Courtesy of VOJTa Herout (adobestock.com).

One of the great joys of autumn is discovering a new area by bike. With your phone safely in your pocket, your hands on the handlebars and your eyes fixed on the trail ahead, you can fully tune in to the season: the crunch of leaves beneath your tires, the flashes of red and gold in the trees, the crispness of the air and the way the landscape seems to change around every bend.

Ontario has biking trails and cycling routes for riders of all interests and levels of experience. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail alone accounts for more than 3,800 kilometres of mapped routes. And more municipalities are establishing on-road bike lanes and off-road cycle paths, giving cyclists a chance to get on two wheels safely and immerse themselves in the history, culture and natural landscapes of a place.

Here are five routes guaranteed to provide a great ride.

Courtesy of Stuart (adobestock.com).

For the love of farmland views: Goderich to Guelph Rail Experience

This trail runs along a former Canadian Pacific Rail line that was established in the early 20th century to connect the Guelph business community and nearby farming communities to Lake Huron’s shores. You can join the biking trail from a number of parking lots along the way or ride it end to end. You’ll discover original rail stations, the different characters of the Maitland, Grand and Conestoga rivers and the farming heritage of this fertile part of Ontario.

Distance: 132 kilometres end-to-end

Terrain: Packed gravel with minimal elevation

Difficulty level: Easy

Points of interest:

• In Blyth, catch a play at the Blyth Festival or a pint at Cowbell Brewing Co.
• In Goderich, stroll the Lake Huron boardwalk
• In Elmira, visit Mennonite country stores to try local honey, maple syrup and more

Courtesy of Zenstratus (adobestock.com).

For the love of urban exploration: Windsor Loop Trail

Windsor offers a variety of cycle paths which give riders the chance to discover the city’s many facets, from historic neighbourhoods to industrial sectors to the Detroit River shoreline. This loop connects a network of established biking trails, including the Riverfront, Ganatchio and Herb Gray Parkway Trails.

Distance: 50-kilometre loop

Terrain: Mostly paved with minimal elevation

Difficulty level: Easy

Points of interest:

• Take in views of the Detroit River and city skyline from Malden Park
• Stop in at the Windsor Sculpture Park
• Go for a swim at Sandpoint Beach
• Explore the neighbourhood of Walkerville, the former Hiram Walker company town turned urban hotspot

Courtesy of Shawn.ccf (adobestock.com).

For the love of water: The Simcoe County Loop Trail

Ride through nine communities and by three major bodies of water — Georgian Bay, Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe — on this popular trail. Like the other longer biking trails mentioned here, you can ride a section of the trail or tackle the whole thing over a few days. The scenery varies widely, from lovely shoreline sections to forested rail-trails that are great for cooling off and listening to the birds.

Distance: 160-kilometre loop

Terrain: Mostly crushed gravel, with some paved sections; the elevation profile is mostly flat, with the exception of some climbing near Midland and Penetanguishene

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate, depending on the length and section you choose

Points of interest:

• Visit the Stephen Leacock Museum in Orillia
• Check out the Coldwater Mill in Coldwater
• Stop in at the wildly decorated Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery in Barrie
• Take in the beauty of the Georgian Bay shoreline at Penetanguishene Harbour

Courtesy of Destination Ontario.

For the love of the Canadian Shield: K&P Trail, Kingston to Sharbot Lake section

This multi-use biking trail follows the former Kingston and Pembroke Railway, which carried lumber and agricultural products from the Canadian Shield to Kingston. It’s all forests, lakes, granite rock cuts, railway history, wetlands and quiet rural communities. A great place to truly disconnect from the everyday.

Distance: 75 kilometres one way

Terrain: Mostly stone dust, with some paved sections; it’s a steady but low-grade (3%) climb from Kingston to Sharbot Lake

Difficulty level: Moderate due to the relative remoteness; some of the route is shared with ATVs, so expect some trail rutting

Points of interest:

• The starting point in downtown Kingston is close to hotels and restaurants — Pan Chancho Bakery is a local favourite
• Stop in at Lane’s Cafe in Harrowsmith, Muddy Waters Restaurant in Verona and The Crossing Pub or Kick and Push Brewery in Sharbot Lake

Courtesy of Gilberto Mesquita (adobestock.com).

For the love of harbour views: Burlington to Hamilton section of the Waterfront Trail

Starting in Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, cycle south along the Waterfront Trail to Confederation Park in Hamilton. Part road ride, part trail ride, the route crosses a pedestrian and cycling bridge and offers views of Hamilton Harbour and its industrial heritage, the sparkling lake and a stop at the HMCS Haida National Historic Site, Canada’s “fightingest ship.”

Distance: Approximately 20 kilometres one way

Terrain: Flat and mostly paved

Difficulty level: Easy

Points of interest:

• Try Van Wagner’s Beach, Hutch’s on the Beach and Baranga’s for food
• Experience the floating boardwalk over the Desjardins Canal
• Enjoy a break at Bayfront Park

Hit the trails. Looking to meet fellow cyclists and discover new places to ride? Click here to learn more about cycling clubs across Ontario in the latest issue of CAA Magazine.