Ever wish you just showed up somewhere new and instantly had information on the
best cycling route to get to know the town, city or countryside around you?
Ontario By Bike's Ride Guides and Itineraries will help you do just that. Recognizing that many cyclists wish to independently explore by bike, the Guides are optimal self-guided route itineraries with links to GPS file, further cycling resources, addtional routes, certified bicycle-friendly business locations and suggestions for a fun bike getaway.
Overnight ItinerariesSarnia Lambton Loop - 161km - 2 Days, 1 overnight
Head to Sarnia Lambton to explore Ontario’s Blue Coast on a 161km looped ride adventure. Enjoy plenty of scenic waterfront riding along the St. Clair River and shores of Lake Huron as well as long stretches of quiet hinterland cruising through southern Ontario’s flat farmlands. Slow down to explore the rich local heritage in Dresden at Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the terminus of the Underground Railway, to the historic towns of Petrolia and Oil Springs, riding by the still active rigs and the world’s first commercial oil wells. Discover Sarnia, a waterfront city perched on the narrows where Lake Huron begins its flow south to Lake Erie, with Michigan a close river crossing away. View full details and download self-guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/sarnia-lambton-loop
Waterloo Guelph Explorer - 115km - 2 Days, 1 overnight
Explore the Waterloo region and Guelph area on this two day 115km looped ride. Enjoy a mix of scenic rural and urban sights on a weekend ride that uses a variety of off-road trails for over half the total tour distance. Cycle through Mennonite country on quiet stretches of road, with time to stop in small communities along the way as well as the famed Kissing Bridge, in Montrose. Visit the vibrant downtown cores and explore Guelph and Waterloo by bike. View full details and download self-guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/septemberride2020
Oxford Rural Road Ride - 173km - 2 Days, 1 overnight
Oxford County, located in southwest Ontario, isn't just the Dairy Capital of Canada, the county is also gaining a reputation as one of the best destinations in Ontario for road cycling. Flat, quiet and well-paved roads will take cyclists past rural landscapes and working farms, which are broken up only by quaint and distinct small towns and villages. Home to the Cheese Trail, this tour will showcase the unique heritage and natural attractions of Oxford County the best way we know how to, by the seat of a bike! View full details and download self-guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/septemberride2019
Ottawa City & Country - 92km - 2 Days, 1 overnight
Explore Ontario's capital city and surrounding countryside, a top cycling destination in the province. With rural settings, just a short distance from the downtown core, ride quiet country back roads and enjoy the peaceful scenery along with the many attractions near the village of Carp. Add a ride along the pathways and trail system in the urban centre following both canals and rivers and get to experience the best of biking in Ottawa over a two-day getaway. View full details and download self guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/augustride2019
Trent Severn Trail Tour - 119km or 97km - 2 Days, 1 overnightA new spin on an Ontario By Bike classic, this two-day tour is nearly all on rail trails with only limited residential street riding in Campbellford, Peterborough and Lindsay. Explore the rolling hills of Northumberland County (along a flat rail trail) and the rural expanse of the southern Kawarthas along with an overnight in the city of Peterborough. Enjoy superb cycling on The Great Trail (including the Lang Hastings & Kawartha rail trails) and the Victoria Rail Trail along a route that intersects 5 of the historic Trent Severn Waterway lock systems, includes 6 major river crossings and the scenic views atop Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge in Campbellford and Doube Trestle Bridge just outside of Omemee. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE. www.ontariobybike.ca/juneride2019
Essex Windsor Loop - 186km - 3 Days, 2 overnightsEnjoy an overnight cycling trip in Canada's southernmost region, Essex County, which offers spectacular cycling and scenery including wineries and waterways, as well as picturesque riding along the shores of Lake St. Clair, Detroit River and Lake Erie. Starting and ending in Comber, this route follows portions of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail along the southern shore of Lake St. Clair and riverfront in Windsor. Enjoy a night in Windsor before pedalling through EPIC Wine Country and on to Leamington for the second night. The last day of riding explores the natural beauty and beaches of Point Pelee National Park. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE. www.ontariobybike.ca/ridesept2018
Toronto Trails & Ravines Ride - 85km - 2 Days, 1 overnights - OR - 1 Day Ride Option / DaytripDiscover another side to the big city on this looped tour around Toronto. Ride on a mix of park, ravine, hydro corridor and waterfront trails on this 90km route. Learn more about and experience the city's heritage waterways and unique ravines system, pedalling the Humber and Don Valley Trails. Stop downtown at Harbourfront, explore the Leslie Street Spit, and enjoy the fine white sands of Woodbine Beach. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE. www.ontariobybike.ca/ridejune2018
1000 Islands St. Lawrence River Ride - 3 Days, 2 overnightsCycle one of the most spectacular routes in Ontario discovering the 1000 Islands and St Lawrence River on a three day tour.
End to End Ride (158km): Starting from Gananoque and ending in Cornwall, following the Waterfront Trail east, this ride is on a mix of trails and roads with beautiful riverfront riding, interesting historic and quaint communities along the way. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/rideaug2019
Trail & Looped Rides (147km to 179km): Starting from and using both Brockville and Morrisburg as your base, enjoy 3 days of cycling following the Waterfront Trail east and west, riding out and back daily or following a looped route that incorporates trail and country roads. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE. Same looped routes were used in 2020 & 2021 to assist with covid safety.
www.ontariobybike.ca/juneride2020 & www.ontariobybike.ca/augride2021
Georgian Bay Explorer - 95km - 2 Days, 1 overnightRide along the picturesque southern shores of Georgian Bay in Grey County, featuring an even mix of well-kept rail trails and quiet rural roads, both paved and unpaved. Explore the northern reaches of the Niagara Escarpment with frequent stunning views of the region with vistas across the glistening waters of Georgian Bay. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/ridejune2017
Simcoe County Rail Trails - 2 Days, 1 overnightRide the rail trails and connected paths that loop around Simcoe County from the outskirts of Barrie, to Elmvale, Balm Beach, Penetanguishene, Midland, Waubaushene, Coldwater and Orillia. Stop in towns and at historic sites, enjoying the picturesque shores of Severn Sound, Georgian Bay and pleasant countryside.
Snow Valley Ski Resort Starting Point (108km to 145km): Starting from the Snow Valley Ski Resort with a possible extension into Barrie. The route quickly connects to the primarily crushed gravel North Simcoe Rail Trail heading northwest towards Georgian Bay. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/ridesept2016
Barrie, Georgian College Starting Point (164km): Starting from downtown Barrie, follow a 16km road route connecting to the North Simcoe Rail Trail travelling through the Minesing Wetlands, one of Ontario's largest remaining wetlands, before connecting along the not-so-short 23km Tiny Trail just north of Elmvale. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/augustride2020
Niagara Circle Route South - 127km - 2 Days, 1 overnight
Explore the quieter side of Niagara, on this 2 day ride, primarily on well paved off-road trails that make an easy flat loop passing through Thorold, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, and Welland. Discover rivers, canals and welcoming communities along the way. View full details & download self guided itinerary from 2018 ride HERE. For updated route used on 2021 ride, to avoid construction between Port Robinson and Chippawa view itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/rideniagara2018 & www.ontariobybike.ca/juneride2021
Uxbridge Kawarthas Rail Trail - 85km to 100km - 2 Days, 1 overnight
Enjoy this weekend-long, quiet and safe off-road rail trail ride from Uxbridge through the Kawarthas ending at your choice destination of Peterborough or Lakefield. The well maintained hard packed linear trail , with some paved sections, traverses idyllic farmlands, along waterways and canals, and through lush green forests. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/ridejune2015 & www.ontariobybike.ca/ridesept2017 & www.ontariobybike.ca/ridejuly2018
Hamilton Brantford Paris Port Dover Rail Trail- 95 km to 135 km - 2 Days, 1 overnight
Enjoy and explore this spectacular off-road rail trail, interconnected well maintained, primarily unpaved, with some paved section. Passing through many communities along the way, take time out to enjoy the sights and pretty countryside before ending on the shores of Lake Erie. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE.
- Daytrip ItinerariesToronto Trails & Ravine Ride - 85km - 1 Day (Or see above for 2 Days, 1 overnight option)
Discover another side to the big city on this looped tour around Toronto. Ride on a mix of park, ravine, hydro corridor and waterfront trails on this 90km route. Learn more about and experience the city's heritage waterways and unique ravines system, pedalling the Humber and Don Valley Trails. Stop downtown at Harbourfront, explore the Leslie Street Spit, and enjoy the fine white sands of Woodbine Beach. View full details & download self guided itinerary HERE.
Toronto Ride Guide - 17km - 1 Day
A great way to tour the big city, the Toronto Ride Guide is the self-guided bike route and insiders guide to seeing the city like a local. Let the guide help navigate you and your bike on a fun adventure exploring downtown Toronto. Short enough to take an hour and long enough to stretch out into a whole afternoon or full day, plan to stop to explore more and enjoy all the interesting sites enroute.HERE.
www.ontariobybike.ca/torontorideguide
Thank you to our event partners at Toronto Bicycle Toursfor providing a guided tour to launch new route June 15, 2014 and Toronto Bike Month for assistance with promotion.
www.ontariobybike.ca/torontorideguide
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Grey County Ride Guide
Ride map and info on the new Grey County Ride Guide, Thornbury Heathcote Route and more are now available. Enjoy this new route and self-guided tour from Thornbury. Turn it into a weekend getaway and Grey County cycling experience.
Dowloadable PDF with turn by turn directions and more information at www.ontariobybike.ca/greyrideguide and directly HEREThank you to our event partners at Blue Mountain Village, Pedal Fest and Grey County Tourism for assisting with launch event and guided tour on new route June 29, 2014.
www.ontariobybike.ca/greyrideguide
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Ottawa Ride GuideRide map and info on the new Ottawa Ride Guide & Downtown Explorer Route is now available.
Enjoy this new route and self-guided tour of downtown Ottawa. Turn it into a weekend getaway and Ottawa cycling experience.
Dowloadable PDF with turn by turn directions and more information at www.ontariobybike.ca/ottawarideguide and directly HERE
Thank you to our event partners at Capital Vélo Fest and Ottawa Cycling Tours for providing a guided tour to launch new route May 31, 2014.
www.ontariobybike.ca/ottawarideguide
Ontario By Bike, in partnership with the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, are pleased to present Ontario 150: Celebrate by Bike. This initiatve combines 15 cycling celebrations and events across the province with the development of 15 legacy cycling itineraries certain to inspire more Canadians to get out and celebrate by bike in 2017 and beyond!
Click here to view the legacy cycling itineraries developed for Ontario 150: Celebrate by Bike
