Five Ontario motorcycling routes to explore this fall

Buckhorn loop

When the leaves are at their prime, this loop will tease your senses while testing your riding ability. This route features twists and turns, brilliant fall colours and several must-ride sections.

The 507-Glamorgan stretch is 56.5 kilometres of hilly, twisty road and is listed in the top ten roads to ride in Ontario. Loop and Lower Faraday Roads also have ups and downs and twists and turns.

Distance: 300 kilometres
Approximate riding time: four hours

Route directions

Northwest of Buckhorn, take 36/507 from Flynn’s Corner to 503 in Gooderham

Turn left/west on 503 and right/north onto Glamorgan Road/3

Turn right/east onto 118 to County Road 4/Essonville Line

Turn left/east on 4 to Wilberforce, where you’ll make a left turn onto Loop Road/County Road 648 and follow it around and back to 118

Turn left/east on 118 and again left/east on 28 to Lower Faraday Road

Turn right onto Lower Faraday Road and follow it southward to Coe Hill

Turn right/west onto 620 and then left/south on 504

Continue south and make a left onto 46 to 44 and turn right/north onto 44

Take a right turn on County 6 north and then left onto Northeys Bay Road/56

Turn left onto 28 at Woodview and then right onto 36 at Burleigh Falls to continue back to Buckhorn

Along the way

• Mainstreet Bar and Grill in Buckhorn is a popular spot right on the water
• The Edge of Esson Lake is a large waterfront cottage near Wilberforce that sleeps up to 12 guests
• Viamede Resort on Stoney Lake and Burleigh Falls Inn are both great accommodation options
• Stop to admire the view at Burleigh Falls

Haliburton and Algonquin loop

This route has it all: fall colours, scenic vistas and some of Ontario’s best motorcycle roads in Ontario.

Highway 35 from 118 to 60 is a beautiful ride with many elevation changes and sweeping turns. The Algonquin section is also wonderfully scenic. Beware of moose, especially if you’re riding near dusk. The stretch from Madawaska to Highway 118 has some of the best twisty roads in Ontario and the County Road 2 detour is a delight to ride.

Distance: 380 kilometres
Approximate riding time: almost five hours

Route directions

Starting in Kawarthas Lakes, follow Highway 35 north from Norland

Just before Moore Falls, turn left on County Road 2/Deep Bay Road towards Minden

Turn right on Bobcaygeon Road and continue onto Newcastle Street through Minden

After crossing 35, this becomes South Lake Road/16

Turn left onto Gelert Road/1, and another left onto Ingoldsby Road/17 north

Make a right turn onto Kashagawigamog Lake Road/18

Turn left on Gelert Road/County Road 1 again and right on Highland Street/21 heading towards Haliburton

In Haliburton, the route follows 118 west to 35 north, through Dorset, then up to Highway 60

Turn right/east on Highway 60 through Algonquin Park

Follow 60 to Madawaska, turn right onto Madawaska Road/523 south

Turn left on 127 and right on 62 in Maynooth

From Maynooth, turn right onto Peterson Road, which turns into Elephant Lake Road/County Road 10

Turn right/west on Loop Road/County Road 648 down to Highway 118 west

Turn left onto 503 in Tory Hill and follow it west through Gooderham to Kinmount

In Kinmout, turn right on Highway 121 and left\west on Monck Road\County Road 45, which closes the loop back at Norland

Along the way

• Check out the metal motorcycle art outside the Carving Gallery near Moore Falls
• Accommodation options included a secluded lakeside cabin near Minden, The Moose B&B near Dorset and the private cabins at Highland Wilderness Tours near Maynooth
• It’s worth a stop at the Dominion Hotel Pub in Minden for fish and chips or Hook, Line and Sinker in Haliburton
• Climb the Dorset Lookout Tower for a terrific view of the area clothed in fall colour
• If you plan to hike to any of the lookouts, be sure to get an Algonquin Park Day Use Permit

Huntsville and Muskoka loop

Setting out from Huntsville, explore some of the hidden gem backroads of Muskoka bathed in fall colour. Twists, turns and elevation changes make this route fun to follow.

Each section of this loop has its own character giving the route diversity. Highlights of this loop include the following sections: Muskoka District Road 3 to Rosseau, Rosseau to 118, and Stisted Road/Ravenscliffe Road.

Distance: 188 kilometres
Approximate riding time: three hours

Route directions

From Huntsville, head west on Muskoka District Road 3/Aspdin Road towards Rosseau

In Rosseau, turn right on 141, then a quick left onto 632, which becomes Peninsula Road and Muskoka District Road 7

Turn right on Highway 118 West and proceed westward to Muskoka District Road 169

Turn right on 169 and make another right turn onto Lake Joseph Road

Head north and turn right onto ON-141 East

Turn left onto Tally Ho-Swords Road

Turn right onto ON-518 East and continue through Orrville and Bear Lake towards Sprucedale

Turn right onto Stisted Road South, which eventually turns slightly left and becomes Ravenscliffe Road/Muskoka District Road 2

Follow it back into Huntsville

Along the way

• Try the legendary fried chicken sandwiches from Fox in the Henhouse and enjoy a pint at Canvas Brewing in Huntsville
• Rosseau Pizzeria is a great lunch stop
• There are several convenient motels and hotels in Huntsville or splurge for a night at one of Muskoka’s famed resorts like the JW Marriott or Rocky Crest Golf Resort

Opeongo Road to Calabogie loop

Enjoy more hidden gems, winding roads and lovely fall colour.

Follow the entire length of historic Opeongo Road. Centennial Lake Road and Matawatchan Roads are destinations that most riders will likely not discover on their own and provide some of the most enjoyable riding in this loop. 

Distance: 232 kilometres
Approximate riding time: three hours

Route directions

This route starts east of Barry’s Bay, turning south off Highway 60 onto Opeongo Road

Travel the length of Opeongo Road/66

In Brudenell, continue straight onto Foymount Road/512

Turn right to continue south on Opeongo Road West

Make a right turn onto Highway 41 south

Turn left/east on 132 and right again to head south on Whelan Road/34

Turn right on Calabogie Road/508 west

Make a right turn on Centennial Lake Road/65 which turns into Matawatchan Road/71

Turn left onto 41

Turn right onto Highway 28

Make another right turn on Schutt Road/Highway 514 at Hardwood Lake

Turn left onto Palmer Road/515

In Combermere, take a right onto Combermere Road/62 and another immediate right onto Old Barry’s Bay Road

At Highway 60, turn left to return to Barry’s Bay

Along the way

• Get your java fix at Madawaska Coffee Co. in Barry’s Bay
• Consider a stay at Calabogie Peaks Resort or the Ash Grove Inn and Restaurant just south of Barry’s Bay on Kamaniskeg Lake
• Visit Calabogie Motorsports Park for an epic adventure
• Hike the trails up to Eagle’s Nest Lookout for an incredible photo op

Parry Sound District zigzag

Much-loved motorcycle roads, gorgeous scenery and great fall colours make this a fun day of riding.

This is a zigzag route in the shape of a big number two between Highways 400 and 11. Highway 522 is a peaceful ride. Highway 520 and 124 back to the 400 are similar: easy, relaxing riding. Highway 518 starts easy and then throws in some tricky corners that can catch you unaware, which makes this section sporting.

Distance: 330 kilometres
Approximate riding time: four hours

Route directions

Just south of French River Provincial Park, exit Highway 69 onto Highway 522 heading east

Enter Highway 11 south

At Burks Falls, exit Highway 11 onto Highway 520 west

Turn left onto 124 heading west

Take Highway 400 south

Exit onto 518 east

Enter back onto 11 south to Huntsville

Along the way

• Grundy Lake Provincial Park is located at the start of this route, a great spot for camping or hiking
• Add a day or two of fishing to the itinerary at Northern Lights Resort or Commanda Lake Resort, both off 520
• Algonquin Motel outside of South River caters to bikers
• Huntsville Brewhouse is a local favourite, featuring Lake of Bays Brewing Co.’s beers