MORE THAN A RUN. MAKE IT A WEEKEND.

Escape the pavement and hit the trails. Horseshoe Valley Resort makes the perfect home base for an Ontario trail running getaway, with accommodations, dining, recreation and the Copeland Forest all within easy reach.

Start your morning on the trails, refuel at the resort, spend the afternoon exploring and give yourself time to relax and recover before doing it all again the next day.

Explore a Variety of Trails

Rolling terrain, steep climbs, forested trails, singletrack and technical sections mean there is no shortage of ways to challenge yourself and explore. Whether you are looking for an easy shakeout run or preparing for your next trail race, you can choose the distance and terrain that work for you.

Stay Steps Away From the Trails

When you stay at Horseshoe Valley Resort, you can step outside and access the trails directly from the resort without having to load up the car and drive to your run.

The Copeland Forest trails can be accessed from the resort through our underground access tunnel. Simply head toward the main lower parking lot and follow the signs toward Golf Course Hole #1 to reach the tunnel and continue into the trail network.

train like a champ

Training for your next race? Horseshoe Valley’s varied terrain gives you plenty of opportunities to incorporate climbing, descending and technical trail running into your training.

Take advantage of the Copeland Express chairlift to ride to the top of the hill and run your way back down. It is a great opportunity to challenge yourself on the descent, work on your downhill technique and take in the views along the way.

If you want to complement your trail kilometres with strength training, our fitness centre features athletic training equipment including a SkiErg, agility equipment and a parachute treadmill. This is not your standard hotel gym.

After your workout, take some time to recover in our indoor pools and sauna before heading back out for your next adventure.

make a weekend of it

Turn your next trail run into a weekend away. With accommodations, trails, dining, recreation and recovery amenities all at the resort, you can spend more of your weekend enjoying the outdoors and less of it travelling between stops.

Here is a little inspiration for your stay:

friday | arrive + shakeout run

saturday | Long Run + Explore

sunday | one more run + brunch

horseshoe valley resort runner’s guide

Whether you’re looking for a quick morning run, a challenging hill workout or a longer adventure through the forest, Horseshoe Valley Resort offers a variety of trails and routes to explore.

Use this guide to discover our suggested trail routes, view maps, learn what to expect along the way and find helpful tips to make the most of your time on the trails.

ACCESSING THE COPELAND TRAILS

Looking to explore the Copeland Forest trails? You can access the trails directly from Horseshoe Valley Resort using the underground access tunnel. It’s a safe and convenient way to get to the trails without needing to drive or cross the road. 

To find the tunnel, head to the main lower parking lot and follow the signs toward Golf Course Hole #1.
Tip: If you head over towards the Beginner Centre on the ski/bike hill you should see the signage leading you to the underground tunnel and Copeland Forest trails.

Want to have your gear and water leave your gear or water in your car? You can also drive across the road and park at the Nordic Centre before heading out onto the trails.

NAVIGATING THE TRAILS 

Go prepared and know your route before you head out. Cell service can vary throughout the forest, so we recommend downloading your route and having an offline copy available before starting your run.

For the best navigation experience, we recommend using Trailforks to view the route maps and follow your progress along the trails. You can also download the route GPX file to your GPS watch or preferred navigation device.

Before you head out:

• Download your route and map before leaving the resort.
• Save an offline copy in case you lose cell service.
• Make sure your phone or GPS watch is fully charged.
• Check the route distance, elevation and terrain before choosing your run.
• Bring water, extra snacks, layers and anything else you may need for your time on the trails.
• Let someone know your planned route if heading out for a longer run.

suggested routes

Routes 1–4 are marked trails, making them a great option for first-time visitors or anyone looking for a more guided trail experience. Follow the route markers along the way to help keep you on track.

Routes 5–6 are for those looking to explore a little further. These routes are unmarked but follow existing trails through the forest and can be easily navigated using Trailforks. They’re a great option if you’re looking for a longer adventure or want to explore more of the Copeland Forest.

#1: COPELAND CRUISE

Looking for an easy, relaxed run to ease into your stay? The Copeland Cruise is a great introduction to the Copeland Forest trails and an easy route to enjoy with friends.

The route follows mostly double track and is relatively flat, with a few sections of sandy trail. It’s a great option for a shakeout run, an easy morning outing or simply getting out to explore the forest.

Distance: 4.65KM

Terrain: Double Track

Elevation: 42m

Descent: 43m

Best for: Shakeout/Easy Run

Helpful Tips: Follow the GREEN Copeland Cruise route arrows along the trail to keep you on track!

ROUTE MAP

#2: SIZZLING SINGLE TRACK 1

Looking to add a little singletrack to your run? Sizzling Single Track #1 is a great way to mix up the terrain and experience some of the narrower forest trails while keeping the distance short and manageable.
This route combines double track and singletrack, making it a fun option for a quick shakeout or easy trail run.

Distance: 3.14KM

Terrain: Double Track/ Single Track / Easy

Elevation: 51m

Descent: 51m

Best for: Shakeout/Easy Run

Helpful Tips: Follow the BLUE Sizzling Single Track #1 route arrows. Some signs will show both Route 1 and Route 2. Follow these shared markers until you see signage specifically for Route 1, then follow the Route 1 arrows.

ROUTE MAP

#3: SIZZLING SINGLE TRACK 2

Ready for a little more distance and a bit more challenge? Sizzling Single Track #2 offers a longer route and more rolling hills, while still offering a mix of double track and singletrack.
It’s a great option for an easy to moderate trail run for those looking to add a bit more variety.

Distance: 4.92KM

Terrain: Double Track/ Single Track / Easy-moderate

Elevation: 61m

Descent: 61m

Best for: Easy to moderate run

Helpful Tips: Follow the BLUE Sizzling Single Track #2 route arrows. Some signs will show both Route 1 and Route 2. Follow these shared markers until you see signage specifically for Route 2, then follow the Route 2 arrows

ROUTE MAP

#4: HORSESHOE VALLEY HUSTLE LOOP

The route winds through rugged, narrow singletrack and dense forest, with frequent elevation changes, steep climbs and technical terrain. Expect loose rocks, roots and uneven footing throughout. Proper trail running footwear is highly recommended for this route. It’s a great option for an easy to moderate trail run for those looking to add a bit more variety.

Distance: 5KM

Terrain: Single Track / Difficult / Steep Climbs

Elevation: 200m total elevation gain

Climb: 171m

Descent: 119m

Best for: Challenging Trail Run / Hill Training

Helpful Tip: Start near the Copeland Express Chairlift and head toward Lake Horseshoe and the Snow Tubing Hill. Enter the trails beside the tubing hill and follow the PINK route arrows for the entire loop.

ROUTE MAP

#5: COPELAND 6KM ROUTE (UNMARKED)

Looking to explore a little further? This scenic 6KM route takes you deeper into the Copeland Forest, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
While the route itself is unmarked, it follows well-maintained existing trails and offers a mix of double track and green singletrack. It’s a great option for runners looking to explore at their own pace while adding a little more adventure to their outing.

Distance: 6KM

Terrain: Single Track & Double track / Easy-moderate

Climb: 88m

Descent: 87m

Best for: Easy to Moderate Run / Self-Guided Adventure

Helpful Tip: If you have route planner on your watch download the GPX file to help navigate your way through the trails

ROUTE MAP

#6: THE LONG RUN

Training for an upcoming race or looking to log some serious kilometers? The Long Run is a 25.7KM route designed for runners looking to put in the distance and challenge themselves on the trails.
With significant elevation and a mix of singletrack terrain, this route is best suited for experienced trail runners and those looking for a challenging long-run workout.

Distance: 25.7KM

Terrain: Single Track / Hard-Difficult

Climb: 922m

Descent: 87m

Best for: Long Runs / Race Training / Experienced Trail Runners

Helpful Tip: If you have route planner on your watch download the GPX file to help navigate your way through the trails

ROUTE MAP

trail etiquette and safety

what to bring

A little preparation goes a long way when heading out on the trails. Here are some items we recommend bringing: 

☐ Water/Fuel
Bring enough water, snacks and your preferred  for the distance and conditions, especially for longer routes.

☐ Phone or GPS watch
Keep your phone or GPS device charged and ready to navigate.

☐ Downloaded route / GPX file
Download your route before heading out and save an offline copy in case you lose cell service.

☐ Trail running shoes
Proper trail shoes are recommended, especially on routes with singletrack, roots, rocks and steep or technical sections.

☐ Weather-appropriate layers
Conditions can change quickly in the forest, so dress accordingly.

☐ Fuel & electrolytes
For longer runs, bring the fuel and hydration you’ll need to stay comfortable throughout your route.

run with us

Discover the Trail Running Community at Horseshoe Valley

Horseshoe Valley is not only a place to run on your own. It is also becoming a place where runners can connect, train and experience the trails together.

Join us for our weekly Run Club, trail running events, clinics and the Horseshoe Valley Hustle throughout the season.