Mountain Biking in Ottawa: Your Ultimate Guide
Why Go Mountain Biking in Ottawa?
Mountain biking is more than just a sport—it’s a thrilling adventure that combines speed, technical skill, and raw physical power. Ottawa’s diverse landscape offers a variety of forest trails, rocky climbs, fast descents, and technical singletrack that challenge riders of all levels. Whether you’re tackling the rolling terrain of Gatineau Park, carving through the singletrack at South March Highlands, or exploring the rugged trails at Camp Fortune, Ottawa is a mountain biker’s paradise.
Ottawa’s growing mountain biking community, paired with well-maintained trails and year-round access, makes it a top destination for both competitive racers and recreational riders. From technical rock gardens to flowy downhill runs, Ottawa has it all!
Benefits of Mountain Biking
✅ Builds Lower Body Strength – Engages quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves during climbs and descents.
✅ Boosts Cardiovascular Endurance – Riding at high intensity increases lung and heart capacity.
✅ Improves Balance and Coordination – Navigating technical trails enhances stability and body control.
✅ Enhances Mental Focus – Fast decision-making and trail awareness sharpen cognitive function.
✅ Stress Reduction – Time spent in nature reduces anxiety and improves mood.
✅ Increases Core and Upper Body Strength – Handling the bike through rough terrain strengthens the core, shoulders, and arms.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
Top Mountain Biking Trails in Ottawa
Ready to shred some dirt? Here are Ottawa’s best mountain biking trails for all skill levels:
🚵♂️ Gatineau Park (30 minutes from downtown Ottawa)
- Trail Distance: Over 90 km of multi-use trails.
- Difficulty: Beginner to advanced.
- Terrain: Rocky climbs, singletrack descents, and forest trails.
- Highlights:
- Trail 1: Fast downhill sections with berms.
- Trail 15: Technical switchbacks and rock gardens.
- Trail 72: Scenic trail through the woods with moderate elevation.
- Open year-round (including fat biking in winter).
🏆 Pro Tip: Gatineau Park is busiest on weekends—hit the trails early to avoid crowds.
🚵♀️ South March Highlands (20 minutes from Ottawa)
- Trail Distance: 20 km of technical singletrack.
- Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced.
- Terrain: Roots, rocks, and steep climbs.
- Highlights:
- Rockhopper: Famous for its rock gardens and sharp switchbacks.
- Phat Elvis: Tight and technical trail with flowy berms.
- Fast Out: Quick and smooth trail with natural jumps.
- Best for experienced riders looking for a challenge.
🏆 Pro Tip: South March Highlands drains quickly after rain—great for early-season rides.
🚵♂️ Camp Fortune (25 minutes from Ottawa)
- Trail Distance: 20 km of dedicated MTB trails.
- Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced.
- Terrain: Lift-accessed downhill and enduro trails.
- Highlights:
- DH 1: Fast, steep downhill with berms and tabletops.
- DH 4: Technical rock garden and jumps.
- Green Loop: Beginner-friendly downhill with smooth flow.
- Lift access available during summer months.
🏆 Pro Tip: Rent a downhill bike for maximum performance on the steeper trails.
🚵♀️ Larose Forest (45 minutes from Ottawa)
- Trail Distance: 30 km of multi-use trails.
- Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate.
- Terrain: Forested singletrack with minimal elevation gain.
- Highlights:
- Main Loop: Smooth, flowy trail with a mix of roots and berms.
- Pine Run: Scenic trail through tall pine forests.
- Excellent for cross-country and fat biking in winter.
🏆 Pro Tip: Larose Forest is ideal for family rides and beginner riders.
🚵♂️ Mont Ste-Marie (1 hour from Ottawa)
- Trail Distance: 15 km of technical trails.
- Difficulty: Intermediate to expert.
- Terrain: Rocky descents, steep climbs, and technical switchbacks.
- Highlights:
- Vortex: Fast, challenging descent with rock drops.
- The Spine: Narrow ridge trail with exposed sections.
- Enduro Loop: Long, high-elevation route for endurance riders.
- Open for summer and fall riding only.
🏆 Pro Tip: Wear knee pads and a full-face helmet—The Spine and Vortex trails are intense.
🚵♀️ Pakenham Highlands (45 minutes from Ottawa)
- Trail Distance: 10 km of singletrack and mixed-use trails.
- Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate.
- Terrain: Gentle climbs and flowy downhill sections.
- Highlights:
- River Trail: Follows a scenic river with minimal elevation.
- Switchback Run: Fun, winding trail with wide turns.
- Good for mixed-skill group rides.
🏆 Pro Tip: Pakenham Highlands is beginner-friendly but offers enough variety for more experienced riders.
Types of Mountain Biking
Different styles of mountain biking require different bikes and skill sets:
🏆 Cross-Country (XC) (Speed and Endurance)
- Focus on lightweight bikes for long-distance rides.
- Emphasis on climbing ability and efficiency.
- Common at Larose Forest and Gatineau Park.
🏆 Trail Riding (All-Around Riding)
- Combination of climbs and descents.
- Medium-travel suspension bikes (120–140mm).
- Common at South March Highlands and Pakenham Highlands.
🏆 Enduro (Technical and Aggressive)
- Focus on steep descents and technical rock gardens.
- Long-travel suspension (140–170mm).
- Common at Camp Fortune and Mont Ste-Marie.
🏆 Downhill (DH) (Speed and Jumps)
- Lift-accessed descents with jumps and berms.
- Heavy-duty bikes with long suspension travel (170–200mm).
- Camp Fortune is Ottawa’s best spot for DH riding.
🏆 Fat Biking (Winter Riding)
- Oversized tires for traction on snow and sand.
- Excellent in Larose Forest and Gatineau Park in winter.
Essential Mountain Biking Gear
Having the right gear keeps you safe and improves your performance:
✔ Helmet – Full-face for downhill, open-face for trail riding.
✔ Knee and Elbow Pads – Protects from falls and impact.
✔ Gloves – Improves grip and protects hands from scrapes.
✔ Hydration Pack – Keeps you hydrated on long rides.
✔ Flat Pedals or Clipless Pedals – Flat pedals for control; clipless for efficiency.
✔ Multi-Tool – Essential for trail-side adjustments.
✔ Tubeless Tires – Reduces flats and improves grip.
✔ Bike Shorts and Jersey – Breathable, moisture-wicking material.
🛒 Need recommendations? Check out our Best Mountain Biking Gear Picks for expert reviews!
How to Improve Your Mountain Biking Performance
🔥 Focus on Cornering – Keep your outside foot down and lean into the turn.
🔥 Master Braking – Feather the brakes for better control on descents.
🔥 Work on Climbing – Use a low gear and maintain a steady cadence.
🔥 Increase Flexibility – Strong hips and flexible hamstrings improve body position.
🔥 Improve Line Choice – Look ahead and anticipate obstacles.
🔥 Stay Relaxed – Keep a loose grip and flexible arms over rough terrain.
🏆 Pro Tip: Practice bunny hops and wheel lifts to clear obstacles more easily.
Final Thoughts: Ride Hard, Shred Fast!
Ottawa’s mountain biking scene offers world-class trails, stunning scenery, and a supportive community for all skill levels. Whether you’re chasing PRs at Camp Fortune or enjoying a scenic ride through Gatineau Park, there’s a trail for you in Ottawa!
💬 What’s your favorite MTB trail? Share your story! #OttawaActiveMTB #ShredFastRideHard
