5 WORLD-CLASS CYCLING ROUTES
1. GLORIOUS GANARASKA
About 60 minutes east of Toronto, Northumberland County’s unique roads, views and villages are ideal for cyclists. The Glorious Ganaraska loop is 30 km, with an average slope of 1-7%. You can take a shorter ride and enjoy a very relaxed pace. Just park in historic, downtown Port Hope near Walton Street and ride along Lake Ontario.
DISCOVER:
- Port Hope’s alluring charm
- Ganaraska River views
- Heritage buildings
- Idyllic hamlets
- Country estates
CYCLE TO ADDRESSES:
- Port Hope Town Hall, 56 Queen St., Port Hope, ON
- Primitive Designs, 2762 County Rd.28, Port Hope, ON
- Sylvan Glen Conservation Area, 3472 Sylvan Glen Rd., Port Hope, ON
- Haute Goat, 1166 Fifth Line, Port Hope, ON
- Views from Bests Rd., Bests Rd. & Hwy 401,ON
2. RICE LAKE RAMBLE
Just east of Canada’s largest city, Toronto, Ontario, you can try a cycling experience that’s a world apart. The Rice Lake Ramble is a 74 km route, with an average slope of 2-8%. It can be easily be divided into shorter sections. For instance, you can drive north towards Alderville and park at Lloyd's Store (8833 Hwy. 45) or at the Alderville Administration building (11696 Line Rd. 2). From there you can cycle towards Harwood, taking a rest and a dip just off the banks of Rice Lake. Or you can ride south to pick up the Greenbelt route and explore Peter's Woods Conservation Area.
DISCOVER:
- Cobourg’s magical heritage
- Rice Lake views
- Rolling hills
- Crystal-clear swimming holes
CYCLE TO ADDRESSES:
- Downtown Cobourg, 55 King St. W., Cobourg, ON
- Peter’s Wood’s Provincial Nature Reserve, McDonald Rd., Centreton, ON (GPS co-ordinates 44.125049, -78.04353)
- Alderville First Nation, Roseneath, ON
- Lakefront Gazebo, Plank and Kelly Roads, Gore’s Landing, ON
3. SHELTER VALLEY
One avid cyclist has called the Shelter Valley ride “a little bit of everything in a beautiful bundle of hills.” You can ride the full 50 km route (an average slope of 1-4%), starting in Cobourg – or drive and park in Grafton, riding north through Shelter Valley, or southwest along the lakeshore.
DISCOVER:
- Historic Grafton Village and/or Cobourg
- Welcoming orchards and farms
- Unforgettable views
CYCLE TO ADDRESSES:
- Downtown Cobourg, King St. W., Cobourg, ON
- Village of Grafton, Heritage Building, 105 Danforth Rd., Grafton, ON
- Township of Alnwick Haldimand Town Hall, 10836 County Rd. 2, Grafton, ON
- Nawautin Nature Sanctuary and Wetland, Nawautin Dr. S., Grafton, ON
- Ste. Anne’s Spa & Bakery, 1009 Massey Rd., Grafton, ON
- Pipeline Road views, Pipeline Rd. and Shelter Valley Rd., Grafton, ON
4. PRESQU’ILE PROMISE
The average slope on the Presqu'ile Promise route is 1-6%. The ride in and out through Presqu’ile Provincial Park is a real highlight, as well as the hills. You can cycle into the park and explore the Brighton Bay Marsh. The entire cycling route is 69 km, but can be divided into much shorter rides. Try starting in Colborne and riding east along the lakeshore.
DISCOVER:
- A Provincial Park and birding haven
- Colborne and Brighton, part of Ontario’s apple route
- Quiet shorelines and lakeshore breezes
CYCLE TO ADDRESSES:
- Victoria Square, Percy St., Colborne, ON
- Presqu’ile Provincial Park, 328 Presqu’ile Parkway, Brighton, ON
- Brighton Shops, Main Street, Brighton, ON
- Little Lake Public Beach, Lake Rd., Colborne, ON
- Wicklow Beach, Lakeport Rd., Colborne, ON
5. TRENT RIVER TRUCKIN’
Warkworth and the surrounding area provide an incredible backdrop for a fun, rolling ride. There are some hill climbs, but then you can enjoy coasting down the hills and making some great village stops. The total Trent River Truckin' route is 63 km, but can be thoroughly enjoyed as a shorter ride.
DISCOVER:
- Warkworth’s artisan shops
- Campbellford’s flavours from chocolate to beer
- The Trent-Severn Waterway
CYCLE TO ADDRESSES:
- Cafés and Artisan Shops, Main Street, Warkworth, ON
- Giant Toonie and Campbellford, 55 Grand Rd., Campbellford, ON
Looking for other places to ride our rolling hills or see our sunny lakeshore?
Northumberland is tops in the province for great places to cycle. Visit our CYCLING page for more cycling info, including details on other great routes, as well as links to our partners like Ontario by Bike.
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