Twin Lakes

12 Mile Lake Rd., Minden
Posted on January 12, 2018 / 3906
Twin Lakes
Listing Type : Cross Country Ski / Skate Ski
Location : Eastern Ontario
X-Ski km : 5
Skate km : 5
Snowshoe km : none
Skill Level : Easy
Terrain : small hills, wide paths, gentle hills, flat sections
Facilities : parking, toilets/outhouse, trailhead map, good trail signage, trails maintained, track set
Trail Fee : yes

Length – 5 +? km

Cross Country – track set   5 km
Skate Skiing  – groomed  5 km
Snowshoe  trail –  none

Skill – all levels, best for beginners

Terrain –  young hardwood forest, flat loops, rolling hills, one fast downhill,

Hours – daylight

Fee – pay box, cash only – adults $13, Youth $6  –

Facilities –  parking, outhouse, food & lodging nearby

Highlights – scenic, quiet, dog friendly

Current Conditions on Twitter

Local Clubs – Haliburton Highlands Nordic

Similar Trails – Muskoka, Bracebridge NRC

Access – Off Hwy 35, 9 km north of Minden, west on Taylor Rd. or Twelve Mile Lake Road  for a minute or two. Small parking lot and gate on west side of road.



For a quick loop, Nordic skiing on the Twin Lake Trails will stretch your legs and give you a break from driving. Though short in length, it is well maintained and scenic. Tracks were set and the loops are wide enough to skate ski all of them.

From the gate the terrain is a slow climb up to a trail fork where you take the left quick climb to start the loops. For some beginners this may persuade you not to go farther thinking that more steep climbs are in store. Actually not so, as the rest of these short loops are easy to manage with nothing tricky to navigate. Even the somewhat steep hill on the way out is not that fast and wide enough. With that said, any advanced Nordic racer would get bored soon here, but then I did see one guy lap me a few times.

While scouting this ski location last winter, I noted that the back loop beyond the green Middle Loop was closed. Regrettably due to private property issues…If it ever reopens, that would be more than double the track you could ski… let’s hope.

Being now smaller than it was makes the trail fee a tad pricey. Also noted, there are no snowshoe trails. (There should and could be?)

Dogs are welcome which is good for some, not so great for others. And no Skijoring please (that is where your dog is pulling you on skis).

Located where Mountain Lake and Twelve Mile Lake meet off of Hwy 35. Twin Lakes is minutes north of Minden and is a convenient spot for many in the area.

Opening Hours
  • Monday :Dawn to Dusk
  • Tuesday :Dawn to Dusk
  • Wednesday :Dawn to Dusk
  • Thursday :Dawn to Dusk
  • Friday :Dawn to Dusk
  • Saturday :Dawn to Dusk
  • Sunday :Dawn to Dusk

Twin Lake ski trail map

Reviews
3.2
Total Score 1 REVIEW
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