Reviewed by: Aryn Pongratz ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I must agree that the beginning of the season has many bugs flying about. You need to keep moving to stay ahead of them. I live in the Detroit area and have a cottage out in Wilberforce about 30 minutes from the forrest. Every time my wife, son and I head for the cottage the first thing I pack up in the car is my Kona. in my opinion, to enjoy these trails you need to love every aspect of riding - from long climbs to steep decents. I have ridden many of the trails in the forrest and have enjoyed them all, even going the morning after a hard rain the night before. The only recomendation I have is to bring a bike with at some rear travel and disc breakes for the mud. I rode all last summer on a hardtail but plan to get a softtail under my bum to make things a little smoother. If your ever in the area I would make it a point to stop in and check it out. Base Camp people are very friendly, (as are all Canadians to the state sider), and the trails are great. I have ridden all over Michigan and as far down as West Virgina. These are still my favorite trails.

Recommended Route:
Make sure to get a trail map from Base Camp. The arrows on the paper don't lie when they tell you a steep incline or decent is coming. Don't have the map with me so I can't tell you all of them. The Normac connected with the Red trail will give you a good feeling of the rest of the park. the further you go from camp the more overgrown the trails are tho. To me they are still fun but people who like the pretty groomed trails might not find it the same.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Don't know any yet. You ever want to go across the border for a trip, Elk River in Slaty Fork West Virgina is well worth the drive. Many trails to keep you on the saddle all day. Tea Creek has a sweet downhill for the last three miles. It's better if you don't touch the brakes.

Reviewed by: Alfonso ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This was the first time I've ridden at this centre. If you aren't a wuss and don't mind some trails the way mother nature intended them to be then this is the place for you. It appears there is little or no maintenance performed on the Normac, Red and Dog trails but this was simply awesome. I regularly ride Shorthills, Brock escarpment and Kelso a few times and Haliburton Forest is the most technically demanding riding I've done to date. A full suspension rig would have been nice (hardtail here).

If you like manicured trails then stay on the bikepath.

Recommended Route:
Start at the main gate, work your way to Normac and follow Dog, Red and back to Normac.

Reviewed by: Hector ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I've cottaged on Kennisis Lake four times this year and Haliburton Forest is only 10 minutes away. Lots of rain and bugs early in the season so we decided to wait for early October.

Positive- beautiful, scenic setting
- lots of trails, well marked
- bike wash area

Negative- expensive $13 for a day pass

Unfortunately it rained all week before we arrived and started snowing while we were riding. Found lots of hills, exposed rocks, roots, mud and stagnant water on all trails. Normac was very technical. Due to the inclement weather a large portion of the terrain was unrideable and we had to get off the bike often.

Did a 15 km loop that felt like 40 km. A great workout. I will try again next season.

Recommended Route:
Did a loop that consisted of Normac, Dog and Red Trail.

Reviewed by: atpils ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
These trails are great!! I have ridden at Kelso and other trails around Ontario, and these are extremely challenging. If you are the type that wants to keep your bike clean and sweat-free don't go!! Otherwise go crazy!!

Recommended Route:
Normac.. No bugs in sept-oct!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The 100 + kms of trails should keep you busy!