Ottawa Valley

Madawaska and Ottawa Valley – Two Day Itinerary (Paved) – With 179km combined over two days, slip into Valley time and get your ride on setting up base with rides out of Barry’s Bay and through some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery that Ontario has to offer. Get to know the area intimately with these paved routes that climb some challenging hills and drop down in and out of quiet hamlets surrounded by forested wilderness.

• K-and-P Rail Trail (Ottawa Valley) – The 23km section of multi-use trail between Calabogie and Renfrew is mostly flat following a scenic abandoned railway bed built in the mid-1800s. While the trail runs south to Lake Ontario at Kingston for a total of 175km, not all sections of the trail are fully developed yet and maintained. For information on the K&P Trail in Kingston, visit K-and-P Rail Trail (Kingston Area)
• Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail – Ride from Arnprior to Petawawa on this multi-use unpaved rail trail, also known as the Algonquin Trail. Through Pembroke a road connection is required. Trail upgrades are underway, consult map for latest.
• Chalk River to Deep River – This 31km trail loop runs between these two northern Ontario towns on mixed surfaces, including a section of snowmobile trail.
• Petawawa Research Forest – North of Petawawa, this 11km interpretive loop through the forest has signage that describes some of the research activities currently underway.
• Bonnechere Tour – Beginning near Bonnechere Provincial Park, this 18km loop runs through forest and wetlands along the river and lake, then returns via paved and park roads.
• Millenium Trail (Town of Renfrew) – This 4km rail trail on crushed stone surface runs along an abandoned CN corridor through the heart of historic Renfrew. At the western end it joins the County of Renfrew K & P Trail (above), which links to Calabogie and Greater Madawaska Township. The eastern end joins the Horton Township Rail Trail, which connects to the McNab/Braeside Rail Trail, which connects to the Arnprior CN Rail Trail.
• Wilno-Barry’s Bay – A 10km long abandoned railway bed provides a scenic and safe off-road ride option from Wilno, a thriving artisan community, to Barry’s Bay. Return the same way or loop back on roads to Wilno for a 35km ride.

• Forest Lea Trails – Embedded in 600 acres of MNR crown land west of Pembroke, these trails are used by cross-country skiers during winter. They are rocky and rooty, purpose built singletrack in a stacked loop system and are constantly being improved. Managed by OVMBA.
• Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association (BORCA) – BORCA creates purpose-built singletrack for mountain bikers and do not allow horses or motorized vehicles on trails. BORCA has maps available to members ($25/year). Maps are detailed of each area.
  • Beachburg Tract – This forest tract near the Ottawa River is a short 12km and managed locally by BORCA to ensure conditions are maintained and appropriate for all to use. Watch for hunting season.
  • Beachburg County Forest – Consists of three main loops. 1st loop is the Original Red (2.2km), 2nd loop is Original Blue (4.4km) – both built by the MNR in the ’70s and BORCA’s perimeter loop (8km) of twisty singletrack at the intermediate ability level.
  • Brewery Trails – Located behind the Whitewater Brewery lies 7km of Advanced, rocky and rooty singletrack.
  • Little Lakes Trails – Park at the Little Lakes swim hole (corner of Beachburg Rd and Pappin Rd) and enjoy a 5km loop of intermediate singletrack with the advanced option to ride Thrasher Lane.
  • Crown Land Trails – New in 2016 and located closer to Wilderness Tours (7km from brewery), is some of BORCA’s best singletrack with much more to come. Advanced singletrack riding in an open mixed forest with many hills, roots and rocks.
• Ottawa River Whitewater Corridor – On crown land in the Whitewater Region between Beachburg and Foresters Falls, there are 10kms of single-track carved along the world-class whitewater kayaking and rafting section of the Ottawa River. Challenging terrain through towering forests, over rugged Canadian Shield and across farmland and wood lots, featuring spectacular whitewater viewing.
• Wilderness Tours Adventure Resort – This 4000 acre adventure playground includes 30km of mountain biking trails,on private property in the same Whitewater corridor, with stunning views of the Ottawa River.  8 km of new machine-made trails and flow track.  Pump and progression track and new trails are planned for 2023. Bike rentals and repairs are available.
• Eagle’s Nest – The 19km of trails through the forest behind Calabogie Peaks are picturesque and challenging for mountain bikers, and known for scenic vistas from the Eagle’s Nest escarpment. Snowmobile trails in winter, as mountain biking trails they will test intermediate to advanced riders.
• Madawaska Snowmobile Loop – Located near White Lake, east of Calabogie, there are 24km of double track trails used by mountain bikers in season.
• Deep River Trails – There are various unmarked and unmapped trails and loops suitable for mountain biking, hiking and ATV during the season and located just minutes outside of the town of Deep River.
• Pakkotinna Recreation Trail – On the north shore of Golden Lake, about 8km west of town, this 6km singletrack loop gets narrower as you gain elevation. Pakkotinna means “high hilly ground”. Best to bring a compass, as trail is not well maintained.
• Petawawa Bike Park – Located at the Petawawa Civic Centre, this relatively new bike park was designed by legendary Jay Hoots. It includes pump-tracks and has something to offer for all skill levels.

• Ottawa Valley Cycling Map (2021). PDF Map. Printed map featuring 17 cycling routes ranging from 18km to 186km that incorporates cycling along both the Ontario and Quebec side of the OttawaRiver.
• Ottawa Valley Biking Trail Guide. Website. Excellent resource for cycling information across Ottawa Valley, split into three geographical sub-sections. The guide also shows and maps road touring routes of various lengths, off road trails and mountain biking locations.
• Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA). Website. Excellent source of information for trails of all types, including road tours and mountain biking. Also calendar of events, festivals, farmers markets and information about accommodations, services, attractions and all sorts of things to do in addition to cycling.
• Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association (BORCA) – This non-profit group develops and maintains multi-use trails in the Beachburg region.
• Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail – Site maintained by trail group with useful map showing current status of trail.
• Bonnechere Cycling Group – Meet and ride with the locals – every Wednesday at the McRae Lookout Mill in Eganville in June, July and August at 5:30. All welcome.

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.