Shredding Manitoulin

There’s a new bike park in the works on Manitoulin Island, and while it won’t be massive, it’s a big deal for the region. The project is spearheaded by the Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA), a non-profit that’s spent years lobbying for better cycling infrastructure. Now, they’ve secured $250,000 in funding—primarily from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)—to turn a dormant ski hill into a rideable slice of trail heaven.

At the helm of the North Channel Bike Park project is Steven Martin, who’s the project coordinator. “There used to be a little downhill ski operation here,” says Martin. “Now it’s a Nordic ski area, but the terrain is perfect for bikes. You’ve got views of the North Channel, a decent drop in elevation and room to work with.”

Martin’s team—led by Zane Davies of Treadscape—plans to build about five kilometres of trail this year on the 80-acre piece of land, including roughly 3 km of machine-built flow trail. The layout will include green-level loops and a beginner-friendly flow trail near the base, blues through the middle zone and black diamond runs off the top ridge.

They’re also putting in a dirt pump track at the bottom of the hill. “We’ve already got a paved pump track in Little Current,” says Martin. “This one’s going to be dirt, so hopefully we can go a little bigger with it.”

“Right now, the singletrack scene is basically non-existent,” he says. “There are a few of us on fat bikes in the winter and a little network at McLean’s Park but that’s about it.”

While it’s not designed to be a major riding destination (at least not yet), it’s a great stop for anyone road-tripping through Northern Ontario. The property sits just 45 minutes from Espanola, making it a quick detour if you’re heading to or from Sudbury or Sault Ste. Marie.

And with other northern hubs like Sudbury and the Soo building momentum, Martin sees potential for a broader “northern trail corridor” in the coming years.

Construction is slated for this summer, with plans for a soft opening this fall and a fully open park in 2026. As for the long-term vision, Martin hopes these trails will round out the island’s already impressive outdoor tourism package. “We’ve got everything else: beaches, paddling, sailing, fishing,” he says. “Mountain biking is just the missing piece.”

– Colin Field