The best MTB trails around Markham

Huntington Trail stretches from Leslie Street to Evergreen Crescent though the scenic Valley View Park. Leslie Street is a busy road with a nearby bus stop, best to start a trip on this side if you're taking public transport. In the middle of the trail, there is a parking area in Huntington Park, which puts you in the middle of the trail. Evergreen Crescent is the westernmost entry point with street side parking, another great option for arriving by car.

German Mills Creek is an urban waterway that flows directly through the historic community of Thornhill. The creek is a major tributary of the East Don River, carving out a green corridor right though a suburban area. The river flows 10 kilometres before it empties directly into the East Branch of the Don River in Toronto.

Austin Drive Park has two stormwater ponds that collect the excess rainwater that flows into the river. This reduces erosion and the amount of sediment flowing into the river during storm events. The pond is great to just sit and enjoy, especially the songbirds. You can listen to goldfinches, cardinals, and sparrows.

Jefferson Forest Trails form an informal network of natural-surface paths in the Jefferson Forest area of Richmond Hill. The system includes winding singletrack routes through mixed woodland, with sandy sections, tree roots and gentle elevation changes. Popular with hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers, the trails are not formally signed, so local knowledge and/or your offline komoot GPS route are best for navigation.

This trail is wide, fully paved, and completely separated from car traffic, making it incredibly safe for kids and strollers. As you walk, you will pass through beautifully restored meadows filled with native wildflowers, which attract colorful butterflies and local birds.

This is an easy, shady singletrack that you can use to connect the upper and lower trail networks of Jefferson Forest.

Hidden Trail Park is a small green space connected to neighbouring trails and parks. The public is welcome to enjoy the parks' open grassy fields, swaths of trees, and amenities like restrooms, benches, trash cans, and gardens. Though the park is in northern urban Toronto, it feels like a nice escape from big city life.

The Don River West Branch is a scenic river that flows through the western side of the Don Valley. As it passes through urban spaces, greenways, and natural landscapes, it creates a haven for animals with its surrounding trees, shrubs, and wetlands. Ongoing restoration strides have helped improve water quality and restore the riverbanks, so with the help of TRCA, the City of Toronto, Don't Mess with the Don, and Waterfront Toronto, everyone can enjoy a healthy river.