Mountain Biking Events in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Plan your ultimate mountain biking getaway in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. From the flow trails and technical terrain of the Hiawatha Highlands to exciting MTB events, local breweries, outdoor attractions, and weekend trip ideas, use the guide below to quickly explore everything you need for an unforgettable riding experience in Northern Ontario:
Quick Navigation: 2026’s MTB Events & Planning Guide
Mountain Biking Trails at Hiawatha Highlands
The Hiawatha Highlands trail network, just minutes from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, is the main venue for many of the region’s mountain biking events, including races, festivals, and cycling weekends. For more generalized riding information, visit our local mountain biking page which houses all local mountain biking information for Sault Ste Marie.
Hiawatha Highlands are one of the top rated MTB event venues in Northern Ontario, with terrain that supports everything from beginner race formats to elite endurance competitions.
The system combines fast flow sections with berms and tabletops for beginner and intermediate riders, and more technical singletrack with climbs and root-heavy terrain used in advanced mountain bike races. A full trail system map is available via the Hiawatha Highlands trail map from the Sault Cycling Club, commonly used for race planning and event setup.
The mix of machine-built and natural sections also makes it a flexible base for mountain bike races, training events, and cycling competitions in Ontario.
Salty Marie Trails Fest - July 24-26, 2026
Mountain Bike Festival & Race Weekend in Sault Ste. Marie
- Location: Hiawatha Highlands, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Best For: Beginner riders, recreational cyclists, endurance riders, trail runners, and families
- Trail Style: Flow trails, technical sections, forest singletrack
- Registration Opens: January 15, 2026
The Salty Marie Trails Fest is a growing mountain biking event in Sault Ste. Marie, bringing together riders, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts for a summer weekend at the Hiawatha Highlands trail network.
The festival features beginner-friendly rides, technical singletrack, flow trails, and competitive MTB events, making it ideal for casual riders, experienced cyclists, and Northern Ontario mountain biking travelers. Visitors can also enjoy live music, local food, drinks, and an après-ride atmosphere near downtown Sault Ste. Marie, while the weekend’s trail running races include 10 km, 25 km, and new for 2026, a 50 km distance option.
To register, view race day schedules or find rider information, visit the official website for the Salty Marie Trails Fest.
Salty Marie Trails Fest Gallery
Crank The Shield - August 21-23, 2026
Endurance Mountain Bike Race in Northern Ontario
- Location: Sault Ste. Marie & Hiawatha Highlands, Ontario
- Best For: Advanced riders, endurance cyclists, competitive racers
- Trail Style: Technical singletrack, climbs, rugged terrain, multi-day riding
- Event Format: 3-day endurance MTB race
- Trip Idea: Perfect for a Northern Ontario cycling weekend
Crank The Shield is one of Ontario’s top endurance mountain bike races, attracting riders looking for technical terrain, steep climbs, and long-distance singletrack riding in Northern Ontario.
This three-day MTB event in Sault Ste. Marie features rugged Canadian Shield terrain and the Hiawatha Highlands trail system, making it ideal for competitive cyclists, endurance riders, and mountain biking enthusiasts, while visitors can also enjoy local restaurants, breweries, and outdoor attractions throughout the weekend.
Use promo code ‘CRANK50’ for $50 off for a limited time.
For routes, registration, and rider information, visit the Crank The Shield registration page.
Crank The Shield Gallery
Canadian XCM MTB Championships - September 5, 2026
National-Level Mountain Bike Race in Sault Ste. Marie
- Location: Hiawatha Highlands, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Best For: Advanced riders, competitive racers, endurance cyclists
- Trail Style: Cross-country MTB racing, technical terrain, endurance riding
- Event Highlight: National championship-level competition
Official race details are listed through the Canadian Cycling event page for the 2026 MTB XCM Championships. The event will be hosted on the Hiawatha Highlands trail network, with a UCI-class course designed for experienced riders focused on endurance, technical climbing, and high-level competition in Northern Ontario.
For spectators and the local cycling community, it offers a chance to experience a nationally sanctioned mountain bike race while engaging with Sault Ste. Marie’s growing MTB scene, supported by the Sault Cycling Club and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.
Event Details
- Date: 05/09/2026
- Discipline: Mountain Bike
- Class: UCI CN
- Organizer: Sault Cycling Club / Tourism SSM
- Contact: [email protected]
Ontario OCup - September 6, 2026
Ontario Cup Mountain Bike Race Weekend
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Best For: Beginner riders, intermediate cyclists, families, competitive racers
Trail Style: Mixed terrain, flow trails, technical sections
Event Highlight: Ontario Cup race atmosphere with accessible rider categories
The Ontario OCup returns to Sault Ste. Marie in 2026, bringing together competitive racers, developing riders, and local cycling communities for a Northern Ontario mountain biking weekend.
The event showcases the city’s challenging trail systems and terrain, while its location near downtown makes it easy for riders and spectators to enjoy local restaurants, breweries, attractions, and outdoor activities throughout the weekend.
Additional event details, schedules, and registration information will be announced soon on the Sault Cycling Club site.
Plan Your Mountain Biking Event Weekend
Turn your mountain biking event into a full Northern Ontario getaway. After a day on the trails, explore some of Sault Ste. Marie’s top local attractions, restaurants, breweries, and waterfront experiences located just minutes from the Hiawatha Highlands trail network and downtown event venues.
Things To Do After the Ride
Enjoy a scenic 90-minute river cruise with the Miss Marie Soo Locks Tour boat and experience the historic locks and waterfront of Sault Ste. Marie. Riders and spectators looking to relax after the race can also visit Northern Superior, one of the city’s popular local breweries known for its craft beer and laid-back atmosphere.
Looking for indoor activities between races or after a long ride? Explore the Bushplane Museum, home to over 20 historic bushplanes and interactive exhibits celebrating Northern Ontario aviation history. Inside the museum, visitors can also discover Entomica Insectarium, featuring live insects and hands-on educational experiences for families and visitors of all ages.
For a more relaxed evening, the Up and Down Lounge offers state-of-the-art golf simulators, food, drinks, and a comfortable indoor space to unwind after a full day of mountain biking events in Sault Ste. Marie.
Frequently asked questions
Sault Ste. Marie’s main 2026 mountain biking events take place throughout the summer season, including the Salty Marie Trails Fest in July, Crank The Shield in August, and the 2026 Canadian XCM MTB Championships and Ontario OCup in September.
Some events, including the Salty Marie Trails Fest and Ontario OCup, welcome a wide range of rider abilities, including recreational and beginner riders. Other events, such as Crank The Shield and the Canadian XCM MTB Championships, are better suited for advanced and endurance-focused cyclists.
Most events are hosted at or near the Hiawatha Highlands area in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, located just minutes from downtown accommodations, restaurants, breweries, and attractions. Visitors looking for trail details and riding information can explore the Mountain Bike page.
Absolutely. Many visitors plan full Northern Ontario cycling weekends around these events by combining race day with local restaurants, breweries, river cruises, and attractions throughout Sault Ste. Marie, including Breweries & Wineries, the Miss Marie Sault Lock Tours, and local Activities & Attractions.
Sault Ste. Marie offers hotels, motels, campgrounds, and suites located close to event venues, trail access points, and downtown amenities. Visitors can explore local Hotels, Motels, and Campgrounds, B&Bs & Others depending on their travel style and preferred event access.
In addition to mountain biking events, Sault Ste. Marie hosts festivals, outdoor adventures, waterfront experiences, and seasonal activities throughout the year. Visit the Events page for upcoming events or explore more Travel Inspiration ideas for your Northern Ontario getaway.