CYCLING BEYOND PARIS TO ANCASTER HAMILTON, BRANT AND HALTON DELIVER

Experience the Hamilton, Halton and Brant area of Southern Ontario, home of Paris to Ancaster, one of the largest off-road cycling events in North America, attracting thousands of participants and spectators each year. The area features the Niagara Escarpment, Grand River, Bruce Trail and Lake Ontario shoreline, plus there are many attractions, heritage sites and vibrant downtown areas for accommodation options and great dining.

Hamilton

Hamilton boasts over 100km of bike trails traversing breathtaking natural landscapes, waterfalls, escarpments and urban areas. A popular cycling route is the 42km Escarpment Rail Trail that crosses the Niagara Escarpment to Brantford, offering panoramic views of the city skyline, farms and valleys.

Another must-see cycling destination is the Waterfront Trail, which extends 7km along Hamilton Harbour and offers stunning views of Lake Ontario.

Hamilton also boasts a number of cycling events, including the Hamilton Bike Share, Bike for Mike, and the annual Hamilton Cycling Festival, that attracts thousands of cycling enthusiasts from around the world.

In addition, Hamilton offers attractions such as the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the historic Dundurn Castle and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

The Halton region welcomes all cyclists, offering many on- and off-road opportunities for all skill levels. With interactive maps of eight road cycling routes, you can enjoy rides from 36 to 100km, with a variety of intensity levels.

These routes offer a variety of experiences from wineries and Mennonite shops to conservation areas and lakefront views.

For off-road cycling lovers, try the challenging and adventurous mountain biking trails at Kelso, Hilton Falls and Mountsberg conservation areas.

Cycling enthusiasts can also enjoy the world-class indoor track facility at Milton’s velodrome, the Mattamy National Cycling Centre.

You’ll also find bike rentals, guided tours, bike-friendly accommodations, charity rides and events such as the Epic Tour, the GTA’s GranFondo, one of Canada’s largest cycling events.

Halton is also home to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada’s largest botanical garden, 14 regional forests, and incredible lakeside views with more than 25km of Lake Ontario waterfront.

Brant

One of Brant County’s most popular cycling destinations is the 275km Grand River, a designated Canadian Heritage River that is the largest watershed in southern Ontario. Canada’s iconic Trans Canada Trail passes through the Grand River watershed from Belwood Lake to Brantford, which includes a side trip to Guelph.

Try the 65km Grand River Cycling Loop for breathtaking views as you enjoy a mix of paved, gravel and dirt paths through scenic forests, wetlands and farmland.

There are many two-wheel options such as the 48km Paris to Scotland Tour, or the 26km Pleasant Ridge Tour. Don’t forget to explore the charming towns and historic sites along the way.

The County has one of the most beautiful and conveniently connected trail systems winding through the only tract of Carolinian Forest found in Canada where you can also enjoy canoeing, rafting, kayaking and fishing.

Paris to Ancaster

The renowned Paris to Ancaster bike race, dubbed Canada’s cycling spring classic, took place on April 30 this year. First held in 1994, the iconic event traverses all three regions.

With something for everyone, there are different categories of races for riders of all skill levels, including elite racers, recreational riders and children.

Paris to Ancaster has seen several thousand participants taking on various distances, including P2A Cento (P2A 100k), P2A Classic (P2A 70k), P2A Breve (P2A 45k), and P2A Family (P2A 20K)

In recognition of the event’s challenging terrain, the Paris to Ancaster bike race was awarded the title of Canadian Gravel Championships by Cycling Canada in 2021 and in 2023. This event also has a significant charitable component, with funds raised from the P2A Family Ride donated to the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.

ONTARIO, CANADA

Accommodation

The area offers many accommodation options from bed and breakfasts to 5-star hotels

DINING

Numerous great dining options, cafes, eateries, wineries, taverns, bars, pizzarias, coffee houses and more.

CYCLING

• 42km Escarpment

Rail Trail

• 7km Waterfront Trail

World-class indoor track at Milton velodrome

65km Grand River cycling loop

• Paris to Ancaster bike race

• Bike for Mike Hamilton Cycling Festival

• Epic Tour Rentals

• Lessons

• Guided tours

• E-bikes welcome

ATTRACTIONS

• Art Gallery of Hamilton Dundurn Castle

• Royal Botanical Gardens

• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Canoeing, rafting, kayaking, hiking, fishing

GETTING THERE

Nearest airports:

• Hamilton International Airport in Mount Hope, 20 min to downtown

• Pearson International Airport (YYZ), 65km away

HAMILTON, HALTON, BRANT REGION

605 James Street North #201, Hamilton, ON, L8L 1J9

905-297-0190 www.hamiltonhaltonbrant.com

Accommodation

Many accommodation options nearby in Oro, Orillia, and Barrie

DINING

Sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. available in the Chalet every day, hot food served out of the Hardwood Food Trailer, fully licensed

CYCLING

• 12 trails

• 40km of rolling double track trails

• 50km of single track trails

Wednesday night race series

• Camp Hardwood Rentals

• Lessons

• E-bikes welcome

• Trail fees apply, best to purchase before arrival

Attractions

Barrie Waterfront Festival

• Scenic Caves

Adventure Tours

• Longest Suspension

Bridge in S. Ontario

• Barrie Jazz & Blues Festival

Vetta Nordic Spa

• Scandinave Spa at Blue Mountain

• Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre

• Stephen Leacock Museum

• Orillia Museum of Art and History

• Quayle’s Brewery

• Oro-Medonte Rail Trail

GETTING THERE

Nearest airports:

• Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (YLK)

7km away

• Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

115km away

• Billy Bishop (YTZ) 120km away

HARDWOOD SKI AND BIKE

402 Old Barrie Road West, Oro Station, Ontario, L0L 2E0

705-487-3775 hardwoodskiandbike.ca