Lake-Erie-River-Run

Lake Erie River Run

Multiday Trip – 2 Days / 1 Night

Total Distance: 135km  

The Ride: This two-day ride begins and ends in the town of Caledonia, taking riders through a mix of rural landmarks and riverside views of the Grand River. Stop into welcoming rural communities along the shoreline of this Heritage River with great places to eat and learn about the local agricultural heritage of the area. On day 2 of this itinerary, enjoy beautiful waterfront riding along the sandy shores of Lake Erie along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Visit at Knights Beach Resort, a certified bicycle friendly business, for a bite to eat before heading inland through rural landscapes rich in Haldimand’s agricultural bounty.

Experience Level: Moderate to Experienced: This route is suitable for cyclists with experience and comfort in riding on roads with low traffic at low speeds, and includes bikes lanes and paved shoulders. Cyclists should bring spare bicycle parts, extra water and light snacks for longer rural stretches of road. Parking is available at accommodations or at the Caledonia Fairgrounds.

View digital route of tour – RideWithGPS.com

Day 1: Caledonia to Dunnville – 51km

Area services: Accommodation, campgrounds, cafes, restaurants, shopping, banking, groceries, attractions and trails. No services available between Caledonia and Cayuga. Limited services available between Cayuga and Dunnville.

Leave Caledonia along the quiet and curvy River Road, part of the Trans Canada Trail and a picturesque part of rural Ontario. *NOTE – Public bicycle maintenance station and seasonal washrooms are available in York Park (approx. 7km). Enjoy the rolling countryside and frequent river views riding towards the town of Cayuga and an optional destination for a break or lunch. Riverside Bob Baigent Memorial Park has a covered rest area, picnic tables and public washrooms. From Cayuga, continue south on River Road following the eastern shore of the Grand River. This portion of the route passes working farms perched riverside among rich agricultural lands. This portion of the route passes working farms perched riverside and rich agricultural lands. Ride the rolling River Road for 18 km before arriving at Richardson’s Farm and Market. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Washroom and water available. Ride the final distance into Dunnville for a visit to “Muddy the Mudcat”, the world’s largest catfish statue. Dunnville has several restaurants and accommodation options available for visitors and is famous for its world-class birding and fishing on the Grand River.

Day 2: Dunnville to Caledonia – 84km

Area Services: Accommodations, campgrounds, restaurant, attractions, trails and beaches. Limited services available between Dunnville and Selkirk and limited services available between Selkirk and Caledonia.

Day 2’s route explores a mix of beautiful lakeside riding, as well as cycling along country roads in the region’s rural hinterland. Need bike supplies or service? Be sure to stop at Buckner’s Source for Sports or visit the public bicycle maintenance station in William Wingfield Park, Dunnville. Head southeast out of Dunnville and connect to the signed Lake Erie section of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, passing museums, lighthouses and a provincial park. A suggested stop on this itinerary is Knights Beach Resort, a certified bicycle-friendly business and approximately 27km from Dunnville. This location has a restaurant (seasonal hours), beach access, restrooms and water. Setting off west from Knights Beach Resort, enjoy 16 km of stunning riding past charming summer vacation homes along Lakeshore Road while hugging the shore of Lake Erie, before stopping in at the Sunflower Café in the community of Selkirk for some quick refreshments. Connect back to the Waterfront Trail through Waterfront Way Park and across the new Waterfront Way Bridge towards Selkirk Provincial Park. Heading away from Lake Erie, the route begins north through a rural landscape dotted with livestock, windfarms and fields of Haldimand’s agricultural bounty. *NOTE: Bicycle services, public restrooms, cafes, restaurants, shopping, banking and groceries are available in Hagersville, 3 km off this route. The final section of this itinerary offers up quintessential southwest Ontario riding with well-paved and quiet county roads past farmlands and country homes back into the town of Caledonia. Consider ending your ride with a visit to Oasis Drive-In, Canada’s oldest drive-in restaurant, which has been serving home-made meals since 1927.

Notes to Riders

This route is a suggested route only. All cyclists are responsible for their own safety. Always wear the proper safety gear when cycling, ride sensibly and abide by all laws. Each route should be evaluated by each individual cyclist based on their level of experience, comfort level in cycling on trails and roads, weather conditions, time of day, and any road obstacles. Use caution while riding on Country Road 20. No paved shoulders and speed limit of 80kph.

Additional Information

Getting To/From Start: Parking is available at Grenfel Community Hall. For multiday parking permits please contact 705-728-4784. Riders who would like to take public transit can start the ride in Barrie and take the GO Train from Toronto to Barrie. Visit www.GoTransit.com for information about schedules and fares.

Visitor Information: Use below to find out more about ride areas and plan an extra day or two to see more.

Events
Itineraries
Education

As part of Canada’s 150th celebrations in 2017, Ontario 150 Celebrate by Bike connected fifteen communities across Ontario through cycling. Ride itineraries, events and cycling education in Bike Friendly Communities and Ontario By Bike ride destinations were developed and hosted to take advantage of the iconic Greenbelt Route and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail to strengthen communities and create cycling itineraries as a permanent legacy of Ontario 150. This initiative was a collaborative partnership between the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, Ontario By Bike, and Share the Road Cycilng Coalition, building on two decades of investment in cycling infrastructure in Ontario. Check out the 15 legacy ride itineraries, and make plans to get out there to explore more of Ontario By Bike.

Ontario 150 Celebrate by bike
  • Ontario 150
  • Ontario