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Overview and location
The minnesing mountain bike trail system is a mountain bikers’ gem located inside Algonquin park, Ontario. Precise location is on km #23 inside the park (this is, from it’s west gate along highway 60. If this is confusing you now, don’t worry – it all becomes very clear as you enter Algonquin park – all of the attractions there are marked according to the “km” system) While there is no trail fee, per say, Algonquin park charges $12 for the day, per vehicle for the use of the entire park.
Trail layout and distance
The trails system consists of four loops – 4.1, 10.1, 17.1 and 23.4 km in length. These loops share some sections as you can see from the map – total unique trail distance is 27.8 km. Keep reading for detailed trail descriptions and impressions!
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Let’s head to the trails!
(a couple of notes about the photos: yes, I know they are quiet large and might take a while to download. However, I figured that someone on download will have a hard time getting them to load, even if they are 1/3 of their present size. Also, the photos make it hard to capture the true steepness of the terrain. Perhaps it is my photographing style – but keep that in mind)
At the trailhead a warm up cabin is located which has some couches, as well as trail maps and information. On it’s exterior is a message board with some quick notes about the trails – the loops, the conditions, and the reminders to wear a helmet
. It’d be stupid not to wear one here!
![]()
The warm-up cabin
After a very brief climb the trail welcomes you with a preview of what’s to come – lots of rocks, roots, and mud!
![]()
One of the few climbs on the opening stretch of the trail
The first section of the trail is mostly downhill – perhaps giving a false sense that what’s to come is going to be a breeze. I personally like this because it does give you a chance to warm up before tackling the more nasty climbs – and there be many of those!
![]()
One of the rocky descents on the first section of trail.
The trails are very well marked and I can’t see anybody getting lost there. At every fork in the road, there is a clear sign indicating directions for your desired route. The locations of trail splits appear to be well planned, as here you never miss a trail marker because you’re going “too fast to even notice”.
![]()
A typical fork in the trail
Let’s explore the trail that lies to the left on our last photo – the “Sugar Bush run”.
![]()
The immediate view onto the “Sugar Bush run”.
This 700-meter section of the trail is a non-stop climb that is for the most part ride-able. One section which I have not managed to clear despite numerous attempts features a steep ascent, and some slick-rock and roots to keep things interested.
![]()
The dreaded technical climb. The big slick rock at the top is not visible from this shot (unfortunately) – there is more to this climb than the photo reveals.
Onto the fun (well, funner) stuff. As mentioned before, there is plenty of mud to go around on these trails. One thing though – the mud doesn’t seem to stick to your bike! It just seems to dry and then peel off. This is perfect for those of us who like to play dirty but don’t like to clean.
![]()
This mud-rock combo is typical of the minnesing trails.
The rock gardens on the trails are in-frigging-credible. Spanning distances of up to 50 metres (as best as I can approximate anyways), and loaded with rocks, these are a definite challenge. For me, there was a lot of “try – nope. Stop, try again – and repeat” (see a video of me doing one of them rock gardens)
![]()
One of the rocky sections. There’s a couple of tougher one on the trails here, too!
There is really not that much to say about the rest of the trails as they all fit the bill of what’s been outlined up above. Tons of fun – not enough images.
The descent on the last stretch of the trail is one to hold your breath for. It is long and gradual with a lot of loose rocks, and launchers off of rocks. My personal max here was 41 km/hr – and that felt damn fast. It is unfortunate that like most good things – this descent had to come to an end. All I could say was wow!
![]()
Clocking some major speed on the last descent
And that wraps up your minnesing mountain bike trails! I would highly recommend that anyone with a chance rides these – I know I’m not disappointed!
---------------------------------
And here is a story about some of my adventures:
The very first day on the trails, about 8 km in I did something very stupid. Upon coming to a huge mud puddle, I decided that if I carried enough speed, I would be able to ride through it. I ended up not lifting up my front wheel enough, and endo-ing right into the yuck. You could say I took a plunge. In the process I managed to loose my specialized cyclo-computer in the mud. This is what happens when the bike gives you too much confidence.
The result – see here. Actually, this was supposed to be a photo – but camera was set in the wrong mode! What a bummer.
---------------------------------
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this report. Questions? Comments?
The minnesing mountain bike trail system is a mountain bikers’ gem located inside Algonquin park, Ontario. Precise location is on km #23 inside the park (this is, from it’s west gate along highway 60. If this is confusing you now, don’t worry – it all becomes very clear as you enter Algonquin park – all of the attractions there are marked according to the “km” system) While there is no trail fee, per say, Algonquin park charges $12 for the day, per vehicle for the use of the entire park.
Trail layout and distance
The trails system consists of four loops – 4.1, 10.1, 17.1 and 23.4 km in length. These loops share some sections as you can see from the map – total unique trail distance is 27.8 km. Keep reading for detailed trail descriptions and impressions!
---------------------------------
Let’s head to the trails!
(a couple of notes about the photos: yes, I know they are quiet large and might take a while to download. However, I figured that someone on download will have a hard time getting them to load, even if they are 1/3 of their present size. Also, the photos make it hard to capture the true steepness of the terrain. Perhaps it is my photographing style – but keep that in mind)
At the trailhead a warm up cabin is located which has some couches, as well as trail maps and information. On it’s exterior is a message board with some quick notes about the trails – the loops, the conditions, and the reminders to wear a helmet
. It’d be stupid not to wear one here!
The warm-up cabin
After a very brief climb the trail welcomes you with a preview of what’s to come – lots of rocks, roots, and mud!
One of the few climbs on the opening stretch of the trail
The first section of the trail is mostly downhill – perhaps giving a false sense that what’s to come is going to be a breeze. I personally like this because it does give you a chance to warm up before tackling the more nasty climbs – and there be many of those!
One of the rocky descents on the first section of trail.
The trails are very well marked and I can’t see anybody getting lost there. At every fork in the road, there is a clear sign indicating directions for your desired route. The locations of trail splits appear to be well planned, as here you never miss a trail marker because you’re going “too fast to even notice”.
A typical fork in the trail
Let’s explore the trail that lies to the left on our last photo – the “Sugar Bush run”.
The immediate view onto the “Sugar Bush run”.
This 700-meter section of the trail is a non-stop climb that is for the most part ride-able. One section which I have not managed to clear despite numerous attempts features a steep ascent, and some slick-rock and roots to keep things interested.
The dreaded technical climb. The big slick rock at the top is not visible from this shot (unfortunately) – there is more to this climb than the photo reveals.
Onto the fun (well, funner
) stuff. As mentioned before, there is plenty of mud to go around on these trails. One thing though – the mud doesn’t seem to stick to your bike! It just seems to dry and then peel off. This is perfect for those of us who like to play dirty but don’t like to clean.
This mud-rock combo is typical of the minnesing trails.
The rock gardens on the trails are in-frigging-credible. Spanning distances of up to 50 metres (as best as I can approximate anyways), and loaded with rocks, these are a definite challenge. For me, there was a lot of “try – nope. Stop, try again – and repeat” (see a video of me doing one of them rock gardens)
One of the rocky sections. There’s a couple of tougher one on the trails here, too!
There is really not that much to say about the rest of the trails as they all fit the bill of what’s been outlined up above. Tons of fun – not enough images.
The descent on the last stretch of the trail is one to hold your breath for. It is long and gradual with a lot of loose rocks, and launchers off of rocks. My personal max here was 41 km/hr – and that felt damn fast. It is unfortunate that like most good things – this descent had to come to an end. All I could say was wow!
Clocking some major speed on the last descent
And that wraps up your minnesing mountain bike trails! I would highly recommend that anyone with a chance rides these – I know I’m not disappointed!
---------------------------------
And here is a story about some of my adventures:
The very first day on the trails, about 8 km in I did something very stupid. Upon coming to a huge mud puddle, I decided that if I carried enough speed, I would be able to ride through it. I ended up not lifting up my front wheel enough, and endo-ing right into the yuck. You could say I took a plunge. In the process I managed to loose my specialized cyclo-computer in the mud. This is what happens when the bike gives you too much confidence.
The result – see here. Actually, this was supposed to be a photo – but camera was set in the wrong mode! What a bummer.
---------------------------------
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this report. Questions? Comments?
