Top motorcycle roads in Ontario

Northwest Ontario

Highway 71, south of Kenora

This northwesterly route stretches south from Kenora through Ontario’s Sunset Country, offering gorgeous lake views and smooth pavement. 

The northern section is delightfully winding, while the southern stretch opens up for easy cruising. Pull over at one of the many lookout points for photos of the sprawling boreal landscape.

Highway 599 to Pickle Lake

As the northernmost paved highway in Ontario, Highway 599 is a 292-kilometre ride through pristine wilderness from Ignace to Pickle Lake. 

The road winds through dense boreal forest, past remote lakes and through small communities. Services are limited, so fuel up in Ignace before heading north. The real draw is the sense of adventure and the incredible night sky at the end of the road.

Trans-Canada Highway 11 from Nipigon to Greenstone

Enclosed by the billion-year-old Pijitawabik Palisades, this stretch of the Trans-Canada delivers dramatic scenery at every turn. 

The route follows the shores of Lake Helen, passing through landscapes that showcase the raw beauty of Northern Ontario. Elevation changes and sweeping curves keep the ride engaging from start to finish.

Trans-Canada Highway 17 from Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie

This may be the most continuous stretch of epic scenery in all of Ontario. 

The mountains and valleys around Marathon make for a stunning sunset ride, and the section from Wawa to Sault Ste. Marie is unmatched for sheer scenic beauty. The road is far from straight and flat, expect sweeping curves, rock cuts and lake views throughout.

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma 

Highway 129 from Thessalon to Chapleau

One of the most celebrated motorcycle roads in the province, Highway 129 starts with long sweeping curves in the south before transitioning into a tight series of elevation changes and winding turns. 

Often compared to the Tail of the Dragon (which shares the same highway number), this road delivers a world-class riding experience through the heart of Algoma.

Highway 556 to Searchmont

This detour off the Lake Superior route is worth every minute. 

The road winds through impressive cliff formations and alongside a scenic river, with enough elevation changes to keep things exciting. Note that tar strips can make the surface slippery in spots on the way to Searchmont, but the scenery more than compensates. Turn around at the Searchmont turnoff as conditions get rough beyond that point.

Northeastern Ontario

Highway 64 from Sturgeon Falls to Marten River

Few roads strike such a perfect balance of scenery, road quality and riding enjoyment. 

Small cottages dot quiet lakes along the route, and the road offers abundant twists and turns through a pleasing mix of rock, water and forest. The only downside is that it ends too soon.

Highway 66 from Matachewan

Fresh blacktop and a layout that resembles a paved logging road make Highway 66 an unpredictable delight. 

The road twists and turns through dense boreal forest with no apparent logic, and that is part of the charm. Watch for moose, especially around dusk.

Highway 637 to Killarney

The scenery along this route is outstanding, featuring rose-coloured quartzite rock cuts and expansive northern lakes appearing around every bend. 

The road is not overly technical, but the payoff at Lake George and Killarney makes it a must-ride destination. Pavement quality varies in sections, so stay alert.

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Highway 141

Winding around Lake Rosseau, Highway 141 is a top contender for the most scenic road in the province. 

With a cliff on one side and a lake on the other, this route offers virtually no straight lines, just continuous curves through some of Muskoka’s most beautiful landscapes.

Highway 35

Fresh pavement, sweeping curves, picturesque lakes, rock cuts and old-growth trees make Highway 35 a standout ride. 

Everything comes together on this road in a way that elevates it above the many similar routes in the region.

Highway 520 from Burk’s Falls to the Bunny Trail

Sweeping curves give way to switchbacks, which lead to a trail that hops and bounds in every direction. This road earned its nickname for good reason; it keeps riders engaged from start to finish.

Highway 118

A relaxed, easy-cruising cottage country road connecting Bracebridge to Carnarvon. The section closer to Highway 400 can get busy on weekends, so plan accordingly for a quieter ride.

Highway 522

A perfect cruising road that strikes the right balance, Highway 522 is not too technical, but far from straight and flat. This freshly paved northern route features a bridge at the narrows and small valleys offering views of northern forests.

Mortimer Point Road

A quiet cottage country back road just north of Bala, this short stretch of asphalt features curves that were clearly built with no concern for the shortest distance between two points. 

The sweeper that pulls riders down toward Lake Muskoka before launching them out the other side is a highlight of any ride in the region.

Southwood Road/County Road 13

Best known as the most enjoyable escape route from Highway 400, Southwood Road is one of the closest true motorcycle roads to the Greater Toronto Area. 

With 33 kilometres of uninterrupted twists and turns through Muskoka’s forests and lakes, this is a must-ride for anyone heading north.

Highway 60 through Algonquin Park

Highway 60 cuts through the heart of Algonquin Park, offering riders a scenic route through dense forests and alongside pristine lakes. 

The road is particularly spectacular in fall when the forest canopy erupts in vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Watch for wildlife along the route, especially in the early morning and late evening. Services are available at several points within the park.

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Centennial Lake Road/Highway 508

This is a strong contender for the best motorcycle road in the province. 

Long rock cuts, elevation changes and endless twisting roads make this a ride that demands full attention—and rewards it generously. The pavement is not pristine, but the experience is so engaging that surface conditions become an afterthought.

County Road 4/Essonville Line

Tight winding curves lead up, around and eventually through a small mountain, giving way to a high vantage point overlooking the road ahead. Pavement quality is adequate, but the riding experience is exceptional.

Opeongo Line

Riding out of Barry’s Bay, this route is one of the most popular choices for technical riding in the province. 

The sheer length of the road, combined with its relentless twisting turns through the highlands, makes it a destination that surprises riders who underestimate Ontario’s riding potential.

Highway 41

Fresh pavement, plenty of elevation changes and scenic lookouts make Highway 41 a winner. As one of the few major north-south roads in the area, it offers a unique perspective on the Ottawa Valley landscape.

Old Barry’s Bay Road

A short and sweet ride packed with unexpected turns. The roads in the Combermere area seem incapable of running straight, and this route is a perfect example of the region’s winding character.

Kawarthas and Northumberland

County Road 56/Northey’s Bay Road

Fresh pavement and relentless curves make this one of the most exhilarating short rides in the province. 

Riders may find themselves staying in second or third gear for the entire stretch—and enjoying every moment of it.

Highway 507/Buckhorn Road

One of the best-known motorcycle roads in Ontario, Highway 507, is a gateway to the Ride the Highlands routes. The road’s popularity means it can attract traffic, so weekday rides offer the best experience.

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Grey Road 1

Curving around the turquoise waters of Georgian Bay, this long sweeping road is a refreshing contrast to the straighter routes in the surrounding area. The waterfront views make it a highlight of any Bruce Peninsula ride.

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Snake Road

Snake Road offers close to two kilometres of winding road stretching across the Niagara Escarpment. 

The switchbacks are tight and the elevation changes are dramatic, making this a quality-over-quantity ride that packs a great deal of excitement into a short distance. Located near Hamilton, it is one of the most accessible technical rides in Southern Ontario.

Southwestern Ontario

Lakeshore Road/County Road 42

Riding right along the waterfront, this road leads to Turkey Point, one of the finest beaches in Ontario. The lakeside scenery and relaxed pace make it a perfect cruising route through the heart of Ontario’s southwest.

Niagara Region

Niagara Parkway

Here’s a classic Ontario ride that belongs on every motorcyclist’s list.

Summer crowds are part of the experience on the Niagara Parkway, and for good reason. The road offers smooth asphalt, scenic views along the Niagara River and of course, proximity to Niagara Falls. 

Southeastern Ontario

County Road 36/Bolingbroke Road

A rolling ride with a wooden railway bridge at the halfway point. The terrain keeps things interesting throughout, with plenty of ups, downs and curves to enjoy.

County Road 12

A cliff on one side and a lake on the other, with the road sandwiched in between. This may be the only road in Ontario featuring three hairpin turns, making it a unique and memorable ride.

Long Sault Parkway

Experience ultimate cruising territory along the St. Lawrence River. 

Created when the area was flooded during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, this parkway offers smooth pavement and water views throughout the entire ride. The 11 connected islands make for a unique and scenic experience unlike anywhere else in the province.

1000 Islands Parkway

One of the most scenic rides in the province, the 1000 Islands Parkway looks out over the St. Lawrence River and the remarkable cottages perched on tiny islands in the channel. The road is fairly straight with only a few elevation changes, but the waterfront scenery is second to none.

County Road 8 near Westport

West of Westport, County Road 8 wraps around Wolfe Lake with a banked turn at the bottom of a hill that exits climbing up the other side, overlooking the lake. 

This scenic curve is part of the Ride the Highlands network, making it easy to connect to more great routes nearby.

Highway 2

Once the main thoroughfare of Southern Ontario, Highway 2 is now a scenic alternative to the busy Highway 401. The route passes through charming small towns along the waterfront, offering a leisurely ride rich in history and lakeside views.

From the remote wilderness highways of the north to the winding escarpment roads of the south, Ontario offers some of the finest motorcycle touring in Canada.