Ontario By Bike Ride – August 2021

OBBR Marketplace ENG w bleed 011619 1

This ride is now over.
The detailed ride itinerary for this ride is available below for download. Enjoy great trail riding with a self-guided ride experience.

 button download ride itinerary

1000 Island St. Lawrence River Ride

When: Any time! It’s a self-guided itinerary. 

Cycle one of the most spectacular routes in Ontario discovering the 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence River on a three day, long weekend tour. Starting from Brockville and Morrisburg, this tour, following the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail east, features a mix of trails and roads. Plan to slow down the pace to take in the scenery and make the most of waterfront rest stops, villages and attractions. Enjoy a night in Brockville, and Morrisburg for the second night, with the final day of riding taking in an array of natural and heritage attractions in a region once more commonly known as ‘Upper Canada’.

The Ride:

Total Distance: 147km trail out and back (to 175km if looped routes are chosen)  

Experience Level and Ride Guide: Moderate. Riders need to have some experience on roads with vehicle traffic as the route is approximately half on roads and half on trails or park roads. The route does follow a signed bike route, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, but not all segments have bike lanes or paved shoulders to ride on. Some of the road route is on very quiet country roads, other segments are busier. Off-road trails do incorporate some segments of unpaved surfaces, which are hard-packed, and easy to ride. The majority of the ride is on paved surfaces and combined with limited elevation changes, the flat terrain makes this ride suitable for hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes.
Note: Due to health and safety precautions, the itinerary for this ride has changed from earlier years and it is no longer a linear end to end route, requiring bus and bike transportation back to the start. Use of a personal vehicle will be required for transportation to start locations for day 1 and 2, an alternate that worked well for the 2020 ride.

OBBR Aug Photo Strip 1
Photo Credits: Ontario By Bike

Day 1: Brockville & West – 50/56km

Start Time and Location: Brockville, ON, full details to be sent to riders in advance.

A short ride out of Brockville will connect riders to the 37km off-road and paved 1000 Island Parkway Recreational Bike Path. Pedaling into the heart of the 1000 Islands, this first day features a stunning, world-class cycling experience on the trail running adjacent to the glistening waters of the St. Lawrence River. Slow down for panoramic lookouts and island views and beach picnic areas. Choose to cool down with a post-ride dip in the river at St. Lawrence Park, just west of downtown Brockville or head into town, visiting the certified bicycle friendly downtown area. Visit the newly opened historic railway tunnel and shops in town. Overnight at the Super 8, and enjoy its outdoor pool and location just east of town.

View digital route – Brockville West: Out and Back – Trail Option (50km). www.ridewithgps.com/routes/32611309 
Looped option, including trail west and country roads back, also available. www.ridewithgps.com/routes/32611401

Day 2: Morrisburg & East – 47/59km

Using your personal vehicle, drive to day 2 start location and overnight accommodation in Morrisburg, the McIntosh Country Inn (approximately 45 min east of Brockville.) Set out from the accommodation conveniently located alongside the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, following this signed route east out of town. At Crysler Farm Battlefield Park, learn more about this site and its significance in the War of 1812. Nearby, stop in at Upper Canada Village to see a rebuilt 19th-century village. Follow the unpaved, but easy-to-ride trail eastward into the quiets of the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, stopping at the interpretative centre. Continuing east, a highlight of the weekend is the Long Sault Parkway, a park road that joins 11 picturesque islands afloat in the St. Lawrence. If you choose to continue further east, make a last stop in the fascinating Lost Villages Museum, to learn more.

View digital route – Morrisburg East: Out and Back – Trail Option (47km). www.ridewithgps.com/routes/32611453
Looped option, including trail east and country roads back, also available. www.ridewithgps.com/routes/32611542

Day 3: Morrisburg & West – 50/56/60km

Adding to the sights and spectacular stops from the first two days, there is so much to see and do on the last day of this tour. Riding on roadways, with many kilometres of paved shoulders, the route on Day 3 is through quiet rural countryside, with pretty pastoral farmlands alongside the St. Lawrence River. Stop in small towns, slow down for historical plaques and local museums, as this area is rich in Canadian heritage. After a picnic lunch at the Riverside Park in Cardinal, pedal back to Morrisburg to end the ride.

View digital route – Morrisburg West: Out and Back – Trail Option (50km). www.ridewithgps.com/routes/32611627
Looped option, including trail west and country roads back, also available. www.ridewithgps.com/routes/32611689
Or Morrisburg West to Brockville – Trail 1-Way & Personal Vehicle Pick-Up Option. www.ridewithgps.com/routes/32611749

Getting To / From Start:

Brockville is located approximately 3.5 hours from downtown Toronto & 2.5 hours from Montreal and less than 2 hours from Ottawa.

Arriving Early / Staying Late: 

Consider an overnight option at one of Ontario By Bike’s certified bicycle-friendly accommodations in southeastern Ontario. HERE.

Image Group 1000 Island River Ride
Photo Credits: Ontario By Bike

Additional Visitor Information:

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

For more information contact:
Ontario By Bike
Phone: 416-827-2772 / 1-866-701-2774
Email: info (at) ontariobybike.ca

For information on all 2021 Ontario By Bike Rides, visit:

for detailed information www.ontariobybike.ca/rides