Ontario By Bike Ride – May 2026

This ride is now over.

The detailed itinerary for this ride is available below for download. Enjoy great road and trail riding on a self-guided ride experience.

Stratford & Country Gravel Explorer

Stratford & Perth County, OntarioDate:Anytime. It’s a self-guided itinerary
Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Ontario By Bike Ride Hosted: May 23/24, 2026

Total Distance: 132km (or 154km)

The Ride: Enjoy this ride exploring Stratford and Perth County in Southwestern Ontario, using a mix of quiet gravel farm roads, trails and city streets. Known for its theatre crowd and annual Festival, stay in Stratford, a lively and small city on the beautiful Avon River. Pedal through nearby countryside and farmlands to the picturesque town of St. Marys in the south and to the G2G Rail Trail, with Milverton and Millbank as stops to the north, on this weekend long, two day ride adventure.

Experience Level and Ride Guide: Experienced. Riders need to have experience riding on roads with vehicle traffic and also be comfortable riding on gravel roads. Not all paved roads have bike lanes or paved shoulders. A large part of this ride is on quiet gravel country roads, other segments may be busier. The off-road trails are all unpaved and generally have hard packed limestone screening. This ride is suitable for gravel, hybrid and mountain bikes and road bikes with wider tires.

View Digital Routes*:

Day 1 – 74km Stratford Perth City & Country Gravel Tour  – ridewithgps.com/routes/53955833
Day 2 – 58km – Shorter – Stratford & Perth County South West – ridewithgps.com/routes/54867365
Day 2 – 80km – Stratford & Perth County South West – ridewithgps.com/routes/53769315

* Above links provide free navigation, when using free version of RidewithGPS app

Day 1: Stratford Perth – City & Country Gravel Tour – 74km

From the city hub of Stratford follow the ride route through the north side of Stratford ride 10km on paved roads before turning onto the quieter more scenic and a well-kept gravel road that pushes north along the east side of largely inaccessible natural areas and wetlands of Ellice Swamp. From Brunner make an optional spot at Country Cousins, a Mennonite farm store, take the off-road track and short cut towards Milverton, and the G2G (Goderich to Guelph) Rail Trail. Sample the simple joys of riding 7km on the G2G into Millbank and enjoy a lunch stop at the famed at Anna Mae’s Bakery and visit the Millbank Cheese and Butter factory, for more treats and fuel for the gravel road return ride to Stratford. Back in Stratford catch a Festival production (buy tickets in advance) and dine at one of the many restaurants that cater to the Festival crowd and be sure to take a roll or stroll besides the Avon River. Located just off Romeo Street, enjoy a stay at accommodation of your choice.
* Day 1 ride is approximately 56% gravel roads and trails and 40% paved roads. The gravel roads in Perth County tend to be more scenic and have less traffic.

Day 2: Stratford & Perth County South West – 58km or 80km

From downtown Stratford, ride south quickly connecting to a mix of flat paved and gravel roads through endless farmlands and big open skies. On roads that bisect early season corn fields, circle around to St. Marys crossing the scenic Sarnia Bridge on the Grand Trunk Trail. Visit the pretty main street and shops, and fill up on a tasty picnic lunch in the park alongside the Thames River, ‘The Flats” before the last 20km back to Stratford, with an optional stop at the Broken Rail brewery. Return to Stratford for the end of the idellic ride weekend exploring Perth County, Stratford and area.
* Both the long and short route are approximately 34% gravel roads and 66% paved roads. The gravel roads in Perth County tend to be more scenic and have less traffic.

Additional Visitor Information:

Use below to find out more about ride areas and plan an extra day or two to see more.

Getting To/From Start:

Stratford is located in south western Ontario. From Toronto 2 hours, London 1 hour and Montreal 7 hours.

These are loop day rides with one overnight in Stratford. You will park your vehicle at our hotel and ride from there and back.

The exact start times and detailed itinerary will be sent to all riders two weeks prior to ride.

Arriving Early / Staying Late:

Consider an overnight option at certified bicycle friendly accommodations a part of the Ontario By Bike Network in Stratford, St. Marys, Perth County.

2026 Ontario By Bike Rides – Presented in Partnership with:

CAASCO

®CAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association

See our other 2026 Ontario By Bike Rides

www.ontariobybike.ca/rides

Photo credits: Destination Stratford (top & left), Snapping Turtle Roasters (middle), Cycle Stratford (right)