Kawarthas Northumberland

Northumberland County Cycling Adventures Map. Map. Northumberland Tourism.

• Print copy available: Call 905-372-3329 ex. 6257 or 1-866-401-EAST (3278)
• Or Email info@northumberlandtourism.com or at  this page www.northumberlandtourism.com/en/see-do/cycling.aspx
• For cycling information and additional resources visit the Northumberland Tourism Website.

Cobourg By Bike Map Map. Cobourg Tourism, Northumberland Tourism, Cycle Transitions, Clarke Sommerville Sporting Goods.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Road Routes

Known as ‘The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Classics’, they make up 3 signed road cycling routes in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. Each route has a long and short loop ranging from 45 to 100 km and all start and end in the City of Peterborough at the picturesque Millennium Park overlooking Little Lake. Detailed route info and downloadable maps are available from the Peterborough & the Kawathas’ website: www.thekawarthas.ca/experience/cycling

• Route 1: Lakes, Rivers & Cafes (60 km) – An ideal 60 km route for training or casual rides. Surfaces include bike paths and cycling lanes and quieter county roads. Shorter Route Option – Route 1a: Lakes, Rivers & Cafes (45 km).
• Route 2: The Cottage Country (100 km) – Explore the farming communities and cottage countries east of Peterborough. Surfaces include bike paths, cycling lanes and quiet back roads with minimal traffic. Shorter Route – Route 2a: The Cottage County (80 km)
• Route 3: Hills, Views & Pastries (80 km) – This route has challenging uphill climbs, but with these, also comes breathtaking scenic views. Surfaces include bike paths, cycling lanes and quieter county roads with minimal traffic. Shorter Route – Route 3a: Hills, Views & Pastries (65 km).

Peterborough Short Routes

For recreational riders there are 8 routes mapped out for shorter rides in and near city of Peterborough and into the County. Available online and in print map format.  Travelling the Trails – 17km; Otonabee River Cruise – 34km; A Taste of Drumlins – 35km; Cottage Country Cruise – 28km; The Dirty Concessions – 26km; The Wallace Point Loop – 26km; Keene About BBQ – 38km; The Tour du Tarts – 23km.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Trail Information

• • Rotary Greenway Trail –  This multi-use rail trail will take cyclists from Little Lake along the Otonabee River to Trent University and on to Lakefield. The off-road trail is 16 km in length. It is paved in the city limits and limestone surface north of Trent University.
  • Parkway Trail -This 4.2 km paved off-road trail through the City of Peterborough can connect cyclists to the downtown area, Trans Canada Trail and the Riverview Park and Zoo (free admission).
  • Jackson Park (Peterborough) to Omemee (Trans Canada Trail) – An easy 20 km off-road route (each way) on limestone surface.
  • Stewart Hall Loop – Easy 19 km loop road route along a quieter backroads south of the city.
  • Harold Town Conservation Area – This trail system has over 10 kms of circular loops and both single and double track, including sections with rock gardens, log hops and more great riding experiences.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Cycling Video

• Peterborough Short Routes. Map. City of Peterborough. 2019. 8 Short Routes ranging from 17km to 38km in length for recreational rides.
• Peterborough Cycling and Trails Map. Map. City of Peterborough. 2016. The 4th Edition of this popular map includes information on the new Peterborough & the Kawarthas Classic Road Cycling Routes, as well as  Rotary Greenway Trail, Parkway Trail, Trans Canada Trail to Omemee and the Stewart Hall Loop.
  • Print copies can be requested by calling 1-800-461-6424 or online at www.thekawarthas.ca/request-information.
  • Also available at the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Green-Up, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Visitor Information Centre and Wild Rock Outfitters.
• Bike to the Borough Project. (Online). A website that has mapped suggested connections into and out of Peterborough from the new Greenbelt Route that runs south of Rice Lake along the moraine all the way into Toronto.
• More city cycling information and maps are available here: Peterborough Moves, City of Peterborough Transportation Demand Management

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.
• 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.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Trail Information

• Victoria Rail Trail – An 85 km rail trail with corridors linking Kinmount to Bethany, 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 8 km of challenging mountain bike trails. Riders can hone their skills on the single-track to prepare for competition. Accessible from the Victoria Rail Trail.o 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.

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.

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 travels through Northumberland County between the communities of Roseneath south to Port Hope and back north to Elizabethville before entering Durham Region.

• Plan your trip by accessing downloadable and printable paper maps or visit www.greenbelt/cycling
• Day Trip Itinerary – Alderville Prairie Tour Download PDF Map Itinerary in Northumberland County – Alderville Prarie Tour (44 km)
• Multi Day Itinerary – Oak Ridges to Lake Loop Interactive Map & Itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night 200km route
• 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 retional loop is available in the Kawarthas Northumberland.
  • 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.

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  Trans Canada Trail (TCT) – A portion of this cross-Canada trail runs through all four of the member municipalities of the region. Multi-use trails with various surface types. Use the Trans Canada Trail website to find access points.

  • Kawartha TCT – This 58 km trail stretches from the 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 3 m 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. It travels through Sir Sandford Fleming College Campus in Lindsay, and through downtown Omemee, farther east. You pass through three distinctive landscapes, making this an interesting trail experience.
  • Lindsay to Campbelleford 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 120 km route, providing a scenic recreational trail through the regions.

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  The Great Lakes 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 Great Lakes Waterfront Trail traverses Northumberland County from west of Port Hope and east through Brighton. With connecting routes north, cyclists can ride to Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

  • Rest Stops – The following can be found along the Waterfront Trail. Group cycling tours call the municipal number listed to arrange for more information and assistance in providing further welcome activities and an optional snack stop. Look for signs along the Waterfront Trail in Northumberland County, welcoming cyclists.
    • Brighton – Public washrooms at Chamber of Commerce, 74 Main Street. 1-877-475-2775. Will set up with snacks to welcome groups with advanced notice. View more tourism info for Brighton HERE.
    • Cobourg – Public washrooms behind the bandshell in Victoria Park, open May 24 till Thanksgiving 8 am – 8 pm daily. Also in Victoria Hall, Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Water fountain located at the beach and canteen. 1-888-262-6874. View more tourism info for Cobourg HERE.
    • Colborne – Public washrooms at the municipal office, 1 Toronto Road. Open Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. 1-905-355-2821 x233. View more tourism info for Colborne & Township of Cramahe HERE.
    • Port Hope – Public washrooms behind town hall. Water fountain located outside of the building. Open 9am -9pm daily, year-round 1-888-767-8467. View more tourism info for Port Hope HERE.

  

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  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.

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  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 cross 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.

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  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.

  • Trent Severn Trail Tour Itinerary
  • Uxbridge Kawarthas Rail Trail 
  • View photos from past Uxbridge Kawarthas Rail Trail ride by clicking here.