Six New Signed Routes Put Tyendinaga Township on the Map for Gravel Riders
This summer, six new gravel cycling loops launched in Hastings County’s Tyendinaga Township: signed, mapped, and ready to ride straight from the Recreation Hall.
The south end of Hastings County is a gravel rider’s fairy tale: fields are crisscrossed at regular intervals with backroads named for the families that farm them, all the better for the Goldilocks among us to choose a route with length and elevation that are just right. Off-road trails are draped across the township as well, adding unique connectors that inject a sense of adventure into the agricultural landscape. It’s a rare destination that presents options for the endurance gravel grinders alongside those just looking to make the most of golden hour.
More Than a Ride
Not every cycling weekend needs to be cloaked in lycra from Friday to Sunday: if you’re looking to mix up surfaces, scenery and activities, you’ve come to the right place.
Picture a Friday afternoon pulling into Lonsdale: one rider is already itching to put fifty kilometres and a few hundred metres of climbing behind them before sundown, chasing the best views the township has to offer. The other is content to spend the hours wandering a farm stand and paddling the mill pond, saving their legs for a shorter loop closer to dinner. Because all six routes start and finish at the same hub, both plans belong to the same weekend — nobody’s waiting at a trailhead, and nobody’s cutting their ride short to catch up.
Pick Your Distance
Start here if you’re new to gravel or riding with a mixed-ability group: the Lonsdale Station Loop (13.7 km, 77 m elevation) is casual enough to be a warm-up, a cooldown, or fit in perfectly around the rest of the day’s wandering, paddling and antiquing.
Four routes sit comfortably in the middle-ground: Weese Loop (20.5 km), Lonsdale Loop (27.6 km), Power Loop (30.2 km) and Whalen Loop (34 km) are easy on the elevation and keep the saddle-time under two hours. As the days get shorter and cooler, they’re perfect for winding down with a dose of fresh air.
For the rider who wants their legs tired by dinner, the Naphan Loop (48.7 km, 357 m elevation) is the one to tackle. Multiple moderate climbs lead to the best sunset views of the township (and the best way to work up an appetite for fall comfort food).
Make it a Weekend
Pick a home base and choose your own adventure.
Lonsdale – Stay right in the Township at the Island Mill Getaway, a converted limestone mill on the Salmon River with swimming, paddleboarding and pedal boats on site, plus a Parks Pass supplied to guests through November. Nearby, Simply Eclectic opens the doors to its barn stocked with antique and handmade goods and decor for the holiday season starting November 6, and the BEEotch Barn apiary offers local products at its farmstand on Saturdays and tours on special weekends.
Deseronto – Post up on the bay and fill in your post-ride hours with stargazing, pizza-making, campfires and canoeing at Tiny Stays, a collection of designer tiny cabins. Wander in to town for a fall comfort meal at the United Restaurant or The O’Connor House‘s classic afternoon tea experience, or grab a cozy post-ride café lunch at Magnolia’s on Main.
Tweed – Pull up to midcentury charm at the Park Place Motel on Stoco Lake. Plan to start your day with a perfect flat white at Cube Coffee before you ride, and scope out the shows at the Marble Arts Centre ahead of your visit. Pack a cooler and plan to stock up on local farm products at Enright Cattle Co. and more nearby farm stores (check Harvest Hastings for listings).
Ride it Yourself
The Tyendinaga Township cycling wayfinding project was funded by an Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed grant.
Full route details, cue sheets and GPX downloads for all six Tyendinaga Township loops are available at hastings.bike/tyendinaga, with free access to turn-by-turn navigation through the Hastings County Ride With GPS Club.
Or keep the devices in airplane mode and just follow the wayfinding signs from the Tyendinaga Recreation Hall. This route network shows off some of the best light gravel riding in Ontario–come see why we’re proud of it!
Find more Hastings County cycling routes, local perspective, and trip inspiration at hastings.bike.
Plan Your Cycling Trip in Hastings County
- Hastings County – Adventures – Find more adventures and things to do in Hastings, on or off the bike
- Hastings County – Where to Stay – Find local accommodations around the county, from bed & breakfasts to cozy cottages to luxury retreats and picturesque campsites
- Hastings County – Where to Eat – Find the best places to eat around Hastings County
- Hastings County – Ride with GPS Cycling Route Collection – Find routes created by local cyclists
- Hastings County – Great Places to Cycle – Ontario By Bike – Find cycling routes and maps and bicycle friendly places to eat, visit, and sleep
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Sponsored Content Partner: Hastings County
Article written by Laura Voskamp.
Photo Credits: 1,2, 3, 6 – Hastings County; 4, 5 – Ontario By Bike
About the Author: Guest
