Ride The Highlands ADV - Playing in the Dirt
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Pick-Ax Loop, Timber Trail Loop, and Gravel Crusher Loop: Which Adventure Route is Right for You?
Ontario's Ride the Highlands has long been the ultimate destination for motorcycle riders seeking fun, twisty roads. Recently, thanks to the efforts of the Ride The Highlands team, three new adventure bike loops have been created, making it Ontario's top adventure bike destination. Whether you enjoy navigating rocky trails, cruising along scenic backroads, or covering miles on gravel, the Highlands offer something for every adventure rider.
Decide between the Pick-Ax Loop, Timber Trail Loop, or Gravel Crusher when planning your next ride. Each loop features unique terrain, challenges, and rewards. This guide will break down everything you need to know about each route, including difficulty levels, terrain types, and must-see stops. This way, you can choose the perfect adventure that matches your riding style.
Why Choose Ride the Highlands?
Ontario’s Ride the Highlands is a haven for off-road enthusiasts and adventure riders, boasting an extensive network of dirt roads, single-track trails, and gravel paths. Located in the rugged landscapes of Haliburton, Madawaska, and Bancroft, this region offers:
Diverse terrain, including forested trails, rocky climbs, and flowing gravel roads.
Easy accessibility from major cities like Toronto and Ottawa.
A long riding season, with ideal conditions from May to October.
There are many accommodations, fuel stops, and rider-friendly businesses.
Whether you’re an experienced off-road rider or a gravel newcomer, Ride the Highlands has a route tailored for your next adventure.
Pick-Ax Loop: For the Technical Trail Rider
Duration: 1-2 days
Length: 370km, at least 70% gravel
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Advanced
Advanced sections: Paugh Lake Loop, Matawatchan Loop
Highlights: Bonnechere Caves, Oh-el-la Café, Madawaska Coffee Co., Calabogie Brewing Company, historic logging roads.
Map: Pick-Ax Loop Map
Our Ride - Pick-Ax Loop
As fall drifts to winter and the end of the riding season nears, we seized the opportunity for one more ride and set our sights on the new Pick-Ax Loop and a three-day, 1,000-kilometre ride from Toronto.
The loop features several access points, making it convenient for riders from Ottawa, Quebec, the U.S. border, or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
We chose Glenfield Road at the southwest corner of the loop as our access point. The sandy road surface dotted with rocks, hidden beneath a layer of fallen leaves, provided a refreshing change after a morning spent on the pavement.
We followed the Madawaska River along mostly gravel roads until we reached Highway 60 and Barry's Bay.
Our first night's stay is at the Ash Grove Inn in Barry's Bay. It features comfortable rooms and an on-site restaurant, ideal for a post-ride meal.
Day two begins slowly as we wait for the sun to melt the ice off our bikes. A hearty breakfast at Grove Inn and a follow-up coffee at Madawaska Coffee in Barry's Bay provided the necessary fuel.
First on the agenda is Paugh Lake Road and the White Mountain Chute Trail, which promises to be the biggest challenge of the loop. The steep, rocky climb of the White Mountain Chute Trail will test your skills and bike choices.
Fortunately, the way the Pick-Ax Loop is laid out, this advanced section is optional and can easily be avoided.
Our morning ride takes us through rolling farmland along gravel roads, leading us to the Wilno Tavern for a well-deserved meal.
In the afternoon, we navigate the Ottawa Valley, enjoying a blend of gravel and paved roads. The only challenge we encounter is some newly graded single-lane sandy stretches.
In Calabogie, we have lunch at the popular Redneck Bistro before crossing the street to Calabogie Brewing Co., where we pick up a couple of refreshments for the evening.
Our second night’s accommodations, Somewhere Inn Calabogie, offered a stylish and comfortable retreat.
On day three, breakfast at Oh-el-la Cafe is a fantastic choice. After fueling up at Bogie General Store, we spend the day navigating the best-paved twisties and equally thrilling gravel roads of Ride The Highlands.
As we finish the Pick Axe Loop on some excellent forest access roads, it becomes clear that this dirt-packed adventure in the Ontario Highlands was worth the wait. If you haven't tried the Pick Axe Loop yet, it's time to add it to your riding list!
Timber Trail Loop: The Ultimate Backcountry Explorer
Duration: 2 days
Length: 446km, 60% twisty, low-traffic surfaced treated roads, and 40% gravel backroads/forest access roads.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Advanced sections: ‘Call My Mom' Route (18kms)
Highlights: Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve, Bancroft Brew Pub, Skyline Park, Eagle Nest Lookout, Haliburton Highlands Brewing.
Our Ride - The Timber Trail
Good things come to those who wait, and Ontario's premier motorcycle destination, Ride The Highlands, continues to impress. Following the success of the Pick Axe Loop, the team behind Ride The Highlands is unveiling a new adventure that promises even more dirt, challenges, and thrills: welcome to the Timber Trail ADV Loop.
We plan to explore the Timber Trail ADV Loop from our home base for a couple of nights at Sir Sam's Inn, which features lakeside suites, on-site dining, and relaxing amenities for post-ride enjoyment. Our group comprises a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, a BMW 1200 Adventure, and two KTM 990s. Each motorcycle has different tire set-ups, from 50/50 to more road-biased 70/30 setups, to test the route effectively.
Day One: Getting Here
We gathered from various locations at the southern section of the loop before heading west. The road quickly shifted from pavement to gravel, narrowing into single-lane trails with shallow water crossings and fire access roads. We travel along graded gravel paths and rough country lanes, making the ride a perfect blend of challenge and scenic beauty. After a rewarding day, we enjoyed a meal and evening at Sir Sam's.
Day Two: Tackling the Tough Stuff
The morning began with stretches of gravel and pavement, but the real adventure was just ahead. The optional "Call My Mom" section awaited, a challenging 18-kilometer stretch featuring rocky inclines, deep mud, and unpredictable water crossings.
How did the "Call My Mom" name come about, you ask?
Riding the biggest bike in the group does have some negatives, and after a few pick-ups and struggles through the mud, the exhausted rider jokingly said, "I feel like I need to call my mom." Approved by all with a round of laughter, the name stuck.
With the most challenging part behind us, the day continued with a mix of sand, gravel, and dirt. We ended the day at Sir Sam's, where we enjoyed cold beers, delicious food, and a few tales from the day's adventure.
Day Three: The Journey Home
All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, we packed up and set off in different directions. Some retraced the Timber Trail Loop sections, while others followed Ride The Highlands' scenic paved roads. A few opted for a direct path home.
The Timber Trail Loop is your best choice if you enjoy rides that mix paved and gravel roads with some backcountry spice.
Gravel Crusher Loop: The Gravel Grinder’s Dream
Duration: 3 days
Length: 538km, 60% twisty, low-traffic surfaced treated roads, and 40% gravel backroads/forest access roads.
Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Advanced sections: No advanced sections. This route primarily involves cruise gravel roads perfect for big adventure bikes.
Highlights: Woody’s Cycles, 1840s General Store and Bakery, Hidden Goldmine Bakery, Pakenham Bridge.
Our Ride - Gravel Crusher Loop
First came the Pick Axe Loop, followed by the Timber Trail Loop, which garnered high praise. Ride The Highlands presents its latest off-road challenge: the Gravel Crusher Loop.
The Gravel Crusher is a dirt version of the region’s best-paved roads. Stretching over 500 kilometers and primarily composed of gravel, this multi-day loop is designed for ADV bikes of all sizes.
We make our way east from Toronto to Madoc and the Hidden Goldmine Bakery for coffee and butter tarts before embarking on to the official route for 200 kilometers of gravel and dirt to cap day one.
In Westport, we refuelled at Westport Brewing Company and picked up refreshments for the evening before dropping off our bags at Grass Point Lodge B&B.
Day two started with a hearty breakfast before we tackled another 380 km of winding gravel roads. The route wove through ponds dotted with lily pads, historic farmsteads, and charming small towns like Perth, Pakenham, Westport, and Madoc.
A must-stop was Woody’s Cycles, a legendary motorcycle shop with decades of stories and thousands of bikes and parts scattered across its property.
Lunch was terrific at the General Store & Bakery in Pakenham, where massive cinnamon buns stole the show.
Night two was at Myers Cave Resort, where we enjoyed some wood-fired pizza from the on-site food truck.
Unlike the Pick Axe and Timber Trail Loops, which have challenging sections for advanced riders, the Gravel Crusher is designed for fully loaded ADV bikes and riders of all experience levels. While there are no extreme sections, the loop offers abundant excitement with single-lane gravel stretches through forests and wetlands, sand-covered paths, and winding trails favoured by ATVs.
The adventure ended where it began—back at Hidden Goldmine Bakery for another round of coffee and butter tarts.
Ride The Highlands nailed it with the Gravel Crusher, offering the perfect blend of adventure, scenery, and rider-friendly towns.
Planning Your Ride: Essentials and Logistics
Choosing the Right Loop
For technical trail riders: The Pick-Ax Loop is ideal for those who enjoy challenging terrain, steep climbs, and technical riding.
For backcountry explorers: The Timber Trail Loop offers a mix of gravel and scenic roads, with optional advanced sections for a true adventure feel.
For gravel grinders: The Gravel Crusher Loop is perfect for riders looking for a scenic and accessible ride with smooth-flowing gravel roads.
Essential Gear
Navigation tools: A GPS device or a reliable offline navigation app like Backcountry Maps. I used the Backroads App to navigate all loops.
Protective gear: Helmet, gloves, armored riding jacket, and boots.
Emergency supplies: First aid kit, tire repair kit.
Weather considerations: Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Tire set-ups: 50/50 is best, but on all rides, we had bikes with 70/30 setups that did fine.
Best Time to Ride
May to October offers the best riding conditions, with late spring and early fall providing optimal temperatures and minimal dust.
Avoid peak summer heat if riding in full gear for long durations.
Accommodations & Fuel Stops
Ride the Highlands is well-equipped with fuel stations and adventure-friendly accommodations, including motels, inns, and campsites along each route.
Recommended stays: Ash Grove Inn (Barry’s Bay), Somewhere Inn Calabogie, Sir Sam’s Inn, Grass Point Lodge B&B.
Final Tips for a Successful Ride
Plan ahead: Download maps, check route conditions, and ensure your bike is in top shape.
Ride with a group: Having a riding buddy is always a good idea, especially for more challenging sections.
Respect the terrain: Stick to designated routes and be mindful of local wildlife and residents.
Whether you’re a seasoned off-road rider looking for a challenge or a gravel grinder seeking smooth-flowing backroads, Ride the Highlands has an adventure for you. So gear up, plan your route, and get ready to explore one of Ontario’s premier adventure-riding destinations!
What’s your favorite Ride the Highlands loop in Ride the Highlands? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
