The most beautiful places to ride a bike in Quebec and Ontario

Whether you are a casual cyclist or a more experienced one, whether you ride a road or a gravel bike, let your pedal strokes guide you down the most beautiful roads and cycle paths on your next rides. SAIL employees from all over Quebec and Ontario reveal their favorite destinations for the most delightful summer rides.

In this article, you will discover our employees’ favorite places to ride their bikes.

• 1. The most beautiful places to ride a bike in Quebec

1. The Corridor des Cheminots
2. The Soulanges canal cycle path
3. The Tomifobia Nature Trail
4. The parc national de la Pointe-Taillon
5. La Mauricie National Park

• 2. The most beautiful places to ride a bike in Ontario

1. The Waterfront Trail
2. The Millennium Trail
3. Manitoulin Island
4. The Hamilton-Brantford-Cambridge Trail

Bikes

Read this article if you want to learn more about the different types of bikes.

1. The most beautiful places to ride a bike in Quebec

The Corridor des Cheminots – Quebec City

Photo credit: Jeff Frenette

Ride through Quebec City towards Shannon on this 22km long cycle path built on a former railway line. Passing through the districts of La Cité-Limoilou, les Rivières, la Haute-Saint-Charles and Laurentien, the Corridor des Cheminots is a enjoyable path mixing urban and countryside landscapes, and easy for the whole family to cycle on.

Distance: 22km one-way
Bike type: road bike, gravel bike, city bike

The canal de Soulanges – Montérégie

Photo credit: Tourisme Montérégie

Cycling is the perfect mode of transport to discover the scenery and history of the canal de Soulanges, its scenery and history. A paved cycle path allows cyclists to follow the water for the first 23.5 km, whilst the return journey can be done via the river road, a scenic road going through several villages and offering lovely views over the St. Lawrence River.

Distance: 25k one-way
Bike type: road bike, gravel bike, city bike

The Tomifobia Nature Trail – Eastern Townships

Photo credit: Tourisme Cantons-de-L’Est

Only 15 minutes from the city of Magog, this nature path is an ideal bike circuit for those hoping to escape the city without venturing too far from civilization. The stone dust path links the charming villages of Ayer’s Cliff and Stanstead, near the US border. This is a former railway line going over several bridges in a beautiful setting. Keep your eyes open, you may see a few turtles!

Distance: 10km one-way
Bike type: gravel bike

The parc national de la Pointe Taillon – Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Photo credit: Sépaq

If the Véloroute des Bleuets needs no introduction, it’s worth lingering on one of its wildest stretches. For 16km, the circuit uses a path located in the parc national de la Pointe-Taillon, on the north bank of the Lac Saint-Jean. It’s the perfect opportunity to stop at some of its many sandy beaches, and camp there to watch amazing sunsets. It’s worth noting that bike rentals in the park are free for kids (17 and under).

Distance: a 45km network bike path
Biking type: gravel bike

La Mauricie National Park – Mauricie

Photo credit: Tourisme Mauricie

Whether on a road or gravel bike, some of the province’s most beautiful itineraries await in the La Mauricie National Park. For cyclists who enjoy riding on beautifully scenic roads, the Promenade is a must. This 63km-long and very hilly road crosses the park and its varied landscape. For those who prefer gravel biking, you can wind through the forest on several looping stone dust circuits ranging from 4 to 44km in distance.

Distance: 4 to 63km
Biking type: gravel or road bike

2. The most beautiful places to ride a bike in Ontario

The Waterfront Trail – Great Lakes and Georgian Bay

Photo credit: Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

The Waterfront Trail is a vast network of cycle paths in Ontario offering a range of routes alongside the Great Lakes and the fantastic Georgian Bay. Choose your itinerary based on whether you want to ride for a few hours or a few days, without ever going through the same area twice. The Niagara-on-the-Lake region is a great favorite and a delight to explore on the bike.

Distance: A total of 1200km
Bike type: gravel bike and road bike

The Millennium Trail – Prince Edward County

Photo credit: Prince Edward County Tourism

The Millennium Trail is a beautiful cycle corridor passing through the rural county of Prince Edward, halfway between Ottawa and Toronto, alongside Lake Ontario. This region is especially known for its vineyards, and the Millennium Trail gives you the opportunity to stop at several wineries for a few wine tastings along the way. A beautiful cycling destination for the holidays!

Distance: 49km
Bike type: gravel bike

Manitoulin Island

Photo credit: Ontario Tourism

 Biggest freshwater island in the world, Manitoulin Island is located on Lake Huron and is accessible all year round via ferry (departing from Tobermory) or via the famous Little Current Swing Bridge (from Sudbury). Once you’ve arrived on the island, you can explore it at your leisure on your bike, cycling on country roads which will take you to beautiful beaches and several scenic viewpoints looking over the lake.

Distance: Several dozen kilometers over country roads
Biking type: gravel bike and road bike

Hamilton-Brantford-Cambridge Trail

Photo credit: Hamilton Tourism

South of Toronto, there are plenty of opportunities to cycle on dedicated cycle paths thanks to the network developed by the municipalities of Hamilton, Brantford and Cambridge. Here, families and experienced cyclists alike are welcome to take on routes ranging from 14 to 32km, all of which are fairly flat and quite varied. Each route offers opportunities to stop and enjoy the view over the region’s many bodies of water.

Distance: a total of 77km
Biking type: gravel bike