Escape To The North For An Epic Motorcycle Adventure

Article written by Martin Lortz

If you're anything like me, you keep your countdown to the riding season straightforward: Groundhog Day, motorcycle show, and bam, we’re riding again.

If there’s one way to experience Ontario’s expansive landscapes, from pristine lakeshores to winding forest roads, it’s on two wheels. Ontario’s north offers some of the most rewarding and scenic motorcycle routes in Canada, blending sweeping vistas with challenging pavement and welcoming small towns.

After over a decade and more than 100,000 kilometers along Ontario’s roads, certain motorcycle rides have occupied the top of my favorites list. Whether you’re after a multi-day adventure or a weekend getaway to check off your bucket list, here are five epic rides you simply must do this season.

Grand Algoma Tour - The Ultimate Northern Adventure

Distance & Time: Roughly 680–700 km; plan 2 days to ride at a relaxed pace.

This classic northern loop is the quintessential Ontario motorcycle tour, rugged, remote, scenic, and unforgettable. The Grand Algoma Tour weaves through boreal forests, along the shoreline of Lake Superior, and over twisty inland highways that call for a rider’s full attention.

The ride starts (and ends) in Sault Ste. Marie. It can be ridden in either direction, but I prefer to go counterclockwise.

Stop for a coffee and perhaps breakfast at the Copper Bean Cafe in Bruce Mines, then top up the gas in Thessalon before heading north on Highway 129. The next 100 kilometers along Hwy 129 is known as Ontario’s own “Tail of the Dragon,” featuring technical curves and elevation changes that give skilled riders a thrill. Be sure to stop at Blackcreek Outfitters for gas, food, or a friendly chat.

For the rest of the day's ride, enjoy sweeping views and solitude. You can refuel in Chapleau and take a photo with the Watershed sign along Highway 101. In Wawa, accommodations are plentiful, but it's best to book ahead as this town fills up each night with remote workers and travelers.

Personal favorites, stay at Wawa Motor Inn, eat at North Of 17 restaurant and grab a photo with the Wawa Goose.

Day two, the ride back to Sault Ste. Marie, along Highway 17, is only about 200km, but with Lake Superior by your side most of the way, it’s a memory maker. The road hugs the rocky shorelines, features long sweepers and big skies, and offers multiple scenic pull-outs like Agawa Bay and Old Woman Bay.

Be sure to stop at the Agawa Crafts and the Canadian Carver for some local crafts, the Voyageur's Lodge and Cookhouse for their famous apple fritters, and the Chippewa Falls Rest Area, the midpoint of the Trans Canada highway.

Georgian Bay Coastal Route — Lakes, Islands & Endless Roads

Distance & Time: 1350 km, 2 - 3 days.

If you love classic lakeside riding, winding coastal roads, and multi-day touring, the Georgian Bay Coastal Route is a dream come true. This extensive loop circles Georgian Bay, offering riders a mix of water views, twisting rural highways, and culturally rich stops.

Starting in Southern Ontario, our first goal is to reach Tobermory by 1:30 pm to catch the MS Chi-Cheemaun passenger ferry, which arrives on Manitoulin Island around 3:30, leaving time to explore.

Depending on the season and how much time you have, popular stops include Bridal Veil Falls, the village of Kagawong, and Ten Mile Point Trading Post. Day's end is in the scenic Little Current, known as a gateway to boating on Lake Huron's North Channel.

This popular spot is an ideal overnight destination, offering a variety of accommodations and dining options. We checked into the Manitoulin Motel, conveniently located next to the Manitoulin Brewing Company and close to Hawthorn's Family Restaurant, which offers breakfast and dinner. There's also Tim Hortons adjacent to the motel if you prefer a simple meal.

Day two begins along one of Ontario’s most stunning roads as Highway 6 winds through the La Cloche Highlands. In Sudbury, enjoy exploring Science North or Dynamic Earth, and be sure to stop by the French River Trading Post for lunch.

Lake Temiskaming Tour — Two Provinces, One Great Loop

Distance & Time: 400 km from North Bay

For riders seeking variety, culture, and scenery all in one trip, the Lake Temiskaming Tour delivers just that. A roughly 400 km loop in northeastern Ontario takes you along the northern stretches of Highway 11 and back via Quebec’s Highway 101, offering a blend of shoreline views, forest roads, and charming towns.

Heading north along Highway 11, you'll be skirting lakes and groves of old pines. In Temagami, The Outfitter Bar & Smokehouse is a must-visit if you're hungry, as it offers views from the lookout tower. The route then turns onto Highway 11B and follows the shore of Lake Temiskaming. In New Liskeard, the waterside theme continues with lunch or dinner at 28 on the Lake and a stay at the Waterfront Inn.

The ride south follows the Quebec side of Lake Temiskaming and the Ottawa River, providing a cross-border feel. Highway 101 is especially spectacular in the morning light as it crosses farm fields with water views before entering the forest. A morning start will bring you to Mattawa for lunch. Enjoy some of the best Thai food in the north at Le Voyageur Restaurant or home-style cooking at Valois' Motel & Restaurant.

Ride The Highlands Loop — A Playground of Pavement

Distance & Time: there is something for everyone

Over the past decade, the team at Ride The Highlands has transformed Eastern Ontario into a motorcyclist's paradise. Whether you have an afternoon or a week to explore, you won’t be disappointed. If you are looking to cover distance over a few days, the 1000 km Highlands Loop is for you. Been there, done that, and it’s awesome.

Recently, I have been more into the stay-and-play approach.

Set up a home base, such as the Lakeview Motel in Haliburton, then spend a few days exploring the area's local lunch options. Wilno Tavern serves Polish dishes, while the Redneck Bistro in Calabogie is reliably excellent, or visit the Iron Rooster Rotisserie and Grill, a popular spot among motorcycle enthusiasts, known for its great food and surrounding twisty roads. What more could you want?

To make things even easier, check out the Local Rides section on the Ride The Highlands website.

Muskoka & Beyond - Classic Cottage Country

Distance & Time: 300 - 1700 km, 1-3 days

This has become my go-to first ride of the season. You can ride the aptly named Small Loop at 650 km, the Big Loop at 1000 km, or do as I do and take on the Top 10 Roads In Cottage Country, which will add around 1500 km to your odometer.

I have enjoyed my stays at the Inn at the Falls, which is a short walk from downtown Bracebridge or the newly renovated Best Western in Parry Sound. For breakfast, love hanging out with the locals at Jake’s Place in Port Loring, or for the best breakfast sandwich, try York & Mason in Port Carling.

Other favorites, The Mad Musher in Whitney, Hook Line & Sinker in Haliburton or The Hook & Ladder Bar and Grill in Bala, just to name a few.

This ride is all about timeless Canadian scenery: old pines, lakes with mirror reflections, classic overlooks, and roads that ask you to explore every turn. It’s not as remote as the far north loops above, but it offers its own brand of serenity and open-road joy that riders of all styles appreciate.

Rider Planning & Safety Tips

Fuel & Services

Northern routes can mean long distances between fuel stations. Top up whenever you see a station.

Gear & Conditions

Pavement can vary, chip seal, sand patches in spring, choose tires with reliable wet grip. Layer your clothing: temperatures can shift dramatically between shoreline winds and forest shade.

Timing Your Trip

Spring shoulder season may have remnants of winter sand on the roads, but there are no crowds; summer brings long days and more services; fall offers blazing foliage but cooler nights.

Align your timing with what you want most out of the experience.

From the raw, wild stretches of the Grand Algoma Tour to the coastal grace of the Georgian Bay Loop and the cultural richness of Lake Temiskaming, Ontario delivers riding experiences as varied as its landscapes. These five routes are just the beginning; each promises miles of open pavement, unforgettable scenery, and enough twists, turns, and lakeside views to make every ride a story worth sharing.

So, fire up the bike, plan your camp or hotel stops, and head north this season; the roads are calling.

NOTE: This is sponsored content produced in partnership with Destination Ontario