The sunny skies, fresh air and inspiring scenery of summer make it an ideal time to go cycling. So, grab your bikes and explore some of Canada’s best behind-the-handlebars destinations. To help easy rollers and road warriors alike determine the level of difficulty, we rated the routes from one star (easiest) to five stars (hardest).
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND *
The Confederation Trail proves that flat doesn’t have to be boring. This tip-to-tip route, from Tignish to Elmira, features more than 350 kilometres of rolled stone dust surface through pastoral landscapes. Explore island communities off the main trail and you can extend the distance to 400 kilometres. gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide
QUÉBEC **
The three-day, 200-kilometre P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park—which stretches south from Mont-Laurier to Saint-Jérôme—is evidence that long-distance biking doesn’t have to mean hardship. The trail passes through a scenic landscape of pine forests, rushing rivers and quaint villages on paved stretches in the northern half and hard-packed gravel in the lower half. Converted railway stations serve as rest stops and offer amenities such as cyclist-friendly massages and artisanal beer en route. There’s even a luggage transportation service for those who prefer to travel light. Long-distance cycling doesn’t get any comfier than this! laurentides.com
ONTARIO ***
The Niagara River Recreation Trail is a cyclist’s paradise, offering 53 kilometres of dedicated paved pathway that runs past some of the award-winning wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Getting there is easy aboard VIA Rail’s newly expanded Bike Train Initiative, which offers bike racks on select departures between Toronto and Niagara Falls from June to September. The nearby Welland Canals Trail—part of the Greater Niagara Circle Route—is a short but challenging climb up the Niagara Escarpment. biketrain.ca
BRITISH COLUMBIA ****
Will that be red or white? Take your pick while romping through choice Okanagan vineyards on a guided cycling tour. Adventure-seeking cyclists won’t want to miss The Kettle Valley Rail Trail, a 455-kilometre route from Grand Forks to Brodie that climbs to an altitude of nearly 1,300 metres before descending toward Okanagan Lake. The Myra Canyon stretch—which is scheduled to reopen in June—offers the jaw-dropping experience of passing over 18 trestle bridges and through two tunnels. spiritof2010trail.ca
ALBERTA *****
If the scenery of the Icefields Parkway doesn’t get your heart rate up, the elevation certainly will. This 230-kilometre route stretches between Lake Louise and Jasper and slices through Banff and Jasper national parks, where challenging inclines give new meaning to the phrase “pedal power.” icefieldsparkway.ca
