Whether your preferred ride is back road, off road or velodrome, all roads lead to Escarpment Country. Hard core and recreational cyclists alike will want to spin their wheels in this area of natural beauty at the base of the Niagara Escarpment near Milton. Whatever your “speed”, here’s how to ride, your way, on Escarpment Country’s roads, trails and tracks.
Back Road
Popular cycling roads dot the landscape throughout the region of Halton. Those looking to hit the back roads can choose from eight mapped routes ranging in length from 36 to 100 kilometres, and have 380 square kilometres of lush countryside to explore.
Spend the afternoon on the 60-kilometre Limehouse Loop that starts at Andrew’s Farm, a pick-your-own farm and winery and winds through the pastoral farmland of Halton Hills to a conservation area where the Bruce Trail beckons. Ready riders can go the distance using the Heat Map 100 and conquer the classic challenge of a metric “Century Ride”, passing forests, farms, quaint villages and remote rural roads.
Off Road
Halton Parks offer more than 60 kilometres of trails in three distinct locations — Hilton Falls, Kelso and Mountsberg. These conservation areas are the only places in Ontario where you can bike along the Niagara Escarpment through extensive forests, alongside 10-metre waterfalls and right up to a reservoir.
Those new to mountain biking will want to head to Kelso’s Mountain Bike School where a team of instructors introduces you to the trails, develops your skills, and guides you on epic rides. Kelso is one of Southern Ontario’s premier mountain biking destinations, with 22 kilometres of trails to suit all abilities.
Mountsberg Conservation Area is another perfect spot for those new to the sport or looking for easy terrain through varied landscapes. Suitable for children, the wide gravel pathway of the Sugar Bush Trail takes you through the Mountsberg sugar maple stand to an observation tower overlooking the Mountsberg reservoir.
To get your heart pumping and adrenalin rushing, head to Hilton Falls and its three trails. These trails are designed to challenge, with tight turns, tough rock sections, and steep downhills. Its trail surfaces range from rock, rock, and more rock, to dirt and multiple bridges. The Bent Rim Trail is a particularly technical cycling trail that is perfect for advanced riders.
Velodrome
Take your cycling to the next level at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, home to Canada’s only velodrome. This landmark facility, built for the 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games, serves as the cornerstone of Canadian track cycling, featuring a 250-metre category 1 certified track that meets global international standards.
Track certification is required to ride the velodrome, though the National Cycling Institute Milton makes it accessible through regular certification sessions for new track riders. Experienced cyclists with recent track experience can arrange an assessment for probationary certification. Once certified, riders aged 14 and older can join drop-in sessions to experience this distinctive cycling discipline.
