Ontario, home to large cities like Toronto and Ottawa, has thousands breathtaking bike trails in the big city and in the country, that are a treat for any cyclist or outdoors person. Many people don’t know how much Ontario has to offer to the cycling community. From biking in the designated lanes in the province’s capital, to amazing views of the environment in Bruce County, that has some of the best cycling Ontario has to offer.
Although not available for the winter months, when the weather is right, Ontario’s cycling is some of the best in Canada. Offering trails like the Trans Canada Trail that stretches across Canada from sea to sea, and in Ontario offers views of many of the Great Lakes, as well as many other attractions.
Cycling in the City…
In Toronto, cycling is not only an amazing activity with hundreds of trails, but it is also a great kind of transportation. It has over 160 km of bike trails, and 250 km of designated bike lanes and shared roads. The city hugely encourages biking and is planning to expand its bike network to a total of 1000 km. It also has more than 3500 bike racks through out the city, and allows bikes on public transit at designated times. And for those looking for a more ‘outdoors’ experience its parks and trails are just as great. One of its amazing ravines, Don Valley, weaves and winds throughout Toronto. One can also experience amazing biking by the beach on the boardwalk trail.
Toronto isn’t the only city with great biking. Ottawa has more than 170 km of recreational pathways extending along the Rideau Canal, the Ottawa River and Gatineau Park. About 45 km of the pathways are part of the Trans Canada Trail. A new initiative that the city of Ottawa has started to encourage cycling is, on Sunday mornings during the summer, 65 km of parkway roads in Ottawa and Gatineau Park are closed to motor vehicles so that cyclists and skaters can take over the roads. Some highlights for cyclists include going to Parliament Hill, or seeing the Ottawa River.
Cycling Out of the City…
For those more interested in adventure and exploring, the trails offered in Central Ontario are remarkable, full of fun, adventure, and history. It offers amazing forests, sparkling rivers and lakes, and superb trails. Many of the trails are located in the Muskoka area, Haliburton, the Kawartha’s, the lower portion of Georgian Bay, over to Lake Huron and the top of the Bruce Peninsula, which are ideal for cottage goers.
One of the best parts of the region is in Algonquin Park which has its own network of land and water trails. For those who both love biking and history it also offers trails where there are many historic sites where you can explore the lives of the Jesuits, Huron Indians and early settlers at museums and historic villages.
How to Find Trails…
Sometimes these amazing trails can be difficult to find, especially in Toronto where the cycling paradises are virtually hidden. Before getting lost in the great scenery of the trails, you don’t want to get lost finding the trails in the first place. The Ontario Trails Council makes it easy, offering directions, and search options so you can find the best trails near you. Canada’s Trails has maps of trails and reviews of other cyclists saying their opinions of the different places.
Ontario offers cycling of all kind for everybody. From city riding to riding in the country, and from new riders to avid cyclists, Ontario is perfect for all. So grab your bike, put on your helmet, and enjoy your biking adventures across Ontario!
