Burlington-to-Whitby

Burlington to Whitby Trail to GO

Multiday Trip – 2 Days / 1 Night

Total Distance: 133km  

The Ride: Discover the fantastic cycling availble along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on this 2-day cycling adventure. This hidden gem of an itinearry takes cyclists from Burlington through Toronto, Canada’s largest city, to Whitby. For those visiting or living in the GTA, this itinerary is fully accessible from the GO Train and Bus network, meaning you can take your bags and bike on a GO Train/Bus and never have a need for a car.

Experience Level: Moderate: This route is suitable for cyclists with experience and comfort in riding on roads. Some steep hills and loose unpaved surface as well as road riding required, in shared traffic.

View digital route of tour – RideWithGPS.com

Day 1: Burlington to Toronto – 67km

Accommodations, cafés, restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, banking, bike shops, attractions, breweries and trails.

Using the signed Trail to GO signage, set off from the Burlington GO Station and ride south through downtown Burlington, towards Spencer Smith Park and the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Enjoy off-road paved riding out of Burlington for nearly 12km before arriving in the village of Bronte. Stop for refreshments (Gelato!) and continue riding east on a mix of road riding and off-road paths through residential areas and parks. Arriving in the historic town of Oakville (at approx. 25km mark) cruise the downtown and visit boutique shops. A great place to grab lunch, a coffee or a snack before setting off again. If your bringing your lunch any one of the numerous parks along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail between Bronte and Port Credit would make for a perfect picnic stop. If you`re buying lunch, Port Credit may be your choice for a stop. Fantastic patios, a beautiful waterfront and dozens of great cafes or restaurants to choose from making this stop ideal. The final 26km into Toronto are on a mix of on-road and off-road paths through parklands, many hugging the shoreline of Lake Ontario and offering views of Toronto`s distinct skyline. Toronto, your end destination for the day has been named one of the best cities in the world and you`ll quickly know why. Arrive at your accommodation of choice and step out into this vibrant city with plenty of cultural attractions and culinary experiences to please all interests and palates.

Day 2: Toronto to Whitby – 66km

Area Services along this section of the route: Accommodations, cafés, restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, banking, bike shops, attractions and trails.

Ride from your accommodation to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail (also known as the Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto), setting off east towards Toronto’s beaches and eastside. Cyclists will discover that cycling offers a fascinating way to explore Toronto. Highlights along this section of the itinerary including the city’s beaches and regenerated waterfront areas, Scarborough Bluffs, Guildwood Park, and of course Rouge National Urban Park. Approximately, 35km into day 2, enjoy waterside riding through Port Union and into Rouge National Urban Park at the mouth of the Rouge River. Take a break or have a picnic lunch at the beach and enjoy views across Lake Ontario. Continuing east into Pickering and through parklands ride around Frenchman’s Bay with a few options for lunch, including the well-regarded, and certified bicycle-friendly PORT Restaurant. Riding east out of Pickering, cyclists will cross over Duffin’s Creek into the town of Ajax. The final 19km is nearly all off-road and through parklands. With much of it along the lake, take in the beauty of waterfront riding near the city. Spend time exploring the Lynde Shores Conservation or continue and followed the signed route to the Whitby GO Station and begin your journey back with your bicycle to your home.

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. This route is suitable for cyclists with experience and comfort in riding on roads.

Additional Information

Bikes on GO Trains: You can take your bike on any GO train outside of rush hour during the week, and on any train on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. A standard GO railcar can accommodate four bicycles, two just inside each set of doors, provided they are not next to a washroom or in wheelchair-accessible cars, as indicated by a no-bike sign.

GO Transit does not allow bikes on rush-hour trains (These are trains that arrive at Toronto Union Station between 6:30am and 9:30a.m. or that leave Union Station between 3:30pm and 6:30 p.m.). Folding bikes allowed.

GO Buses: All GO Transit buses have front racks for 2 bikes, first come first served. These are available at all times during the operating day, even during rush hours.

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