Small Town Natural: Exploring MTB trails in Huntsville, ON, Canada
Deerhurst Resort & Hidden Valley Ski Lodge MTB trails are soooo much FUN!
The small town of Huntsville, Ontario, Canada is home to some great 4yrs new MTB trails! Park at the ski lodge and look for signage at the edge of parking lot. Pics of signs below:
There is another map of the Deerhurst trails that you can find at the end of the HV trails on the hilltop. (Be sure to buy a day pass or full membership to HMBA Huntsville Mountain Bike Assoc. before you ride!) https://huntsvillemountainbike.ca/
Parking: The parking lot is huge! Easily 40 cars can park here.
Water bottle station: None. Bring your own hydration and snacks.
Garbage: No garbage bins so please pack in and pack out & leave no trace.
Washroom(s): There is a outhouse style washroom at the parking lot next to trail signs.
No there is no carpet nor lift for mtb trails. You get to the top with leg power. It really isn't a bad climb. Quite a gentle warm-up really.
Cell reception: I had 3 bars in parking lot then dropped to 2 bars as I climbed but got 3 bars at hilltop again.
Signage: Well it's okay, but hopefully they will add more. If you are not a local the trail intersections can be confusing. Especially where HV trails meet Deerhurst trails. Even trying to figure out where to park was confusing. Zero signs at the parking at gate at base of ski hill (I had to ask staff where I should park and back tracked to upper parking lot). This can be frustrating if you have limited time to spend on the trails. Not everyone rides with a cell phone in their pocket to check trailforks or local website maps. Also lacking signage to inform people which direction these trails should be ridden so it is assumed you can ride them in either direction. Some of the DH only trails had directional signs which is good to avoid serious injury. Basic signage is noticeable at most trail heads.
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These trails have very similar terrain to Glebe Park in Haliburton but fewer small rocks. Upon entering the HV trail you will ride behind and past the townhouses you see when you drive to the parking area. This is a nice gentle climb. Once you reach the forest there is plenty of trail head signage and a quick description of trail. This section is the main climb to the top trails. This is all gentle climbing with no features and very few rocks and roots, mostly smooth dirt and gravel climb winding through several switchbacks. As you all know Glebe Park & The West Side are my main riding trail systems so for those who ride there I can honestly say that the Hidden valley & Deerhurst trails are very similar with less small rocks. The features here are mostly rock piles similar to the style we have in Glebe. Do not expect the tough huge slab rock trails like BRMC of Bracebridge! Not at all like BRMC. These Blue rated trails are on the same level as Glebe Park (The easier side of Blue). There are Black trails as well as Red they ARE expert level. Definitely nothing like it in Glebe or The West Side trails. The Blue trails at HV and Deerhurst have a few black features with bypasses to avoid them if not your skill level.
These trails have a good balance of XC skill testing and flowier sections. I would not say there are any true Flow trails here. True flow is smooth which requires machine made trails no rocks no roots. (Example: Mark Arendz Prov. Park in P.E.I.) You won't find that here. There are some wood features and most are roll-able but good to stop and scout it out if 1st time so you don't hurt yourself.
Very picturesque views! Huntsville Highlands are gorgeous! Love coming back to Muskoka to see what has changed and what has not. I grew up in Muskoka and learned to downhill ski at Hidden Valley.
While I was riding the hilltop section at Hidden Valley I saw another female rider heading towards me on another section of trail not far away so I shouted out a 'Hello" and we got chatting. She is a local gal who was happy to show me one of her favourite riding routes on these trail systems. She told me her favourite is 'The Tub' which I have to agree with her is a really really fun trail! Lots of challenges and interesting features for sure! I do feel she was holding back a bit for my benefit (Nice of her but I know she is more skilled than I). What fun these trails are! Really worth the drive!
(Below pic: entrance to The Tub black trail)
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On a previous trip to Huntsville this Spring I took this photo of the Deerhurst Trails map. I am sure there are better maps on trailforks or HMBA's website. Deerhurst Resort guests can access the trails right at the large parking lot for the resort! In winter they rent fat bikes to guests (unsure if they do so in summer). Get out and ride! Bike therapy is the best stress buster!
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