I have reviewed every trail I have ridden on in Ontario. I highlight what is great about these trails, what things to watch out for on the trails and I even mention one trail that I would absolutely recommend that you do not visit.
I have also included some tips on how to find out as much detail about the trails before you actually visit them.
Below is a list of the trails in the order that they appear in the video.
0:00 Introduction
2:41 Elora Cateract Trailway
3:16 Caledon Trailway
3:44 Uxbridge to Lindsay Rail Trail
4:17 Sutton Zephyr Rail Trail
4:44 K & P Rail Trail
5:20 Chippewa and Gypsum Mines Tract Trail
5:57 Grey County Rail Trail
6:30 Thornton Cookstown Rail Trail
7:11 Dufferin County Rail Trail
7:47 Georgian Rail Trail
8:34 Victoria Rail Trail (North)
9:09 Lang Hastings Rail Trail
9:37 Millenium Rail Trail
10:31 Beaver River Trail
11:08 L E & N Rail Trail
11:58 Oro Medonte Rail Trail
12:35 Uthoff Rail Trail
13:24 Penetanguishine Trail
13:56 Tiny Township rail Trail
14:13 North Simcoe Rail Trail
14:36 Omemee Rail Trail
15:18 Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail
16:01 Hamilton Brantford Rail Trail
16:36 Haliburton County Rail Trail
17:15 Victoria Rail trail (South)
17:49 Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail
18 Comments
I was very interested in doing some cycling and astronomy in ontario but changed my plans after the recent bike lane fiasco. I spend my money where I am wanted.
Great video to watch in February! The G2G is on my list to roll on as soon as the weather allows. I learned that they were able to eliminate a detour by creating a new tunnel last september so its a perfect time to explore this trail.🎉
I've come to a realization as to why I enjoy biking so much is because the biking itself is the conclusion of many previous planning decisions.
I feel it once the bike pedals start turning
Thanks for the recap, Andrew. I think the reason I enjoy the rail trails is the feeling that you actually belong there. On the road, you feel unwanted a bit. I really enjoy the Clearview/Ccllingwood rail trail It's only 15 km, but there is a nice cafe at the end where you can refuel before turning around and going back. It does link to the Georgian trail if you want a longer ride. 🙂
Great summary Andrew, appreciate the website info, will be sure to check it out.
I've been lucky enough to cycle quite a few trail in and around the Waterloo / Cambridge / Brantford and surrounding areas.
There are so many great ones, if I had to choose my fav, probably between the Hamilton – Brantford and the G2G.
Cheers
Bob…
Great overview of the trails and many new ones for me to try. It would be useful to know where you recommend to park for each rail trail. Thanks.
Excellent review. My wife loves the Lindsay to Fenlon Falls trail. I have been to many of them, and prefer the ones that seldom cross major roads. Going to try and hit some trails I have not doe yet, which means a bit of a drive to the East. Also, never did the trails up near Collingwood so that is on the bucket list as well. As an active MTBer and trail rider, I do love the absence of cars!! Can't wait for the 2025 season.
I'm excited for this summer! I did the Victoria Rail Trail last summer from Haliburton to Lindsay, and then to Uxbridge. Also, with enough wrong turns the Simcoe loops is well over 170km's. Love the videos, thank you!
G2G ❤!!!
Random question: which cycling distance tires out the legs as much as a marathon? I'd love to hear your educated guess. For a fairly easy trail.
great summary – many thanks!
Great summary Andrew. Rail trails offer such an opportunity to connect with the outdoors safely and I love the small towns they often go through! I hope you make it to eastern Ontario this year so we can get out on the KP or Cataraqui Trail
Great review of our beautiful Rail trails! I have done many of these, but some (like G2G) are still on my bucket list. A highlight was complete Cataraqui Trail in October '22 with fall leaves ablaze 🙂
Great video!! We like the Cambridge to Paris, The Niagara River recreational trail, and likely my favourite what I call the Heritage Trail from Waterford to Port Dover…nice and shaded!
The reason I like rail trails is they are relatively flat. As much as I love climbing and descending , my cardiologist thinks otherwise. Trying to keep my heart rate at a certain level while climbing is difficult at best. Life is simpler on a rail trail. Also, I don't have to worry about getting plowed down by a vehicle and I only ride trails where ATV's and motorcycles are not allowed. When you take traffic out of the equation is really does free the mind to just enjoy cycling. Great video. You have become my number one source for great trails to ride on. Thank you.
You know that I have al kinds of bias towards your number one pick, but it really is a great trail with lots to offer everyone.
But what I have recognized is there are some others close to both you and I that I still need to try out.
Oh, and don't think it's lost on me that I am in the video on the G2G part which we'll need to do another ride again this year—maybe ride the section from the Maitland river to Goderich and back?
In addition to everything you and some of your other commenters mentioned, I like the historical aspect of railtrail riding, especially when crossing bridges, rock-cuts, etc. It makes me think about the labor that went into building the road and it makes me happy that though abandoned by the railroad, the road itself lives on and so the work that went into it is still enjoyed.
Thanks as always Andrew! So many great railtrails in Ontario with so little time! I hope we get through them all in Southern & Southwestern Ontario (the Ottawa area is great too…and of course "La Belle Province"). My favourite rail trail (so far), is Paris to Port Dover (& back…the former LE&N). Cheers Mate! 🍻