Getting Loopy in the Highlands: Riding Ontario’s New Spoke Tours

When it comes to riding in Ontario's Ride the Highlands region, a few options come to mind. The first option is a day trip. If you are fortunate enough to live in Ottawa, Kingston, or anywhere within the Ride the Highlands area, a day trip is practical. From further away, like the GTA, it's a long day in the saddle.

The second option is the multi-day tour: pack, ride, stay, and repeat. Who doesn't love a few days on the bike, but you give up some time to packing and unpacking and searching out places to stay, eat, etc.

Thanks to the good folks at Ride the Highlands and the creation of new day loops centred around the towns of Haliburton and Bancroft, we now have a third option: the spoke tour. Set up a home base and explore the area one day at a time.

And with three days to spare, we weren’t about to just take their word for it—we decided to find out for ourselves. 

Day 1: GTA—Ride the Hali Banny Loop (247 km Through Ontario’s Highlands)

With bags packed, we pointed the wheels north from the GTA. With two options for getting there, along 400, 11, via Orillia or making our way towards Highway 35, we opted for the latter, which allowed us to pick up the Hali Banny loop in Kinmount with the plan to have lunch in Bancroft.

There is a reason why so many riders love riding Ontario’s Highlands. By the time we reached Bancroft, the smiles were ear-to-ear. Now, for lunch, there are plenty of options. For The Halibut Fish & Chips is a popular choice, and they carry the Ride the Highlands patches, which we did pick up, but rumour has it that Fiesta Flavours serves burritos the size of your head, so we had to check it out. Rumours are correct; the burritos were huge and delicious.

For the rest of the afternoon, we continue along the Hali Banny loop before dropping our bags at the Lakeview Motel & Resort, a super moto-friendly motel on the edge of Haliburton, our home base for two nights.

After settling in, we head into town and grab dinner at Hook Line & Sinker, a local hotspot known for its casual atmosphere, hearty meals, and cold beverages. Great place, great food; we recommend it.

We spent the evening enjoying one of the best perks of motel stays: hanging out outside your room with your riding buddies, and reliving the day's highlights.

Today's Loop: The Hali Banny (247km)

Connecting the towns of Haliburton and Bancroft, the Hali Banny is a 247 km journey through winding roads, charming small towns, and numerous stops for local eats.

Highlights: Skyline Park, Furnace Falls

Day 2: Haliburton—Motorcycle Touring the Algonquin Spur (321 km of Big Sweepers)

Rise and shine (funny how sleeping in is never an issue on a motorcycle tour), who's ready to ride?

It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Kosy Korner in Haliburton, an old-school diner that has been fueling locals and travellers for decades, was so good we did it twice. It’s the kind of place where the coffee is hot and the toast comes in stacks.

On today's agenda, Algonquin Park, more specifically, Highway 60, which is now beautifully paved and an unforgettable ride. Although Highway 60 might be the day's highlight, there are plenty of supporting actors on today's itinerary: roads like Hwy 35, Peterson Rd, Elephant Lake Rd, Hwy 118, and more will keep you grinning.

Looking for a stretch for your legs? The Dorset Lookout Tower, Algonquin Park Visitors Centre, and Algonquin Logging Museum make for excellent stops. For lunch, who doesn't love some good BBQ, and the JC’s Smokehouse is happy to deliver.

Back at our home base, we enjoy perk number two of staying in the same spot for a couple of nights or more, no need to pack and unpack. It’s like coming home after a good ride. Perk number three is the comfort of the familiar, like knowing where to enjoy a good meal, top up the gas tank or get information.

Tonight's dinner options are McKeck’s Tap & Grill and Maple Avenue Tap & Grill, both good choices based on past experience. However, it turns out that it's wing night at McKeck’s, making the decision straightforward.

Today's Loop: The Algonquin Spur (321km)

The iconic Algonquin Provincial Park, with plenty of big sweeping turns and reasons to stop.

Highlights: Algonquin Park Visitors Centre, Algonquin Logging Museum, Dorset Lookout Tower.

Day 3: The Corduroy Tour Motorcycle Loop (165 km of Lakes and Curves)

It's not over till it's over, and while today's end will take us home, there is plenty of riding to be had. After another fantastic breakfast at Kosy Korner, we hop on the Corduroy Tour to get our daily fix of Ride the Highlands.

You may have noticed that this tour is as much about good riding as good eats, and today is no exception. Along today's route, we have two lunch stop suggestions, both of which serve a delicious chicken on a bun, which has been sampled and is highly recommended. In Minden, the iconic Minden River Cone is the perfect spot to cool down with an ice cream cone or grab a quick bite to eat. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sammie is so good. The next suggestion is not on the Corduroy Tour but is on the way back to the GTA along Hwy 35. The Riverside Inn in Norland offers a wide range of lunch options, including the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich, which I've tried and loved.

Today’s Loop: Corduroy Tour (165km)

Starting and ending in the charming town of Haliburton, the Corduroy Tour is a fully surfaced route that winds its way between lakes and rocks.

Highlights: Kushog Lake Road, Skyline Park, Harburn Road

There is no such thing as a bad way to enjoy a ride in Ontario’s Highlands. Day trip, excellent; multi-day tour, yes sir, but there is something to be said for the spoke tour—less stress, more ride. It's a good thing.

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