Doube’s Trestle Bridge, Kawartha Trans Canada Trail near Omemee. Photo Credit: Kawarthas Northumberland.
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.
The following routes are detailed on the Kawartha Lakes Cycling Map.
- Bexley Ramble Route – This 71km route offers beautiful lakeside terrain on paved roads. No major climbs. Parking on paved shoulder on Victoria Road.
- Carden Ramble Route – A 67km route that starts in Kirkfield with options to stop at the historic Kirkfield Lift Lock. offers rolling hills and flat farmland.
- Farm Country Ramble Route – There are multiple start points for this 61km ride that is relatively flat easy to navigate due to main and connecting roads using a grid pattern.
- Mariposa Route – This 38km recreational ride is on smooth paved, quiet rural roads.
- Emily Route – A 64km looped ride that stretches between Lindsay and Omemee with options to extend to Emily Provincial Park, Peterborough or Northumberland County.
- Four Village Tour (A) – A relaxing 38km route along quieter back roads with options to connect to other routes for extended rides.
- Four Village Tour (B) – A 13km extension to the Four Village Tour (A) routing, gives a 51km route suitable for both beginning and intermediate riders.
- North Sturgeon Route – Routing along this 38km ride offers connections to other routes and the towns Lindsay and Fenelon Falls. Relatively flat riding.
- South Sturgeon Route – 36km in length, this route takes in excellent views of Sturgeon Lake and surrounding areas, along smooth paved roads.
- Kawartha TCT – This 54 km trail stretches from Durham Region (near Uxbridge) in the west, through Kawartha Lakes to the County of Peterborough (City of Peterborough) in the east; 40 km of the trail is located on abandoned rail line, so it is relatively flat. It is a 3m wide, multi-use, four-season trail made of packed limestone. There is plenty of signage, and lots of historic and cultural heritage linking five communities, parkland, farmland and the natural environment, including the scenic Doube’s Trestle Bridge near Omemee.
- Victoria Rail Trail – An 85km rail trail linking Bethany to Kinmount, through Lindsay, this multi-use public trail is open year round. Some off-road riding on flat grades and gentle gradients. The gravel base would make it well suited for mountain, gravel, cross and hybrid bikes. However, as of 2019, the 22km trail between Fenelon Falls and Lindsay has been upgraded and significant improvements completed. See website for suggested access points.
- Ken Reid Conservation Area – Just north of Lindsay, the conservation area contains 8km of challenging mountain bike trails. Riders can hone their skills on the single-track to prepare for competition. Accessible from the Victoria Rail Trail. Trail maps available at website.
- Somerville Tract – Offers many kilometres of double-track. The rolling cottage roads and the forest tracks of the northern part of the city are ideal for mountain bikes.
Greenbelt Route – More than 475km 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 as well as two Greenbelt Route Itineraries travel through the southern Kawartha Lakes region close to Bethany and Pontypool
- Plan your trip by visiting www.greenbelt/cycling
- Multi Day Itinerary – Best of Local Lake Loop Interactive Map & Itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night 176km route
- Multi Day Itinerary – Oak Ridges to Lake Loop Interactive Map & Itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night 200km route
Trans Canada Trail (TCT) – A portion of this cross-Canada trail runs through the Kawartha Lakes Region on multi-use trails with a primarily smooth crushed limestone surface. Use the Trans Canada Trail website to find access points.
- Kawartha TCT – This 54 km trail stretches from Durham Region (near Uxbridge) in the west, through Kawartha Lakes to the County of Peterborough (City of Peterborough) in the east; 40 km of the trail is located on abandoned rail line, so it is relatively flat. It is a 3m wide, multi-use, four-season trail made of packed limestone. There is plenty of signage, and lots of historic and cultural heritage linking five communities, parkland, farmland and the natural environment, including the scenic Doube’s Trestle Bridge near Omemee.
- Lindsay to Campbellford TCT – Within The City of Kawartha Lakes, City and County of Peterborough and Northumberland County, the Trans Canada Trail connects as many as 15 communities along a 120km route, providing a scenic recreational trail through the regions.
Oak Ridges (Moraine) Trail – Approximately 70 km of the 280 km 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.
Central Ontario Loop Trail (COLT) – This 450km loop is a popular multi-day bike packing route that incorporates the Victoria Rail Trail, The Ganaraska Trail, The Hastings Heritage Trail, The IB & O Rail Trail, and cuts through the Ganaraska Forest. Trail surfaces vary, a mountain or gravel bike is recommended. With a variety of scenic landscapes the route passes through a number of smaller communities with services and accommodation or camping options. Link provided is directed to blog article, currently best source for information.
Ontario By Bike Ride (Uxbridge-Kawarthas-Trent Severn) – For a number of years, Ontario By Bike has hosted a small group tour on two-day cycling trips along portions of the Trans Canada and other trails (total distance between 84 and 119km, depending on finish location). One route itinerary starts in Uxbridge and takes riders through Lindsay to Peterborough/Lakefield. Another starts in Campbellford, continuing to Peterborough, Lindsay and Fenelon Falls. Ontario By Bike made available both digital and pdf mapping, as well as a self-guided itineraries to share with individuals and groups that may be interested in riding the same route.
Victoria Rail Trail Cycling Map – Kawartha Lakes Tourism. 2019.
Kawartha Lakes Cycling Map Kawartha Lakes Tourism. 2017.
- Both maps are available in print: Call 705-324-9411 ex. 1232 or 1-866-397-6673 or email tourism@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca to request a copy.
*Please note there are many additional map guides for the region that cyclists may find interesting or useful. New maps and guides are produced yearly, and the information listed here may change.
Kawartha Lakes – Related Blogs
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.
E-Biking in Kawarthas Northumberland
The reasons people choose e-bikes are as diverse as the riders themselves, whether it’s a matter of age, ability, or simply preference. Getting on a e-bike can vastly expand the possibilities available, and for seasoned and new riders alike, Kawarthas Northumberland’s selection of routes is hard to beat.
A Tour of the Trent-Severn Trail Towns
Anyone who’s cycled longer distances knows the thrill of approaching the next town. All nine Kawarthas Northumberland Trent-Severn Trail Towns are packed with attractions natural and cultural.
Riding the Snowscape: Fat Biking in Kawarthas Northumberland
Until this winter, I’d never been on a fat bike. I’d cycled Kawarthas Northumberland thoroughly in the warmer months—then I was invited to ride some Northumberland County trails on a borrowed fat bike, and my conversion into an all-season rider happened almost instantly.
Destination & Regional Partner
