Ride the Edge – Top Motorcycle Roads in the Great Canadian Wilderness
The great Canadian wilderness is home to some of the best motorcycle roads in Ontario. While we’ve created two great routes to capture the essence of the region, we know there are some riders who just want to cross epic routes off their bucket lists. These are the roads for you folks – we hope you’ll ride them all.
Tally-Ho Swords Road
It’s a bit short compared to other recommended roads, but you won’t be disappointed. The pavement is beautiful, traffic is light, and it makes for a escape from the major highways on your loop tour. This is a connector between the village of Orrville in the north and the village of Rosseau in the south – both in Seguin Township. As picturesque as it gets.
Ravenscliffe Road
While it’s tough to ride the full length of this road without a smile on your face, it’s generally only ridden by those comfortable with a little bit of road wear as the second half turns into Stisted Road – which has some sand and frost heaves. But if none of that bothers you, you’ve gotta ride this road. This is a connector between Sprucedale and Huntsville, Ontario.
Muskoka Road 3 – Aspdin Road
A quick connector between the village of Rosseau (where you’re likely to see bikes parked outside Crossroads Restaurant) and Huntsville, Muskoka, locals know to keep their speed down in the tight corners here. You’ll see plenty of pine groves along the way too.
Muskoka Beach Road
Connecting the towns of Gravenhurst and Bracebridge, this is a great start to riding in the region. Leave Highway 11 in Gravenhurst and follow this road through to Bracebridge, and enjoy the canopy of trees over all the curves. (Just take it easy in the fall when leaves can make the surface a little slick.)
Muskoka Beach Road (3)
Highway 632 – Peninsula Road
Muskoka’s iconic touring road from the village of Rosseau in Seguin Township to Port Carling in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Essentially you’re riding a ridge between two lakes on what is the most technical road in the region – best for sport touring bikes. Watch for a tiny bit of gravel near Rosseau, but otherwise the road is all clear.
Highway 520
Starting in the scenic village of Burk’s Falls, and right around the corner from the unique “Screaming Heads” sculptures (and Midlothian Castle), Highway 520 is packed with vistas. Don’t forget to stop in beautiful Magnetawan for a snack.
Highway 520
Highway 35
If you can avoid long weekends (when folks are travelling to and from Algonquin Park and volume is a little busier), this windy roller-coaster of a road will whip you around lakes, plunge you through deep rockcuts and take you all the way to the top of Dorset’s Lookout Tower where you can survey the road you just covered. This is a connector to the Lake of Bays area and the charming village of Dwight.
Highway 141
A connector between the villages of Rosseau in Seguin Township and Windermere, Muskoka, this route features fresher pavement, long sweepers, descending radius corners, and probably the most iconic turn in the region – maybe in all of Ontario (at Bent River). Make sure you give yourself the time to enjoy this road, and have your camera ready
Highway 522
This quiet road in the Loring-Restoule area (at the northern tip of Explorers’ Edge) is likely one of our best kept secrets, and is backcountry touring at it’s finest. You’ll need to take Highway 69 north of Parry Sound, but once you turn off, it’s pure bliss all the way to Trout Creek in the Almaguin Highlands. Long sweepers with gentle rising and falling hills, plenty of lakes and a little waterfall halfway through the ride are just part of the reason this road rocks. Watch for wildlife, and take it easy on the first 30k, which is chip-tar (good condition, but a little rougher on the tires).
Highway 60 Through Algonquin Park
There’s probably nothing more blissful than a tour through Canada’s oldest provincial park. The pavement is great, there are plenty of places to stop and take a break (check out Lake of Two Rivers for a great little beach and stop in at the Visitor Information Centre). The only negative is that it’s hard to strap a canoe onto your bike…but maybe one day.
Of course, these are just the best roads we’ve discovered. If you’re a real explorer, you’ll find your own. If you’re looking for pre-planned routes, click through below and #RideTheEdge!
To plan your stay, click here.
