There’s a quiet revival happening an hour north of the GTA, and if you haven’t been paying attention, you’re missing one of the most exciting trail stories in Ontario
right now. Mansfield Outdoor Centre has been around forever — the property, the
lodge, the bones of a trail network — but the last few years have been a
different chapter. New ownership, new trail leadership, an active build crew,
and a renewed willingness to invest in mountain biking have turned MOC into one
of the best riding destinations within a day’s drive of Toronto.

And here’s the kicker: the soil is sandy. Which means when other trails are too wet to ride,
Mansfield is open. When the rest of southern Ontario is sloppy after a spring
rain, the Mulmur Hills are tacky and fast. That alone makes it worth the drive.

What You’re Actually Riding

Mansfield sits in the Mulmur Hills in Dufferin County, about an hour north of the GTA and 25 minutes south of Collingwood. The property has roughly 30 kilometres of
dedicated mountain bike trail — a mix of singletrack and doubletrack, with new
sections being added constantly. Trail manager Johnny Yeaman and a passionate
crew of volunteers have been rebuilding most of the legacy trails from scratch
while threading in modern flow lines, machine-built berms, and purpose-built
climbs that make the long pulls to the top feel like part of the ride rather
than a tax on it.

The terrain is rolling — not Niagara Escarpment dramatic, but plenty of vertical relief
stitched together by smart trail design. The soil is packed, sandy loam, which
means consistent grip, fast drainage, and the kind of conditions where you can
confidently lean into a corner without surprises.

Sandy soil, fast drainage, modern trailbuilding, and a licensed pub at the trailhead. We’re not sure what else you could ask for.

Who It’s For

Mansfield earns its place in the rotation because it serves a wide range of riders without
watering anything down.
• Newer riders: The green and blue trails arewell-built, well-signed, and forgiving. Pump and Flow is the most popular trail in the system for a reason — it teaches you everything you need to know about momentum, body position, and trusting the bike.
• Intermediate riders: This is the sweet spot. Happier Trail, Easy Does It, and Happy Trail are local favourites, and Mossy Hills delivers the longest descent on the property at almost 80 metres of vertical drop.
• Advanced riders: The technical lines, optionalfeatures, and steeper pitches are there if you want them. Big Kahuna has the most climbing in the system, and the descents that come out of it are worth every pedal stroke.
• Families and groups with mixed paces: This is one of the best trail systems we know of for bringing a wide-ability crew. Add a swimming hole, camping, a café, and a pub, and nobody is bored.

Plan Your Day

• Where to park: Main Lodge at Mansfield Outdoor Centre — buy your day pass at the lodge before heading out. The lodge is also where you’ll find the Pine River Café and Public House for post-ride food and beer.
• Cost: Day pass required (currently in the $7–$10range — check mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca for current pricing before you go).
• When to ride: May through October for thesingletrack. August is statistically the busiest summer month. Mansfield is also one of Ontario’s biggest fat bike destinations in winter, with rider traffic in February reportedly rivalling June.
• Trail conditions: MOC is good about posting current conditions and any closures on their website and social — check before you drive.
• Drive time: About an hour from Toronto, 90minutes from Burlington, 30 minutes from Barrie.

Make It a Bikes and Beers Day

This is the part where Mansfield separates itself from a lot of other Ontario trail
systems. The Pine River Café and Public House is on site — licensed patio, full
menu, cold beer, and award-winning butter tarts. You can finish your last lap,
walk fifty metres, and be in a chair with a pint in your hand. There’s a swimming hole on the property. There’s camping and cabins if you want to make it a weekend. It’s the kind of place where a 90-minute drive becomes a full day, and a full day becomes the reason you ride.

Mansfield is on our group ride schedule a few times every season, including some weekend overnights with riders staying on property. Keep an eye on our calendar — bring your bike, your bathing suit, and your appetite.

Bikes and Beers Adventures is an Ontario-based mountain bike club and adventure travel company. We run weekly group rides, weekend adventures, training programs, and trips across Ontario, Quebec, and beyond.