Durham Region has a number excellent on-road regional and cross-regional trail systems and routes. Road cyclists are a common site along the scenic and quiet country roads, some with more challenging hills and others flatter following agricultural farmland in and out of pretty hamlets. Butter tart stops, country corner stores, bistro dinning and city eateries are some of the tastes available.
Additional cycling destinations with extensive off-road bicycle trails are attracting a variety of cyclists, including mountain bike enthusiasts.
The southern area of the region is easily accessible with frequent GO trains to Oshawa and bus services beyond. There are various information resources and published maps that cyclists can use to assist with route planning in the region and its Greenbelt areas.
The routes below are from the Durham Region Cycle Touring Map and are listed in order of distance. See the Published Maps section for more information.
- Scugog/Caesarea Route – At 25 km this route starts in rural Enniskillen, then heads to the countryside route north through Burketon, Blackston and Nestleton to Caesarea.
- Scugog/Uxbridge – A scenic 36km loop with lots of twists and turns that takes riders from the Township of Scugog to Uxbridge and back.
- Oshawa/Courtice Loop – This 40 km begins in Lakeview Park in Oshawa and heads north along the Oshawa Creek Bike Path. Head through Oshawa and the hamlet of Mitchell before heading back along Clarington’s Waterfront Trail.
- Oshawa Urban Loop – A 22km long urban on and off road route that lets you explore the city of Oshawa by bike. The loop starts at scenic Lakeview Park and features the Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path, and the Harmony Creek Trail.
- South Brock Loop – At 46 km, this route begins in downtown Cannington, famed as the “Heart of Ontario”. The ride takes cyclists through flat rural roads with infrequent hills and light traffic.
- Whitby Loop – This 46 km loop starts at the Whitby Marina and waterfront area. Head north through the hilly hamlets of Brooklin, Ashburn and Myrtle Station before returning south again to unwind at the waterfront.
- Beaverton/North Brock Loop – Start at the mouth of the Beaverton Harbour on Lake Simcoe on this 49 km route. This loop takes cyclists through charming downtown Beaverton and south to Cannington, before several kilometers of lakeside terrain.
- Beaverton/Cannington Route – The 22km route follows the scenic rural roads, hugging the Beaver River Valley system from Beaverton to Cannington.
- Pickering / Ajax Loop – This 51 km loop starts at Pickering’s waterfront on the Waterfront Trail heading west before heading northeast, through charming rural areas.
- Uxbridge Loop – At 54 km, this route includes a series of rural roads, through Uxbridge’s charming hamlets of Sandford, Zephyr and Udora. This ride is hilly, so be prepared to climb.
- West Clarington Loop – This popular cycling route is suitable for those looking for a rolling rural ride. Start at the Bowmanville Marina, this loop includes challenging hills, stunning views of rural landscapes and stops in downtown Orono or Bowmanville.
- East Clarington Loop – A 51km ride through peaceful rural settings featuring lakeshore views of Lake Ontario, rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine and the small village of Orono.
- Duffins Creek South & North Part of Trans Canada Trail, Ajax – 20 km of trails with some on-road connections, through creekbeds, woodlands, meadows.
- East Duffins Creek Headwaters, Uxbridge – Multi-use mixed-surface trails connecting a number of scenic forested areas.
- Oshawa Creek & Harmony Creek & Michael Starr Trails, Oshawa – From 2 km to 7 km in length, these paved off-road trail areas are suitable for all types of cyclists.
- Durham Regional Forest, Uxbridge – Over 40 km of mixed trails, with mountain biking options. Oak Ridges Trail & Trans Canada Trail cross point.
- Beaver River Wetland Conservation Area and Trail, Townships of Brock & Scugog– 17 km rail trail between Blackwater and Cannington features hard-packed gravel trail suitable for most types of cyclists. Trail runs off Trans Canada Trail.
- Darlington Waterfront Trail, Darlington Provincial Park – Wetlands, meadows and forests with more than 1,000 species of flora and fauna inhabiting the 7.5km long trail. The park includes the McLaughlin Bay Trail, the Robinson Creek Trail, the Burk Trail and the Waterfront Trail.
- Uxbridge Countryside Preserve Trail – Situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine, this hard-packed dirt trail is 6 km in length through 140 acres of rolling meadowland, woodlands and wetlands. Online.
- Maple Bridges, Barton, Quaker South Balsam, Ewen, Historic Rotary and Wood Stick Trails – The town of Uxbridge has over 16 km of paved, gravel and hard packed dirt trails throughout the community, all accessible to cyclists.
-
-
- Ganaraska Forest – Hundreds of kilometres of trails for various types of cycling, including many mountain biking options. Oak Ridges Trail cross point.
- Durham Regional Forest, Uxbridge – Over 40 km of mixed trails, with mountain biking options. Oak Ridges Trail & Trans Canada Trail cross point.
- Dagmar North Trails – New 13 km trail network gem offers green to blue to Black Diamond to DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND.
- Heber Down Conservation Area – Three marked loops total approximately 8 km of easy to moderate trails, perfect for kids and new riders. This multi-use trail is mostly flat.
- Greenwood (Rodar) – A 12 km of both single and double tracks start out from the parking lot and takes cyclists through old forest and trail.
- Long Sault Conservation Area – Over 18 km of earth trails, suitable for mountain biking. Oak Ridges Trail cross point.
-
For additional resources and information on mountain biking in Durham Region and surrounding areas, visit the Durham Mountain Biking Association website.
Greenbelt Route – More than 475 kilometres of signed cycling adventures await in the beautiful, protected countryside of Ontario’s Greenbelt. From Niagara to Northumberland, enjoy lush forests, winding rivers, welcoming communities, and family farms as you pedal through some of southern Ontario’s diverse and stunning landscapes.
The Greenbelt route traverses the entire Durham Region from east to west between Goodwood and Orono.
- Plan your trip by accessing downloadable and printable paper maps or visit www.greenbelt/cycling
- Day Trip Itinerary in Durham Region – Scuggog Country Cruise (28km)
- Cross Regional Multi Day Itinerary – Oak Ridges to Lake Route (200km)
- Durham Farm Fresh Cycle Map – Visit some of the Ontario By Bike certified Durham Farm Fresh members including wineries, orchards and farms. This new map features six distinctive stops along the route showcasing Durham’s beautiful countryside and the protected area along the Greenbelt
- Great Lakes to Greenbelt – Showcasing Ontario’s best trails and two signature cycling routes – the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and The Greenbelt Route. One cross regional loop is available in the Durham Region.
- Highland Hustle (195km) – This recommended 2-day tour takes you through the pastoral green hills and drumlins of Durham and Northumberland and along the bright water of the north shore of Lake Ontario.
The Waterfront Trail – Stretching over 3600km, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is a route connecting over 151 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie, Detroit River and Lake St Clair, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and the North Channel. The fully signed Trail uses the safest infrastructure possible, a mix of both on-road and off-road facilities, and is primarily paved, with sections of unpaved path and gravel roads. It can be enjoyed as part of a day trip or on a multi-day long distance cycling adventure.
The Waterfront Trail crosses Durham Region using trails and roadways alongside or close to Lake Ontario, in Pickering and through Bowmanville.
Trans Canada Trail – A portion of this cross-Canada trail runs through the Durham region. Multi-use trails with various surface types. Follow the Trans Canada Trail from Uxbridge to the City of Kawartha Lakes, Lindsay using our self guided ride itinerary for the Uxbridge Kawarthas Rail Trail.
Oak Ridges (Moraine) Trail – Approximately 70km of the 280km long trail across the Oak Ridges Moraine is open to cyclists. Cyclists need to check and respect posted signs of permitted use at trail entry points.
- Durham Region Cycle Touring Map. Map. Durham Tourism. 2017. Award-winning map featuring 9 on-road cycling routes, connections and Ontario By Bike participating locations. Available in print and on-line.
- Clarington Cycling Map. Route map. Tourism Clarington. 2012. Map with on and off-road routes through Clarington and conservation areas. Print copies available at the Tourism Clarington office, Municipal Administrative Centre, and all municipal recreation facilities.
- Durham Region Trails Guide. – Map and guide booklet. Durham Tourism. 2010. To receive a copy, call 905-668-7711 or 1-800-413-0017. An interactive version of the trails map is also available HERE
- Durham Farm Fresh Cycle Map – This new map features Ontario By Bike certified Durham Farm Fresh members including wineries, orchards and farms. The map includes six distinctive stops along the route showcasing Durham’s beautiful countryside and the protected area along the Greenbelt
- Ajax by Trail. Map & trail information. Town of Ajax. To receive a copy, call 905-683-4550
- Ganaraska Forest. Various maps. Print versions of various detailed maps available at Ganaraska Forest Centre, 10585 Cold Springs Camp Road, Campbellcroft. Some maps available online.
- Durham Cycling Club. Maps of routes.
- Uxbridge Trail Maps. Maps of mountain biking trails in Uxbridge area including Durham Regional Forest, Dagmar North, Walker Woods/Glen Major Forest and more.
- Ganaraska Freewheelers – Routes and maps of local cycling routes and mountain biking trails, including some in Durham Region.
- GDA – Town of Uxbridge Trail Maps – In partnership with the Township of Uxbridge, the Green Durham Association has published a set of four maps. The maps available at Blue Heron Books and Boyd’s Sports in Uxbridge or through Chrismar Mapping Services.
Please note there are many additional map guides for the region that may be of interest and useful to cyclists. New maps and guides are available yearly, and information above may change.
For more information on accommodation, attractions and activities within Durham Region visit Durham Tourism, and Central Counties.
Destination and Renewal Partner:
Thank you to our Greenbelt Network Area Project Partner:
& Workshop Event Partners:
Hamilton: City of Hamilton, Tourism Hamilton. Halton: Region: Conservation Halton, Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce, Milton Chamber of Commerce. Peel Region: The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association, Town of Caledon. York Region: York Region Tourism. Durham Region: Durham Region Tourism. County of Northumberland: Northumberland Tourism.