Do More, See More: Three Unique Day Trips in Kawarthas Northumberland
Summer weekends are precious, and it can be hard to fit everything you want to do into a busy schedule. That’s why bike routes that pair prime cycling with unique destinations are so appealing – you can have your cake and eat it too. Read on if matching a day’s ride with birding, spelunking, or a visit to a living museum sounds intriguing.
Northumberland
Just east of Toronto, Northumberland County offers a tremendously varied biking experience. Shoreline views of Lake Ontario, pastoral fields, and the last remaining stand of old growth forest in the Oak Ridges Morraine can all be found within its borders. Northumberland’s five signed cycling routes are an excellent place for a visiting cyclist to start exploring, with options that range from 30km to 74km.
Photo Credit: Kawarthas Northumberland
The Presqu’ile Promise ride will take you right past Presqu’ile Provincial Park, known for some of the best birding in the province. The park is located on a peninsula that makes a hotspot for migratory shorebirds. Even if birding’s not your cup of tea there’s plenty to capture your interest, including sandy beaches, a 1-km marsh boardwalk, and a historical lighthouse dating back to 1840. There’s no gate fee for bikes, so it’s easy to drop in for a visit as short or as long as you like.
Photo Credit: Kawarthas Northumberland
Riding the Presqu’ile Promise will take you through Brighton and Colborne, where you can stop for a bite or a stroll. If you’re looking to go off-road or to tee up a truly epic ride, also consider the forest trails or provincial and national trails recommended by Northumberland County.
Peterborough
Peterborough and the Kawarthas offers kilometres of shady treelined cycling along quiet gravel roads, punctuated by quintessentially Ontarian vistas. The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Classics routes will give you the grand tour of the region, with options heading out from Peterborough for distances that range from 45 to 100km.
Photo Credit: Kawarthas Northumberland
If you’re looking to sling a ride together with another unique experience, though, consider the Cottage Country Cruise. This ride begins in the small town of Warsaw, and takes you very near Warsaw Caves Conservation Area. In addition to 15+ km of walking trail, the park boasts a series of interconnected caverns accessible to curious spelunkers. While not all the caves meet, it’s possible to descend one cavity and emerge from another, Whack-a-Mole style. If the thought of spelunking makes you claustrophobic, you can stay above ground and admire the naturally artful shape of the limestone kettle formations, or the sudden disappearance of the the Indian River where it descends into a subterranean channel.
Following the Cottage Country Cruise will take you to the scenic shores of Stony Lake, where you can stop for a hearty meal at Hobart’s Lighthouse or just enjoy a picnic lunch in McCracken’s Landing.
Photo Credit: Kawarthas Northumberland
Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes offers a huge range of beautifully rural, unhurried bikes routes. Doube’s Trestle Bridge along The Great Trail outside Omemee has featured in many a cyclist’s trip photos, and the Victoria Rail Trail stretching from Lindsay to Kinmount is an exceptionally quiet and scenic ride
Photo Credit: Kawarthas Northumberland
If you’d like to learn a little more about the history of the region you’re cycling through, try the South Sturgeon Route. This 36km ride between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon makes Kawartha Settlers’ Village a natural stopping point. This collection of over twenty historic buildings provides a fascinating snapshot of life in the Kawarthas from 1830-1935. Stretching your legs while perusing artifacts from yesteryear will give you a fresh appreciation for Bobcaygeon, home to the first lock along the Trent-Severn Waterway and a modern-day hub of the region. As a bonus, you’ll find a wider range of dining options here than in some towns twice the size.
Photo Credit: Kawarthas Northumberland
Take a look at the full range of Kawartha Lakes’ cycling options here.
We’ve barely scratched the surface of cycling in Kawarthas Northumberland. Explore the following links to find more routes and bike-friendly businesses:
Contact Kawarthas Northumberland by email at info@northumberlandtourism.com or call the tourism hotline at 1-866-401-3278
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