Great Places to Cycle
When it comes to exploring Ontario why not consider doing so by bike. Cycling will take you through some of the most scenic spots in the province. Let two wheels and pedalling get you to new places and help open your eyes to stops along the way that you might otherwise miss. Whether you are interested in meandering recreational trails, rugged mountain biking terrain or paved road riding, there are trail and route types suitable for any kind of rider. Many rides are easily accessible, either close to urban areas or near quaint, hospitable country towns. Grab your bike … Ontario awaits.
Explore Kawartha Lakes by bike on an extensive network of road cycling routes. With charming villages linking lightly-trafficked, farm to market back roads, the many on-road cycling routes provide a variety of cycling options for all riders. Along the way, take a break and visit a friendly country inn, intimate bed and breakfast, or a clean lakeside campground to have a complete cycling adventure.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas is a cyclists' playground with an enticing collection of on-road cycling routes taking cyclists from the vibrant and historic urban core of Peterborough to the rolling hills, scenic farmland and cottage country lakes of the Kawarthas. Peterborough is nestled along the banks of the Otonabee River, part of the Trent Severn Waterway, with smooth off-road trails leading away from downtown in three directions, making for easy adventures out the city. Cycle on the Trans Canada Trail east and west from the city on a multi-day rail trail adventure, explore excellent mountain biking at Harold Town Conservation Area, or ride the many scenic and signed cycling routes around the region.
Throughout Guelph & Wellington County, cyclists will find extensive well-maintained trails passing through historic and culturally-rich communities. Connections can easily be made to longer cross-regional trail systems including the Guelph to Goderich Trail (G2G) and the Trans Canada Trail (TCT). Find a variety of options for family trail rides along beautiful rivers and farmland, while more experienced road cyclists looking for a challenge will find their fill with the Guelph Cycling Club’s extensive road route library.
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.
Cyclists in Northwest Ontario will find themselves immersed in a rugged and untouched environment, with many great trails and road routes to discover. Tear down the hills and mountainsides of the Canadian Shield, perfectly suited for mountain biking in the summer and fat biking in the wintertime. Head out on your road bike for long stretches of country roads through beautiful landscapes and small communities. A perfect destination for an off the beaten track cycling adventure.
From the paved pathways through the city of North Bay and along its waterfront, to the quieter rural roads and trails that wind through dense forests, wetlands and the Canadian Shield; the region offers cyclists an array of experiences that are suitable for all styles and skill levels. The region features two designated Canadian Heritage Rivers; the Mattawa and French rivers, as well as the Ottawa River and Lake Nipissing.
Cycling in North Central Ontario presents fantastic day trips and training options for road cyclists travelling through welcoming communities, beautiful forested areas and past sparkling waterways. Recreational cyclists will be thrilled with the shorter distance and urban cycling opportunities along established trails and quieter roads with plenty to do and see along the way. Long distance cyclists will find an epic overnight touring route stretching across the region, perfect for a bucket-list cycling experience.
Manitoulin Island & the LaCloche Foothills are attractive destinations for both recreational and touring cyclists. On the island, quiet roadways take cyclists past scenic vistas, 108 inland lakes and lush forested areas allowing cyclists to experience unique attractions enroute and connect with the area's rich cultural heritage and First Nations communities.
Cyclists visiting Muskoka and Algonquin Provincial Park will enjoy a destination with a remarkably diverse range of cycling experiences. From trails to mountain biking to the fantastic road riding across the region, cycling in Muskoka and Algonquin connect the spectacularly scenic landscapes of dense mixed forests rich with wildlife, picturesque lakes and meandering rivers and rocky Canadian Shield outcrops.
From excellent trails and mountain biking to fantastic road riding, cyclists in the Parry Sound District will enjoy the spectacularly scenic landscapes through lush boreal forests with frequent glimpses of picturesque lakes, meandering rivers, the rocky Canadian Shield and the UNESCO designated Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve. Road riding in the Parry Sound District offers quieter roads criss-crossing through the rural landscape with opportunities to stop at quaint general stores, interesting cultural heritage sites, and welcoming communities along the way.
Stretching from the southern border of Algonquin Park to the northern shore of Lake Ontario, the counties of Hastings, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington offer a wide variety of road cycling experiences and number excellent regional and cross-regional trail systems and routes. The region's on-road cycling network and suggested routes incorporate a mix of landscapes from the flatter Lake Ontario basin north to the rugged Canadian Shield in the heart of Ontario's Highlands.
The Ottawa Valley has a number of rivers and valleys interconnected throughout Ontario's Highlands. Criss-crossing the Ottawa River, Bonnechere and Madawaska Rivers, and skirting many lakes, the area has a number of mapped road riding routes. These routes include many options for stops at interesting heritage sites, artists' studios, swimming areas and communities while cycling quiet country roads and enjoying spectacularly scenic forested and often hilly landscape.