When looking for your next great ride, a recommendation from a cycling friend can go a long way. Since we do not all travel in the same circles, we are here to share what we’ve heard from cyclists riding in the Kawartha Lakes, whether that be independently discovering trails and road routes or participating in the area’s flagship annual cycling event, the Kawartha Lakes Classic – the jury is in… with rave reviews.
If you are trying to place Kawartha Lakes on the map, you’ll find it in Central Ontario, about 1.5 hours northeast of Toronto. With Lindsay as its largest centre, nearby there is plenty of rural countryside and cottage country lakes to explore. Bisecting the region and with five unique lock stations stretching from Bobcaygeon to Kirkfield, the Trent Severn Waterway is a prominent feature that is easily included in a ride of any length.
Scenic Roads & Trails to Explore
For road cyclists visiting the area – there are hundreds of kilometres of quiet paved roads many of which have wide paved shoulders. Mapped and easy to follow, there are nine routes that span the area, that range from 36 to 71km in length, and can be combined for a longer tour.
For rail trail enthusiasts The Victoria Rail Trail runs 85km north from south, Bethany to Kinmount, connecting into Haliburton County. The Kawarthas Trans Canada Trail starts in Uxbridge, passes through Lindsay, Omemee and onwards past Peterborough. Mountain bikers can find forested trails at Ken Reid Conservation Area and at the Somerville Tract.
Kawartha Lakes Classic – August 29, 2026
A guaranteed easy and fun way to see more is to block off August 29th in your summer calendar to try the Kawartha Lakes Classic Cycling Tour. The 2026 ride will mark the 23rd anniversary of this long-standing, well regarded event that was first started and continues to combine community, fitness, and fundraising for a great cause, A Place Called Home, an emergency shelter.
Volunteer run by passionate cyclists, charity board members and members of the Kawartha Cycling Club, the event has grown from 75 riders to as many as 250 participants. With six different routes to choose from, there are a great variety of road, gravel and trail distances to choose from including 160, 100, 50 and 20km road routes; a 20km road and trail combo; and a 70km gravel route. A ride for everyone!
Riders who have participated for over a decade, shared with us the following:
Some of the things I like the most about the event are the routes which are well marked, the rest stops and lunch and it’s so much fun meeting other riders.
I love that it’s well organized with super friendly volunteers, a perfect family event for kids of all ages.
The route maps are well done. The post ride lunch has been well organized and provides an excellent opportunity for cyclists to trade stories about the ride.
We love the charity A Place Called Home and look forward to supporting this it every year.
When asked about his favourite event route, Dermot who has participated for 21 years said it was the gravel route because it was challenging.
With event organizers from the Kawarthas Cycling Club currently out investigating road conditions for 2026, you know care is taken in setting the ride routes each year, creating the route maps and ensuring they are well marked for the event day.
Additional Highlights in Kawartha Lakes
Before or after the event, or if making a separate ride plan, here are some additional recommendations and how to enjoy them by bike:
- Kirkfield Lift Lock – Lock 36 on the Trent Severn Waterway is an engineering marvel and the second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world. See it on the 67km Carden Ramble road route, and be sure to stop at Becky-Jo’s Fried Dough shop for a most delicious treat while in Kirkfield.
- Enjoy endless marshland views while cycling over the floating boardwalk through the Ken Reid Conservation Area and on the Victoria Rail Trail, just north of Lindsay.
- Don’t miss a trail ride over Doube’s Bridge, a scenic steel trestle bridge soaring 30 metres above the Buttermilk Valley. Find it along Kawarthas Trans Canada Trail, not far east of Omemee.
- Stop or start in Fenelon Falls to see the limestone gorge waterfall and Lock 34 in the heart of downtown. With breweries, patio’s, chocolate and ice cream shops beckoning, it’s worth a stop on the Four Village Tour, 38km option.
- Don’t miss Bobcaygeon, a stop in quintessential cottage country at Lock 32. Bobcaygeon is an Ontario By Bike certified bicycle friendly village, with plenty of bike racks, a bike pump, repair tools and a Bike Share Welcome Station, to rent bikes from.
- It would be rude to not sample any Kawartha Dairy ice cream when in Kawartha Lakes, where it all began. Grab a cone at either of their Lindsay or Bobcaygeon outlets. For additional sweet treats, take stop at Buttertarts ‘N More in Little Britain when riding the Mariposa Route or taking a short detour off the nearby Kawarthas Trans Canada Trail.
Whatever your ride choice is, pedalling the Kawartha Lakes Classic event or setting off with your own group, friends, family or solo, you will be sure to make some discoveries and have some recommendations to share onwards after a ride in the Kawartha Lakes.
Plan Your Ride in Kawartha Lakes This Summer
- Kawarthas Northumberland – Visitor information
- Explore Kawartha Lakes – Find information on the cycling routes and trails, plus more to help plan your trip.
- Kawartha Lakes Cycling Routes – Download PDF map of cycling routes.
- Kawartha Lakes Classic – Get all the details about the August 29th event, and register to participate.
- Kawarthas Cycling Club – Local cycling club info and routes.
- Kawartha Lakes – Great Places to Cycle – Ontario By Bike – Find more cycling routes and ride ideas, plus bicycle friendly places to eat visit and sleep
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Sponsored Content Partner: Kawarthas Northumberland
Photo Credits: Fred Thornhill Photography/Kawartha Lakes Tourism; Kawarthas Northumberland; Ontario By Bike
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