Permanent. Protected. Prosperous. Precious. A legacy for the next generation.
Cycle the Greenbelt Route and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in an epic 1,000 km-10 day journey.
The Grand Great Lakes to Greenbelt
1000km, self-guided cycle tour
Explore the beauty and bounty of Ontario’s Greenbelt, vistas and shorelines of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and the culture and history of towns and cities along the way. This self-guided, cycle itinerary combines two signature cycling routes that were designed as part of a plan to protect, connect and celebrate two iconic landscapes—our protected countryside and our Great Lakes coast.
– 10- 14 day itinerary, especially if you enjoy the suggested spurs
– Ride the half itinerary or daily segments
– Support your local restaurants and businesses
– Use Trail to GO Transit connections to shorten your ride
– Experienced to advanced cycling skill levels.
– Mostly signed
– Paved roads, paved and unpaved trails, varied surfaces along Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, Greenbelt Route, L.E.&N Trail and Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail.
– Featuring many Ontario By Bike bike-friendly certified accommodations. Check the website for other accommodations and bike-friendly businesses along this route.
About the Maps
Detailed Maps — Great for planning and provide more information about the route on a detailed scale. These serve as a detailed resource for planning, providing an understanding of hazards and trail attributes. The Trust Interactive Map serves this end as well.
Easy Print Maps — Scaled to show 20-40km per map, reducing the number of daily maps. These simple maps supplement signage, give GPS users a functional, paper-based backup, and are customized to the route. Major turns and roads are labelled, some minor turns may be omitted at this scale.
– Looking for shorter trip options? Check out the 9 Great Lakes to Greenbelt signed loops.
Click on the tabs below to download free route maps and for itinerary suggestions.
Day 1
Day 1 – Hamilton to Queenston (117km) or Niagara on the Lake (128km)
Start your adventure in Hamilton, and ride the Greenbelt Route atop the Niagara Escarpment through the Niagara Region, stopping at wineries, craft breweries and historic hamlets along the way. Overnight in Queenston.
For an optional ride extension Head north on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, following the Niagara River Recreation Trail to the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Suggested Accommodations, Hamilton
This itinerary uses McMaster University (Hotel McMaster) as your base . May to August only, see website for availability.
Suggested Accommodations,
Queenston
Carriage House on Kent, 1 Kent Street,Queenston
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Two Bees Bed & Breakfast, 169 Gate St, NOTL
Day 2
Day 2 – Queenston or Niagara-on-the-Lake to Dunnville (110 km or 125km )
Ride south on the Waterfront Trail along the full length of the Niagara River, past the verdant wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, up the Niagara Escarpment (a fairly short climb with a manageable grade), past the busled and majesty of the Falls, eventually to the shores of Lake Erie. At Fort Erie, the route heads west first passing by cottage and beach communities, reaching the mouth of the Welland Canal at Port Colborne. The final leg heads north along the Grand River ending in Dunnville.
Suggested Accommodations :
Riverview Motel, 642 Main St W., Dunnville
Byng Island Conservation Area, 4969 Haldimand Rd 20,
Day 3
Day 3 – Dunnville to Port Dover (77 km)
Crossing the Grand River, the route generally follows close to the Lake Erie shoreline, with a jog around Selkirk Provincial Park, and eventually arriving at the popular beach town of Port Dover.
Suggested Accommodations, Dunnville
– Riverview Motel, 642 Main St W,
– Byng Island Conservation Area, 4969 Haldimand Rd 20,
Suggested Accommodations, Port Dover
– Erie Beach Hotel, 19 Walker St.
Day 3 – Optional Turkey Point Spur (17km one way)
This optional spur can be a round-trip added to Day 3 of the itinerary, or an overnight stop on its own. Turkey Point is a very popular beach and Provincial Park (with camping), as well as a renowned birding area.
Day 4
Day 4 – Port Dover to Hamilton (90 km)
Heading north, the route departs from the Waterfront Trail and follows the Lake Erie & Norfolk Trail and then the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail, passing agricultural hubs and hamlets, and vast countryside. At about 2/3s of the way, Brantford is a medium sized city with many services. The day ends on the western edge of Hamilton and back in the Greenbelt.
Suggested Accommodations, Port Dover
– Erie Beach Hotel, 19 Walker St.
Suggested Accommodations, Hamilton
McMater University (Hotel Mcmaster) only available May to August.
Day 5
Day 5 – Hamilton to Georgetown (85 km)
The itinerary follows the Greenbelt Route once again, passing the waterfalls and valleys of the Hamilton area, then heading north-east through rolling farmland and conservation areas in Halton Region.
Suggested Accommodations, Hamilton
McMaster University (Hotel McMaster) only available between May and August.
Suggested Accommodations, Georgetown
Best Western Halton Hills, 365 Guelph St, Georgetown
Day 6
Day 6 – Georgetown to Schomberg (62 km)
Not long after leaving Georgetown, the Greenbelt Route connects with the Caledon Rail Trail, and passes by several historic hamlets and stunning countryside. The route then gets back on road, arriving in Schomberg for the overnight stop.
Suggested Accommodations, Georgetown
Best Western Halton Hills, 365 Guelph St, Georgetown
Suggested Accommodations, Schomberg
AirBNB, Search results for AirBNB host locations within Schomberg itself.
Day 7
Day 7 – Schomberg to Uxbridge (77 km)
Turning east along the top edge of the Greater Toronto Area, the route heads through the suburbs of Newmarket and Aurora, and Whitchurch-Stouffville in York Region, then through quiet farmland are forested areas, ended in the historic town of Uxbridge.
Suggested Accommodations, Schomberg
AirBNB, Search results for AirBNB host locations within Schomberg itself.
Suggested Accommodations, Uxbridge
Chalet Claremont B&B, 2195 Uxbridge-Pickering Townline, Pickering
For overnight accommodation options within the town of Uxbridge check www.airbnb.com.
Day 8
Day 8 – Uxbridge to Port Hope (99km) or Cobourg (111 km)
The Greenbelt Route continues south-east, slowly cascading down the rural highlands and rolling hills of the Greenbelt, to join back up with the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail at Port Hope and Cobourg. Both towns offer many services, cultural and historic attractions, and shoreline parks on Lake Ontario.
Suggested Accommodations, Uxbridge
Chalet Claremont B&B, 2195 Uxbridge-Pickering Townline, Pickering
For overnight accommodation options check www.airbnb.com.
Suggested Accommodations, Port Hope;
The Waddell, 1 Walton Street, Port Hope,
Suggested Accommodations, Cobourg
Amherst House BB, 804 Hudson St, Cobourg;
Best Western Plus, 930 Burnham St, Cobourg
Day 9
Day 9 – Cobourg or Port Hope to Toronto (150 km or 138km) / Cobourg or Port Hope to Ajax (99km or 87km)
Those who enjoy riding 150km in one day can cycle the entire length of this section. Others can use GO Transit commuter rail service, which parallels the Waterfront Trail in the Greater Toronto Area, to skip any sections between Whitby and Toronto. There is signage from the Trail to GO stations in Whitby, Ajax and Rouge Hill. Note: bikes are not permitted on rush hour trains. Suburbs with stunning lake views and parks eventually lead into the central core and of the City of Toronto, the hub of this global city-region.
Suggested Accommodations, Cobourg
Amherst House BB, 804 Hudson St, Cobourg;
Best Western Plus, 930 Burnham St, Cobourg
Suggested Accommodations, Ajax
Before the Mast B&B, Located near km 95 (1144 Shoalpoint Rd, Ajax, ON), this location is recommended for cyclists desiring a more moderate distance and wishing to separate the route into a 2 day excursion.
Suggested Accommodations, Toronto
George Brown College, 80 Cooperage Street, ON, Toronto
Day 10
Day 10 – Toronto to Hamilton (81 km)
The final day of this 10-day journey follows the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail along the western shores of Lake Ontario, past suburban Toronto communities and parkland, passing the wetlands surrounding Hamilton harbour, and arriving back at the starting point in Hamilton. Use GO Transit to skip any sections between Toronto and Burlington. Note: bikes are not permitted on rush hour trains). Closest stations to the Trail are Mimico, Long Branch, Port Credit, Clarkson, Burlington. Routes from the Trail to the stations are signed.
Suggested Accommodations, Toronto
George Brown College, 80 Cooperage Street, ON, Toronto
Suggested Accommodations, Hamilton
McMaster University (Hotel McMaster) (May to August only. See website for availability).
9 SPECTACULAR CYCLING LOOPS SHOWCASING THE GREAT LAKES WATERFRONT TRAIL AND GREENBELT ROUTE!
Here’s your guide to 1200 km of fully connected, signed cycling routes in the Greater Toronto Horseshoe Area.
Loops range in distance from 30 km to 195 km. Perfect for a day-trip or a last-minute autumn mini-get-away.
Showcasing Ontario’s best trails and two signature cycling routes–the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and The Greenbelt Route.
Celebrate the Lake Ontario Watershed, from the headwaters in Ontario’s Greenbelt, down river valleys, and along our Great Lakes. Support communities and Ontario By Bike Friendly businesses, farms, craft alcohol at the same time!
Download one of Ride with GPS 9 signed loops ranging 30km to 195 km and plan your next outing!
Organized geographically from Niagara to Northumberland.
Project Partners
About the Greenbelt Route
The Greenbelt Route is a provincial cycling route from Northumberland to Niagara using a combination of roads and trails. It was developed by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust in partnership with the Greenbelt Foundation and Transportation Options to showcase Ontario’s protected countryside and establish connections to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. For more information on the Greenbelt Route visit www.greenbelt.ca/#explore.
About the Greenbelt Foundation
Ontario’s Greenbelt is the solution for fresh air, clean water, healthy local food, active outdoor recreation, and a thriving economy. At 2 million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt. The Greenbelt preserves diverse and scenic landscapes such as the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment, keeping our farmlands, forests and wetlands safe and secure. The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation works to help keep farmers successful, strengthen local economies, protect natural features, and promote sustainable growth. Learn more at greenbelt.ca.
Protecting. Connecting. Celebrating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number: 86767 9821 RR0001
