Pedal the Peaks with these Maritime Mountain Biking Trails
Meet the trailblazers behind Nova Scotia’s first lift-access mountain bike paths and plan your next ride at these top-rated Maritime trails.
A 30-minute drive north of Truro, Wentworth Valley is best known as the home of Nova Scotia’s largest alpine ski resort – but the park has long been an informal meeting place for diehard mountain bikers in search of an adrenaline fix. Until this summer, hardcore riders had to climb the gnarly uphill trek to the top. Now, after years of unrequited hype, Ski Wentworth and the Wentworth Mountain Bike Association have quietly built the province’s most extensive trail network with new lift access. The goal? To create a trail playground for everyone from toddlers to seniors and newbies to pros.
Rental fleet and trail maintenance manager Manuel Schuler (below) hails from Calgary and moved to Vancouver before settling on the East Coast during the pandemic. His longing for the Rockies’ trails inspired him to forge more paths for mountain biking in his new home. Schuler and his team work with local riders to maintain and customize trail routes and features based on their feedback.
Wentworth Mountain Bike Park’s winding trails incorporate raised-corner berms and jumps into an ideal flow for schralping and shredding (riding with gusto and skill). The park’s team of groomers structure each path to divert rainfall and prevent ponds and rivers from forming and damaging the terrain.
It’s not always possible for Haligonians to leave the city to get their biking fix. “Luckily, there are a lot of great options in the community,” says Fawn Logan-Young (above), founder of Different Rooute, an outdoor and recreation initiative that aims to reconnect young people of colour with nature. She recommends Point Pleasant Park – a 10-minute ride from downtown – for its history and harbourfront views.
“Point Pleasant Park gives you the best of both worlds,” says Logan-Young. “You can be completely immersed in nature while only a bike ride away from your favourite restaurants on Halifax’s waterfront.” Historic sites like the Prince of Wales Tower are peppered along the park’s scenic paths, often in view of the city’s storied harbour.
Halifax’s four-kilometre waterfront boardwalk is an ideal jumping-off point for gallery or beer-garden hopping. For short rides or multiday rentals, look for the bright green I Heart Bikes shipping container.
East Coast Trail Mix
Skill-building obstacles and inspiring views are right around the bend on the Atlantic provinces’ mountain-biking trails.
Newfoundland and Labrador
White Hills is home to the Oceanside trail, a primarily one-way downhill trail with views of (you guessed it) the ocean, along with Quidi Vidi and Cape Spear. Feel the salty wind in your face as you tackle rocky twists and turns, but take note: This trail is best for intermediate or advanced bikers.
Trails: 31
Total distance: 19 km
Prince Edward Island
Glasgow Hills opened the second phase of its new trails in late 2023, with 20 beginner-to-advanced paths for hiking and biking in the summer, plus snowshoeing and fatbiking in the winter. Razzle Dazzle trail is popular among bikers looking for a quick, lively ride over challenging terrain with plenty of berms and jumps.
Trails: 20
Total distance: 10 km
Nova Scotia
Wentworth Mountain Bike Park is known for its tree-lined single trails. Beginners will like Hakuna Matata, while pros take Loveshacks for its steep descent. New to the park this year is a bike chairlift (built in collaboration with the Wentworth Mountain Bike Association), along with more downhill trails, a rental fleet and learn-to-ride programs.
Trails: 15
Total distance: 25 km
New Brunswick
Sugarloaf Mountain Bike Park lays claim to being the first in Atlantic Canada to incorporate lift access with expert-level trails like the Widowmaker. When you’re not riding the trails on your own two wheels, check out the pros at the upcoming Crankworx Summer Series, a major international bike tour that is part of the park’s mid-August Adrenaline Festival.
Trails: 37
Total distance: 49 km