Kawartha ATV Association

09/05/2026

💚 LADIES… this ride is for YOU! 💚

The KATVA Ladies Thrill & Chill Ride is back on September 19th — and this one is a little different. 😉

While the ladies head out to enjoy the trails, the men take care of the rest! They prepare and serve a delicious trailside meal, handle the cleanup, and have even been known to go above and beyond with a few special surprises along the way. ✨
All you have to do is ride, relax and enjoy being spoiled for the day!

📅 September 19th
💲 $50 per person
🍽️ Lunch included
🎁 Prizes included
🛞 A fun, relaxed day on the trails

Grab your riding friends and make a day of it ... this is always a fun one!

👉 Please register in advance before September 12th:
https://katva.ca/event/katva-ladies-thrill-and-chill-ride/

Just for the Ladies! A day on the trails while the men do the cooking! Join us for an exciting day of trail riding through the scenic trails of Kawartha Lakes. This ride will take us through a leafy canopy

09/05/2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE: Whatever Trail You Choose

🟣 🟢 🔵 🔴 ◆◆

VRT • Easy/Beginner • Intermediate • Expert • Double Black Diamond

Know your ability.
Choose trails that match your skills and experience. There's no prize for choosing a harder colour. And there's nothing wrong with turning around.

Don't ride alone.
Especially when heading into more remote or technical terrain.

Have a plan.
Know where you're going, roughly how long you expect to be out, and make sure someone else knows too.

Know where you are.
Download Polaris Ride Command and save your maps before heading out.

Know how to communicate your location.
Download what3words and learn how to use it before you need it.

Expect conditions to change.
Yesterday's green, blue or red trail may not ride exactly the same today.

Be prepared for the unexpected.
Carry appropriate recovery gear and know what you'll do if you have a breakdown or get stuck. If you need assistance, reach out to Trillium Off-Road Recovery.

Help us look after the trails.
If you see a trail maintenance issue, help us help the next rider by reporting it here:
https://katva.ca/trails-issue-member-report/

Know the trail. Know your machine. Know your ability. Ride prepared.

09/04/2026

Happy Labour Day Long Weekend! ☀️🌲

Hope you find time to hit the trails and take the long way back!

09/04/2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE: Understanding KATVA Trail Ratings

◆◆ DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND

Our most technically challenging trails.

Double Black Diamond trails are intended for highly experienced riders with advanced machine control and technical trail-riding skills.

Large rocks, exposed Canadian Shield bedrock, very steep grades, severely uneven terrain, difficult crossings, mud and water may all be part of the ride. There may be little margin for error, and go-arounds may not be available.

Some Double Black Diamond trails may be too narrow for larger SXS.

Machines should be equipped with a winch and appropriate recovery gear. Never ride Double Black Diamond trails alone.

◆◆ Double Black Diamond = Highly Technical

09/03/2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE: Understanding KATVA Trail Ratings

🔴 EXPERT

What's underneath that water?

That's exactly the kind of judgement an experienced trail rider needs.

Red trails can include significant rocks and bedrock, steep grades, technical sections, water, mud and substantial obstacles. Weather can also change a familiar trail considerably from one ride to the next.

Riding at this level isn't just about getting your machine through an obstacle. It's about reading terrain, choosing a line, maintaining good machine control and appropriate speeds.

Some Red trails may be too narrow for larger SXS.

Machines should be equipped with a winch and appropriate recovery gear. Never ride Red trails alone.

Go-arounds should not be assumed.

🔴 Red = Expert

09/02/2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE: Understanding KATVA Trail Ratings

🔵 INTERMEDIATE

Blue trails start to get into the classic Canadian Shield riding that KATVA is known for.

Blue trails are for riders who already have trail experience and are comfortable when the terrain starts asking a little more of them.

Rocks, roots, uneven ground, hills, tighter turns, mud and water can all be part of the ride. You'll need to choose your line, control your machine over rough terrain and adjust as conditions change. You will need good control over your speed.

Particularly difficult sections often have a go-around, but depending on recent weather or maintenance, don't assume there will always be one.

If the terrain in today's photo looks challenging but manageable to you, blue may be your sweet spot.

🔵 Blue = Intermediate / Experienced

09/01/2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE: Understanding KATVA Trail Ratings

🟢 EASY / BEGINNER TRAILS

Green trails are our best choice for newer riders. But “easy” doesn't always mean flat, straight or obstacle-free.

KATVA trails are on the edge of the Canadian Shield. Even on green trails you may encounter minimal rocks and roots, uneven ground, gentle hills or puddles.

These features on green trails are manageable for a newer rider travelling carefully and at an appropriate speed. Green trails are also great for anyone looking for an easy-going, sight-seeing ride.

If you're new to trail riding, green is where we recommend starting.

🟢 Green = Easy / Beginner

08/31/2026

🟣 VICTORIA RAIL TRAIL (VRT)

We're starting with the VRT.

The VRT runs from Bethany in the south to Kinmount in the north and beyond into Haliburton County. It's the main connecter trail to get to the trails. It's wide, maintained, relatively flat and technically easy to ride.

The VRT isn't necessarily easier than green. It's just a different kind of trail.

The VRT is shared by a lot of different users and you will often encounter the different groups. Depending on where and when you're riding, you may meet walkers, cyclists, joggers, horseback riders, dogs and other recreational users.

The skill here isn't navigating rocks or mud, it's awareness, courtesy and appropriate speed.

🟣 Purple = Victoria Rail Trail / Shared Multi-Use Trail

08/30/2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE: Understanding KATVA Trail Ratings

🟣 🟢 🔵 🔴 ◆◆

KATVA offers a variety of trails for all rider skill levels and challenges. Do you know the different coloured trails and what to expect?

Our trail system travels through the Canadian Shield, and that has a big influence on what you'll find beneath your tires. Our trails tend to be rocky rather than sandy, hilly rather than flat, and winding rather than straight. Rocks, roots, exposed bedrock, hills, water and mud are all part of riding here.

Also, the same trails can ride very differently as conditions change from day to day and season to season depending on weather, water levels, usage and maintenance.

Our trail ratings are intended to help you choose trails that match your experience and riding ability within the KATVA trail system.

This week, we're taking a closer look at each of our trail ratings from the Victoria Rail Trail (VRT) to our Double Black Diamond trails highlighting what you might encounter, and the skills you'll need.

Know before you ride. Choose your trail. Ride within your ability.

08/27/2026

💚 LADIES… this ride is for YOU! 💚

The KATVA Ladies Thrill & Chill Ride is back on September 19th — and this one is a little different. 😉

While the ladies head out to enjoy the trails, the men take care of the rest! They prepare and serve a delicious trailside meal, handle the cleanup, and have even been known to go above and beyond with a few special surprises along the way. ✨

All you have to do is ride, relax and enjoy being spoiled for the day!

📅 September 19th
💲 $50 per person
🍽️ Lunch included
🎁 Prizes included
🛞 A fun, relaxed day on the trails

Grab your riding friends and make a day of it ... this is always a fun one!

👉 Please register in advance before September 12th:
https://katva.ca/event/katva-ladies-thrill-and-chill-ride/