Route Author: Thom Lambert
Location: Kingscote Lake, South Algonquin Provincial Park, Haliburton County, Ontario
Estimated Gravel Time: 90%
Full Route Map:
Distance: 52.3km (32.5 miles)
Suggested Tire Width: 2.0” or wider
Amenities: A park permit is required to ride this route, which can be acquired at the Kingscote Lake Access Point/campground. AM/PM Gourmet and Deep Roots Adventures offer food, water, and area information. In addition, as the loop winds its way through the southern portion of the park and lacks cell service, riders should come prepared and be completely self-sufficient.
Parking: Parking is available at the South Algonquin “adventure hub”, otherwise known as AM/PM Gourmet and Deep Roots Adventures. Food and water are available here, as well as great information about other adventures in the South Algonquin area. In addition, parking can also be found at Kingscote Lake, which provides access to great swimming, picnicking, toilets, and possible camping.
Route Description:
This adventure loop includes a variety of scenic gravel and forest access roads, cartpaths, and barely-there singletrack (with a couple of short hike-a-bikes thrown in for good measure!). Meanwhile, as the route accesses several lakes with backcountry camping sites, it provides a window to the potential of Algonquin Provincial Park as a bikepacking destination.
Starting from the Kingscote Lake Access Point/Campground in Algonquin Provincial Park, the route heads north on various unnamed gravel access roads for approximately 18km to the southern shores of Clyde Lake.
Here, the loop makes a right, leaving the gravel road behind in favour of a bit of minor bushwhacking. Be sure to closely follow the suggested route here, as soon afterwards a singletrack trail will reveal itself. From here, the loop continues east for approximately 4km to another small section of bushwhacking and a minor knee-deep water traverse.
Shortly thereafter, the route leaves the bush behind and exits onto some gorgeous and easy to navigate doubletrack. Here, continue south for just under 10km, ascending the loop’s last significant climb, before a righteous and grin-inducing 4.5km descent to South Little Mink Lake.
Just before reaching the lake, the route traverses another short and shallow water crossing before continuing for another 2km to Peterson Rd. Make a right here and remain on pavement for approximately 4km to Kingscote Lake Rd. The route then makes a right, returning to gravel all the back to the start of the loop.
