Lanark County

Explore the following road and trail routes have been curated by local cyclists and are published on the Discover Lanark County Cycling Routes webpage. They are organized according to length and range from 7.5 km to 2132 km, many based from Perth, Carleton Place and Almonte/Mississippi Mills. Digital route map links can be found at the Discover Lanark County link.

Tiny Routes

• Town of Perth Tour – Roll past some of Perth’s compelling sites on this easy, short route.
• Carleton Place Mini Tour – 7.5 km –  This route takes you along the Mississippi Riverwalk, and past the historic town hall, past Riverside Park and the Canoe Club.
• Carleton Place Wander – 15 km – This is a very scenic route around Carleton Place. If time allows stop for a rest near the falls in Appleton.
• Glen Tay Loop – 15 km – This short, flat route along paved roadways is an excellent beginner route that takes cyclists along the upper Tay River past heritage farmlands and through the scenic village of Glen Tay.

Short Routes

• Naismith Loop – 22 km – Start from the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area, ride through picturesque farmland and forests on the way to Clayton. Mix of gravel and paved roads.
• Lanark to Ferguson Falls – 24 km – intermediate route along paved roads and through rolling landscapes showcases some fun stops along the way – including a gorgeous golf course, a woolen shop, a campground on the Mississippi and a sugar bush operation near the hamlet of Ferguson Falls.
• Harper to Balderson – 26 km – This lovely beginner route takes you along flat paved roadway featuring beautiful farmland and some must-stops. Enjoy the delectable treats at Balderson and the scrumptious baked goods and cute mini critters in Glen Tay. Start from the Crystal Palace/Tay Basin in Perth, where there is parking and washrooms.
• Lanark to McDonalds Corners – 39.8 km – This longer route along County Roads 12 and 8 offers some challenging hills and scenic viewscapes as it passes by conservation areas, natural gems and lovely bed and breakfasts and retreats (where you might want to rest when you are done!). Most of the route is paved, but there is some gravel. Park at the Lanark Highlands Municipal Office at 75 George Street in Lanark Village.
• Reva’s Museum Tour – 41 km – Almonte – This journey along mostly paved roads and some hard-packed gravel features stops at four local museums. Start anywhere along the route and take in the Mill of Kintail’s R. Tait McKenzie Museum and the Dr. James Naismith Collection, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte and the North Lanark Historical Museum in Appleton. Enjoy the beautiful Mississippi along the way.
• Perth to Murphys Point – 41.3 km – Challenge yourself with this route that takes you through the hilly terrain marking Canadian Shield country from Perth to Murphys Point Provincial Park. Start from the Crystal Palace/Tay Basin in Perth, where there is parking and washrooms. Take a break or hike through the park. Buy some fresh local produce from farm stands on your way back to town.
• Verna’s Text Book Tour – 42 km – Pakenham – This route on paved and hard-packed gravel is named for naturalist, historian and geologist Verna McGiffin and takes you on a ride into history. The route starts at Pakenham’s Five Arch Stone Bridge (where you can park) and features prehistoric shorelines and beautiful vistas. Rugged rocks and trees mingle with charming heritage architecture to tell the story of this settled land. Check out Verna’s books in the Pakenham library.
• Clayton 50 – 50 km, 513 elevation – Gravel road, ATV trail – Park in Clayton Village and travel around Clayton Lake to Middleville and Hopetown. Points of interest: Clayton Lake, Middleville Museum. Stops: Clayton Store, Hopetown Store.

Medium Routes

• Golden Hour – 55 km, 450 m elevation – Paved road, gravel road. Park at Equator Coffee and travel from Almonte to Ferguson Falls and back. A quick detour off this route will take you into Fergusons Falls to cross the Mississippi River or visit Temple’s Sugar Bush.
• Around Mississippi Lake -60 km, 272 m elevation – Carleton Place – Gravel, trail, road – Park at Carleton Junction in Carleton Place and follow this loop for incredible views of Mississippi Lake.
• Mississippi River Tour – 79 km, 444 m elevation – Carleton Place – Gravel, trail, road, single track – Park at Carleton Junction in Carleton Place and travel this route that takes you through a variety of surfaces to see some of the best of Lanark County!
• Toad in a Hole – 75 km, 1440 m elevation – Hopetown – Gravel, trail, road – A different arrangement of the best gravel in the area, with a quick detour to the GG clubhouse. 38 mm tires are ideal here. Points of interest: Dalhousie Lake, Purdon Conservation Area, Upper Park Lake, Woods Lake.
• Mississippi River Unmaintained – 74 km, 355 m elevation-  Carleton Place – ATV trail, paths, road. – Park at Carleton Junction in Carleton Place or Equator Coffee in Almonte and travel this loop for a mix of gravel and pavement with lots of twists to keep things interesting. Points of interest: Blakeney Rapids, Mill of Kintail, Town of Carleton Place. Stops: Little German Bakery, Foundry Coffee, Stalwart Brewing, Cheeky Chippy.

Long Routes

• Maberly to Mcdonalds Corners Route – 93 km – For a challenging route over the hills and dales of west Lanark County, try this journey along paved roadways. Pause as you pass through the charming villages of Maberly, Glen Tay and Bolingbroke. The route begins and ends from the Crystal Palace/Tay Basin in Perth, where you’ll find parking and washrooms.
• Perth to Westport – 87 km-  – Challenge yourself to this journey from Perth to Westport and back. This route follows paved roadway through farmland and Canadian Shield country and past gorgeous lakes. Take a rest at scenic Narrows Lock on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal. Enjoy shopping and restaurants at some of the hamlets along the way and in Westport and Perth. The route begins and ends at the Crystal Palace/Tay Basin in Perth, where you’ll find parking and washrooms.
• Ferguson Falls Epic – 107 km, 1602 m elevation- – Paved road, gravel road, ATV trails. – Park at Temple’s Sugar Bush and follow this winding pair of loops through the Lanark Highlands. Pancake breakfast is a must! Points of interest: Mississippi River, Village of Lanark, Purdon Conservation Area, multiple Lakes. Stops: Temple’s Sugar Bush, Lanark Village Treats, Fitz’s Fresh Cut Fries, Pretty Goods.
• California Dreams – 87 km, 786 m elevation – Paved road, gravel road, ATV trails. – Park at Equator Coffee and travel from Almonte on a circuit of Mississippi Mills that will take you through Clayton and Pakenham and along the winding California Road. Points of interest: Clayton Lake, White Lake, Pakenham Five-Span Bridge. Stops: Equator Coffee, Clayton General Store, Cartwright Springs Brewery, Keepers Coffee.
• The Whole Enchilada – 149 km, 2,514 m elevation –  Hopetown – Paved road, gravel road, ATV trails. – It’s pretty much everything. Points of interest: Dalhousie Lake, Purdon Conservation Area. Places to stop: Mcdonald’s Corners, Wheeler’s Pancake House, B&T’s Hopetown General Store.

Epic Route

• Seven Wonders Cycling Route – 213 km, 2208 m elevation – Paved road, gravel road, ATV Trail. – Not for the faint of heart! This 11(ish) hour ride will take you across the county to visit all the Seven Wonders of Lanark County. Starting in Pakenham, you will travel through the wilds of the Lanark Highlands, swing past the Rideau Canal, visit the heritage town of Perth and finally pass by Carleton Place on your way to finish up in Almonte. This is truly a sampling of all the best of Lanark County for riders who want a challenge, or a great opportunity to create a multi-day journey. Parts of this route are remote for long stretches. It is advised that you self-support during this trip by laying caches of water and supplies along the route ahead of time.

Additional Routes

• Tour De Mississippi Mills – This 100+ km route along paved and hard-packed gravel roads can be completed in four stages. It winds through Almonte and all four Mississippi Mills hamlets: Appleton, Blakeney, Clayton and Pakenham. The route crosses the Mississippi and Indian rivers multiple times and features varied landscapes, along with stops at several historic landmarks along the way.
• Mississippi Mills Cycling Routes – The Mississippi Mills cycling map features 7 dedicated cycling routes ranging in length from 11 km to 100 km. Mississippi Mills has hundreds of kilometres of exceptional cycling, including beautiful countryside and rolling hills.
• Town of Perth Cycling Routes – Cycling routes based from the town of Perth ranging from 10km to 93km through the Lanark Highlands.
• Smiths Falls Bicycle Routes – This Town of Smith Falls bicycle map contains a number of in-town routes, points of interest, out-of-town routes ranging in distance, and connecting trails.
• Carleton Place Cycling Routes – Lanark County Tourism in consultation with local cycling experts have prepared a few routes for cycle enthusiasts which feature Carleton Place. There are a variety of lengths suitable for new and experienced riders.
• Lanark County Cycling Routes – Mapped routes of varying distances, many interconnected from community start points that include towns of Smiths Falls, Perth, Almonte, Pakenham and Carleton Place.