🚵 Where the North Still Feels Wild

A few summers ago, I had the chance to mountain bike at Le Massif de Charlevoix, a dramatic mountain perched above the St. Lawrence River about an hour east of Québec City.

The trip was a birthday gift, and we rented a nearby cottage with family. What I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was just how demanding even the easy lift-assisted downhill trails would feel for my wife.

The riding didn’t last long—but the setting absolutely did. Towering views of the St. Lawrence, rugged Laurentian terrain, and that unmistakable sense of remoteness stayed with me long after the bikes were packed up.

Those memories came rushing back while writing Part 2 of this four-part series—an exploration of mountain bike–friendly weekend trips that feel like expeditions, without requiring expedition-level skills.

Last issue, we headed south. This week… drumroll… we’re heading north.

And in the spirit of lessons learned, I won’t be returning to that particular trail center. Instead, we’ll focus on northern destinations that deliver big scenery, quiet landscapes, and exploratory vibes—while staying firmly in the beginner-friendly zone.

This week’s question:

Can the GTMTB Assistant uncover three weekend mountain bike trips in the North that feel like true expeditions—without advanced skills or big mileage days?

Let’s see what it comes up with.

P.S. If you haven’t tried the GTMTB Assistant yet, you can open the custom ChatGPT and run your own outdoor challenges. It’s free for subscribers.

👉 Click here to open GTMTB the Assistant. 

— Adam

1. Northeast Kingdom, Vermont — Kingdom Trails

Backroads Singletrack Basecamp 🚵

Why it feels like an expedition:
Endless woods, rolling farm views, and a web of interconnected trail zones let you string together “big-feeling” days—without big mileage or technical stress.

Ride style:
Mostly smooth, flowing singletrack with excellent beginner networks around the Village Trails, plus mellow intermediate options at Darling Hill that avoid heavy tech.

Good to know:
Kingdom Trails is on private land and is seasonal (typically spring through early November, conditions permitting). A day pass or membership is required and can be purchased online or at the Welcome Center.

🔗 Trail hub: https://www.kingdomtrails.org/

Sample Weekend Flow

Day 1 — Village Trails Warm-Up
6–10 mi (10–16 km). Easy loops and a pump track to shake out travel legs and get oriented.

Day 2 — Darling Hill Flow Day
10–16 mi (16–26 km). A flow-focused out-and-back or lollipop route; add short spurs only if you’re feeling great.

Day 3 — One More Zone
8–12 mi (13–19 km) in a different area for variety, then roll out.

Where to stay:
Base in or near East Burke so you can ride quickly each morning. Browse local options via the Kingdom Trails Visit pages.

2. Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan — Copper Harbor

Lake Superior Outpost Weekend 🌊

Why it feels like an expedition:
True “end-of-the-road” energy—rugged forests, Lake Superior views, and a sense of being far from everything—without needing huge mileage days.

Ride style:
Copper Harbor has 50+ miles of trail, but many routes lean intermediate+. The beginner-friendly sweet spot is the Back 9 network at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, designed with smoother lines and family-friendly progression.

Good to know:
Stick to the Back 9 and mellow connectors to keep this trip firmly in the beginner–intermediate zone. Skip the clearly marked advanced and downhill-only trails.

🔗 Trail hubs:

• Copper Harbor Trails — https://www.copperharbortrails.org/

• Keweenaw Mountain Lodge — https://keweenawmountainlodge.com/

Sample Weekend Flow

Day 1 — Back 9 Shakeout
6–10 mi (10–16 km). Easy, confidence-building loops to settle in and get a feel for the terrain.

Day 2 — Ride + Explore
10–16 mi (16–26 km) mixing Back 9 laps with a gentle connector ride. In the afternoon, trade pedals for views with a scenic drive near Brockway and lakeshore downtime.

Day 3 — Last Lap
5–8 mi (8–13 km) before heading home.

Where to stay:
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is ideal for this kind of weekend—cabins are close to the trails and typically have a two-night minimum, which fits the trip perfectly.

3. Portneuf Region, Québec — Vallée Bras-du-Nord

Backcountry Singletrack + Hut/Yurt Basecamp 🏕️

Why it feels like an expedition:
Long forest singletracks, river-valley scenery, and true backcountry logistics—plus the rare option to sleep right on the trail network in yurts or shelters.

Ride style:
Vallée Bras-du-Nord is built for progression. The network offers beginner- and intermediate-friendly routes, supported by skills clinics and well-defined trail sectors that emphasize flow over tech.

Good to know:
This is real backcountry terrain. Trails aren’t patrolled at all times and cell service can be limited—bring offline maps and basic essentials.

🔗 Trail hub:

• MTB overview — https://valleebrasdunord.com/en/outdoor-activities/mountain-bike/

• Accommodations — https://valleebrasdunord.com/en/accomodations/

(About 45 minutes from Québec City.)

Sample Weekend Flow

Day 1 — Orientation Ride
6–10 mi (10–16 km). A short loop to learn the signage and get comfortable with the terrain.

Day 2 — Shannahan Sector Adventure
10–18 mi (16–29 km) of continuous, easy-riding singletrack that feels long and immersive without stacking big mileage.

Day 3 — Pack-Out Spin
6–10 mi (10–16 km), then roll out.

Where to stay:
For the full expedition feel, book on-site yurts or shelters tucked into the forest. Some are in remote locations overlooking the river valley, so plan this like a true backcountry overnight and reserve ahead.