Cycling in South Georgian Bay: The Top Routes, Stops, and So Much More!

There’s terrific cycling to be had in Ontario’s South Georgian Bay region, whether that’s on an old rail trail, cruising along the water, exploring charming local communities, or tackling hills to get those spectacular vantage points.

South Georgian Bay is a region well worth exploring, and even more so if, like me, you’re an avid cyclist. It’s only about a 90 minute drive from Toronto, and it’s a remarkably diverse region, both in terms of nature and culture.

From a nature perspective, you’re looking at the opportunity to explore some of the highest points in the Niagara Escarpment, as well as the chance to get more familiar with the UNESCO recognized Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, thought to be the world’s largest freshwater archipelago.

Culturally, you’re looking at the chance to better ingratiate yourself with communities such as Collingwood, Thornbury, Creemore, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, Springwater, and the Town of the Blue Mountains.

The appeal to a cyclist is multifold. For one, there is an extensive trail network that is a serious appeal to cyclists with a gravel bike like myself, but you’ve also got some scenic road climbs for when you want to get a serious sweat going on the saddle, and challenge yourself.

If you’re a longtime reader, you’ll know that I try to plan cycling trips around stops at cafes, restaurants, breweries and vineyards, and that’s also a breeze in this region considering the communities that are here. It doesn’t have to be too formal either - when I was ripping along the Georgian Trail, I simply knew that I was going to have lunch in Thornbury. That led me to the Thornbury Bakery Cafe, and then I added an impromptu stop to the Thornbury Craft Co. Cider & Brew House, and nabbed a coffee at Good Grief.

There are opportunities to do this kind of thing literally anywhere, but also to do things like ride along the longest freshwater beach in the world (in Wasaga). It’s a perfect storm for great riding, my friends.

Riding Around South Georgian Bay

Many of you will know that, typically, I’m riding my durable and dependable Trek ALR 5 around Ontario, but in this case, I wanted to see a lot in a very short period of time, and that led me to my new friends over at Georgian Trail E-Bike Rentals. They offer Zebra and Zebra Step-Thru bikes which can be accessed in three different communities (so far) - Collingwood, Creemore, and The Blue Mountains.

The Georgian Trail E-Bikes garage in Collingwood.

I have always been a vocal supporter of the small businesses that make Ontario a better place for travellers, and that’s why we actually interviewed the founders and shared their story over on my sister site, Ultimate Ontario.

The process for renting is as easy as I’ve seen (something you can literally do all online), and their Down by the Bay Passport Program is a collaboration between them and local businesses (Low Down and the Blue Mountain Tea Company in Collingwood, Bank Cafe and YF Patissier-Chocolatier in Creemore, and Good Grief Coffee Roasters in Thornbury), which gives you a unique discount or offer when you pop into these spots.

E-biking means that you can be more ambitious about the combination or routes you can tackle in a weekend, and shoot for the stars when it comes to planning and exacting your ideal South Georgian Bay cycling adventure.

Which South Georgian Bay Cycling Routes Should Be On Your Radar?

I should briefly note that you can find all the routes that I’m talking about below on Strava thanks to the efforts of Cycle Simcoe. Simply search for the titles below on the platform.

Don’t let the beautiful weather go to waste.

THE GEORGIAN TRAIL (34 kms)

The Georgian Trail is an easy, 34 km long trail that starts at 3 Birch Street in Collingwood or Craigleith Depot at 113 Lakeshore Rd.

It runs near Hwy. 26 West and offers numerous access points along the way, which makes it easy to hop on and off to explore a little bit should you want to (and you should).

This trail provides one of the most scenic waterfront experiences in the area, as it follows the south shore of Georgian Bay. If I was visiting in the summer, I’d even be tempted to stop for a swim along the way, so perhaps pack your bathing suit in your bike bag. Talk about a way to combat overheating while cycling.

It’s essentially a uninterrupted gravel trail, so you have the opportunity to put on some tunes and get lost in your thoughts a little bit in between exploring Collingwood and communities like Thornbury in more depth.

This is an ideal starting point to cycling in the region. If this route it a little long, but you’re keen to spend some time on a rail trail, then you might want to consider the 14 kilometre Clearview-Collingwood Trail, which is a rail trail that takes you from Collingwood to Stayner.

The 7 beaches Route (60 kms)

You can already tell from the name that I’m going to recommend that you bring your preferred swimsuit for this ride as well. This is a bit of a longer ride, and can get a little busy during the summer months, but there’s good reason for that - because it’s gorgeous, and offers some great road riding.

If you want to avoid the crowds - consider getting up early, or rocking a late evening ride.

It’s a moderate-level cycling trail, covering a length of 60 km and starting at Wasaga Beach RecPlex on 1724 Mosley Street. The trail travels from Wasaga Beach to Historic Balm Beach along the shores of Georgian Bay.

The route is relatively flat and passes several beautiful beaches, including, of course, the world's longest freshwater beach in Wasaga Beach. Many people like to plan a swim at that midway point (Balm Beach). Afterward, you can grab a quick bite to eat and refill your water bottles before heading back to Wasaga Beach along the same route, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim once again to cool off.

THe North Simcoe Rail Trail (47 KMS)

The North Simcoe Rail Trail is a relatively easy rail trail with a length of 47 km each way, starting at Pinegrove Road near Hwy 90 or Phelpston roadside parking.

Following the route of the North Simcoe Railway, which dates back to 1878 and served the lumber business on Georgian Bay, the trail now offers stunning views of Minesing Swamp and Mayer's Marsh, and that makes this a popular route for cyclists who also happen to be birdwatchers!

Again, you get to decide how your trip unfolds, so if you’re a birder, then this may be more enticing than a Wasaga route which is more centred around potential swimming opportunities and beach time.

Along the way, you can explore historic Fort Willow (and could even try to time a visit to experience Fort Willow’s “Nine Mile Portage Heritage Festival” held in September).

The trail connects with the Tiny Trail to the north and the Ganaraska Hiking Trail to the south, providing additional opportunities for outdoor adventures if you’re so inclined. I know cyclists who literally travel with hiking shoes so they can hop off their bike, and fit in a little hiking that you definitely wouldn’t want to do in cycling shoes!

The Creemore Loop (60 KMs)

This is a personal favourite for me because of the opportunity to spend time in both Collingwood and Creemore. I’d personally plan things so that you can have a meal in Creemore, and perhaps pop into Creemore Springs Brewery.

Make no mistake, this is route is a moderate to advanced cycling trail. It covers a length of 60 km and starts at Fisher Fields Park in Collingwood.

The route begins with a relatively flat portion passing the Collingwood International Airport, perfect for warming up. As you cross County Road 91, the terrain becomes more challenging with rolling hills, providing multiple opportunities to view the beautiful Mad River along the way.

Halfway through the ride, as I alluded to above, you'll reach Creemore, a town known for its fantastic array of restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, and shopping, making it an ideal place to take a break and soak up the local culture (and don’t forget a camera or phone!).

Heading back to Collingwood, be prepared for the “Fairgrounds Road Climb,” which is a difficult but short ascent that feels well worth the climb when you get a fantastic view of Georgian Bay.

This is one of the routes that my brother and I live for.

The Badjeros Loop (85 kms)

The Badjeros Loop (starting in Fisher Fields Park in Collingwood) is designed for more advanced riders seeking out those challenging climbs and scenic views.

The route starts flat but becomes more demanding after crossing County Road 91, with rolling climbs that, like the route above, lead to stunning views of Georgian Bay. In this case, you’ll descend down into Creemore (so a bit of an opposite of the Creemore Loop).

Continuing through the quaint town of Dunedin, you’ll then face a rather intense climb up to Maple Valley and Highway 124 (be careful crossing here). The journey offers glimpses of Mennonite country, passing through farms and churches, before descending Pretty River Valley Road and returning to Collingwood.

If you’re looking for a route that’s even lengthier, consider the Lake Eugenia Loop, which comes in at 90 kilometres.

A Few Fun Routes Connected to Local Businesses and Culture

If you’re not a hardened cyclist looking to put in 100 kilometres per day, but you want to make the most of your experience cycling here, here are a few “fun routes” that could serve you well. If you do decide to rent an e-bike, you could potentially tackle a couple of these routes over a weekend.

The Thornbury Sticky Bun Loop (15 KMS)

Thornbury Bakery Cafe in Thornbury, Ontario.

Okay, can we stop for a minute and consider whether this is the best name ever for a cycling route?

The route isn’t too long, but does have some ups and downs, so most people consider it moderate.

Begin at the Thornbury Bakery and cycle through Thornbury, crossing the Beaver River into Clarksburg, known for its gallerie, and The Honey House. After crossing a single-lane bridge, you’ll enjoy a short climb up to Frogs Hollow (Side Rd 33), offering an epic view up a the top, then a pretty darn sweet ride down.

At Goldsmiths Market, carefully cross Hwy 26 and connect with the Georgian Trail to return to Thornbury Bakery. Thornbury, as I’ve alluded to above, is the perfect spot to grab a coffee and sit on the main street, just watching life roll on by. Remember that Good Grief is also a part of Georgian Trail E-Bikes Passport Program.

You can also go to the Thornbury Pier, replenish some of that calorie loss from riding by getting some ice-cream at Maiolo’s by the harbour, visit the Fish Ladder at the Bridge, and check out The Cheese Gallery across from the Bakery.

The Apple Pie Trail (40 Kilometres)

This route is unique in that you can turn it into a “pedal and paddle” adventure. Basically, a mixture of cycling and being out on the water.

In sum, you’ll cycle 40 km through scenic Beaver Valley orchards, trails, and country roads. The initial 3 km offers will get a bit of a sweat going, but you’ll get a nice breeze as you move forward and ride down the escarpment.

They recommend enjoying a delectable picnic lunch at Blackbird Pie Co., conveniently located near the launch point for a gentle 1-hour paddle down the picturesque Beaver River. Return to the Village via the Georgian Trail (noted up above), where, as I alluded to before, you can soak in the views of Georgian Bay's shoreline.

You can also ditch the idea of the paddle if that seems like too much, and simply build a route out of visiting the stops on the Apple Pie Trail.

The Elmvale Bakery Extension (37 Kms)

This route comes in at 37 kilometres, starts at the Wasaga Beach RecPlex, and lends itself to riders with a serious sweet tooth.

The route is an extension of The Iron Bridge Route, featuring moderately flat terrain and small valleys. It leads to downtown Elmvale, where you can treat yourself to something sweet mid-ride. Just outside of town, there's a freshwater spring to refill your water bottles, by the way.

This route also provides connections to the "Ontario Lake County" cycling routes, allowing you to explore other areas of Simcoe County. After enjoying a full belly and refreshing spring water, the ride continues with rolling hills, farm fields, and views of the Niagara Escarpment, leading back to Wasaga Beach, where you can reward yourself with an après-ride swim.

What Else Should You Consider?

If you want to squeeze in some mountain biking as well, Horseshoe Resort offers some solid downhill mountain biking as well as cross country bike trails. The Blue Mountain Bike Park could also be a good fit for you.
If you’re based in the region, look to see what cycling clubs are around you (Google is your friend here). Off the top of my head, I know there’s a Georgian Bay Cycling Club, as well as an Owen Sound Cycling Club.
If you find all these routes overwhelming, consider what communities you want to visit, and then build routes accordingly. That’s part of the reason I support the idea of ripping around South Georgian Bay via e-bike (and my friends over at Georgian Trail E-Bikes), because you can be a little more flexible in how you approach things, and what trails you take to get places, as it’s not hard to make up time if you take detours, or spend a couple of hours in a place like Collingwood, Thornbury, or Creemore.
Especially in the summer months, take a peek at the event calendars for the towns and cities that you’re visiting. You can time your adventures with local festivals and events.
Summer may be the easiest time to pull all this off, but we’re talking about a four season cycling destination. That e-bike I was on is certainly capable of tackling hard gravel in colder months or a touch of snow. As they loved to say when I lived in Oslo, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”

South Georgian Bay Awaits

It’s hard for me to think of a more fun way to explore Ontario than on a saddle. Traversing a region via your bike gives you that chance to be outdoors and get some exercise, but also the chance to become more intimately familiar with the sights, sounds and businesses that have been bringing people to this area for such a long time.

Whether it’s a solo adventure, riding with a friend, or a chance to make some new memories with the family, I can say firmly that South Georgian Bay has the ingredients you’re looking for.