Bicycle ONTARIO - Areas

  1. ERIE SHORES   Windsor, Leamington, Kingsville, Chatham, Pelee Island

  2. NIAGARA   Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Dunnville, Grimsby

  3. PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY   Picton, Belleville, Deseronto, Napanee

  4. NORTHUMBERLAND   Cobourg, Port Hope, Gores Landing, Rice Lake, Colborne, Brighton

  5. ST. LAWRENCE & RIDEAU CANAL   Gananoque, Kingston, Ottawa, Brockville, Prescott, Kemptville, Merrickville

  6. BRUCE PENINSULA   Owen Sound, Collingwood, Port Elgin, Paisley, Markdale, Beaver Valley

  7. HURON SHORE   Goderich, Bayfield, Ipperwash Beach, Grand Bend, Sarnia

  8. GRAND RIVER NORTH   Waterloo, Guelph, St. Jacobs, Elora

  9. GRAND RIVER SOUTH   Brantford, Paris, Six Nations Territory, Hamilton

  10. PORTS OF LAKE ERIE   Port Dover, Port Rowan, Port Burwell, Port Stanley, Tillsonburg, Woodstock

  11. THAMES AVON   Stratford, London, St. Marys

Bicycle Point Pelee National Park

ERIE SHORES Windsor, Leamington, Kingsville, Chatham, Pelee Island    MAP
Tourist Information: Windsor Essex County & Pelee Island   Chatham Kent
[Picture:Bicycle Point Pelee National Park]

This area is centred around Windsor and Chatham, including Tilbury, Wheatley, Leamington, Kingsville, Pelee Island and Point Pelee National Park. Roads follow the shore of Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and the Thames River. This is the most southerly part of Canada, frost free for a month longer than the rest of Southern Ontario, with a comfortable bicycling season extending from the beginning of May to the end of October.

Off road routes include the paved multi-use bike paths along Riverside Drive in Windsor, the Greenway Trail and Point Pelee National Park. The Greenway Trail is an unpaved rail trail extending from the south side of Windsor to Kingsville and then northeast to Colisanti's Tropical Gardens at Ruthven. That trail is suitable for hybrid or road bikes. In Point Pelee National Park you can bicycle on the tree canopied paved roads all the way to the southerly point of Canada's mainland. Motor vehicles are prohibited from going past the park visitor centre. There are also well maintained gravel paths.

The terrain is generally very flat. The roads are scenic since they follow the waterways, passing a growing number of wineries and greenhouses producing flowering plants, tomatoes and peppers for shipment throughout Canada and internationally.

You might enjoy a ferry trip to Pelee Island departing from Leamington or Kingsville, depending on the ferry schedule. The distance on the roads around the shore is about 30 kilometers and very flat with little motor vehicle traffic. Most of the roads are paved or treated gravel surface, suitable for any bicycle.

ACCOMMODATION - ERIE SHORES
AMHERSTBURG:
Pier 41 Bed and Breakfast - 41 Mickle Drive, Amherstburg

CHATHAM:
Chatham Comfort Inn - 1100 Richmond Street, Chatham

KINGSVILLE:
Adams Golden Acres Motel - 279 Erie Street South, Kingsville

LEAMINGTON:
 Comfort Inn Leamington - 279 Erie Street South, Leamington
Marlborough House Bed & Breakfast - 349 Marlborough Street West, Leamington

Bicycle Niagara Along The Welland Canal

NIAGARA Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Dunnville, Grimsby    MAP
Tourist Information: Niagara Region   Haldimand County
[Picture:Bicycle Niagara Along The Welland Canal]

The Niagara area is a peninsula formed by the Niagara River, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, west as far as the Grand River. It includes Niagara Falls, the Welland Canal, Niagara on the Lake, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Dunnville and Grimsby. This area is one of the best areas for bicycling anywhere in North America as a result of the unrivalled scenery of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parkway and the Welland Canals Parkway with many bike paths. Niagara is also Ontario’s oldest quality wine producing area with a growing number of wineries welcoming visitors.

If you like to bicycle on paths this is the area for you, with paved paths throughout including the Niagara Parkway between Niagara on the Lake and Fort Erie, the Welland Canals Parkway from Port Weller on Lake Ontario to Port Colborne on Lake Erie, the Friendship Trail railtrail from Port Colborne to Fort Erie and the Waterfront Trail on Lake Ontario.

The terrain is quite flat except for one hill, where you climb and descend the Niagara Escarpment. The climb is relatively easy along the Welland Canal where the ships go through 8 locks.

The Niagara Parkway, Friendship Trail, Welland Canals Parkway and Waterfront Trail make and enjoyable loop ride. You start in the charming town of Niagara on the Lake then through parkland beside the Niagara River past Niagara Falls all the way to Lake Erie. Then the Friendship Trail takes you to Port Colborne and the Welland Canals Parkway. See ocean going ships travel through the locks. You can ride across the canal on the pedestrian ferry at Port Robinson and enjoy the beaches and carousel in Port Dalhousie on Lake Ontario.

ACCOMMODATION - NIAGARA
DUNNVILLE:
Waltham's Way B&B - 308 Alder Street East, Dunnville

NIAGARA ON THE LAKE:
Williams Gate Bed & Breakfast - 413 Gate Street, Niagara on the Lake

PORT COLBORNE:
Talwood Manor B& B - 303 Fielden Avenue, Port Colborne

WELLAND:
Best Western Rose City Suites - 300 Prince Charles Drive, Welland

Bicycle Prince Edward County Crossing on the Glenora Ferry

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY Picton, Belleville, Deseronto, Napanee    MAP
Tourist Information: Prince Edward County
[Picture:Bicycle Prince Edward County Crossing on the Glenora Ferry]

Prince Edward County is a peninsula in Lake Ontario with many bays and waterfront roads. It includes Picton and bridge or ferry connections to Brighton, Belleville, Deseronto, Napanee and Kingston. Bike on quiet country roads. Enjoy scenic countryside, waterfront views, sand beaches, camping, historic villages, cheese factories and great restaurants. Sample the wines and cider near Wellington, Waupoos and Milford. Visit the culinary attractions of the Taste Trail and the studios and galleries on the Arts Trail.

This area has paved roads in many areas with relatively little motor vehicle traffic, particularly south of Picton. The Waterfront Trail is on the paved shoulders of Highway 33.

The terrain is rolling through most of this area.

An interesting part of this area is the free Glenora Ferry on Highway 33 east of Picton and above the ferry dock is the viewpoint from Lake on the Mountain. You can take the ferry across to explore the peninsulas on the east side of Picton Bay.

ACCOMMODATION - PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
DESERONTO:
Town's Edge Bed and Breakfast- 73 Main Street, Deseronto

Bicycle Northumberland and see the Big Apple

NORTHUMBERLAND Cobourg, Port Hope, Gores Landing, Rice Lake, Colborne, Brighton    MAP
Tourist Information: Northumberland Tourism
[Picture:Bicycle Northumberland and see the "Big Apple"]

Northumberland includes Presquile Provincial Park, Brighton, Colborne, Cobourg and Port Hope on Lake Ontario. Through the scenic rolling hills is Gores Landing on beautiful Rice Lake. This area includes many apple orchards centered around Colborne, symbolized by the wayside attraction "Big Apple". Cobourg has a beach and boardwalk on Lake Ontario and the 1860 Victoria Hall.

The Waterfront Trail goes through this area with a marked route mostly with bike lanes on paved secondary roads. Presqu'ile Provincial Park has a bicycle trail. The terrain is flat to rolling along Lake Ontario and hilly going north to Rice Lake. This area is known for scenic rolling hills. This is one of the most challenging areas for bicycling in southern Ontario but certainly worth the effort.

ACCOMMODATION - NORTHUMBERLAND
BRIGHTON:
Cider House B&B - 74 Prince Edward Street, PO Box 1138 Brighton
Presqu'ile Beach Motel - 243 Main Street, Brighton

COLBORNE:
Loughbreeze Bay B&B- 105 Victoria Beach Road, Colborne

GARDEN HILL:
Woodland Gardens Bed & Breakfast, - 8250 Woodland Avenue Box 7 Garden Hill

HARWOOD:
Golden Beach Resort - RR#2, 7100 County Rd. 18, Roseneath

PORT HOPE:
Hill and Dale Manor Bed & Breakfast - 47 Pine Street South, Port Hope

Bicycle Ottawa along the Rideau Canal

ST. LAWRENCE & RIDEAU CANAL Gananoque, Kingston, Ottawa, Brockville, Prescott, Kemptville, Merrickville    MAP
Tourist Information: 1000 Islands Gananoque   Kingston Area   Ottawa   Rideau Heritage Route
[Picture:Bicycle Ottawa along the Rideau Canal]

Bicycle along the St. Lawrence River and Rideau Canal from Gananoque or Brockville east to Prescott and Cornwall, north to Kemptville on the Rideau River. In Gananoque enjoy the lively waterfront with the river front Heritage Centre, Thousand Island boat cruises and theatre at the Thousand Islands Playhouse or take a short ferry ride to Howe Island. Brockville's attractions include the farmers market, historic railway tunnel, Theater Brockville and Fulford House 1900's Edwardian mansion. Pass the historic locks of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa - the Nation's Capital, Merrickville, Smiths Falls, Westport and Kingston.

The route along the St. Lawrence is part of the Waterfront Trail including the Thousand Islands Parkway bikeway and bike paths in Cornwall. The route to the north and along the Rideau Canal is on quiet paved secondary roads. There is a popular railtrail east of Ottawa which goes east of Vankleek Hill

The terrain is quite flat along the St. Lawrence and east of Ottawa; rolling in other areas.

This is a very scenic area of small lakes and historic towns.

ACCOMMODATION - ST. LAWRENCE RIDEAU CANAL
BROCKVILLE:
Best Western White House Inn - 1843 Road 2, Brockville

GANANOQUE:
Islandview Inn Bed & Breakfast - 195 Market Street, Gananoque
Sleepy Hollow Bed &Breakfast - 95 King Street West, Gananoque

PRESCOTT:
Ashbury Inn on the River B&B - 1665 County Road 2, Prescott

Bicycle the Bruce Peninsula and Chantry Island lighthouse

BRUCE PENINSULA Owen Sound, Collingwood, Port Elgin, Paisley, Markdale, Beaver Valley    MAP
Tourist Information: Grey County   Collingwood Area   Bruce County
[Picture:Bicycle the Bruce Peninsula and Chantry Island lighthouse]

The Bruce Peninsula includes the rocky shores of Georgian Bay in Collingwood, Owen Sound and Wiarton, the Lake Huron beaches at Port Elgin and the Saugeen River valley historic mill towns of Paisley and Markdale plus the scenic ski hills of the Beaver Valley. This is a summer resort area with scenic waterfront and quiet country roads.

There are off road bicycling opportunities on unpaved railtrails between Southampton and Port Elgin and on and the Georgian Trail between Meaford and Collingwood.

The terrain is generally flat to rolling with hills in Owen Sound and the Beaver Valley.

This area has several historic lighthouses on Lake Huron including Southampton, Point Clark and Kincardine - which has a piper at sunset. The Saugeen River valley is an Amish Mennonite farming area with two historic breweries still in operation, the 1859 Neustadt Springs Brewery and the 1870 Formosa Springs Brewery. You can see the cascading eighty foot high waterfall at Inglis Falls near Owen Sound and visit the home of Wiarton Willie, the world famous groundhog weather forecaster who makes his prediction each February.

ACCOMMODATION - BRUCE PENINSULA
HANOVER:
 Alternative Health Spa Bed & Breakfast - 540 10th Avenue Hanover

Bicycle Lake Huron from the Blue Water International Bridge

HURON SHORE Goderich, Bayfield, Ipperwash Beach, Grand Bend, Sarnia    MAP
Tourist Information: Tourism Sarnia - Lambton   Huron County
[Picture:Bicycle Lake Huron from the Blue Water International Bridge]

The Huron Shore area continues from Sarnia on the St. Clair River north along Lake Huron to the popular beaches at Ipperwash and Grand Bend and the charming historic lakefront towns of Bayfield and Goderich. Bayfield Village is a busy port for small boats but looks pretty much as it did in the 1840's with its quaint main street. A back road route takes you to Goderich with a unique downtown centered on the octagonal town square, lighthouse and beaches on Lake Huron.

Off road bicycling is available on the Rotary Trail (adjacent to Highway 21) from Pinery Provincial Park to Grand Bend and inside the park. The Sarnia area has bike paths from Errol on Lake Huron continuing 20 kilometers under the Blue Water Bridge as well as kilometers 40 kilometers on the St. Clair Parkway all the way to Wallaceburg. Small ferries connect to the Bridge to Bay Trail in Michigan at Sombra [Marine City] and Walpole Island [Algonac].

The terrain is generally quite flat with some river valleys.

Ipperwash Beach is a broad sand beach with a shallow shoreline and spectacular sunsets. Best of all, you can enjoy it all day and park your motor vehicle at no charge.

Bicycle Waterloo with Mennonite Horse and Buggy

GRAND RIVER NORTH Waterloo, Guelph, St. Jacobs, Elora    MAP
Tourist Information: Waterloo Region   Guelph & Wellington County
[Picture:Bicycle Waterloo with Mennonite Horse and Buggy]

Grand River North includes the Grand River valley cities of Guelph and Waterloo along with Mennonite farming areas to the north including St. Jacobs, Elora and Fergus. Bicycle across Ontario's only remaining covered bridge at West Montrose, south of Elora, and ride with Mennonite horses and buggys.

The bicycle touring routes in this area are on paved secondary roads and there are paved shoulders in some areas of Waterloo Region.

This area has rolling terrain.

Follow the scenic Grand River and see the scenic Elora Gorge from the 1870 Elora Mill - now an inn and restaurant - or explore the gorge by taking a short walk from town.

Bicycle Grand River and See First Nations Pow Wow

GRAND RIVER SOUTH Brantford, Paris, Six Nations Territory, Hamilton    MAP
Tourist Information: Brantford Tourism    Six Nations Tourism    Tourism Hamilton   
[Picture:Bicycle Grand River and See First Nations Pow Wow]

Grand River South includes the Grand River valley from Paris and Brantford south through Six Nations First Nations Territory. The Grand River is a designated Canadian Heritage River and a wonderful natural resource for hiking, canoeing, bird watching, fishing and camping as well as bicycling. Experience the scenic valley towns and the large Six Nations native settlement of loyalist natives who relocated from the Mohawk valley of New York State in 1784.

There are off road bike paths in the Grand River valley from Cambridge south through Paris. Bike paths connect from Paris to Brantford and east to Hamilton [Ancaster and Dundas].

The terrain is rolling to hilly near Paris, Brantford and Hamilton but quite flat going south through the Six Nations Territory.

In Brantford, visit the family home of Alexander Graham Bell overlooking the Grand River where he developed the principle of the telephone in 1874 and the location of the first long distance telephone call. Other attractions include a native cultural centre and replica 17th century Iroquoian village, a restored 1919 and museums.

Bicycle the Ports of Lake Erie and Port Stanley Harbour

PORTS OF LAKE ERIE Port Dover, Port Rowan, Port Burwell, Port Stanley, Woodstock    MAP
Tourist Information: Norfolk County   Elgin County   Oxford County
[Picture:Bicycle the Ports of Lake Erie and Port Stanley Harbour]

The Ports of Lake Erie area includes the unique small ports on Lake Erie which were historic settlements in Port Dover, Port Rowan, Port Burwell and Port Stanley. This is one of the best areas for bicycle touring in Ontario with historic lakefront ports and a pleasant ride close to the Lake Erie shore. You can rest on the beaches and camp at the Provincial Parks at Long Point, Turkey Point or Port Burwell. Bike through the pretty rolling farmland of Oxford County to Tillsonburg and Woodstock.

The terrain is flat to slightly rolling.

Bicycling in this area is on on traffic free paved country roads.

Port Dover is a tourist center with theatre and restaurants featuring fresh Lake Erie perch and pickerel. Should you happen to visit there on any Friday the thirteenth watch out for a unique celebration with hundreds of recreational motorcyclists from near and far.

ACCOMMODATION - PORTS OF LAKE ERIE
WOODSTOCK:
Microtel Woodstock - 811 Athlone Avenue, Woodstock

Bicycle Thames River and Sunfest Music Festival, London

THAMES AVON Stratford, London, St. Marys    MAP
Tourist Information: Stratford Tourism    London Tourism
[Picture:Bicycle Thames River and Sunfest Music Festival, London]

The Thames Avon area is in the Thames River valley including Stratford - home of the internationally known Shakespearian Festival, London and St. Marys. Go for the theater at the Stratford Festival and stay to bicycle. The gardens, lakeside parks and restaurants make this an attractive place to stay a while.

Bicycling is mostly on tree lined country roads through scenic farmland. London has multi-use paths in many locations along the river.

The terrain is quite flat except when you cross the Thames River valley.

St. Marys has a wonderful main street of Victorian stone buildings, Canada's largest outdoor swimming pool in an old quarry to cool off on a hot day, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and a scenic riverside promenade. In London enjoy the outdoor festivals including the "Sunfest" world music festival in early July.