Welcome to the Canadian Shield

Please note that some of Crank The Shield's course goes through private property with permission granted only for the event.  Please ride responsibly and do not trespass.

Haliburton County – home of Crank the Shield

As one of Ontario’s most beautiful regions, the Haliburton Highlands abounds with things to do and places to see.  The larger centres within Haliburton County include Minden and Haliburton, unique and picturesque towns with many great restaurants, shops and attractions.  Haliburton supports a huge arts community, and every fall people from all over Canada come to take in the studio tour.  For outdoor enthusiasts, the region abounds with great hiking and motorsports trails.  As a great bonus, Haliburton is bordered by many unique environments.  With the Kawarthas to the South, Algonquin Highlands to the North,  Bancroft region to the east, and the regal Muskokas to the West. Ontario’s shield country is an outdoors-person’s paradise!

Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd.

As the start and finish for Crank the Shield, Haliburton Forest is unique in that it is a massive parcel of land with one landowner.  With over 270km of trails and roadways, various shelters and over 200 leased, lake-side cottaging sites, Haliburton Forest is it’s own unique community.  Add to this an exciting Wolf Center, High-Ropes course and a variety of summer and winter programs, and Haliburton Forest is your first, and last stop for experiencing Haliburton County.

Minden Township

The focal point for Stage #2, Minden provides a variety of amenities to both tourists and passersby. With the beautiful Gull River flowing through the center of town, Minden is well known to paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Minden is the closest town to our first night’s accommodations at Camp Kandalore. For more information on this destination, visit www.mindenhills.ca and find out why Minden is in season, every season.

Haliburton

Haliburton is very close to your second night’s accommodations at Camp White Pine. Haliburton offers a picturesque downtown with a variety of shopping options, and several restaurants and hotels. For more information on Haliburton, visit www.haliburtonholidays.ca

Algonquin Highlands

The northernmost region of Crank the Shield enters Algonquin country, known for it’s massive provincial park and the inspiration for many of our countries’ greatest artists.  Stage 1 of Crank also enters the Leslie Frost Centre, a unique region within the Algonquin Highlands home to a myriad of stunning lakes and canoe routes.

Kawartha Lakes

To the south lies the Kawartha lakes country, much flatter than Haliburton County and home to the lakes comprising the Trent-Severn waterway.  Communities such as Kinmount, Bobcaygeon and Lindsay lie in this region and are a short drive from Crank the Shield country.

Region of Muskoka

Known as Ontario’s paradise of the rich and famous, Stage 2 of Crank the Shield rides the edge of Muskoka county.  For out-of-towners looking to experience Ontario’s near north, Muskoka is home to beautiful lakes, and a ton of interesting shops and boutiques.  While Gravenhurst and Bracebridge are the larger towns in the Muskokas, smaller towns dotting the Muskokas including Bala and Port Carling are great places to visit.