20 Best Canadian Bike Tours to Ride Before Winter

Canada is famed for its diversity, not only that of its people but also that of its landscapes. There are several ways to see this country’s stunning natural beauty but there’s nothing quite like a bike ride to make you fall in love with Canada all over again. Think about it: on a bike, you feel the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair. You get to smell the fresh air and stop anywhere you like to get a closer look at the fauna and flora. On top of it all, you get to explore without leaving much of a carbon footprint behind.

The only question is where to ride your bike. Luckily we have the answer: here are the 20 best Canadian bike tours (long and short) to ride before winter. Many of them form part of The Great Trail, a network of car-free, multi-use trails that spans 24,000 km and passes through each of Canada’s provinces and territories. It is the world’s longest recreational trail.

https://thegreattrail.ca/

Cycling the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

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The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, Ontario: 3000 km

The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is an epic adventure that takes you along the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River, along the north shore of Lake Ontario, down to the Niagara Falls, along the north shore of Lake Erie and up to Lake Huron, where it follows the lake’s east and north shore all the way to Gros Cap.

Most of the route is paved although some sections consist of unpaved paths or gravel roads. There are some 140 communities along the route, including big cities like Toronto. You’ll also pass through farming and wine regions, parks and conservation areas and get to make a pitstop at any of the 169 beaches along the way.

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Niagara River Recreation Trail, Ontario: 56 km

One of the most amazing Canadian getaways for under $1000 is to travel from Toronto to Niagara Falls by train and then exploring the region by bike. Biking the Niagara River Recreation Trail is a leisurely way to see the region’s highlights, since the route follows the Niagara River. It takes you from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie, past vineyards and orchards and, of course, the Niagara Falls. It’s an easy route too, covering mostly flatland, so you don’t have to exert yourself too much.

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Rideau Canal, Ontario: 6.5 km

The Rideau Canal is one of Canada’s most famous winter playgrounds. However, just because you can’t skate on the canal in the warmer months doesn’t mean this isn’t a great place to take the kids for a day out. If you love biking but have small children who can’t bike long distances, the Rideau Canal Pathway from the Plaza Bridge to the Dows Lake Pavilion is perfect. It’s a short route over flat terrain with parks, museums, shops and restaurants along the way.

At the Dows Lake Pavilion you can choose to continue further along the pathway or you can swap the bikes for pedalling of a different kind: paddleboats.

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Route Verte, Quebec: 5300 km

Quebec’s Route Verte is widely considered one of the world’s best cycling routes. It’s actually a network of shorter trails that are connected to cover 5300 km across Quebec and link more than 320 municipalities along the way. These include routes along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River and all the way to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, where you might see humpback whales frolicking in the water, as well as routes more inland across mountains and around lakes.

The trails are a mix of disused railway tracks, bike paths, secondary roads and stretches of highway.

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Lachine Canal, Quebec: 13.5 km

Montreal is one of the best cities in Canada to visit during summer. One reason is the many festivals hosted here during the warmer months. Another reason is that Montreal is simply gorgeous this time of year.

The Lachine Canal’s bike path offers lots of green space with picnic spots, restrooms and drinking fountains along the way and is an easy route across flat terrain. You can traverse small bridges and watch the canal’s locks in action. The route stretches from the Bonaventure Expressway to Chemin du Musée, where you’ll find the Musée de Lachine with its heritage buildings and one of Canada’s largest sculpture gardens.

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Fundy Trail Parkway, New Brunswick: 16 km

The Fundy Trail Parkway is a network of hiking and biking trails along the Fundy coastline, with spectacular views of the Bay of Fundy and its famous high tides. The route also offers side trips to lovely waterfalls and beaches. There are lots of lookouts and observation decks along the way, which you can use as an excuse to catch your breath.

Biking the Fundy Trail Parkway isn’t for beginners since it features very steep hills. The scenery more than makes up for the tough going, though.

Confederation Trail, Prince Edward Island

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Confederation Trail, Prince Edward Island: 470 km

When the railways left Prince Edward Island, the Confederation Trail was born. The trail is a network of hiking and biking paths following the old railway tracks across the island. The main trail starts at Tignish near Prince Edward Island’s northern tip and ends 273 km further at Elmira, near the easternmost tip of the island.

There are branches to Charlottetown — one of the best places to visit in September — as well as other communities in the south and to the Confederation Bridge too. The Confederation Trail will take you over gentle hills through gorgeous rustic scenery and past the odd beach.

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Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia: 113 km

Biking the route between Digby and Margaretsville combines views of the Bay of Fundy with a trip though wine country. Along the way you’ll find historic sites like Fort Anne and quaint villages like Bear River with its buildings on stilts. You can include side trips to seaside communities and the three-centuries-old road between Annapolis Royal and the Port Royal National Historic Site.

The route varies between flat terrain in the valley itself and some steep climbs when you venture into the mountainous parts. Most of the route is along regular roads, so watch out for traffic.

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Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia: 300 km

Driving the Cabot Trail is one of the best Canadian trips for solo travellers but why drive it when you can bike it? Looping around Cape Breton with some stretches through the Cape Breton Highlands, the Cabot Trail offers a mix of flat terrain and some serious climbs, making it perfect for the more adventurous biker. Along the way you can visit coastal communities, replenish your energy with mouth-wateringly fresh seafood, enjoy spectacular views and some whale-spotting and see some wildlife in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

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Crow Wing Trail, Manitoba: 193 km

The Crow Wing Trail makes up Manitoba’s longest section of The Great Trail and connects Winnipeg to Emerson on the border with the United States. The trail follows an old oxcart route from the 1800s, which connected the Red River Settlement to Crow River on the banks of the Mississippi in Minnesota, where there was a trading post.

It’s not a very difficult trail but surfaces vary from paved road to dirt and gravel roads. After heavy rains you may have to ride on the grass on either side of the trail. You’ll pass through forest and prairie, get to visit small communities like the Roseau River First Nation and maybe even cross a suspension bridge or two.

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Viking Trail, Newfoundland and Labrador: 450 km

The Viking Trail takes you from Deer Lake along Newfoundland’s rugged coast and through Gros Morne National Park – one of Canada’s best national parks to visit this summer – on to the island’s northern tip, where you’ll find the remains of a Viking settlement at L’Anse Aux Meadows.

Biking the Viking Trail isn’t for the faint of heart: there are a few seriously steep climbs involved. However, you’ll be rewarded with views of a dramatic coastline and maybe even some icebergs and whales. You’ll also pass through quaint fishing villages along the way.

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Battleford Trails, Saskatchewan: 40 km

The Battlefords region, which includes the town of Battleford and the city of North Battleford, contains some 40 kms worth of trails. Some of these are more suited to hiking and cross-country skiing but others are perfect for biking.

A paved 12.5 km trail takes you from Battleford, along the North Saskatchewan River and across the bridge to North Battleford, and forms part of The Great Trail (it's a great adventure every Canadian must try). Another fun trail runs along the north shore of the North Saskatchewan River, covering some 25 km. The Battleford Trails are easy, running over flat terrain. Trail surfaces are mostly dirt and grass.

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Southern Lakes Loop, Yukon: 395 km

One of the best things about cycling in the Yukon during the warmer months is that you don’t have to worry about getting to your destination before dark. it’s not quite the Midnight Sun but summer days here are very long indeed.

The Southern Lakes Loop is a circular route that takes you from Whitehorse to the wilderness and lakes to the south of the city. In Carcross you can see the world’s smallest desert and give your legs a rest by hopping on the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, one of the best train trips in Canada. The Southern Lakes Loop includes some climbs due to the mountainous terrain but you’ll be riding on highways and paved roads most of the way.

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Ridge Road Heritage Trail, Yukon: 33 km

The Ridge Road Heritage Trail runs along the first territorial road in the Yukon, built in the days of the Klondike Gold Rush. The trail is located just outside Dawson City, one of Canada’s hidden gems. Even though the trail is quite short, it features some scary descents so it’s more suited to experienced bikers. Along the way you’ll go through forests and pass by historic sites dating from the area’s Gold Rush heyday.

Dempster Highway, Yukon and Northwest Territories

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Dempster Highway, Yukon and Northwest Territories: 740 km

For a bike ride very much off the beaten path you can’t go wrong with the Dempster Highway between Dawson City, Yukon and Inuvik, Northwest Territories, on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. There are some hills but also long, flat stretches through wide open spaces where bears, foxes and wolves roam.

The best times to bike this route are in summer or fall, since the unpaved road may still be frozen in spring. It’s also advisable to have a support vehicle, because weather conditions can change very quickly in the mountain passes and you’ll be camping most of the time.

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Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail, Alberta: 26.8 km

The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail is made up of the Banff Legacy Trail that stretches from the Bow Valley Parkway outside of the town of Banff to the Banff Park East Gate, with an additional stretch to Canmore, one of Canada’s most underrated towns.

It’s a multi-use trail that you’ll be sharing with hikers and people on horseback and most of it passes through the glorious scenery of Banff National Park. The route is a combination of paved trail and parkway and sine it mostly follows the river valleys, it’s not particularly difficult to ride.

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Icefields Parkway, Alberta: 232 km

The Icefields Parkway is one of those Canadian road trips you need to take at least once. If you want to up the ante a little, get out of your car and onto your bike.

The route links Jasper and Lake Louise, taking you through three national parks: Jasper, Yoho and Banff. You’ll travel through mountain passes and past incredible waterfalls, icefields and mountain scenery. Be on the lookout for wildlife and beware of traffic: you’ll be sharing the road with motorists who might get distracted by the views.

Kettle Valley Rail Trail, British Columbia

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Kettle Valley Rail Trail, British Columbia: 650 km

One of British Columbia’s most famous cycling routes is the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, which is a series of connected trails between Hope and Castlegar. You’ll past through farmland and vineyards surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. A fun stretch along the route is Myra Canyon near Kelowna, which features eighteen trestles and two tunnels. Before you venture out onto this trail, however, be sure to check the fire warnings for the area.

Galloping Goose Regional Trail, British Columbia

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Galloping Goose Regional Trail, British Columbia: 55 km

The Galloping Goose Regional Trail is another of Canada’s many recreational trails that used to be railway lines. It runs from Victoria to just north of Sooke, where the trail ends at the ghost town of Leechtown.

Tranquil coves, forests, farmland, waterways and marshland are some of the scenes you can enjoy on the trail. You’ll also travel along quiet city streets. A reminder of just how close to the city you are is the fact that not everyone uses the Galloping Goose Regional Trail for recreation: many people commute along this route.

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Stanley Park Seawall, British Columbia: 9.4 km

The Stanley Park Seawall in Vancouver probably wouldn’t count as one of those secret places in Canada that locals don’t want you to know about. After all, it’s one of the most famous locations in Canada. It’s also one of the best urban bike trails, running along the waterfront and offering spectacular views.

The terrain is flat, so the most challenging part of the route is to avoid other cyclists, skaters and pedestrians on what can be a very busy trail. If you want to keep on biking, you can extend your route all the way to Spanish Banks too.