Spend Your Weekend in the Hills of Caledon
Head for the Hills This Year for Gravel, Paved and Rail Trail Adventure
Whether you have a penchant for hills, undiscovered gravel backroads, a smooth rail trail or thrilling MTB trails, Caledon has it all – and it’s just minutes from Toronto. Take a day or a weekend to unplug and get immersed in scenic Escarpment country – visit Caledon’s historic hamlets and villages, fuel up on local coffees, beer, baked treats and more as you explore their cycling loops designed for every type of rider.
Camp & Ride – 2 Day Sample Trip
Book a campsite at the very first Conservation Area in Ontario and make the beautiful Albion Hills your home base for the weekend! Visit one of Caledon’s craft breweries, experience the Trailway and explore the famous Caledon hills.
Caledon Trailway
The Camp & Ride route uses the Caledon Trailway – a 35km multi-use trail that runs through the municipality following an old rail line from Terra Cotta to Highway 9. The Caledon Trailway existed formerly as the Hamilton and Northwestern Railway line, built in the 1870’s and eventually decommissioned in the 1980’s. In 1989, the Town of Caledon purchased the rail line and began its conversion into a multi-use path that stretches the length of the town. Fun fact – the Trailway was the first registered link of the national Trans Canada Trail network. While you travel through Caledon East, make sure to stop at the donor pavilion and Caledon Walk of Fame for a breather and a moment of quiet contemplation.
Lunch Stops
Stop for lunch at one of several spots in Caledon East while you’re here; the Villa Caledon Inn on Airport Road is a local favourite with a fantastic patio and local craft beverage options. For something quicker, we love the hot table at the trailside Four Corners restaurant or a Caribbean treat at Island Flavours Caribbean Restaurant.
Local Treats
Traveling through the village of Inglewood, riders can stop for a coffee, ice cream or tune-up all in one small block – Caledon Hills Cycling and the Bike Shop Café share a building (and a love of caffeine and two-wheeled toys), while The Cub scoops sweet treats all summer long.
A little further along the route, you’ll come across one of Caledon’s four beloved craft breweries: Badlands Brewing Company. Best known for their juicy, hazy IPA’s, this on-farm brewery has a great picnic table setup that’ll allow you to enjoy a pint, live music or some food while keeping an eye on your wheels; we recommend grabbing some fresh suds to-go, too.
Complete the lower loop of the route with a gradual increase in elevation along Old School Road and up Heart Lake Road and jump back on the Trailway to arrive back at your campsite just in time for a supper over the campfire.
Looking for more to explore tomorrow on weekend or more trip to the area? Check out Caledon’s other rides on Ride with GPS for loop inspiration and new destinations to discover.
Other Tips and Resources:
Plan ahead with the help of Caledon’s online map. This tool allows you to view all of the Town and Region of Peel signed bike routes, dedicated cycling and multi-use trails, washroom facilities, spots to safely park and the locations of their public bike repair stands.
Mountain and Fat Biking
Looking to hit some mountain biking trails while you’re there? Caledon has two incredible parks with winding networks of single track trails. Albion Hills Conservation Area has more than 50km of double track and technical single track trail winding through the park’s 538 hectares of rolling forested terrain. On top of washrooms and shower facilities, Albion also boasts access to a bike wash station when things get a bit messy. Just up the road is another prime mountain or fat tire biking spot – Palgrave Forest and Wildlife Area. This 306 hectare parcel of land is a little more rugged than its Albion counterpart. With no washroom facilities available on site, a bit of planning will reward you with views of the beautiful Oak Ridges Moraine’s coniferous plantations, sandy meadows, mature sugar maple forests, small kettle wetlands, and ponds.
Gravel Routes
Searching for a gravel grind? Check out one of the gravel-dominant routes on the Town of Caledon’s Ride with GPS profile! They’re continuously adding local and visitor favourites to help you discover more hidden gems and breathtaking views (and the delicious fuel needed to get you there).
Visit Caledon
Follow Visit Caledon online at visitcaledon.ca, on Instagram and on Facebook – connect with them, to talk trails, places to go and things to do year-round.
Whether you’re sneaking away for an early-morning ride, or a weekend away with friends – the folks in the Town of Caledon can’t wait to meet you. See you out here!
Additional Information:
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Sponsored Content Partner: Visit Caledon
Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of Visit Caledon / Town of Caledon
About the Author: Guest
