×
|
Rate it:
Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 24 mi (38.6 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +165/ -138 ft
Total: 113 riders
Mountain Biking Fanshawe Lake
#17 of 308 mountain bike trails in Ontario
Fast rolling singletrack that loops around Fanshawe Lake, loop is about 24km with options at times for easy and more difficult sections (marked with a double black diamond). Trail is very easy to follow, just keep with the blue and white markings on the trees / rocks. Make sure your going in the correct direction as well (clockwise on even numbered days, counter-clockwise on odd)
http://www.thamesriver.on.ca/Parks/Fanshawe_Lake_Trail.htm
First added by RatchRacing on Feb 16, 2008. Last updated Apr 28, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From highway #401 take Veterans Memorial Parkway north until you come to Huron st. Turn left onto Huron st. then right onto Clarke Rd. Look for the sign "Fanshawe Lake CA" and enter here. Pay you $5 and ride!
Area ridden was fanshawe north Thames valley trail west and east sides of Thames river . Plover mill road to #7
many trees down in single track forested area due to minimal use and maintenance . Lower areas are now used by atv and are well packed and good for a ride
| ThankSide trails somewhat packed from fat bike traffic , some drifting with minimal ice
| ThankWet and muddy due to melting of recent snow . Standing water on trail
| ThankBest on fat bike
Downed trees have been cleaned up. Certain sections need to be raked. Lots of loose stick on the trail. All and all good ride today.
| ThankNorth west 1/4 of lake ridden on trip from St Mary's by upper Thames , over all dry but numerous trees down trails littered with branchs due to very high winds over the past couple days
| ThankYes, between markers 19 and 20.
| ThankFanshawe was great! Very well kept trail compared to others listed on this site, with other riders appearing here or there but not much, not busy. A great course with all kinds of differing terrain throughout. Very long at 20 km and difficult to cut short since basically going around a "lake" except for a few points where you could ride the roads back. Also, kinda close to the edge of a cliff periodically so go slow first time(s) and be safe.
| ThankWent here a year ago and so far my favourite. Has nice flowing trails with some moderate climbs. Great for beginners and intermediate riders.
| ThankWent for a Sunday ride and had a good time. It was minus 7 outside but suprisingly I still found a couple of soft spots on the trail due to the strong sun. Most of the trail was covered in snow with a few frozen mud sections. This is a perfect place for winter fat bike riding but make sure to bring a GPS because if you are going there for the first time it can be a little confusing at first. In order to cross river you have to go thru the trail called Monkey Wrench. Depending on the conditions the whole loop should take you about 2 -2.5 hours on the fat bike.
| ThankWent out for a ride today wishing for more snow and it was actually more then I could handle. I think it will take a few days until it will be hard packed and rideable but for now too much loose snow. Still had a good time but did maybe only 3km and walked for more then half of the trail.
| ThankRode the lake today with a buddy on fat bikes and with the cooler temps the ride was enjoyable. Trail is in good condition as the weather has been sunny the last few days. This trail can get real nasty after a rain, so dry day rides are by far the best. Might try a night ride soon.
| ThankGreat trail, had loads of fun. It was very difficult for me, but then again it was my first time on the trail, and I was on a bmx bike.
| Thanksingle track loop, mostly smooth, great for repeating n time trials type ride as some places are fast. It's a one way only depending on even or odd day of week.
| ThankA lot if fun, took me an hour and half to ride the 20 km loop trail, some advanced sections but good for beginner as well
| ThankEasily my favourite trail around here... good fun... the extra/bonus sections are a must for some added difficulty... could ride this trail everyday... will improve your MTB skills...
| ThankThis trail is 10mins from home. I am so lucky to have such a great trail so close. It has a little bit of everything.
| ThankGreat trails for beginner and intermediate trails in great shape right now
| ThankRode the lake last Sunday May 24 and ran into no fewer than 12 walkers and about 10-12 mountain bikers going the wrong way! I proceeded to inform these people of such and most either ignored my information or stated they were too tired to do the entire trail, so they were turning back. This trail is generally a good one, but with all this opposite direction traffic it's becoming dangerous.
| ThankI was coming around corners and had to slam on my brakes to avoid collisions repeatedly because of folks that don't obey the rules. When riding Fanshawe be cautious and aware of other people doing these dangerous things that could result in catstrophic injuries to others.This was supposed to be a review, but for the most part it's a warning to others to be very aware of the dangers present at this otherwise great trail.
First let's start by saying I own a Rocky Mountain Fusion 29er HARDTAIL. I have Kenda Small Block Eight tires. Those tires don't do well in mud, sand, or anything slippery.
Now, that being said I went on the trail when it was still a little damn. Most of the trail was either dry or tacky. There were some muddy sections here and there though which my tires were sliding all around in (blame the tires). I went on an odd number day, the 17th of May. The weather was perfect and it was a great day to ride!
This was my first proper trail on the bike I am riding and it was my first time riding this trail. If I were to tell you how much riding experience I have, you'd call me a rookie. I handle myself and my bike well though and have enough confidence to ride harder through the trails though. I would say I'm at a intermediate level or even a step slightly above that. So, moving on with the actual review!
This trail isn't for beginners or anyone looking for a casual ride. There are definitely easier sections to this trail. There are great long sweeping bends through the forest on levelled ground; but the other half of the trail is roots, rocks, climbs, and downhill slopes with a variance of what was mentioned above. It's these technical bits that would make use of a full suspension bike, which I believe is needed if anyone wants to do this trail at a reasonable pace. Me being on a hardtail made it tough in some sections, but I was able to manage through them. Just at a much slower pace.
I brought my camera with me and took some photos as I was riding through and I managed to finish the full loop in roughly 2 hours. Yeah, 2 hours. If I hadn't stopped as much as I did, I would have been able to complete the loop in maybe one and a half hours. This is because I'm so out of shape. Only 1/3 of the way through the loop my body was aching and I was nearly out of breath at times. I like to push myself as much as I can, as that's the only way you'll get better and stronger. I'm 24 and weigh no more than a teenage girl (not a fat teenage girl). I'm a pretty slim guy, to say the least. That being said, I walk a lot, but just started riding mountain bikes again recently, so I'm not in the best shape when it comes to riding.
This track definitely put myself and the bike I had with me to the test and I will definitely be returning! If you have a hardtail bike only, don't be intimidated! It's still totally do-able. You just won't be as quick as the guys and gals on full suspension bikes and you may have to walk the bike in some places due to big rocks or roots. I don't need a cracked chain stay so I decided to slowly go over the roots and rocks :)
Ride safe, and enjoy the ride!
-Kory
| ThankVery good trails, most parts have a higher level of difficulty due to the amount of roots and rocks as well as the angle of the trails. This trail is defenetly a must ride if you are into moutian biking and are looking for a good challenge. My only part of the park I am not to keen on is the directions to find the start of the trail. Over all very good trail and for the price to of $12 ish dollars for a car to get into the park, I'll be defenetly be returning in the near future!
| Thank