Planning 100 Mile House mountain biking and unsure where you should ride? Start at the Mile 99 woodlot just south of town, where a flow trail and two climbing trails sit close together.
This guide is part of a wider look at Cariboo mountain biking, and it covers the South Cariboo gateway.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Main trail area | District Woodlot at Mile 99, just south of town on Highway 97 |
| Signature flow trail | Hustle & Flow, rated blue |
| New trails completed (as of June 2020) | Three new trails: Lower & Upper Climb & Punishment, plus Hustle & Flow |
| Local club | HunCity Mountain Bike Club |
| Ainsworth Trails listing | 99 Mile XC Bike, 0.8 mi |
Figures come from Mountain Biking BC’s June 2020 post and a Singletracks trail listing. Trails get added, closed and rerated, so check the sources and local conditions before you rely on them.
Why 100 Mile House makes a good riding base
Mountain Biking BC describes the town this way: “100 Mile House, the gateway to the Cariboo Chilcotin, has always been a favoured stopping point for travellers and adventurers.” It sits on Highway 97, so it fits easily into a longer road trip through the region.
The same post calls it “a service centre for communities on the Chilcotin plateau and a growing trails and mountain bike destination.” That means you can find food, fuel and lodging without driving far from the trailhead.
If you are linking several towns, you can pair this stop with the Fox Mountain trails Williams Lake riding to the north. Northern stops, such as the Quesnel mountain bike trails, round out a multi-day trip.
A gold rush road and a growing trail scene
The town is “Located at the 100 Mile marker from Lillooet and the start of the Cariboo Wagon Trail,” the route people travelled “during the gold rush years of the late 1800s.” That history explains the name, and it is why the town still works as a stopover.
Today the draw is trail building rather than gold. The post quotes Thomas Schoen, chair of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium: “This was a much-needed addition of trail infrastructure in the 100 Mile House area.”
For a rider, that means a small but purpose-built network close to the highway. You can ride a few laps in a morning and still make your next stop by afternoon.
The Mile 99 woodlot trails
According to Mountain Biking BC, the HunCity Mountain Bike Club has been “working with Recreation Sites and Trails and the District of 100 Mile House to build new trails and riding opportunities in the District Woodlot at Mile 99 just south of town on Highway 97.” This is the area most visitors head for first.
The trails named in that June 2020 post are:
- Hustle & Flow: a flow trail with wooden features, built by James Doerfling with features by First Journey Trails.
- Lower Climb & Punishment: a climbing trail that riders use for uphill laps.
- Upper Climb & Punishment: the upper section of the same climb.
The post says the climbing trails are being ridden, and that some riders shuttle. Treat shuttling as an informal arrangement rather than an organised service.
Is it suitable for beginners and families?
Partly, yes. The post quotes a speaker describing the goal: “something for advanced riders, something for families, trails that can serve the broadest possible demographic.”
The same article adds that on Hustle & Flow “All the jumps, drops and Technical Terrain features are rollable and fun.” Rollable means you can ride over a feature rather than leave the ground, which suits riders still building confidence.
Consortium chair Thomas Schoen explains that “Hustle & Flow is rated blue and is ridable by most beginner riders.” A blue rating is a step up from green, so expect some speed, rollers and wooden features rather than a flat path.
If you are new to flow trails, a few habits help:
- Ride the trail once at a relaxed pace to learn the features.
- Roll the wooden sections before you commit to speed.
- Keep space between riders so nobody is caught out by a stop.
- Walk anything that feels beyond you; there is no prize for forcing it.
Other riding near town
A Singletracks listing for the Ainsworth Trails says that from 100 Mile House you head south on Highway 97, and “Ainsworth Road should appear on the right.” It lists one system trail, 99 Mile XC Bike, at 0.8 mi.
That is a short outing, so use it as a warm-up or a leg-stretcher rather than a full day. The listing has no trailhead location, so rely on the local club and current maps for the actual start.
Other trail networks may exist along the same highway, but no confirmed current details are given for them here. Look at the club’s own channels for the latest.
Treat the Ainsworth listing as a pointer, not a route plan. A listing with no mapped trailhead can leave you guessing at the turn, so allow extra time to find the start and keep a map app with offline maps handy.
Pairing the woodlot with a shorter cross-country spin gives a varied day. You could climb first, ride the flow trail as your reward, then finish on easier ground while your legs recover.
How to fit it into a Cariboo road trip
Highway 97 runs through the town, so a ride here slots in between longer driving days. Because the woodlot is just south of town, you can arrive, ride and be back on the road without a long detour.
A simple plan for a day stop looks like this:
- Check club updates the evening before for trail status.
- Park near the woodlot and gear up with water and repair kit.
- Warm up on the climb, then take the flow trail downhill.
- Refuel in town before continuing north or south.
Riders heading north can continue to Williams Lake and Quesnel for more trails. Allow several days if you want to sample each town properly.
Planning your ride
Because the key source is from 2020, treat the trail list as a starting point, not a guarantee. New builds, closures and reratings happen, and a pandemic-era post will not show them.
- Check with the HunCity Mountain Bike Club for current trail status before you travel.
- Carry water, a spare tube, a pump and basic tools, because you may be far from help on a woodlot trail.
- Ride on dry trails and stay on marked routes, since the area is a working woodlot.
- Tell someone your route and expected return time.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the main trail area for 100 Mile House mountain biking?
Show answer
Mountain Biking BC places the newer trails in the District Woodlot at Mile 99, just south of town on Highway 97.
Is Hustle & Flow good for beginners?
Show answer
The source post says it is rated blue and “ridable by most beginner riders.” Start slowly and walk any feature you are unsure about.
Who builds and maintains the trails?
Show answer
The post credits the HunCity Mountain Bike Club, working with Recreation Sites and Trails and the District of 100 Mile House.
How do riders get to the Ainsworth Trails?
Show answer
Per the Singletracks listing, head south from 100 Mile House on Highway 97 and watch for Ainsworth Road on the right.
