Ontario By Bike Ride Guides & Itineraries
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, additional routes, certified bicycle friendly business locations and suggestions for a fun bike getaway.
Georgian Bay Collingwood Explorer – 80km or 120km – 2 Days, 1 overnight
From Collingwood and the Blue Mountains, explore the natural beauty of southern Georgian Bay and discover why this area is so popular with cyclists and all season outdoor adventurers. Never far from the blue water views of the Bay, the jagged cliffs and greenery of the Niagara Escarpment, sample the local flavours, visit heritage town centres and artisans galleries, on peaceful off road trails and looped routes that include country road returns on this weekend long ride.
Full ride details HERE (2023 itinerary)
North Bay & Lakes Tour – 158km – 3 Days, 2 overnights
Discover the near north with three days of riding adventures touring lakes, bays and heritage waterways. Follow the Voyageur Cycling Route and experience the ‘Spirit of the Bay’ around Ontario’s fourth largest lake, Lake Nipissing. Visit small towns and villages from South River to Callander and ride the city trails making delightful discoveries in and around North Bay.
Full ride details HERE (2023 itinerary)
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! This route is almost entirely on paved roads. Roads selected are designated bike routes, primarily on quiet rural roadways with limited paved shoulders.
Full ride details HERE (2023 itinerary) & HERE (2019 itinerary)
Toronto Trails & Ravines Ride– 85km+ – 2 Days, 1 night – OR – Daytrip
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. Set a relatively leisurely pace and peel off to enjoy some of the many natural and cultural sights or city attractions along the way.
Full ride details HERE (2023 itinerary) & HERE (2018 itinerary)
Hamilton Brantford Paris Port Dover Trail Ride – 110km or 137km – 2 Days, 1 overnight
Experience the spectacular off-road rail trail ride from Hamilton to Paris, Brantford to Port Dover, with ride ending on the shores of Lake Erie. Shorter or longer route options are available so you can make the most of the ride and time out on this interconnected well maintained trail system. Passing through many communities along the way, take time out to enjoy the sights, whether choosing to ride with friends, the group or independently. Enjoy a one-way linear route with bus shuttle provided at ride end in Port Dover to ride start in Dundas.
Full ride details HERE (2022 itinerary) & HERE (2015 itinerary)
Lanark Trail – 160km or 186km – 3 Days, 2 overnights
Discover the trails in Lanark County riding out and returning to Carleton Place, a pretty historic mill town and trail hub that make it a perfect base for three days of fantastic rides and touring in eastern Ontario. Learn more about the heritage waterways in the area with stops alongside the Rideau Canal and the Mississippi River, on rail trails that wind their way over quiet country side, criss-crossing rivers and passing through picturesque small towns and hamlets. Ride entirely on rail trails or branch out onto quiet roads for looped adventures to experience the best of scenic Lanark County, not far west of the nation’s capital, Ottawa.
Full ride details HERE (2022 itinerary)
Uxbridge Kawarthas Rail Trail – 85km or 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, with a bus shuttle provided back to ride start location on Sunday. Whether you ride independently or with friends, make the most of this linear trail. The well-maintained, hard-packed trail, with some paved sections, traverses idyllic farmlands, runs alongside waterways and canals, and through lush green forests. With plenty of stop options on bridges and in parkland, the ride between small towns and bigger city attractions plus a half-way overnight stay in Lindsay will make it seem a world away from your day-to-day.
Full ride details HERE (2022 itinerary) & HERE (2018 itinerary)
Essex Windsor Loop – 193km – 3 Days, 2 overnights
Enjoy 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.
Full ride details HERE (2022 itinerary) & HERE (2018 itinerary)
Cataraqui Kingston Cruiser – 116km – 2 Days, 1 overnight
Enjoy Ontario By Bike’s new tour route in south eastern Ontario to experience some of the top rail trails in the region, waterfront vistas and stops in pretty small and large communities along the way. Ride the well-groomed Cataraqui and K&P rail trails following creeks, past marshes and lush agricultural land into Kingston. Enjoy an overnight stay at a downtown waterfront hotel, close to all the action, cafes, shops and the city’s scenic lakeside trail. On day two enjoy the spectacular views following the shores of Lake Ontario and stopping at historic sights along the Loyalist Parkway. From the village of Bath enjoy riding inland through flat farmlands on quiet country roads, returning to Napanee.
Full ride details HERE (2021 itinerary)
Sarnia 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.
Full ride details HERE (2021 itinerary)
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. The route is approximately half road and half trail. Some segments of off-road trails are unpaved but hard-packed, and easy to ride. A portion of the ride will be on roads, some smaller rural roads without bike lanes or paved shoulders, as well as some connector stretches on busier roads with more traffic.
Full ride details HERE (2020 itinerary)
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. Day 1 route is on quiet country roads, with no bike lanes or paved shoulders. Day 2 features off-road trails that are all on paved surfaces.
Full ride details HERE (2019 itinerary)
Trent Severn Trail Tour – 119km or 97km – 2 Days, 1 overnight
A 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.
Full ride details HERE (2019 itinerary)
1000 Islands St. Lawrence River Ride – 3 Days, 2 overnights
Cycle 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.
Full ride details HERE (2019 itinerary)
1000 Islands St. Lawrence River Ride – Out and Back and 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.
Full ride details HERE (2020 itinerary) & HERE (2021 itinerary)
Georgian Bay Explorer – 95km – 2 Days, 1 overnight
Ride 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.
Full ride details HERE (2017 itinerary)
Simcoe County Rail Trails – 2 Days, 1 overnight
Ride 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.
Full ride details HERE (2016 itinerary)
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.
Full ride details HERE (2020 itinerary)
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.
Full ride details HERE (2021 itinerary) & HERE (2018 itinerary)
Toronto 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.
Thank you to our event partners at Toronto Bicycle Tours for providing a guided tour to launch new route June 15, 2014 and Toronto Bike Month for assistance with promotion.
Visit 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.
Downloadable PDF with turn by turn directions and more information at Grey Ride Guide .
Thank 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.
Visit www.ontariobybike.ca/greyrideguide/
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Ottawa Ride Guide
Ride 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 Ottawa Ride Guide 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.
Route Champlain Itineraries – Click here to view 5 province-wide itineraries
The Ontario’ Champlain Tourism Route is based on Champlain’s 1615-1616 great expedition. It is built around experiences involving French/bilingual services that reflect the famous explorer’s adventures and his legacy.
As part of the larger Champlain Tourism Route, there are five cycling routes that let you enjoy some of the paths and places Samuel Champlain came by when he explored and studied this magnificent land. While you are cycling along scenic trails and roads, you will pass by many historic sites that let you learn more about the history of the founding father of New France.
Ontario By Bike, in partnership with Société économique de l’Ontario (SEO), has carefully curated these five routes to feature some of the many historical sites of Francophone history paired with fantastic cycling. Find GPS files, bicycle friendly businesses and Francophone attractions using these itineraries to plan your next self-guided ride adventure. The itineraries are available both in English and French.
Ontario 150: Celebrate by Bike – Click here to view 15 province-wide cycling itineraries
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 initiative 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!
