Notice: OFTR Membership Required to Ride in Limerick Forest.
Non members can purchase a 48 hour pass from OFTR here
The United Counties of Leeds & Grenville (UCLG), owner of the Limerick Forest, has agreed to work with organizations representing off road motorcycles and all terrain vehicles for the development, use, and management of trails in Limerick Forest. The BMA, supported by the OFTR, and the Johnstown ATV Club, supported by the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicles (OFATV), are working with the Forest Manager to maintain and insure the forest trails.
The agreement with the County, OFTR, and BMA:
- Enables off-road motorcycle use and trail stewardship in Limerick Forest. Learn more about becoming a Limerick Trail Warden.
- Designates specific shared-use trails in the Limerick Forest where off-road motorcycling by OFTR members is permitted by the property owner – the County
- Designates certain shared use trails as single track trails – upon which ATVs and snowmobilers are not permitted
- The OFTR and BMA continues to invest in building and maintaining the Limerick Forest trail network for you to ride on, much like snowmobilers and ATV riders do
- The OFTR and BMA now bring additional insurance coverage, reducing the County’s liability
- OFTR members agree to a Riders Code of Conduct, including riding responsibly on properly licensed, insured, and quiet motorcycles
- Riding by persons who are not OFTR members, or riding anywhere other than on designated trails, is considered trespassing
“Designated off-road trails” maps will be available soon on this page, and trails will be marked in the Forest. A copy of the agreement will also soon be available on this page.
Not ALL trails at Limerick are designated for ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) use. The areas designated for ORV use are:
Limerick Forest Riding Area Overview Map
Limerick South Trails – “Forsythe North”
Limerick South Trails – “Forsythe South” Block
For more information about the Limerick Forest area, please visit the Leads & Grenville website.
Did you know?
That the OFTR and BMA during the past 8 years have secured over $250,000 in grants for trail development and maintenance in Limerick and Larose Forests, which included the building of the Limerick Forest Interpretive Centre.
Background
Limerick Forest is a 5782-hectare community forest located in eastern Ontario, owned by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and is managed by the Forest Manager. The “Friends of Limerick Forest” is comprised of volunteers interested in the welfare and sustainable management of Limerick Forest, an actively worked forest. The Bytown Motorcycle Association and the OFTR are partners of Limerick Forest.
The Fun Stuff
This forest is a great area for all levels of rider, sand base, 70% pine plantation, with little elevation change. It is one to the best riding areas for family, new, beginning, and “just remembering how to ride” riders. It is also great skills building/practice area in a forest plantation, very close to Ottawa. No problem if you only have a half day.
Limerick Forest has about 40km of single track and 40km of two track trail, used by multiple types of users: off-road motorcyclists, ATVs, cyclists, hikers, hunters (best to avoid during deer season), horseback riders and others. The riding areas are broken into two areas 1.5 km apart! (North of Forsythe Rd and South of Forsythe Rd. See the specific map links above) There are no trails between areas, you must choose one or the other to ride in, as there is swamp between them, and connected by a gravel road only – see our caution below in using the road. Both areas have good parking, but we ask riders to park at the south parking lot (pit) for safety and privacy reasons. (Out of sight = out of mind!). Both parking areas have primitive facilities.
Guidelines for Riding in Limerick Forest
- An OFTR membership is required (comes with your BMA membership) and can be purchased here.
- Not an OFTR or BMA Member and are a visitor to the region, or just want to try out Larose or Limerick Forest? A 2-day pass for Larose or Limerick Forest can be purchased here.
- Your bike must be plated and insured
- Your bike must be quiet (less than 94 db)
- Tread lightly during wet weather, or simply avoid riding in this area after prolonged wet weather. Respect the potential damage that can be done to the trail, so we may all continue to enjoy the area
- Bug spray is advisable at times
- Bicycles, hikers, animals, horseback riders, etc can and will be on the trails. Please observe our code of conduct as it relates to coming across other trail users and ride with caution
- Stay on marked trails
- Enjoy and tell your friends!
The OPP are working with the BMA and the County to make certain all riders are legal and insured. They are in the forest on a regular basis checking ALL riders for paper work, plates, and insurance!
This includes using the road between the two riding areas with only a green (off-road) plate. To use the road you must be street legal (blue plate). Tickets can get expensive in a hurry. Be smart until the allowance for Green Plates along Municipal roads has been approved by the County.
How to find the Limerick Forest riding area
South parking area
North parking area (the “Y”)
For any questions or additional info please contact: limerickforest@bma1.ca