The prize is at the top, and elevated views are worth every pedal stroke. With brilliant foliage beginning to show, there’s no better time for Ontario fall gravel cycling to chase those rewarding vistas. After months of scouting and testing, we’re excited to share three brand new Hastings County cycling routes that showcase everything we love about this region’s cozy, small-town charm, from scenic lakeside loops perfect for shorter fall days to challenging climbs that deliver spectacular leaf-peeping opportunities.
Whether you’re planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, these routes offer the ideal mix of adventure and accessibility, with plenty of opportunities to refuel with hot coffee and hearty meals.
Route 1: Have a Nice Day Ride, Tweed
Distance: 2h from Ottawa, 2.25h from Toronto
Route Stats: 44km | 332m elevation | Beginner-friendly
The Route: This delightfully-named Hastings County cycling route lives up to its promise, taking you through rolling farmland from Tweed down to historic Thomasburg and back. You’ll follow the Moira River, crossing several heritage bridges and looping around Stoco Lake before returning to town.
The Food: Time your visit right and you can grab a classic food truck lunch from Nat’s Place at the Thomasburg Store mid-ride. Just down the road, Vanderwater Conservation Area offers beautiful fall foliage viewing and the ideal spot to post up on the river with your picnic lunch. Back in Tweed, warm up with a perfect cappuccino and freshly-made treats at Cube Coffee Bar.
Make a Day of It: Start with breakfast at Gateway Family Restaurant (ask about their daily special!), then after your ride, grab a lakeside spot for dinner at Oakley’s as the sun sets.
Route 2: River Rats, Marmora and Lake
Distance: 2.5h from Ottawa, 2h from Toronto
Route Stats: 35km | 206m elevation | Perfect for beginners and families
The Route: Named for the Crowe River system that carved this landscape, River Rats cycling route is comprised of over 80% pristine gravel roads. This beginner-friendly route doesn’t ask too much of you in terms of elevation or distance: it’s perfect for shorter fall days in the saddle.
The Reward: After 25km of beautiful Ontario gravel, you’ll turn into the Trans Canada Trail toward Callaghan’s Rapids, where ancient rock formations create natural cascades, perfect for photos and a well-deserved break. Post-ride, head to Booster Park Beach in Marmora and grab a hot pizza from Theo’s to enjoy while overlooking the water: the perfect way to warm up after a crisp fall ride.
Extend Your Stay: Spend the night at the Huntingdon House B&B nearby, where you can soak in the historic stone church’s jacuzzi tub after your ride, and enjoy a beautiful farmhouse breakfast to send you on your way the next morning.
Route 3: Ormsby Acres, Wollaston
Distance: 2.5h from Ottawa, 2.5h from Toronto
Route Stats: 50km | 496m elevation | For when you want to unplug completely
The Route: Big climbs mean big vistas, and this challenging route delivers both while traversing the rugged landscape that early loggers and miners called home. The route features St. Ola’s Station around the halfway point, where you can rest and refresh, then refuel with fresh coffee, breakfast sandwiches and baked goods.
Fuel Up: Plan your ride around a stop in Coe Hill at The Monarch and The Milkweed (just check their hours first) and time your visit for breakfast, lunch, or a hot drink and homemade treat.
Fall Bonus: The elevated views from this route make it ideal for leaf-peeping, with Steenburg Lake and McGeachie Conservation Area providing some of the most photogenic fall scenery in the region.
Inspired By the Ride? Here’s How You Can Help Shape Ontario’s Cycling Future
These expertly-planned routes exist because passionate cyclists and community members worked together to scout, test, and share the best of what Hastings County has to offer. As the cycling season winds down, it’s the perfect time to think about how you can contribute to growing Ontario’s vibrant cycling community next year.
The beauty of cycling events and route development is that they need everyone—not just seasoned cyclists. Some of the most valuable volunteers are the non-cyclists who staff registration tables, organize post-ride celebrations, help with logistics, or simply provide enthusiastic support. Others contribute by sharing local knowledge, offering photography skills, or helping with setup and takedown.
If you’re already a cyclist, consider volunteering for just a few hours at a local event next season—or make a weekend out of it to your favourite Ontario cycling destination! Your experience on the bike makes you invaluable for roles like course marshalling or sweep riding, and you can invite a non-cycling friend or family member to volunteer alongside you.
If you’re not a cyclist but love your community, there are countless ways to support cycling events and route development. Think about skills from your work life that could benefit organizers—marketing, coordination, logistics, or simply being friendly face at a registration table.
Every successful cycling event and every well-marked route represents people who chose to give their time so others could have memorable experiences on two wheels. When you volunteer, you’re not just helping out for a day—you’re preserving a piece of Ontario’s cycling culture and ensuring these incredible riding opportunities continue to exist for the next generation.
Plus, you might discover that giving back to the cycling community is every bit as rewarding as the kilometres you put in on your bike.
Ready to Ride?
You can find more Hastings County gravel route inspiration on Ride With GPS, where local riders share their favourite routes with turn-by-turn navigation and points of interest. Join our Ride With GPS Club to get notified when new routes are added to the collection.
Plan Your Fall Cycling Trip in Hastings County
- Hastings County – Adventures – Find more adventures and things to do in Hastings, on or off the bike
- Hastings County – Where to Stay – Find local accommodations around the county, from bed & breakfasts to cozy cottages
- Hastings County – Where to Eat – Find the best places to eat around Hastings County
- Hastings.bike – Here, our library of Explore Hastings County Ride With GPS routes is paired with a growing collection of itineraries, tips and notes about planning a gravel cycling trip in Hastings County.
- Ontario By Bike – North Hastings, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington – Great Places to Cycle – Find routes, trail information, maps, and bicycle friendly businesses in the region
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Sponsored Content Partner: Hastings County
Article written by Laura Voskamp. All photos courtesy of Hastings County.
The post Fall Cycling in Hastings County: Three New Routes Worth the Climb appeared first on Ontario By Bike.
