Biking, Cycling and Triking with kids in Georgian Bay and Muskoka Cottage Country

Freedom! Once the training wheels come off, a bike is an essential part of fostering independence in a child. For the child, it's a chance to find new freedom and responsibility while doing something super fun. For parents it's bittersweet, you're proud of the milestone your child has reached but at the same time there are more dangers to worry about and big reminder again, that your 'baby' is growing up.

Biking together as a family has a number of benefits that are good for the body, mind and soul. It is an easy and fun activity that is a big part of an extra-awesome quality of life.

Areas north of Toronto offer a chance to enjoy cycling amidst the stunningly beautiful backdrop of Cottage Country in Ontario. Trails are available through towns, old CN rail corridors and winding through breathtaking forests. There are a great number of trails both private and community.

There are some basic rules to follow when biking with children. According to the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario:

1. Protect your head, helmets are mandatory

2. Ride a bike that fits

3. Check your bike before you ride

4. Know the road rules and road signs

5. Discuss possible dangers with children in a general sense, but not enough to scare them

We also recommend to stick to child-friendly trails and to avoid street biking or advanced mountain bike trails for kids who really aren't ready for it. Know the skill levels in your family and choose an adventure accordingly. Maybe you'll need to go in separate groups if older kids want more of a challenge.

For day trippers or overnight guests, many locations and organizations offer bike rentals and even bike-trailers for tots. Parents can consider booking overnight getaway packages. Family and cycle friendly packages are popping up all over areas north of Toronto.

So where can you go? Well, there are a number of great spots in small towns north of Toronto that range from community trails to professional trails and bike parks. Here's our list of really cool spots to have some fun on 2 wheels!

Bruce, Grey & Simcoe County

Blue Mountain Resort
108 Jozo Weiner Blvd., Blue Mountains

Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience under your wheels, the Blue Mountain Bike Park is the place to ride this summer.

Apple Pie Trail

Blue Mountains

Welcome to Ontario's Apple Country - a special place where the moderating effects of Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment create perfect conditions for growing amazing apples - and baking perfect apple pies! Travelling the quiet country roads of the Blue Mountains, enjoy the sweet aroma of blossoms in the spring; ripening fruit in the summer; brilliant colours in the fall and crisp sheets of white in the winter. No matter what time you visit, the Apple Pie Trail is always delicious.

 

Hardwood Ski and Bike
402 Old Barrie Road West, Oro-Medonte

Hardwood Ski and Bike has over 80 km of beautiful, rolling trails through hardwood and pine forests for mountain biking. In addition to the 34 km of rolling double track trails, there is an additional 50 km of challenging single track trails that intertwine with the ski trail network creating endless possibilities of courses and obstacles.

With learning in mind, Hardwood Ski and Bike wants to make mountain biking accessible to anyone from 4 – 70 years of age. There are trails for every level and ability and lessons/programs in place for everyone from beginners to elite athletes. Kids can enjoy the Radical Riders program or Camp Hardwood while adults can enjoy a Ride Better Clinic, Women's Clinic, or Cyclo Cross Clinic.

Horseshoe Resort
1101 Horseshoe Valley Road West, Barrie

Horseshoe Resort boasts 30km of Lift Access cross country riding with interconnected killer trails ranging from beginner to advanced, just take the lift to the top, kick off and ride the trails featuring ladders, boxes and bridges! If that's not enough riding for you, ride over 400 acres of single track terrain in the Copeland forest or if road biking is more your style Oro-Medonte has more than 800km of paved rural roads.

Wye Marsh

16160 Highway 12 East, Midland

25km of biking/hiking trails await you at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. Trails are open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. Last admittance to bike trails is at 3:00 pm. Enjoy all the sights and wildlife of the Marsh. Our trails are diverse whether you are up for a leisurely hike/bike or a more strenuous workout.

Town of Midland Rotary Trail & other Trails
Midland

The extensive Rotary Trail, which forms a part of the Trans Canada Trail System, offers over three kilometres of paved trail running along the beautiful waterfront of Georgian Bay. It encompasses the Pete Pettersen Park area, extends throughout the Town Dock and Harbourside Park area and into the Tiffin By the Bay Development. Little Lake Park also has a paved trail with parkettes at both ends, and a skate / bike ramp area.

Ontario's Lake Country
Orillia area & Springwater

Tour the trails along the waterfront, country roads or at local attractions, there is a variety of options to suit your skill set from beginner to advanced. Bike rentals available.

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Click here to read our blog about biking in the Muskoka and Haliburton Regions.

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