Fat Biking in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Fat bikes have a frame similar to that of a mountain bike but wide, knobby tires that are at least 3.8″ wide. The fat tires make for a comfortable smooth ride, and allow for traction on challenging terrain like snow. With so much annual snowfall and a long winter, Fat Biking exploded in Sault Ste. Marie, giving visitors and residents another awesome seasonal activity.
Sault Ste. Marie continues to invest in bike trails in the area, and most of these are prime for fat biking. Whether you’re new to the sport or really want to shred, there’s a trail for you!
Hiawatha Highlands
The Highlands is a beautiful 3,000-acre conservation area located within the city limits, offering a vast network of well-marked cross-country ski trails that can also be enjoyed on a fat bike. The Crystal Creek and Mable Trail Systems offer 26km of double-track trail, and another 9km of winding single-track is groomed regularly by Sault Cycling Club volunteers. You’ll ride through towering white pines and by icy waterfalls. The Trailhead begins just 10 km/6.2 mi from The Water Tower Inn, so you can drive it or ride it. See the Trail map here.
Crimson Ridge
Crimson Ridge is a world-class golf course in the summer, but they dedicate this beautiful natural space to fat biking and other seasonal activities in the winter. Enjoy over 20km of groomed and challenging trails throughout the course.
The John Rowswell Hub Trail
The Hub Trail is restricted to walking and other self-propelled activities such as fat biking. It connects historical, cultural and natural points in Sault Ste. Marie, and engages the user with its mix of urban areas, waterfront boardwalk, nature-significant sites, and wetlands with their native flora and fauna. The Hub Trail incorporates a paved trail combined with a few short stretches of designated street cycling. The entire distance is 25 km/15.5mi, but you can do it in sections. The north and east sections are directly accessible from The Water Tower Inn. Relatively flat, although there are two sharper inclines along the way. In its more urban neighbourhoods like the downtown waterfront, you can access restaurants, bars, and destinations like the Bushplane Museum or the Art Gallery of Algoma, among others. The Inn’s Adventure Hosts can give you a map and recommend highlights along your route.
Find other great places to ride.
The Inn supports your biking adventure:
- Indoor storage – You can secure your bike in the Inn’s garage.
- Inn Packages – Combine your adventure with a stay at the Inn and enjoy the pools and whirlpools of Club Cabana Aqua Spa after your day’s adventure. Find out more.
- Lunch to Go – The Inn’s kitchen will create a hearty and healthy boxed lunch for you to enjoy.
- Adventure Hosts – Consult with an Adventure Host for activity assistance, including maps and directions.
