![\"EQUIPMENTBIKES](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/EQUIPMENTBIKES-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDo you prefer a rugged, uneven\u00a0terrain that’s perfect for mountain biking or a smooth, asphalt trail made with\u00a0a road bike in mind? No matter what type of cycling you have planned for this summer, our staff picks for their favourite trails from in and around the city\u00a0are a must-read for any bike enthusiast. The list covers everything from classic\u00a0Toronto favourites like the Don Valley Trail to the challenging paths along the Niagara Escarpment in the Kelso Conservation Area. Browse through our picks to start planning your next summer cycling adventure!<\/p>\n
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![\"20101023-Don-Valley-Biking\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/20101023-Don-Valley-Biking.jpg\")
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This is one of the longest existing bike trail networks in the area. It is over 70kms in total with many entrances to choose where to start your ride from. The Lower Don trail and those closer to the city centre span approximately 10km each\u00a0and vary in difficulty from beginner to expert. Be sure to check out a map and plan your path based on what type of terrain you are looking for and how far you would like to travel.<\/p>\n
If you know the city well and aren’t afraid of a little exploring, it’s safe to navigate as you go with most trails leading to a main road or other familiar areas. There are several access points that can be used based on which path you choose. We suggest trying the entrance at Bayview and Pottery Road just south of Mount Pleasant Cemetery which starts off a little rugged to get your adrenaline going right at the start of your ride. View Images<\/a><\/p>\n Difficulty:<\/strong> Price:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n Parking: <\/strong>Enter at the Todmorden Mill Heritage site and follow the road to the parking lot (from Pottery Road access point).<\/p>\n Distance:<\/strong> 10km+<\/p>\n Hours: <\/strong>Open 24\/7 (*For your safety, avoid riding the trail alone at night.)<\/p>\n Tips: <\/strong>Try to avoid the Don Valley on days when the ground is wet and muddy, which can make the trails too difficult to ride and navigate.<\/p>\n Links:<\/strong> More information<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div> Giant<\/strong> – Xtc Advanced 2 27.5 [2014]\n reg. $3,999.99<\/p>\n now<\/strong> $3,699.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> Specialized<\/strong> – Crave Comp 29 [2014]\n reg. $1,814.99<\/p>\n now <\/strong>$1,649.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> Giant<\/strong> – Tempt 4 [2014]\n $649.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n Difficulty:<\/strong> Price:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n Parking: <\/strong>Marie Curtis Park (2 Forty-Second Street, Dixie Road & Lakeshore Road East)<\/p>\n Distance:<\/strong> 15-30km<\/p>\n Hours: <\/strong>Open 24\/7 (*For your safety, avoid riding the trail alone at night.)<\/p>\n Tips: <\/strong>Be cautious of the path you’re riding; some parts of the trail in Mississauga bring cyclists to steep drop-offs (up to 50ft!).<\/p>\n Links:<\/strong> More information<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div> Specialized<\/strong> – Epic Comp Carbon [2014]\n reg. $4,579.99<\/p>\n now<\/strong> $4,169.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> Giant<\/strong> – Talon 2 [2014]\n reg. $1,114.99<\/p>\n now<\/strong> $1,099.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> Cannondale<\/strong> – Trail 7 29 [2014]\n reg. $619.99<\/p>\n now<\/strong> $599.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Difficulty:<\/strong> Price:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n Parking: <\/strong>Street Parking around Thackeray Park (pay attention to road signs!)<\/p>\n Distance:<\/strong> 20km+<\/p>\n Hours: <\/strong>Open 24\/7 (*For your safety, avoid riding the trail alone at night.)<\/p>\n Tips: <\/strong>Frequent bikers say there are jumps that can be found in the dirt near the access point at Thackeray Park, making this a great area to explore for expert riders.<\/p>\n Links:<\/strong> More information<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div> Giant<\/strong> – Anthem Advanced 1 27.5 [2014]\n reg. $4,654.99<\/p>\n now<\/strong> $4,299.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> Cannondale<\/strong> – Trail Sl 29 3 [2014]\n reg. $1,059.99<\/p>\n now<\/strong> $1,029.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> Giant<\/strong> – Women’s Revel 4 Mountain Bike [2013]\n $389.99<\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t <\/a>\n<\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Difficulty:<\/strong> Price: <\/strong>Adult (15-64) $6.75<\/p>\n Senior (65+) $5.75<\/p>\n Child (5-14) $5.00<\/p>\n *Children under 5 are free.<\/p>\n Parking: <\/strong>On site; included\u00a0in entry fees (see above).<\/p>\n Distance:<\/strong> 22km<\/p>\n Hours: <\/strong>Gates open daily, year-round at 8:30am.<\/p>\n Closing Times:<\/p>\n September\/October – 7:30 pm<\/p>\n November\/December\/January – 5 pm<\/p>\n February \/ March – 6:30 pm<\/p>\n April \/ May – 7:30 pm<\/p>\n June\/July\/August – 9 pm<\/p>\n Tips: <\/strong>Book a spot at the campgrounds to make it into a weekend cycling trip. It’s a quick and easy getaway from the weekday hustle of the busy city.<\/p>\n Links:<\/strong> More information<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div> <\/span>More Information<\/div>\n![\"dots-blue-selected\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/dots-blue-selected.jpg\")
![\"dots-grey-unselected\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/dots-grey-unselected.jpg\")
(Varies by trail)<\/p>\n<\/span>Map & Location<\/div> {google_map}https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=Don+Valley+Mountain+Bike+Trailhead,+Pottery+Rd,+Toronto,+ON,+Canada&hl=en&ll=43.689722,-79.363625&spn=0.009403,0.021136&sll=43.584607,-79.545998&sspn=0.075353,0.169086&oq=Don+Valley+Mountain+Bike+Trailhead+Pottery+Rd&hq=Don+Valley+Mountain+Bike+Trailhead,&hnear=Pottery+Rd,+Toronto,+Ontario,+Canada&t=m&z=16&iwloc=A{\/google_map} <\/div><\/div> <\/span>Need a Bike?<\/div> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sportinglife.ca\/images\/products\/small\/24260002_ONE_COLOUR_5.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"specialized](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/specialized-cravecomp29-1649.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"24259939_ONE_COLOUR_5\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/24259939_ONE_COLOUR_5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nEtobicoke Creek Trail<\/h4>\n
![\"etobicoke](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/etobicokecreektrail.jpg\")
Situated along the Etobicoke Creek between Toronto and Mississauga, these trails are similar to the Don Valley network and offer cyclists the ability to plan a trip based on ride difficulty. After a visit or two it becomes easy to avoid large sections of paved paths and roads, giving mountain bikers the option to plan a ride that includes a more challenging terrain. When starting your trip at an access point that is further south, like Marie Curtis Park at Dixie and Lakeshore Roads, travelling Northwest along the Creek will be a largely uphill ride. There are also many side trails that lead off of the main path as you head North that are perfect for anyone seeking a little bit of added adventure. View Images <\/a> <\/span>More Information<\/div>\n (Varies by path)<\/p>\n<\/span>Map & Location<\/div>{google_map}https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=Marie+Curtis+Park+2+Forty+Second+St&hl=en&sll=43.584619,-79.545994&sspn=0.009419,0.021136&hq=Marie+Curtis+Park+2+Forty+Second+St&radius=15000&t=m&z=13{\/google_map}<\/div><\/div> <\/span>Need a Bike?<\/div> ![\"specialized-epicompcarbon-4169-mountain\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/specialized-epicompcarbon-4169-mountain.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"giant-talon2-1099-mountain\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/giant-talon2-1099-mountain.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"cannondale-trail729-599-mountain\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/cannondale-trail729-599-mountain.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nHumber Valley Trail<\/h4>\n
![\"humberrivertrail\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/humberrivertrail-300x224.jpg\")
The Humber Valley Trails are the best choice for someone who prefers mountain biking but isn’t looking for anything too technical. Many riders choose to use the Thackeray Park access point on the southwest side of the Humber River bridge near Steeles and Kipling, where the terrain is a little less polished. You can choose to follow the more-challenging trail south from this entrance to make your way down to Lake Ontario or take the smoother path north into Woodbridge. View Images <\/a> <\/span>More Information<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/span>Map & Location<\/div> {google_map}https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=Thackeray+Conservation+Lands+Vaughan,+ON+Canada&hl=en&sll=43.689722,-79.363625&sspn=0.009403,0.021136&hq=Thackeray+Conservation+Lands+Vaughan,+ON+Canada&t=m&z=16&iwloc=A{\/google_map} <\/div><\/div> <\/span>Need a Bike?<\/div> ![\"giant-anthemadvanced04299\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/giant-anthemadvanced04299.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"cannondale-trail293-1029\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/cannondale-trail293-1029.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"giant-womensrevel4mountainbike-389\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/giant-womensrevel4mountainbike-389.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h2>Trails outside of the city<\/span><\/div>
1. Kelso Conservation Area<\/span>2. Durham Regional Forest<\/span>3. Blue Mountain Downhill Trails<\/span><\/div>\nKelso Conservation Area<\/h4>\n
![\"kelsoconservationarea\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/kelsoconservationarea-300x198.jpg\")
The bike trails within the Kelso Conservation Area are located just outside of Toronto\u00a0and are\u00a0arguably\u00a0the best choice\u00a0when\u00a0planning a\u00a0day of cycling with a friend or group. The large, rugged terrain features some rocky areas, jumps, bridges and a variety of different hills. The entry fee gives you access to all Halton Parks for the entire day your ticket is purchased. Other than the Kelso Conservation area, you are even\u00a0free to explore Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls and Mount Nemo. This is a great option when planning a cycling weekend\u00a0trip for the entire family! View Images <\/a> <\/span>More Information<\/div>\n<\/p>\n