13 Best Bike Trails & Routes in Ontario

Getting outside and riding a bike is one of the simplest pleasures and easy for most of us to do. It is also a terrific way to explore somewhere in Ontario that you have never been before as you often see different things from the seat of a bicycle.

A great bike ride is not all about the time spent pedaling but also the stops you make along the way, before or after. Interesting scenery and low to no vehicle traffic, plus the company you keep, all contribute to a great day out no matter how far you go. So, grab your bike and roll out on some of the best bike trails and routes in Ontario using this expertly curated list as your guide.

Kate Pace Way, North Bay

Who Should Ride It: Connecting directly from trails through downtown North Bay, the pretty 12km Kate Pace Way is one of the best paved bike trails around and is well suited to family and leisure riders, plus the more experienced road cyclists riding onwards from Callander along the Voyageur Cycling Route.

Why You Should Ride It: Forget about the nearby city, as this easy ride is one of the best bike rides in Ontario thanks to multiple access points and facilities along the way, it takes you under the trees and out to the shores of Lake Nippissing and bicycle friendly Callander Bay. If time allows, don’t miss the 2.5km Cranberry Trail, and unpaved trail off shoot near Callander.

Mindemoya Lake Loop, Manitoulin Island

Who Should Ride It: One of the shorter looped and best paved bike trail routes on Manitoulin Island is around Mindemoya Lake. At 34km, the moderately challenging ride is best suited to those that have a little experience riding roads and similar distances.

Why You Should Ride It: This route is a great way to get a feel of cycling in Manitoulin, while enjoying countless lake views and rolling farm fields. Stop along the way at one of the beach rest areas and take a dip in this warm inland lake. This loop makes our list of the best bike rides in Ontario thanks to its fabulous scenery and post-ride restaurant options like the organic fresh garden bistro Maja’s Tea Garden. Consider making Mindemoya and nearby bicycle friendly businesses your base for further island explorations.

Massey to Espanola

Who Should Ride It: There are a number of short out and back segments of the longer 450km Lake Huron North Channel Cycling Route between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, like the 27km Massey to Espanola stretch which are along country backroads, flat and easy to ride.

Why You Should Ride It: A great sampler size ride along part of one of the best bike trails in Ontario, follow the well signed and mapped route for as long or short as your legs will carry you. Starting and ending in Massey will give you a chance to have a bite at Back Home Bistro and explore aptly named Chutes Provincial Park, just north of town.

Kenora Bike Trails

Who Should Ride It: The best way to explore the compact northern city of Kenora is on two wheels. There are six signed and colour-coded on-road bike routes that range from 9km to 36km in length all included on an easily downloadable map.

Why You Should Ride It: Get intimate with a visit and ride along the Lake of the Woods waterfront, through city neighbourhoods and green space. Post ride, taste local area craft beer at the Boathouse lakeside patio or onsite at the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company taproom. To see more of this giant lake, don’t miss a boat cruise aboard the MS Kenora.

Paipoonge Kam River Ride, Thunder Bay

Who Should Ride It: Just a short ways west of Thunder Bay, this 32km looped ride is a great add-on adventure after exploring the more urban city center on bike trails. Enjoy a ride on quieter country roads through farmland and bush, with views of the Kam River on the loop back towards Rosslyn.

Why You Should Ride It: A favourite route mapped by local cycling clubs, there are a number of stops to stretch this fairly short ride into a whole day. Park at the Duke Hunt Historical Museum and make time to stop before or after to learn more about the local area. Work up an appetite and stop at the 17km mark at Stanley Tavern for one of their famed burgers.

Hub Trail, Sault Ste Marie

Who Should Ride It: Ranking high among the best bike trails in Ontario, the off-road paved 22km Hub Trail loop will enchant and educate riders of all ages and abilities. Enjoy an interactive experience using downloadable trail guides and audio recordings that share the heritage of one of Canada’s oldest settlements, Sault Ste. Marie.

Why You Should Ride It: From the downtown waterfront area, where a stop at the canal-side Parks Canada national historic site is a must, traverse forests and cross the bridges through Fort Creek. End the ride with a fascinating stop at the Bushplane Museum or adjacent Northern Superior Brewing Co. Rent a fat, electric or mountain bike from local bike store Velorution.

St. Joseph Island

Who Should Ride It: Explore this small island joined to the mainland by bridge, just east of Sault Ste. Marie, on the 17km ride between the two marina centered villages of Richards Landing and Hilton Beach, an easier roll than the 68km around island circuit loop.

Why You Should Ride It: Off the beaten track and often bypassed by holiday maker crowds and busy vehicle traffic, the roads here are a part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, an across-Ontario bike route. If stopping over in Hilton Beach be sure to enjoy the patio, water and boat views at the Island Bar & Grill or stay overnight at the Inn. History buffs will appreciate nearby Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, where the War of 1812 began.

Ramsey Lake Cycle Tour, Sudbury

Who Should Ride It: The Ramsey Lake Cycle Tour is an easy 22km circuit using a combination of best bike trails, dedicated bike lanes and some on-road sections from downtown Sudbury, through nearby forests and parklands.

Why You Should Ride It: Get a taste of the great outdoors and nearby attractions that are what make this northern city such a delight to visit. Start from Bell Park and stop along the way at Science North, swim at a blue flag beach, visit the art gallery and explore the 35km of trails (more suited to mountain bikes and hikes) in Lake Laurentian Conservation Area.

Boom Camp Trails, Blind River

Who Should Ride It: Take a slow roll along the three multi-use unpaved Boom Camp trail loops, for a flat and easy 12km ride through this naturalized area jointly managed by Mississauga First Nation, Town of Blind River, and the Blind River Cross Country Ski Club.

Why You Should Ride It: With numerous scenic lookouts, beach and water access points, each trail has interpretive signage to learn more about the area’s timber industry, First Nations heritage, flora, fauna and the expansive Mississagi River Delta. Nearby Blind River is an ideal community to stop at while enjoying any distance along the longer Lake Huron North Channel Cycling Route.

Georgian Trail, Collingwood

Who Should Ride It: The 34km Georgian Trail runs along a former rail route from Collingwood to Meaford. This easy to ride, well maintained stone dust trail can be accessed from many start points and is a top bike trail in Ontario, perfect at any length for beginner to more advanced cyclists.

Why You Should Ride It: With sweeping views of the Escarpment and Georgian Bay, this flat rail trail connects a number of smaller communities with lots to see and do along the way. Be sure to stop and sample some culinary treats trailside in Thornbury, home to the bicycle friendly: Thornbury Village Cider House; The Dam Pub; The Cheese Gallery; and Thornbury Bakery Cafe.

Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail, Arnprior

Who Should Ride It: This off-road, newly opened and resurfaced Ontario bike trail is suited to the most casual rider, including families and those new to cycling. The 34km section of the OVRT between Carlton Place and Arnprior cuts through lush farm fields, connecting a number of riverside towns and villages.

Why You Should Ride It: Simply ride between the trail end towns or start and stop between midway points and the pretty villages of Almonte or Pakenham. It’s not just the beautiful scenery; this makes our list of the best bike trails in Ontario because we love the number of ice creams stops, bakeries and patios along the way. Extend your stay and ride both ways, with an overnight stop at the Almonte Riverside Inn, a bicycle friendly boutique hotel.

Victoria Rail Trail, Lindsay

Who Should Ride It: With the 22km between Fenelon Falls and Lindsay recently upgraded, this segment ranks high as one of the best bike trails in Ontario. All riders are sure to enjoy the off-road trail and route that abuts the Trent Severn Waterway and Scugog River.

Why You Should Ride It: Bookend the trail with trailside stops at either end visiting local breweries, ice cream outlets and galleries, enjoying a rail trail adventure in Kawartha Lakes. With more than a days worth of riding, stay overnight at the bicycle friendly Days Inn & Suites Lindsay, and pedal the other way on trails towards Peterborough.

Thames River Parkway, London

Who Should Ride It: Pedal any distance along the 40km of paved, off-road multi-use path that lies alongside the Thames River in the city of London. Families with youngsters in tow can stop at playgrounds dotted along the way and more experienced cyclists can explore more, connecting to the 300km of bike paths and bike lanes within the city.

Why You Should Ride It: This is our favorite London-area bike trail and with good reason. Plan your route around a few stops in downtown London including a caffeine fix at the London Bicycle Cafe where you can also browse the bikes, accessories and cargo trailers. In what is considered the Old East Village, while away the day browsing the stalls at The Market WFD and quenching your thirst at the London Brewing Co.

Plan your Ride

For more information on Ontario bike trails and Ontario bike routes, plus bicycle friendly stops to eat, visit and sleep, go to Ontario By Bike.

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