Victoria Rail Trail (Ontario, Canada)

A classic rail-to-trail ride through Ontario’s cottage country. This collection follows the Victoria Rail Trail corridor across the Kawartha Lakes and into the Haliburton area, with long, quiet stretches away from traffic.

What to expect: mostly gravel and hardpack with some unpaved bits, short runs of asphalt, and the odd wooden bridge. It’s largely off‑road path with a little signed cycleway and only brief hops on roads. Grades stay gentle (it’s an old railway), so the riding feels steady and relaxed.

Best bikes: gravel, hybrid, or MTB. Aim for wider tires (35 mm+). Slick road tires will be chattery on the gravel.

Highlights: lakes and wetlands, shady forest, and small towns for coffee or ice cream. It’s easy to break this into short out‑and‑backs or stack sections for a bigger day.

Good to know: this is a shared-use corridor in places—yield, slow for others, and watch for road crossings. Surfaces can be soft after rain. Bring water, a spare tube, and bug spray in summer.

Pick a trailhead that suits your plan, roll at your own pace, and enjoy a long, car‑light cruise through some of Ontario’s best backroad scenery.