![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/port%20dover.jpg?itok=XOZMBWC4)
Where to Ride in The Kawarthas
Three Motorcycle routes to get your heart pumping just outside the GTA
![](/sites/default/files/styles/wide/public/leads/15ae14ebcd7eba1d2512eb81d0ed4784_XL.jpg?itok=mbWeUT6S)
Two hours northeast of Toronto are some of the best loved roads in province: Buckhorn Road, Dyno Road, Rice Lake Drive — the list could go on and on. But this is just the tip of The Kawarthas, a region well known by local motorcyclists for hiding some of the best routes in the world. Recently Kevin Cullen, the Motorhead Traveller, visited the Kawarthas to take in some of the attractions there. His video gives you a taste of the region — but if you want motorcycle routes, you'll need to keep reading ...
Motorcycle Route Options in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
Route #1
- From Hwy#115 at Lansdowne Street East. Follow straight through onto Television Road.
- Turn right onto Parkhill Rd E which turns into Warsaw Rd (#4).
- Turn left onto University Road (passing the Trent University Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Turn right onto Nassau Mills Road (Regional Road 32) – this is known as the River Road – it’s a windy scenic route that follows the Otonabee River from Peterborough to Lakefield, and passes by Trent University
- #32 will turn into Water Street when you arrive in Lakefield.
Riverhouse Co. Restaurant is located on Bridge Street which is at the end of Water Street. - From Lakefield follow Queen Street (#29) to Hwy #28 – this is a great scenic route and you will pass places like Young’s Point where you can eat and stay at The Old Bridge Inn or stop at Lockside Trading Company, Burleigh Falls, Woodview where you can stay and eat at Viamede Resort – this route will take you all the way to Apsley and north to Bancroft.
Route # 2
- From Hwy#115 at Lansdowne Street East. Follow straight through onto Television Road.
- Turn right onto Parkhill Rd E which turns into Warsaw Rd (#4).
- Turn left onto University Road (Trent Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Turn left onto Nassau Mills Road and then right onto Water Street (also past Trent U – Timmy’s just to the left of the intersection)
- Water Street turns into #29 Lakefield Rd
- Follow Lakefield Road and merge left onto Buckhorn Road (#23) (landmark: Paris Marine)
- This route is the one you were talking about the other day – it will take you to the #507 which is the windy route takes you into Haliburton
- Claire De Lune B&B is a great choice and there are a smattering of small mom and pop restaurants along the route.
- Along either of these two routes, you can take Hwy # 36 either in Burleigh Falls or Buckhorn to alternate between Route 1& 2 or loop back around (ie. #23 to #36 to #28 north to Aplsey or #32 to #28 to #36 to #507 to Haliburton) Either route takes you past Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.
Route #3
- Coming from Northumberland County – Hwy #401 to Port Hope (from East or West) and take #28 into Balieboro.
- Turn right onto Hwy # 2 – this is a scenic route along Rice Lake – a great place to stay and eat is Elmhirst Resort in Keene. You can either turn left onto #34 which turns into #28 – a great attraction in this area is Lang Pioneer Village Museum
- #28 will take you into Lakefield or keep following #2 when you hit Hastings, take Hwy#45 which turns into #40 to Crows Landing - another great place to stay and eat is Irwin Inn.
- From Irwin Inn take #47 which turns into #46 in a loop around Petroglyphs Provincial Park – you can either take #504 to Aplsey and back down to Peterborough or continue on #46 until it turns into #504 towards Glen Alda and turns into #620 taking you into Apsley as well.
Recommended Articles
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-01/best%20motorcycle%20touring%20and%20route%20in%20ontario%20canada%20230908321.png?h=2992ba0a&itok=X1TuAAn1)
Bucket List Motorcycling in Ontario, Canada
This scenic province is home to some of the best motorcycling in the world.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/leads/bf78fd994de97ba73af95eb508b9b518_XL.jpg?itok=KNWire3r)
Ontario's Best Twisties: Five Roads to Get Your Lean On
Where to go to get the blood pumping!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/leads/3fa5dd63975726f36e45afc640b9eee3_XL.jpg?itok=BRvnGoyx)
The Big Belly Tour—A Complete List of Ontario's BBQ Joints
Here are the 50 best barbecue spots in Ontario!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/ViktorRadics_%23TheMotoSocialTORONTO_July_6_2016_IMG_3239%20.jpg?itok=g-R9ibNu)
It's Bike Night in Ontario 2024
The complete list of this summer's motorcycle meetups and bike nights. Get out there and have some fun!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/leads/a73b47188fd5a6216b7e39affc896d0b_XL.jpg?itok=V7lXJAqn)
Ontario's Top Twisties
Winding along Snake Road.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Blue%20Chapel_1_web.jpg?itok=P0R1dMRP)
Have You Ridden Canada's OG Highway? Here's Why Every Rider Needs to Hit Up Historic Highway 2
The original east-west artery of Ontario contains a ton of history and spectacular autumn views.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/_MG_8815_1.jpg?itok=kGx_8jrG)
23 Amazing Photos That Prove PD13 Is Still The Best Motorcycle Event Ever
You'll always remember your first time...at Port Dover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Motorcycle%20Swap%20Meets%20in%20Ontario%20CVMG%20at%20the%20Fairgrounds_0.jpg?itok=zvmuNs__)
Motorcycle Swap Meets in Ontario—The Complete List for 2024
Get your gear here.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Coco%20Bear%20and%20Me%20at%20Haynes%20Lake%20by%20Mondo%20Lulu.jpg?itok=XWQBAshb)
And a Vespa shall lead them all...
How one rider went from passenger to full throttle
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-12%20at%2012.10.42%20PM.png?itok=c7_iEe5J)
Riding High(way 400)
My top 5 reasons to ride Ontario's Gateway to the North.