention, you have reached black-diamond country!

Beyond the gravel roads used as Nordic ski paths, there is little here for riders who have not mastered the basics. Big drops, insane climbs and precarious lines are the norms. You need to be in control and brave. Now that I have scared any wannabes, let’s get on to the review, LOL.

Though much of the area is a technical minefield of random rocks, there are stretches of smooth soil and beautiful Precambrian igneous rock to roll over.

There are lots of hills, including some bald ones. Riding to the tops is surreal for this southern Ontario boy. Once you reach the peak on these treeless rock mounds, the sights are substantial and there is this buzz of being “King of the Hill!” 

The Red trail by the university and the Blue marked loops will keep you busy discovering and climbing numerous rock peaks between wooded valleys.

This area has few directional signs or maps, so it is not always certain you are heading where you thought…

Read more of this review in my MTB guidebook with topo maps and riding tips, plus 54 others. Available as an eBook or paperback.