Ontario By Bike – Gravel Cycling & Bikepacking Blogs
The following blogs and cycling stories include Ontario itineraries, bike rides and routes related to gravel road cycling and overnight and multi-day bikepacking trips. If you’re looking for unpaved roads off the beaten path, exploring Ontario’s bucolic countryside and beautiful natural areas, read on to find a blog that inspires your next great gravel ride or bikepacking adventure. We’ve also included other stories about multi-day bike tours and bikepacking itineraries on mixed surfaces. If you’re looking more for rail trail rides, check out the blogs in that category.
The blogs are sorted by ride type and publish date. If you’re looking for more ride styles, you can browse by the following ride categories.
Ontario By Bike Blogs – Gravel Cycling & Bikepacking
Find Your Way: A Gravel Getaway in Frontenac
At some point after your first climb, the road takes over you stop checking the distance and forget about the drive home. That feeling comes easily in Frontenac County. With rail trails, old roads, rolling gravel and rougher forest tracks that branch in every direction head to Sharbot Lake, an ideal base for a gravel getaway.
Late Summer & Fall Cycling in Lennox & Addington: Discover Ontario’s Best Scenic Bike Rides
There’s something special about cycling through Lennox & Addington as summer begins to fade into fall. The pace feels a little slower, the air a little crisper and every ride is framed by colourful forests, quiet country roads and welcoming small communities. From self-guided routes to signature cycling events, Naturally L&A invites you to discover why cyclists return here year after year.
Savour the Ride: A Foodie Cycling Trip Through Lanark County
A good cycling trip is measured in kilometres, but also in coffee stops, picnic breaks, and where you land for dinner. Explore Lanark County on this 3-day foodie itinerary featuring rail trails, charming communities, local flavours, and scenic cycling routes.
Come for the Food, Go for a Ride: Your 2026 Hastings Highlands Hilly Hundred Weekend
Your guide to a Hastings Highlands Hilly Hundred weekend: classic 100 mile and 100 kilometre routes, plus an 80km gravel version, plus where to stay in Bancroft, where to eat, and how to plan your perfect fall cycling trip.
Lennox & Addington: A Cycling Paradise in South Eastern Ontario
Lennox & Addington, Ontario is a standout cycling destination in South Eastern Ontario, offering an impressive mix of road cycling, gravel riding, mountain biking, and scenic rail trail opportunities. Whether you’re a casual rider, a weekend explorer, or a seasoned cyclist looking for your next challenge, this region delivers unforgettable rides across rolling hills, quiet country roads, forested trails, and picturesque waterfronts.
2026 Cycling In Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario Guide
We are excited to share that the 14th annual 2026 Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario guide is now available in both print and digital formats! This year's magazine is packed with ideas, inspirations and articles for this year's cycling day trips and multi-day getaways.
Travellers’ Tales – Ontario Cycling Stories from the Road and Trail
Travellers' Tales is a new section on our website and in our annual magazine the Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario guide where we share cycling stories from readers.
Fall Cycling in Hastings County: Three New Routes Worth the Climb
From beginner-friendly lakeside loops to challenging climbs with spectacular fall views, these three new Hastings County gravel routes offer the perfect excuse to chase autumn's golden hour on two wheels.
Cafe Gems & Gravel Rides in Hastings County
Across Hastings County, tight-knit communities have a tradition of celebrating local food and ingredients, blending recipes passed down for generations with fresh ideas from young entrepreneurs. This has created a dynamic culinary scene from rustic bakeries to modern cafes. It’s well known that cyclists love cafes – they provide a window into a local community and are perfect places for rest and refreshments on bike rides. Given this natural connection, we wanted to share with you some of Hastings County’s most unique and delicious cafes paired with cycling routes from the county’s growing collection of signature gravel and adventure rides.
Discover the K&P Trail: A Cyclist’s Adventure Through Frontenac County
If you’re looking for your next unforgettable cycling adventure, set your sights on the scenic K&P Trail. Stretching 180km from downtown Kingston to Renfrew, 90km of this multi-use recreation rail trail winds through beautiful Frontenac County. With its changing landscapes, from flat limestone through the St. Lawrence lowlands to rugged Canadian Shield rock cuts, the Frontenac K&P Trail is a dream ride for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Scenic Cycling in Waterloo Region: A Journey Through Fields & Flavours
One of the most memorable bike rides I’ve had this season was a visit to Waterloo Region, cycling from Kitchener’s bustling urban core to the pastoral backroads of Woolwich Township surrounding the village of St. Jacobs. Waterloo Region is such a unique cycling destination as it combines big-city amenities – like bike infrastructure, transit, and a rich food scene – with the charm and bounty of surrounding farmland. It’s all easily accessible in a day or weekend.
Spring Refresh: How Hastings County Gravel Routes Cure the Winter Blues
Shake off the winter blues with these three refreshing spring gravel routes in Hastings County. From lilac-lined paths to riverside rambles, discover the perfect cycling escape to welcome the new season.
Hit the Road in Ontario’s Cottage Country this Spring!
While we wait for mounds(!) of snow to melt in March, it’s a great time to make some plans for unforgettable touring, training and trekking in Ontario’s cottage country this spring and summer.
Ride 7 New Signature Cycling Routes in Wellington County
Wellington County just launched seven new signature cycling routes for riders of all levels. The new signature cycling routes make the most of the region’s rail trails (Kissing Bridge/G2G, Elora-Cataract, and more), take riders on scenic rural roads, to beautiful lookouts, and to unique businesses and destinations worth every pedal stroke to get there.
Three K&P Trail Town Starts & Stellar Rides in Eastern Ontario
Get to know the K&P Trail and immerse yourself deep into the heart of Frontenac County, eastern Ontario, riding through pristine wilderness, farmlands and Canadian Shield. From three well situated trailside village start spots enjoy a cruisy day ride out and back from Sharbot Lake to Clarendon Station (north) or Verona and Harrowsmith (south). Or cut deeper into the treed forests and lake lands on extended gravel adventures and multi-day bikepacking adventures – the choices are boundless.
Cycle Guelph, Ontario!
Guelph is a cyclist’s dream with the natural beauty found in Guelph’s green spaces and it’s “big city, small town” vibe. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a casual cyclist, Guelph has something for you!
Local Flavour on Ontario’s West Coast – A G2G Rail Trail Adventure
We were planning to discover Huron County (a.k.a. Ontario’s West Coast) on two wheels and were excited to explore the Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail between the two communities of Goderich and Blyth.
Your Rural Ride Checklist: How to Prepare for a Gravel Ride in Hastings County
A little prep goes a long way when it comes to planning a gravel ride.
Bike Assist to the Rescue
It can happen – getting caught out on a ride without the right gear to fix a flat or a more challenging mechanical issue that is beyond a trail or curbside repair. Whether you are an avid cyclist or just starting out, there are times when there is no way around it – help is needed. Just a call away, and available to CAA members, CAA Bike Assist® is just that.
Spring Dreaming: Three Hastings County Gravel Routes to Ride This Season
Warm up your legs and get excited for a great spring season of gravel riding in Ontario.
Beyond the Bike: 5 Great Reasons to Ride Oxford
Looking for ready-to-go cycling routes on winding roads where crickets outnumber cars with forests and farmland as backdrop for your journey? Oxford County knows the journey continues when you park your ride. Here are 5 post-ride activities that put Oxford in another class for an ultimate cycling getaway.
Exploring the Beauty of Cycling in the Ottawa Valley
Nestled amidst the scenic landscapes of eastern Ontario, the Ottawa Valley offers cyclists a haven of breathtaking views, winding trails, and vibrant communities waiting to be explored.
Ontario By Bike – Cycling In Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario Guide 2024
The 2024 Cycling in Ontario/ Le vélo en Ontario Guide is now available in print and digital format! Please use our new order form to request your print magazine copy.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas: an Energizing Place to Put Your E-Bike to the Test
Cycling in Peterborough & the Kawarthas is known for scenic views – lake vistas, rolling hills of centuries old farmland – and the slow burn that comes along with pedalling up and down hills and dales along some of the region’s road-less-traveled rural routes.
Top Ontario Trail Rides & E-Bike Rental Locations
Have an e-bike and willing to travel? Eager to try out an e-bike in a safe off-road environment? With a growing number of e-bike rental companies close to Ontario’s signature trails, it’s easier than ever to plan a day trip exploring our beautiful province on two wheels. An shorter version of the article was published in the 2024 Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario Guide
Explore Seven New Rides in Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region is emerging as a really interesting ride destination and cyclists around the province are taking note. The Region has put a lot of work and resources into developing trails and cycling infrastructure and more recently has developed a collection of signature rides to explore for everyone from locals to day trippers, to overnight bikepackers.
Rise & Grind: Three Hastings County Getaway Routes
Get cozy at a country B&B after a day in the saddle. Hastings County specializes in comforting B&B style lodging with convenient access to some of the best Ontario gravel bike routes for fall colour peeping trips.
Hidden Gems of Kawarthas Northumberland
Most regions have their marquee trails—the ones you see on every tourism site, every biking pamphlet you pick up. Quite often they’re popular for a reason, but what’s a cyclist to do once you’ve ridden those routes, or when you’re looking to get off the beaten track? Having featured some of Kawarthas Northumberland’s best-known routes in previous posts, we thought we’d take a moment to reveal some of the area’s hidden gems.
Escape the Usual in Ontario’s Near North
You’ve toured Ontario’s ‘wine country’ and ‘cottage country’ by bike, but now you’re in the mood for something different – the Near North. Discovery Routes, a local trail and cycling advocacy organization has developed a series of rides with just the right amount of rustic and urban for cyclists of all abilities, from roadie day-trippers to bikepackers to gravel grinders.
Spend Your Weekend in the Hills of Caledon
Whether you have a penchant for hills, undiscovered gravel backroads, a smooth rail trail or thrilling MTB trails, Caledon has it all – and it's just minutes from Toronto. Take a day or a weekend to unplug and get immersed in scenic Escarpment country – visit Caledon’s historic hamlets and villages, fuel up on local coffees, beer, baked treats and more as you explore their cycling loops designed for every type of rider.
Discover Five New Gravel Routes in Oxford County This Season
Oxford County continues to develop more enticing gravel cycling routes, including the launch of five new gravel routes this year. They range in experience level from intermediate to advanced and cover diverse terrain and unique stops around the county. Oxford’s unpaved gravel roads also hold some of the county’s most beautiful scenery: rolling hills, bucolic countryside, and unique stops that showcase the bounty of the area.
One Bike, All Rides – Ontario Gravel Cycling Routes
Ontario has more than 130,000km of unpaved and gravel roads, perfect for cycling – so where do you want to groad? Yes, groadies. Groadies are roadies who love dirt. And mountain bikers who love gravel too. However you define your ride, cyclists have pedalled over every surface imaginable for years. So make some plans to hit the groad! Check out this mix of terrain and routes that will give you a taste of Ontario's unpaved fun and best gravel cycling routes. It's just the tip of the gravel iceberg!
Gravel Riding in the Haliburton Highlands
If you, like thousands of cyclists all over the world, have discovered the joys of gravel riding, you owe it to yourself to consider a trip to the Haliburton Highlands. From smooth, rolling gravel roads to full-on adventure riding in iconic Algonquin Park, you can find a gravel route here to challenge you and re-ignite your love of cycling.
A Local’s Guide to Road and Gravel Cycling in Caledon
Caledon’s incredible landscape along the Niagara Escarpment, scenic roads, trails and its many attractions, have made it one of the best places to cycle in Southern Ontario. The challenge, and the reward, come from knowing which roads to choose when cycling.
Bikepacking in Ontario? Get Started Here
Bikepacking is a natural next step for those who love both cycling and camping, it truly is human power for the win. Over the past few years, Ontario’s Highlands has emerged as a bikepacker’s paradise. Before you head out, here are some tips for planning your first trip.
Make Plans for a Gravel Grazing Adventure in Oxford County
With a large number of gravel roads that bisect the county’s endless farms and agricultural greenspace, an easy to navigate grid system of roadways, well situated sizeable towns north, south, east and west, plus a smattering of small hamlets and unique destinations scattered about – Oxford County earns the bragging rights as a top gravel riding destination in Ontario.
Happy Stragglers: Gravel Ride Experience
When my partner Natalie and I decided to sign up for the Reggie Ramble, a self-described “gravel grinder” event, we were admittedly both a little nervous. While we are pretty experienced cyclists (both having done overnight tours and long day rides over the years), the sustained output required to participate in a bike “race”, especially on gravel, combined with the amount of climbing required (1000m) had us questioning our decision.
Locals Share Top Rides in Waterloo Region
If you are a keen cyclist chances are you know the best routes in your neighbourhood, city and surrounding area. Hence who better to ask for ride suggestions than a local. We reached out to a few connected friends to ask them to share some insider tips, their favourite rides and destinations in and around Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge areas.
South Eastern Ontario
South Eastern Ontario has a wide range of bicycle routes that take cyclists across the region through vibrant communities, alongside scenic waterways and to quiet rural and naturalized settings. Explore from Quinte West, Belleville and Prince Edward County, continue eastward via Kingston and Gananoque, the 1000 Islands and the Waterfront Trail, Brockville, the St. Lawrence Seaway to Cornwall and the Quebec border, and north through Prescott Russell.
Perth County, St Marys & Stratford
The County of Perth and the two independent municipalities of Stratford and St. Marys within its census division are a quaint agricultural area in southwest Ontario where cyclist can find scenic countryside routes passing through farmlands and along the Avon River as well as idyllic and charming communities filled with local culture and small businesses that warmly welcome visitors.
Bikepacking Ontario Style
Over the last few years, bikepacking has become increasingly popular. It allows for some epic cycle touring and while it can take many forms, it often gets riders out on a more challenging experience exploring exciting areas off the beaten track. With its diverse landscapes and large network of old railway lines, trails and gravel roads, Ontario is an ideal location for a bikepacking adventure.
A Perfect Mix: Waterloo Guelph Explorer
There is always a thrill in travelling to somewhere new, something we were keen to experience this summer with travel keeping us all closer to home. Having long heard about the excellent bike trails, quiet country roads, small town charm and modern city amenities we enthusiastically began research mid winter on the ultimate looped two day ride itinerary to explore the Waterloo Guelph area.
Take the Backroad: Exploring Gravel Routes in Kawarthas Northumberland
Gravel roads have a beauty all their own. Choosing a less-trafficked route lets cyclists enjoy the sights and sounds of the countryside with little or no intrusion from cars, making for a more contemplative ride. Perhaps the only downside is the difficulty of finding routes close to town, but fortunately that’s an area where the Kawarthas Northumberland region excels.
Pack Your Bags & Go
In our excitement to ride and discover Ontario by bike, we sometimes forget the right gear can make our trips much more enjoyable. Whether you prefer day or multi-day trips on road, trails, gravel or mountain bike track, consider these tips as you equip yourself and your bike.
Frontenac County
Enjoy cycling on a variety of trails or country roads as they meander past breathtaking vistas, pristine freshwater lakes, vast tracts of lush green forests and spectacular rock formations. Explore the Rideau lakes and historic canals, Land O' Lakes, picturesque villages and as many as 1000 Islands. Cycle the Arch, the UNESCO recognized Frontenac Arch Biosphere.
Hastings County
With its rolling farmlands, verdant forests, and inviting downtowns, Hastings Count offers rural haven offers an authentic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, a 90min drive/160km east of Toronto, and 2 hours drive/200km west of Ottawa. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a first-timer, Hastings County offers a truly authentic experience that you won't soon forget.
Intro To Bikepacking – Guest Blog By Miles Arbour
Bikepacking has seen huge growth within the cycling industry in the past few years. This rise in popularity means more and more people are getting out and giving this new style of cycling a try. So what is bikepacking? Simply put, it’s a blend of backpacking and mountain biking. Packing lighter and more strategically than traditional cycle touring allows us to ride off-road routes like snowmobile trails, service roads, and even technical singletrack. For me, I was drawn to the opportunity to travel further than I could walk or hike, but still benefit from great adventures found off of paved roads.