A winding wooden pathway through a forest, surrounded by autumn-colored trees with leaves in shades of orange, yellow, and green. The path is partially obscured by fallen leaves, and the dim light of an overcast sky filters through the canopy above. Durham Forest mountain bike trail.
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Level: Intermediate
Length: 15 mi (24.1 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +357/ -320 ft
Total: 164 riders
 

Mountain Biking Durham Forest

****   Add a review
#16 of 308 mountain bike trails in Ontario
#1,046 in the world

Many trails here with perhaps a 100 km or so total. Several routes to choose from and networked together. Follow coloured signs for various trails. Some great singletrack and technical sections. Some of it gets sandy towards the fall. Free to ride here.

First added by gr8_2b_annice on Apr 9, 2006. Last updated May 6, 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.
Getting there
How to get there: Hwy #2 to Lakeridge road. Go north untill you get to Concession 9 west and you will see the forest on the south side. There is a trailhead there or you can turn down the first road to the south and get many trailhead options from there.


Durham Forest Trail map

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BZ202 (Oct 17, 2021)
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Trail conditions

Good (Apr 19, 2021)
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Reviews

  • yuckadoo
    ****

    Only hit this trail for a short time but was quite enjoyable. Some really good downhill/flowy/bermy areas. Trails are not marked well at all (could have been where we entered from, maybe Lakeridge Ski area is better). Some sand in spots but nothing overwhelming. Would definitely go back.

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  • Paul Loeffelholz
    *****

    Trails were in great condition with new ones being added by trail crew

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  • williedillon
    ****

    Great trail system with an awesome variety of terrain. The dirt here is great other than a few sandy spots which aren't that bad. There's some decent elevation in spots which make for some fun downhill. Highly recommended, but I'd say to go at an off hour as it seems like it's gotten a lot busier, which was the only thing that really took away from the ride. And it is a bit hard to navigate (though hard to get lost), so I'd recommend using an app like Trailforks to see where you are.

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  • Downhill Mike

    I am suprised that you came accross some not so respectfull people on the trail. I ride in Durham all the time and rarely come across people like that. Now i do agree that we need signs in Durham forest and i think that will happen in the near future but for now try using trailforks. You should ride Dagmar its usually less busy and everything is maped out.

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  • Downhill Mike
    *****

    After almost two weeks of warm weather I was finally able to ride again. The trails are in good conditions especially after such a crappie weather. There are some icy sections so studs would be a good idea but not mandatory. I would say most of the trails are hard packed snow with some icy sections.

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  • Downhill Mike
    *****

    Went with a friend of mine yesterday and it was amazing. Great place for fat biking. The snow was tacky and wasn't icy. If you have a fat bike and looking to ride this is one of the best places. Just make sure you have a GPS with you and also make sure that you keep it warm so it won't die on you while you are on the trail. My friend had a regular bike but in the winter this place is alot more fun to ride with a fatty.

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  • tedwiktor
    ****

    A great place so close to the city with a very wide range of trails.

    No matter how often I come, I'm able to find new trails.

    Only drawbacks are that the trails are not well marked. Best to go in with a GPS and explore. You can easily link up Glen Major from here as well.

    The other drawback is the poison ivy - not much better than Ganaraska, so be careful.

    Don't let the large crowds in the parking lot keep you away. This place is big enough and enough trails to keep you busy and not have you bumping into too many people. (I went on a weekend with a full lot and only crossed path with about 3 people). However, trails are multi directional, so always keep an eye out.

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  • Flydyl
    ****

    Huge fun. Great trails. I say four out of five only b/c (a) the trails aren't very challenging, and (b) it's pretty easy to get lost in there (poor signage). But I love this place and always have a good time. And it's large and it's free.

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  • Tall Man
    ****

    Great trails. Some nice building is being done. Signage could use some work but you'll find your way out and have lots of fun.

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  • SandroV
    *****

    Durham is an amazing track for those MTB'ers looking for a little of everything. There are some pretty gnarly sections, followed by sweeping, fast and flowy lanes, good climbs and hair-raising decents. All amidst some of the most breath-taking scenery in southern Ontario. Definitely worth the drive and to be enjoyed with friends.

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  • Fernierocks
    ****

    There is lots of variety here. Favourite trail is to come out of the main parking lot and head into Burnt Toast at the north end of the lot. Burnt Toast into Bowes then Bowes II then the new trail which was made in the fall (can't remember its name). There are a few good climbs but overall not very technical. Good spot to introduce a new rider to mountain biking. My only negative on Durham is that the signage is brutal. I have been in there many times and still never know where I am or how to find the trails I like. I actually carry a compass with me. There are a couple of big maps at trail intersections but they don't tell you which direction you are so you can't orient where the trails are to your position even though you are staring at a big map. The compass allows me to do this. A few arrow markers from the big maps towards the named trails would be a huge improvement for navigation.

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  • Robertrose   ✓ supporter
    ***

    I have not ridden in Durham Forest for a while. Lots of new trails including 1 that was opened 2 weeks ago. It was snow covered and the sand base held up well.

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  • olimoo
    ****

    When I pulled into the parking lot a guy who was packing his bike into his car told me he just saw a bear on the "Burnt Toast" section. As I'd never ridden here before, I hit the trails hoping it might be a day of two firsts...

    The map at the trail head gives you a few highlights but there is so much more that is un-named/unmarked. Going with a local would be great but don't be put off riding on your own, there is plenty to explore (even without linking up with the nearby Walkers Woods and Glen Major trails). Pro tip - install Maprika on your phone before you go - it displays many of the major trails and a lot of the un-named ones and the gps/compass combo means you can't get lost.

    There's a decent range of trails, some incredibly enjoyable fast, swooping berms, decents and small jumps ( i'm thinking "Ogre and Out", "Burnt toast" and "Superfly Alley") mixed in some more windy stuff like "The Maze" and "Maple Gravy". I wouldn't say anything here requires advanced/expert skills or fitness but I guarantee you'll be very glad you came.

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  • clemjefferson
    ****

    A good spot. There isn't a ton to ride around here, but this is a pretty solid trail network. There is nothing too crazy here, and it isn't super technical. But its fast and scenic. You can park at two different parking lots, and theres enough trails and loops to keep you busy for hours.

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  • *****

    Deadly climbs root covered trails small jumps some very steep desents Overall my favourite trail system. Start riding it in the late ninties and much has changed and upgraded over the years last week they were blowing the leaves off the trails. Biggest downside is the difficulty finding the newest trails and figuring out the best route to minimize the pain and maximize enjoyment. Define must go

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  • karlhanzv
    *****

    Always enjoy going here and always be my favorite. Bowes trail and two plus burnt toast as a start then go southwest towards Walker woods and Glenn major and back to finish it off. Great for all skill levels, especially if you want to build your stamina and endurance. Plus DMBA is doing an awesome job in maintaining and keeping all the riders safe and happy.
    Safe riding everyone...

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  • crosby15
    *

    not very exciting trails.. quite flat and not many fun features

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  • crosby15
    ***

    not a ton of singletrack, kinda flat

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  • red6
    *****

    Quick singletrack some technical sections, and climbs lots of them. DMBA maintains the singletrack trails.

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Rider questions

Q: 46 EMERY HILL