Backroad Cycling Routes
Take a backroad tour of Lennox & Addington
Wide tire cyclists are going to absolutely love these new routes. We’ve assembled 10 fantastic loops that take you along a combination of picturesque gravel and paved roadways. We’ve incorporated parts of some popular rail trails too.
If you’re looking for authentic rural Ontario for your next cycling adventure, you’ve found it.
More and more cyclists are taking advantage of the quiet, country roads found here in Lennox & Addington. Our scenic routes overlook beautiful farming and natural landscapes that take you through our charming rural communities.
Route Itineraries
If you’re a tour organizer for a cycling club, organize outings with friends, or a ‘lone wolf’ that just loves riding the roads, our route itineraries make your visit to Lennox & Addington nice and simple. The itineraries provide a detailed map of the highlighted route and also show the secondary roads if you want to chart your own course.
Each specific loop is highlighted on a PDF that you can easily print from home. You can also upload the routes to your smartphone or GPS.
Hit the Backroads!
Request our free backroad route itineraries
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Amherst Island Ferry Dock, Stella
You’ll love this unique island riding experience. Take the Amherst Island Ferry from Millhaven (vehicles: $10, bicycle: $1.50) and enjoy the quiet gravel roads that take you around the island.
There’s so much to explore… rolling farmland, Irish dry stone walls, Sand Beach Wetlands Conservation Area and Owl Woods to name a few. Extend your visit with stops at Topsy Farms, The Weasel & Easel and Neilson Store Museum. The Back Kitchen and McGinn’s Amherst Island General Store will satisfy your hunger.
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company, Bath
A brewery ride? Sounds like a perfect place to start, and an even better place to end! Park at MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company and travel an amazing loop that is part asphalt and part gravel. There’s lots to see along the way, and you can enjoy a beverage after a fun day on the road.
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Maplescapes Farm, Odessa
You’ll love this loop, especially in the fall. Maplescapes Farm is a perfect launch point for this beautiful ride that takes you along quiet country roads that are lined with mature maple trees. Be sure to bring along your camera for this cycling adventure.
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Abrams Bakery, Newburgh
This is a pretty fun loop that takes in a beautiful stretch of the Cataraqui Trail. You can park at Abrams Bakery in Newburgh and connect with the old rail trail to Strathcona before hitting a combination of gravel and asphalt roadways. This loop will get a lot of favourite points with riders.
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: The Black Cat Cafe, Tamworth
Stone Mills Township is home to many charming little hamlets, many of which are found along this wonderful route. Park in Tamworth at The Black Cat Cafe and enjoy the roads that take you by Beaver Lake, Enterprise, Centreville and Croydon. You’ll cross the Salmon River several times along the way.
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Menzel Centennial Provincial Wildlife Area, Roblin
Start this cycling ride near Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve, a real gem of a hiking trail (no bikes on the trail, please). This route takes you along some great country roads, with a nice mix of asphalt and gravel along the way. You’ll also have some great views of the Salmon River in some locations, and we know you’ll love Buttermilk Falls near Forest Mills. This loop takes you into Hastings County and into the small community of Lonsdale.
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting Point: The Lakeview Tavern, Erinsville
We expect that this loop will tucker you out. Park near the Lakeview Tavern at Lions Beaver Lake Park. The route will take you through some amazing rural countryside in Stone Mills Township, and will sneak into Hastings County as well. There is quite a bit of elevation along the way so be prepared. The good news is there’s a cold drink (and maybe even a swim) waiting for you at the end.
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting Point: L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area, Erinsville
This loop is a fun one. You can start your trip from the parking lot at the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area and head down County Road 41. Note that this road is paved with shoulders, but is a rather busy road so please ride with caution. After turning off 41, you’ll experience a great mix of gravel and asphalt backroads, as well as a wonderful stretch of The Great Trail, a well-maintained rail trail. Sheffield Conservation Area is nearby and you’re welcome to take a dip in Mellon Lake. Stick around after dark… the view of the night sky is amazing!
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting Point: Addington Highlands Municipal Office, Flinton
You’re fully immersed in the Canadian Shield on this loop, so expect lots of up & down during your ride. Park at the Addington Highlands Municipal Office in Flinton. The views are spectacular the whole way around this rugged route. The easternmost section of the loop ventures into Frontenac County. If you have any energy left at the end of the ride, be sure to take a tour of the L&A Forest Trails.
Note: We recommend that you complete this loop from late spring through the fall. A 5km section of O’Donnell Road is unmaintained and you will want you avoid this loop in early spring.
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting Point: Finnegan's General Store, Cloyne
This loop is in the heart of the Canadian Shield. Park by Finnegan’s General Store and take in this short, but enjoyable route that comes highly recommended by local riders. This loop takes you into Frontenac County as as you ride east of Highway 41. There are plenty of scenic stops where you can take a photo, and if you want to extend your visit, Bon Echo Provincial Park is very close by.
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