Cycling in Peterborough & the Kawarthas: Your Complete Guide to Some of the Best Cycling in Ontario
The sheer diversity of cycling on offer in Peterborough & the Kawarthas is astounding. I spent a number of days tackling the most popular routes of the region, but the overwhelming feeling I left with was that I could return weekend after weekend, and I’d never run out of intriguing routes, both gravel and paved. Beyond just the riding, there’s the community, and that makes cycling in Peterborough & the Kawarthas a must-do for the riders in this province.
On the “Hills, Views, and Pastries” Route with the Wild Rock Team. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of cycling in Ontario, largely because it’s given me the context I need to understand where the cycling in this province is truly exceptional. In retrospect, it’s a shame it took me so long to realize that Peterborough & the Kawarthas, a region I’ve visited innumerable times for a myriad of other reasons, is a cycling mecca.
It’s not that there’s any one single route, road, or path that will particularly blow your socks off - it’s the variety of available cycling that’s on offer. You’ve got top-tier pavement to ride, epic gravel, and the fact that you can easily form routes that showcase the best of both. I didn’t find the road traffic bad at all, either, and if it ever was, there was always a side road or a rail trail nearby that we could have all to ourselves.
When you add the viewpoints and natural beauty to the mix, along with the ease in which you can plan routes that roll through welcoming and vibrant communities in Peterborough & the Kawarthas (particularly as it relates to restaurants & pubs), it’s a big win for Ontario cyclists.
One thing I also underestimated - the cycling community here. I didn’t know how good the cycling was here, but residents of the region sure did. I had the chance to ride with some of the team from Wild Rock Outfitters (a bike shop founded in 1992 in Peterborough that anybody would be lucky to have near them), and it resulted in some of the most memorable riding I’ve ever done in this province.
Brayden, Kieran, Justin - a big thanks from my side, and now I hope to repay your efforts with my own - in putting together an article that will help my readers to recognize that it really doesn’t get much better than this.
*Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. Simply put, that just means that we may get a small commission from some of our recommendations at absolutely zero extra cost to you.
Let’s Start With the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Classics Cycling Routes
Brayden showing me the ropes of Peterborough & the Kawarathas riding. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
I should note that these classic routes are primarily road cycling routes (though there are some unpaved sections), but I will be highlighting gravel routes aplenty down below.
There are over 150 signs throughout the region that showcase these routes in particular, and will help keep you on track. Though, it always makes sense to utilize something like Strava or Ride with GPS to help you navigate along the way.
I also want to mention that newer cyclists shouldn’t be dissuaded from taking diversions. If you see a viewpoint or local business that speaks to you, it’s totally fine to head in that direction, and allow your tech stack to re-route you. A lot of the fun in cycling, I’ve found, is having a route be the backbone of your ride, but then making your particular route unique by following your instincts (within reason, of course).
I rode a couple of hundred kilometres over my last visit, often mixing multiple routes together (under the tutelage of the mighty Wild Rock team), and our approach was very much like the one I described up above.
Route 1 - Lakes, Rivers and Cafes (60 kms)
The Silver Bean Café, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry building behind it, with Quaker Oats in the background. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
This is a favourite among local residents and visitors alike. As with a lot of the riding in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, this is a route where you recognize just how quickly you can get out of a city or community and into the country - in the blink of an eye, quite honestly.
You start and end in Peterborough, but roll through the lakeside community of Bridgenorth, the country roads in and around Selwyn, and then Lakefield, before heading back into Peterborough. I particularly enjoyed the ride from Lakefield back into Peterborough, and the stretch along the Otonabee River which takes you past the campus of Trent University.
Personally, in riding parts of this route, we planned things so we could grab a coffee and small bite at The Nutty Bean Cafe in Lakefield, and a beer (or two) and lunch to celebrate the end of our ride at the Ashburnham Ale House.
I also spent the night at The Village Inn in Lakefield, and nabbed some delicious pub grub at Canoe & Paddle.
You can find full details about this route here. If 60 kilometres feels like a little too much for you, consider Route 1A, which covers a very similar route, but is only 45 kilometres in total.
Route 2 - The Cottage Country (100 kms)
Back roads mean peaceful riding. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
I did a fair chunk of this gorgeous route, and this is the route you’re looking for if you’re keen to experience the wilderness and cottage country that this region is oh so famous for.
As with Route 1, it starts and ends in Peterborough. You depart from Peterborough, connect with River Road, and cruise along the Otonabee. You’ll swing past Lakefield, and then you’ll feel world’s away from the stress of city life. At Hall’s Glen, the route heads east, then south through the farming communities surrounding Peterborough (Centre Dummer, Cottesloe, Guerin etc.)
If you want to grab a bite before or after in Peterborough, consider Smitty’s Family Restaurant, Publican House Brew Pub, Gerti’s, and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant. It’s worth noting that, en route, you could also visit Hobart’s Lighthouse at McCracken’s Landing.
Full details here, and if 80 kilometres feels more comfortable, then you can consider Route 2A.
Route 3 - Hills, Views, and Pastries(80 Kms)
Rolling into Millbrook, Ontario. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
On this route, you’re heading south of Peterborough, where you’re going to encounter some beautiful rolling hills, and a challenging climb or two. It’s the viewpoints that make this one special, in my humble opinion, especially the views of Rice Lake. We all stopped to snap photos there, and I get the sense that the guys I was riding with might have seen those views a couple hundred times, and they didn’t seem any less awestruck that I was.
I mentioned up above that making impromptu stops can be a lot of fun whilst cycling - that’s precisely what we did at Rolling Grape Vineyard, as we popped in to sip primarily on some chilled whites (though, not too much, of course!).
Many great memories on a good cycling trip happen off the saddle, too! Photo Credit: Justin Ross
On this route, you’re heading down to Bailieboro, and then into Millbrook. If you’re riding this route, I feel you’d be remiss not to park your bike for a moment and explore and appreciate Millbrook which, to me, is one of the prettiest little towns in Ontario. Eat plenty, as you’ll need the energy to tackle Prison Hill when you’re heading out of the town!
In terms of where to eat, my vote goes to Pastry Peddler. It’s a fantastic bakery, cafe and restaurant, sure, but let’s not forget that it’s literally bicycle themed. They also make sure they’re taking care of the cyclists coming in - getting food ready quickly, providing plenty of water, and seemingly taking a lot of pleasure in the fact that people are out exploring this beautiful region on two wheels.
You’ll then be heading through Ida Hill, and before you know it, you’re back in Peterborough.
Full details and a map here, and as with the first two routes, there’s a shorter version (coming in at 65 kilometres) that you can find here.
Oh, hello Rice Lake. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
—
The Kawarthas, in yet another attestation to their welcoming stance for cyclists, has put together a list of “Quick Stops & Services” (basically drug stores, convenience stores, fast restaurants, and grocery stores) that you can find here if you’re curious.
Gravel Routes to Have on Your Radar
If you want to get the full taste of what Peterborough & the Kawarthas has to offer from a gravel perspective, I’d recommend the route designed by Wild Rock called “Introduction to the Charms of Peterborough Gravel.” It comes in at 69 kilometres, is 51% unpaved, but the elevation isn’t too bad at all.
I rode a good portion of this route alongside the fellas, and this route swings takes primarily to the northeast of Peterborough on quiet roads, through Warsaw, and on back.
An ice-cream and Gatorade stop in Warsaw, Ontario - because, why not? Photo Credit: Justin Ross
If you’re looking for something a little shorter (and perhaps a touch more gravel), then you should consider the “Southern Gravel & Hope Mill” route, which comes in at 41 kilometres, and is 74% unpaved. You’ll get out of Peterborough on the Trans Canada Trail, rip past the Hope Mill (near Lang, Ontario), and towards Assumption, back to Peterborough.
If 41 clicks still feels a little too much for you at this point in your riding experience, then very likely that the perfect route for you will be their 25 kilometre “Gravel Sampler.”
Off-road is on point. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
Paved Routes to Consider
Again, I’m leaning on my friends at Wild Rock here, who are route designers extraordinaire. Note that some of these routes to slip into Northumberland County as well as points.
If I was heading up here with my brother, and we had our road bikes as opposed to gravel bikes, we’d be aiming to tackle the Rice Lake Loop, which comes in at 125 kilometres and 1332 metres of total ascent. It is as it sounds - a route around the lake that will take you from Peterborough to communities like Keene, Hastings, Harwood, Gores Landing, and Bewdley.
The roads await. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
Anytime that I’m up near Keene, I personally love to plan a visit to Muddy’s Pit BBQ, a restaurant we’ve written about on my sister site, Ultimate Ontario. You can also plan to cut this route up into two, and stay the night at Elmhirst’s Resort, a place I’m incredibly fond of.
An 81 kilometre route that I like is called the “Peterborough Cycling Daycation.” It’s similar to some other routes I’ve mentioned, but you’re sticking mostly to the road while rolling up to Lakefield, onwards to Young’s Point, and then back through Warsaw and eventually back to Peterborough.
For the Hardcore Riders
I’ll point your attention here to an absolutely epic route known as “The North of 7 770”. It’s 62% unpaved, has a whopping 8137 metres of total ascent, and of course is a multi-day affair. Wild Rock mentions that “5-8 days” would be appropriate.
This takes your from Peterborough up to the Kawartha Lakes, past Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park on to Apsley and Gilmour, and swinging all the way back around through Tweed and more. This is a route that will take some planning.
If you’ve got the right crew, no distance is too far. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
If this seems like a little too much for the time being, then consider “The Northern Way,” a 217 kilometre route that can be tackled over a few days.
Other Routes to Consider in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
If you want to keep it easy, you can just focus on The Lakefield Trail, which essentially is a nice easy, packed gravel route that will take you from Peterborough to Lakefield and back, and comes in around 32 kms.
You can also take The Lang-Hastings Trail (a rail trail) to Keene and back. This eventually will utilize County Road 34 as well. This is about 30 kilometres roundtrip.
If it’s mountain biking you’re after, All Trails has a list of 9 popular trails.
Where Can You Get Your Bike Serviced If Need Be?
If my Trek needed some love, I’d be in good hands.
I’ll add the full recommended list here from Peterborough & the Kawarthas, but I’d strongly recommend going with a local business where you can as opposed to a big retailer. I’m partial to Wild Rock, naturally, since I know the shop and staff very well - and I know that, as with me, cycling isn’t an activity to them as much as it is a lifestyle. They eat, sleep, and breathe cycling, and I’m here for it.
Wild Rock Outfitters – 169 Charlotte St, Peterborough
Fontaine Source for Sports – 384 Queen St, Peterborough
Spokes ‘N’ Pedals – 464 Aylmer St N, Peterborough
Green Street E-Bikes – 237 George St N, Peterborough
B!ke Community Bike Shop – 293 George St N, Peterborough
Canadian Tire – 1050 Chemong Rd, Peterborough
Canadian Tire – 1200 Lansdowne St W, Peterborough
GreenUp Store – 378 Aylmer Street N, Peterborough
Sport Chek – Lansdowne Place Mall – 645 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough
Clubs & Communities
Don’t forget - joining communities means you’ve often got folks to nab a meal or beer with to celebrate completing a ride! Photo Credit: Justin Ross
There are two communities on Strava that you may want to join. If you’re riding around here a lot, you can use clubs to see what routes other people are riding, to encourage and support fellow riders, and to make new friends. As a competitive fellow myself, I rather like the leaderboard functionality.
In Peterborough & the Kawarthas, you’ll want to keep eyes on the Peterborough Cycling Club page, as well as the Wild Rock page.
In terms of Peterborough Cycling Club, I’d recommend heading to their site to see what rides are upcoming, as well as events.
For reference, “the Peterborough Cycling Club is a locally-based volunteer run non-profit organisation affiliated with the Ontario Cycling Association and the International Mountain Biking Association. The club offers rides to its members on most days of the week. Our rides cover a wide range of fitness and abilities with great opportunities for skill enhancement as well. From the most casual-paced to competitive road cycling; from mountain bikes to time trialling, we try very hard to reach all interests and age groups.”
Great Cycling Awaits
Come for the cycling, stay for the epic photo ops. Photo Credit: Justin Ross
I hope that this article has given you a well rounded picture of what’s possible when it comes to cycling in this region. If you want to some further planning, I’d love to point you to Peterborough & the Kawarthas Cycling & Trails Map. You can actually pick up a copy at the Visitor Centre if you’d like one!
At this point, I’ve spent hundreds of hours exploring this province by saddle, and there’s just a special mix here of riding, largely because whether you’re keen to rip some roads, or cruise along some gravel, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.
I want to humbly thank Peterborough & the Kawarthas for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own. If you appreciated this article, you’ll love our newsletter, as well as our Facebook group! Feel free to join, all are welcome.