Minnesing – MTB / Park Trail

Hwy 60 Algonquin Park
Posted on March 19, 2018 / 8866
Minnesing – MTB / Park Trail
Listing Types : MTB Trail / Park Trail
Location : Northern Ontario
Total Trail Km : 23
Double track % : 30
Hiking trail % : 70
Rate Skill Levels : Intermediate, Advanced
Terrain : smooth soil, can be muddy, bridges, large hills, steep hills, rocky patches
Faclities : parking, toilet, outhouse, trailhead map
Trail Fee : Day park permit

Length –  23 km

70% hiking trail
3
0% double track access roads

Elevation – wide path that ascends up, long run back down, large rolling hills,

Terrain – smooth soil, rocky on inclines, lots of muddy patches, a few wooden bridges (in need of care) back loop less used and grown over

Skill – intermediate to experienced

Maps – at trailhead, a few signs on trail (very old ones)

Facilities – large parking lot, outhouses, cabin at trailhead –  Bike Rental

Highlights – as much wilderness as you can handle, solitude, quite

Trail Fee – park day pass or overnight camping pass

Phone –  705 633-5572

Website – Friends of Algonquin ParkOntario Parks

Similar Trails – Haliburton,  Kolapore Uplands, Oro Network

Local Clubs – none

Access –  In Algonquin Park where the flag on the maps is near Cache and Canisbay Lakes, take the dirt road north for a few minutes till you get to the large parking lot and cabin. Trailhead is north of the parking lot right side of cabin.



The Minnesing trail in Algonquin Provincial Park offers mountain bikers a challenging cross-country style ride. It’s perfect for those who want wilderness, adventure and mileage.

It has long consisted of hiking trails that are now officially also MTB loops. Bikers will experience a long and fast forest ride, mainly along singletrack hiking paths with an old gravel road on the return.

There are four consecutive loops to choose from: 5, 9, 15 and 23 km (check with the gatehouse that it’s open) approximately.

The flat sections remain a fast, smooth ride on a black topsoil with not too many roots. When you can find a line between the rocks and roots, most hills are easy enough to climb.

As with many hiking trails, erosion is a problem and over the years water has washed away the soil from the steeper inclines, revealing round rocks and boulders. This is a product of blazing a straight trail on a hill. When it rains, water rushes down like a river, washing the soil away. To fix those erosion issues switchbacks and grade reversals are needed.

There are many large, muddy puddles at the bottom of these hills likely most of the summer. You have to skirt around or take your chances and bolt through.  A few boardwalks help to cross some of this mucky mess, but more would be helpful. According to a park ranger I spoke with,* new ones have recently been constructed.

There are a few small, old signs marking the trails, although I doubt you will come across any other side trails to get lost on.

Although it is a fast descent on the way back, this is definitely no fun to climb, so I recommend starting the trail in on the east side of the log cabin

 

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

 

mtb trail guide

Minnesing bike trail map

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