There’s a stretch of forest just east of Woodstock, tucked in behind farmland and pine plantations, where a small but fiercely dedicated cycling club has spent the last two decades building one of the most fun trail networks in southwestern Ontario. If you live in London, Kitchener, or anywhere along the 401 south of Toronto, and you’ve never made the trip — you owe yourself this ride.
The Pines isn’t big. It isn’t flashy. There’s no lodge, no licensed patio, no bike shop at the trailhead. What it has is fourteen kilometres of some of the best-designed singletrack you’ll find anywhere in the province, and a local club that has genuinely poured its soul into the place.
What You’re Actually Riding
The Pines sits on private land east of Woodstock, on the banks of the Thames River. The trails wind through a pine plantation where the trees are planted in orderly rows — which sounds boring until you realize what the trail builders did with them. They snaked the singletrack between and around the trees in tight, twisting, endlessly creative lines. There are no long straightaways to bore you and almost no doubletrack to slow you down. Just fifty-plus named trails packed into a compact footprint with all the flow you could ask for.
The terrain is mostly flat by the river with short hills in the interior. The soil is compact, mostly smooth, with some sandy sections and just enough roots to keep you honest. There are bermed corners, log rides, small ramps, a few boardwalks, and a couple of rock garden features. It’s the kind of place where you finish a lap, catch your breath, and immediately want to do another one.
You’ll ride here once and understand why locals return every weekend. Fifty trails in a compact footprint means you’re never far from something new to try.
Who It’s For
Newer riders: The 1-kilometre kid-friendly loop and the pump track at the trailhead make this one of the most beginner-welcoming systems in the province. There are plenty of easy green trails to build confidence.
Intermediate riders: This is the sweet spot. Fast, flowy, endless mixing and matching. You can build 20-30 km rides without ever repeating yourself.
Advanced riders: The aptly named Bloody Lung and the more technical black-diamond lines will get you working. Cardiac Hill has the biggest descent in the system.
Fat bikers in winter: The Pines runs year-round with fat bike access. The tight, twisting layout translates beautifully to snow.
Plan Your Day
Where to park: The trailhead is at 745751 Township Road 4, northeast of Woodstock. Note: it’s not the easiest lot to find, and Google Maps has been known to send people to the wrong turn. From the 401, exit at Regional Road 2, go west to County Road 4, then north to Township Road 4. Down the gravel road. Trailhead is on the west side by the map board.
Cost: Membership-based. Woodstock Cycling Club membership starts at around $30 for the year, or $10 for a day pass. Fees go directly to trail building and land access. This is one of the best deals in Ontario riding.
When to ride: May through October is prime for mountain biking. May and June are statistically the busiest months. The trails are also open in winter for fat biking.
Bring: Bug spray in mid-summer. Water — no facilities on site. A downloaded Trailforks map to help sort out the trail names on your first visit.
Drive time: About 90 minutes from Toronto, an hour from Hamilton, 40 minutes from London or Kitchener.
Make It a Bikes and Beers Day
Woodstock is a proper small city with plenty of post-ride options. Downtown has a growing food scene, a few good pubs, and Upper Thames Brewing Co. for craft beer within an easy drive. If you want to make more of a day of it, head into St. Marys or Stratford for dinner — you’re in the heart of one of Ontario’s best food regions.