CYCLING + BIKING
SHAPED BY THE LANDSCAPE
Roads bend around lakes, climb over granite ridges, disappear into hardwood forests, and connect small communities that have changed remarkably little over the years. Exploring by bike has a way of revealing the landscape differently. You notice the smell of the pines after a summer rain, the quiet stretches between villages, and the views that are easy to miss from behind a windshield. Whether you prefer quiet pavement, rolling gravel, or technical single-track, these are the rides we return to time and again.
EXPLORING BY BIKEROAD
Some of our favourite rides don't have names. They're the quiet backroads that rise and fall through the Highlands, where every climb seems to reveal another lake, another valley, or another reason to keep riding. Stop for coffee, take the longer route home, or pull over when a view catches your attention. Around here, that's part of the ride.
GRAVEL
If there is one type of riding that feels perfectly suited to the Highlands, it's gravel. Hundreds of kilometres of concession roads wind through rolling hills, hardwood forests, and Canadian Shield, offering routes that feel wonderfully remote without requiring days of planning. Expect steady climbs, rewarding descents, and very little traffic.
MOUNTAIN
The Highlands has quietly become one of Ontario's best mountain biking destinations. From flowing single-track at Glebe Park to the extensive trail network at Haliburton Forest and lift-access riding at Sir Sam's, there's something here for every level of rider. If you're looking to spend a day in the woods on two wheels, it's well worth bringing your mountain bike.
TRAVELING LIGHT?Local outfitters offer everything from e-bikes and gravel bikes to full-suspension mountain bikes, making it easy to explore the region without bringing your own.
PLANNING YOUR RIDEOne of the advantages of staying at Hårtwood is that exceptional road and gravel riding begins right outside your treehouse. If mountain biking is more your style, plan on a short drive to reach the region's trail networks, including Sir Sam's, Haliburton Forest, and Glebe Park.
For route maps, GPS files, and trail information, the Haliburton Highlands tourism team has done an excellent job documenting rides throughout the region.
