A Guide to Exploring Northern Ontario by Bike

Discover the best bike routes, mountain bike trails, cycling events, bike clubs and more.

Look north for some of Ontario’s finest cycling, mountain biking and fat biking adventures. First, consider the bike routes: a dreamscape of quiet country roads that are perfect for short or long distance cycle touring within or between quaint communities. If mountain biking or fat biking is more your style, you’ll find outstanding networks of single-track trails carved through the Canadian Shield - guaranteed to get your heart pumping.

Car with bike on back travelling down highway beside Lake Superior
Be sure to pack your bike on your next road trip. Photo: Destination Ontario

The hub communities of Thunder Bay, Kenora, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins and North Bay as well as Manitoulin Island all have vibrant cycling scenes, enthusiastic cycling clubs and full service bike shops plus excellent local breweries, food and accommodations.   

So whether you road, mountain or fat bike, just bought your first bike or have a garage full of them, you’ll find a bike route, trail, event or trip that’s right for you in Northern Ontario.

Get Connected 

Cycling can be as solitary or group-oriented as you want it to be - of course, we think getting out for a bike ride with friends or family brings an extra level of fun. Whether you live in an area or are a visitor, bike clubs and events are excellent ways to meet local cyclists, connect with the community and get motivated to ride.

Group of cyclists riding on a country road
Enjoy the camaraderie of a biking group. Photo: Destination Ontario

You can join a road cycling club, an off road cycling club, a mountain biking club and many more. You’ll benefit from shared knowledge, regular riding groups, races, skills clinics and special events. The enthusiasm is contagious. Beginners, road warriors and dirt grinders are all welcome.  

Get Out There 

No matter what type of cycling you’re looking to do or length of ride you want to go on, the resources below will help you determine the perfect destination for your next on-bike adventure.

Discover the best road cycling routes and trails, mountain bike and fat bike trails in Northern Ontario. Plus find local bike shops, bike rentals, friendly bike clubs, signature events and guided tours. Whether you already have a trip booked and want to sneak in an afternoon of biking or you want to plan a whole vacation around popular cycling spots, we have you covered. 

Northeastern Ontario is perfect for road cycling, mountain biking and backpacking vacations. Book a campsite and explore the mountain bike trails at Restoule Provincial Park or Kettle Lakes Provincial Park. Stay in a hotel room in Timmins, Sudbury or North Bay to take advantage of nearby mountain bike trails and road cycling routes.

Two cyclists standing with bikes watching ferry arrive
Take your bike on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry to Manitoulin Island. Photo: Destination Ontario

Manitoulin Island and the LaCloche Foothills are ideal for both recreational and touring cyclists. Quiet roadways take cyclists past scenic visitas, inland lakes and tranquil meadows. Enjoy the island’s rich cultural heritage and Indigenous communities. The Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA) have created 14 cycling routes with detailed maps. Plus they offer 5-day all-inclusive Alvar Cycle Tour vacations (June and September) and a fully supported 2-day Manitoulin Passage Ride Cycle Event (June).   

Browse below to learn about the best road and mountain bike routes, trails, events and more in Northeastern Ontario.

Visit Ontario By Bike’s Northeastern Ontario resource page to find regional road routes and mountain biking trails. Use Ontario By Bike’s interactive map to find bicycle-friendly accommodation, attractions, breweries, bike shops and rentals and places to eat.

Best Road Cycling Routes, Trails and TourS IN NE ONTARIO

Sudbury Region

North Bay Region

Manitoulin Island

Best Mountain Biking and Fat Biking Trails in Ne Ontario 

Sudbury Region

North Bay Region

Timmins Region

Bike Shops and Bike Rentals in Ne Ontario  

Sudbury Region

North Bay Region

Timmins Region

Ontario Parks Bike Rentals

Local Bike Clubs and Trail Organizations in Ne Ontario  

Check out local bike clubs and organizations for bike trails, routes, maps, weekly rides, training opportunities and events.

2022 Signature Events in Ne Ontario  

Thunder Bay, Kenora and Ontario Parks are the hotspots for road cycling, mountain biking and fat biking in Sunset Country and Superior Country. Find easy to challenging mountain bike and fat bike trails with unparalleled scenery at the likes of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and Trowbridge Forest among others in the Thunder Bay area. Cycle the recreational bike routes in Kenora.

Man riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail in the forest
Northwest Ontario has dynamic mountain biking trails and events. Photo: Destination Ontario

Browse below to learn about the best road and mountain bike routes, trails, events and more in Northwest Ontario.

Visit Ontario By Bike’s Northwest Ontario resource page to find regional road routes and mountain biking trails. Use Ontario By Bike’s interactive map to find bicycle-friendly accommodation, attractions, breweries, bike shops and rentals and places to eat.

Best Road Cycling Routes, Trails and Tours in NW Ontario

Best Ontario Parks for Family Bike Rides on Park Roads

Best Mountain Biking and Fat Biking Trails in NW Ontario 

Bike Shops and Bike Rentals in NW Ontario

Thunder Bay Region

Ontario Parks Bike Rentals

Bike Clubs and Trail Organizations in NW Ontario 

Check out local bike clubs and organizations for bike trails, routes, maps, weekly rides, training opportunities and events.

2022 Signature Events in NW Ontario 

Stay in Sault Ste. Marie or various locations in Algoma Country for access to spectacular road biking, trails and bike routes. Head north to Pancake Bay Provincial Park and Hiawatha Highlands for mountain bike trails that showcase the best natural environments the area has to offer.

Two people standing back to back with bicycles, looking at sunset
Enjoy the serenity and beauty of Algoma Country. Photo: Destination Ontario

Browse below to learn about the best road and mountain bike routes, trails, events and more in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Country.

Visit Ontario By Bike’s Algoma Country’s resource page to find regional road routes and mountain biking trails. Use Ontario By Bike’s interactive map to find bicycle-friendly accommodation, attractions, breweries, bike shops and rentals and places to eat.

Best Road Cycling Routes, Trails and Tours In SSMAlgoma 

Best Mountain Biking and Fat Biking Trails In SSMAlgoma  

Bike Shops and Bike Rentals In SSMAlgoma  

Bike Clubs and Trail Organizations In SSMAlgoma  

Check out local bike clubs and organizations for weekly rides, bike trails, routes, maps, training opportunities and events.

2022 Signature Events In SSMAlgoma  

Plan Your Cycling Adventure Now 

No matter what type of cycling you’re looking to do or length of ride you want to go on, you’ll find the perfect destination for your next on-bike adventure in Northern Ontario.

About Trish Manning

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer and the content coordinator for Ontario Outdoor Adventures. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

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