Top Ten Ontario Motorcycle Routes for 2013

Rolling farmlands, dozens of waterfalls, great food and even greater accommodations, Grey-Bruce is a little slice of heaven just 3 hours northwest of Toronto. Roads that hug the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, mixed with quiet rural scenes make for the perfect weekend riding destination.

7. Georgian Bay Coastal Route

This 800km (500 miles) loop around Georgian Bay reveals more of Ontario’s incredibly diverse riding – from the pale blue waters of Killarney, to the quiet hamlets of Manitoulin Island, to a big water crossing on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry (where motorcyclists always come first) — this route makes for a perfect four day Ontario primer.

6. The Kawarthas

2 hours northeast of Toronto are some of the best loved roads in province – Buckhorn Road, Dyno Road, Rice Lake Drive: the list could go on and on. Any visitor should make a point of checking out the massive Peterborough Lift Locks, eating at Muddy’s Pit BBQ, and riding the Buckhorn Road — at the posted speed limit of course.

5. Great Legends Circle Tour

This mammoth 1350km (830 miles) tour starts in North Bay and takes in the wilds of Northeastern Ontario. See Ganuk the polar bear in Cochrane, ride stunning Highway 144, visit historic Mattawa and take a side trip to Elk Lake through the fields of the Little Clay Belt.

4. The Ottawa Valley

Known far and wide for its quiet country roads that seem built for motorcycling, the Ottawa Valley is easy riding from New York, Vermont or Quebec. Check out Calabogie Road, the Opeongo Line and Barry’s Bay backroads for some of the twistiest roads around. Oh, and anyone visiting must stop for dinner at the Wilno Tavern. Trust us.

3. Ride Lake Superior

In motorcycling, there are all kinds of rides: day trips, big tours, short jaunts, road trips and more. And then there are epic bucket list rides. This is one of those. On par with world-class riding like Highway 1 in California, Lake Superior boasts the kind of scenery that makes you think you’re on another planet.

2. The Temiskaming Circle Tour

Riding through two provinces, three cultures and around one big lake is the theme of this trip. Riders get the best of both worlds, with wide open Northeastern Ontario highways, and the rolling hills of Quebec’s Highway 101.

1. The Grand Algoma Ride

Every single inch of pavement on this ride is incredible. Every. Single. Inch. Starting in the Soo (or Sault Ste. Marie as the tourists call it) ride east on the Trans-Canada to Thessalon and head north on Highway 129 (Ontario’s Tail of the Dragon) then take a left at Highway 556, and another left at Wawa where you’ll ride the most scenic highway in the province. ‘Nuff said.