HIGH FIVE
The perfect excuse to tour with fatter tires and more squish. The High Five is a bikepacking (slash) mountain biking route that links together mountains of trail. It brings together five of Ontario’s iconic trail hubs into a multi-day loop that will provide plenty of time to shred.
A route dominated by trails wending through forests, glorious gravel, copious views, sun-smashed fields, and sumptuous butter tarts from the Rosemont General Store. An ideal two-wheel trip for anyone who yearns for a heavy dose of trail on their bikepacking sojourns. You’ll be forgiven for going a bit too gung-ho.
A route dominated by trails wending through forests, glorious gravel, copious views, sun-smashed fields, and sumptuous butter tarts from the Rosemont General Store. An ideal two-wheel trip for anyone who yearns for a heavy dose of trail on their bikepacking sojourns. You’ll be forgiven for going a bit too gung-ho.
By the Numbers
Distance: 230 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 3,700 metres
Trail: 110 Kilometers
Status: Full shred
To obtain the detailed route file, go here.
Distance: 230 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 3,700 metres
Trail: 110 Kilometers
Status: Full shred
To obtain the detailed route file, go here.
Route Notes
If you are new to these trail networks, navigation can be a bit tricky. Not all trails are signed. Some patience and extra time might be needed to properly orient yourself on the trails. If you have a paid membership, it can be handy to have the Trailforks app (https://www.trailforks.com/apps/map/) up and running with the trail network loaded. This way, you can better determine what trails you are on.
Trail Segments at a Glance
Hockley Valley Resort: Riders of the High Five have special permission to ride the loop trail at this resort (lucky you!). This loop involves a well-built climb trail up the ski hill, followed by a high-flying descent back down, where you can go all out on some berms – expert downhill skills not required. There is also a pleasant loop around the Adamo Estate Winery. The resort has recently committed to maintaining their trail system to a better standard.
Mono Provincial Park/Mono Tract: This ride involves some of the finest forest riding of the route. A beautiful ride alongside Mono Cliffs and to a fetching lookout takes you to some fast-moving singletrack that dumps you into the Mono Tract trail system. Here you can expect some good pace riding and enough “obstacles” to keep you engaged. You’ll quickly see why this trail system is one of the hidden gems of southern Ontario. Be aware that corners on some of the trails can become very sandy during the summer months and there are sections that can become overgrown.
Mansfield Outdoor Centre/Dufferin Forest: There is a reason why this trail centre has become one of the most lauded in Ontario. Here, you’ll be awarded with a wealth of well-built, high-flow trails. Beautiful, longer-distance trails in the Dufferin Forest give way to high-velocity gems like Max trail and Happier trail. Riding the berms and humps of Pump ‘n Flow is about the most fun you can have with your bike shorts on. But it’s not all easy gliding, as there are some areas where punchy, rooty inclines dominate. Users need to purchase a trail pass before using this trail system.
Palgrave: The coniferous forest of the Palgrave Forest and Wildlife Reserve harbors a collection of hard-packed trails that is worthy of a resounding “let ‘er rip.” There are five trail segments, each with its own personality – some are more flowy, others are tight and twisty with testy inclines. At times, you’ll think the trail has more ups and downs than an ‘80s guitar solo. Pleasant forest paths connect the singletrack, allowing riders to get plenty of forest bathing. Watch for charging bucks. Those with extra energy can tack on the 3km black diamond Section 9 (The Last Resort) for more singletrack up and down.
Albion Hills Conservation Area: This stalwart of the Ontario mountain bike scene has been satisfying baggy short riders for years with High Roller, Woo-Wu, Sugar Shack Shuffle and other fan favourites. There is lots of great flow here, but also enough rooty, steep pitches to keep riders on their toes. Some corners can get blown out during dry periods, but it’s a trail system that generally soaks up moisture well making it rather weather resistant.
Between Mono Mills and Palgrave is the Oak Ridges trail system. This is an excellent meander in the woods that is predominantly downhill and there is nothing especially technical. However, there are a couple of significant uphill pitches that will test your fitness. This is a point-to-point trail at its best.
When traveling between these trail hubs, the High Five route makes use of some excellent gravel roads. Riders should not expect flat and easy riding here. Dufferin County is known to test cyclists with its hilly terrain.
Trip Start: The designated start and end point of the route is the city of Orangeville, where multi-day parking is available. However, the route can be commenced at other locations if this is more appropriate.
Route Difficulty: In general, the trails used on the High Five are not especially technical. Flow trails have been prioritized. However, there are areas that are more demanding and those with mountain bike skills will be able to ride the route with greater ease. For the most part, trails have “easier” lines when there are obstacles present, like ramps and jumps. Overall, there is a fair amount of elevation gain on the route that requires some degree of bike fitness. A route to be respected for its amount of trail and bumps in the road.
Trip Length: It should take most riders between 2 and 3 days to complete the route. Two days, especially if carrying your gear, is a big push. Due to the sheer volume of trail on the High Five, the time it takes to complete the route should not be underestimated. Here is an example of how you can chop up the route into a manageable 2 1/2 days.
Day One: Start in Orangeville and ride the Hockley Valley and Mono trails, then finish your ride at Mansfield Outdoor Centre where camping is available. Decide if you want to ride the Mansfield trails on this day or the following morning. Either way, you’ll be able to drop your bags to ride the trails a little lighter.
Day Two: Wake up and ride the Mansfield trails (or not if you already have) and ride to the Palgrave Trails. Bang out these trails and then ride to Albion Conservation Area. Camp here.
Day Three: Ride the Albion trails without your camping gear and then finish of the day by riding back to Orangeville.
When to Ride: The route can be enjoyed from April to October. Keep in mind that most of these trail systems can be considered quick-drying, so don’t require many days to wait to ride after a period of rain.
What Bike?
This is a route best suited for a mountain bike – hard-tail or full-suspension. There is a large amount of singletrack trail on the route so is much more enjoyable on a MTB-style bike. A drop bar bike should only be considered if it has beefy tires (nothing less than 2.1 inches) and some sort of suspension. Without these, it will become an uncomfortable ride, to say the least.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about, please contact me about this.
If you live on or near the route and would like to be a 'trail angel' by providing tenting space for riders, water bottle refill etc. please let me know. This is a great way to build up the bikepacking community and improve rider experiences on the route.
Lastly
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their own well-being on the High Five route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the High Five route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your own safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours (these are marked with a Control Point symbol). If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence is imperative, as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
Hockley Valley Resort: Riders of the High Five have special permission to ride the loop trail at this resort (lucky you!). This loop involves a well-built climb trail up the ski hill, followed by a high-flying descent back down, where you can go all out on some berms – expert downhill skills not required. There is also a pleasant loop around the Adamo Estate Winery. The resort has recently committed to maintaining their trail system to a better standard.
Mono Provincial Park/Mono Tract: This ride involves some of the finest forest riding of the route. A beautiful ride alongside Mono Cliffs and to a fetching lookout takes you to some fast-moving singletrack that dumps you into the Mono Tract trail system. Here you can expect some good pace riding and enough “obstacles” to keep you engaged. You’ll quickly see why this trail system is one of the hidden gems of southern Ontario. Be aware that corners on some of the trails can become very sandy during the summer months and there are sections that can become overgrown.
Mansfield Outdoor Centre/Dufferin Forest: There is a reason why this trail centre has become one of the most lauded in Ontario. Here, you’ll be awarded with a wealth of well-built, high-flow trails. Beautiful, longer-distance trails in the Dufferin Forest give way to high-velocity gems like Max trail and Happier trail. Riding the berms and humps of Pump ‘n Flow is about the most fun you can have with your bike shorts on. But it’s not all easy gliding, as there are some areas where punchy, rooty inclines dominate. Users need to purchase a trail pass before using this trail system.
Palgrave: The coniferous forest of the Palgrave Forest and Wildlife Reserve harbors a collection of hard-packed trails that is worthy of a resounding “let ‘er rip.” There are five trail segments, each with its own personality – some are more flowy, others are tight and twisty with testy inclines. At times, you’ll think the trail has more ups and downs than an ‘80s guitar solo. Pleasant forest paths connect the singletrack, allowing riders to get plenty of forest bathing. Watch for charging bucks. Those with extra energy can tack on the 3km black diamond Section 9 (The Last Resort) for more singletrack up and down.
Albion Hills Conservation Area: This stalwart of the Ontario mountain bike scene has been satisfying baggy short riders for years with High Roller, Woo-Wu, Sugar Shack Shuffle and other fan favourites. There is lots of great flow here, but also enough rooty, steep pitches to keep riders on their toes. Some corners can get blown out during dry periods, but it’s a trail system that generally soaks up moisture well making it rather weather resistant.
Between Mono Mills and Palgrave is the Oak Ridges trail system. This is an excellent meander in the woods that is predominantly downhill and there is nothing especially technical. However, there are a couple of significant uphill pitches that will test your fitness. This is a point-to-point trail at its best.
When traveling between these trail hubs, the High Five route makes use of some excellent gravel roads. Riders should not expect flat and easy riding here. Dufferin County is known to test cyclists with its hilly terrain.
Trip Start: The designated start and end point of the route is the city of Orangeville, where multi-day parking is available. However, the route can be commenced at other locations if this is more appropriate.
Route Difficulty: In general, the trails used on the High Five are not especially technical. Flow trails have been prioritized. However, there are areas that are more demanding and those with mountain bike skills will be able to ride the route with greater ease. For the most part, trails have “easier” lines when there are obstacles present, like ramps and jumps. Overall, there is a fair amount of elevation gain on the route that requires some degree of bike fitness. A route to be respected for its amount of trail and bumps in the road.
Trip Length: It should take most riders between 2 and 3 days to complete the route. Two days, especially if carrying your gear, is a big push. Due to the sheer volume of trail on the High Five, the time it takes to complete the route should not be underestimated. Here is an example of how you can chop up the route into a manageable 2 1/2 days.
Day One: Start in Orangeville and ride the Hockley Valley and Mono trails, then finish your ride at Mansfield Outdoor Centre where camping is available. Decide if you want to ride the Mansfield trails on this day or the following morning. Either way, you’ll be able to drop your bags to ride the trails a little lighter.
Day Two: Wake up and ride the Mansfield trails (or not if you already have) and ride to the Palgrave Trails. Bang out these trails and then ride to Albion Conservation Area. Camp here.
Day Three: Ride the Albion trails without your camping gear and then finish of the day by riding back to Orangeville.
When to Ride: The route can be enjoyed from April to October. Keep in mind that most of these trail systems can be considered quick-drying, so don’t require many days to wait to ride after a period of rain.
What Bike?
This is a route best suited for a mountain bike – hard-tail or full-suspension. There is a large amount of singletrack trail on the route so is much more enjoyable on a MTB-style bike. A drop bar bike should only be considered if it has beefy tires (nothing less than 2.1 inches) and some sort of suspension. Without these, it will become an uncomfortable ride, to say the least.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about, please contact me about this.
If you live on or near the route and would like to be a 'trail angel' by providing tenting space for riders, water bottle refill etc. please let me know. This is a great way to build up the bikepacking community and improve rider experiences on the route.
Lastly
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their own well-being on the High Five route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the High Five route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your own safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours (these are marked with a Control Point symbol). If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence is imperative, as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
If you enjoyed your time on the High Five, please consider making a donation to support the route. It takes a huge amount of time and dedication to maintain and build these routes. If you prefer not to use PayPal other donation methods can be arranged including e-transfer. Of course, a donation is not required to ride and enjoy this route.
