Georgian Bay Explorer

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Clearview, Ontario, CA

Route Overview

Ontario By Bike

Day trip and overnight itineraries across Ontario

59 mi.

1,572 ft.

Ride along the picturesque southern shores of Georgian Bay and into the heart of the Niagara Escarpment in Grey County on a suggested two-day tour that features an even mix of well-kept rail trails and quiet rural roads, with both paved and unpaved segments.

Starting from Stayner in the east and ending in Owen Sound, the route brings cyclists up and around the northern reaches of the Escarpment with frequent opportunities to cool off in Georgian Bay. Enjoy visiting quaint towns and villages along the way with an evening in Meaford before continuing the ride west along country roads with vistas across the glistening waters of Georgian Bay.

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Route Details

At a total distance of 95km or 59 miles, this route is suggested as a 2-day itinerary. Due to riders needing to have some experience riding on roads with low volume and low speed vehicle traffic, as well as some modest elevation changes, this route is rated **moderate**.

This is a linear route, so prepare your own transportation return to Stayner, or ride back!

Most of the road route is on quiet country roads, other segments are slightly busier. Off-road trails are primarily unpaved surfaces, which are hard packed so easy to ride. The majority of day 1 riding is relatively flat, with day 2 featuring more elevation changes. The terrain makes this ride suitable for hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and older road bikes with wider tires.

# @slice[Day 1: Stayner to Meaford - 49km (30 Miles)](d,101.47,49113.05)

The ride starts in Stayner along the @slice[14km Clearview Train Trail](d,0,14001.28), crushed gravel, linear trail spanning from Stayner to Collingwood and the southern shores of Georgian Bay. Stop into @poi[Collingwood](5767394) and visit downtown and farmer's market, before connecting to the popular Georgian Trail, west towards the Escarpment. Enjoy easy and short trips off the trail to a @poi[trailside coffee house](5767400), @poi[beaches](5767399), provincial park or communities along the way including Blue Mountain Village.

Continue riding the @slice[Georgian Trail](d,16812.36,48644.59) and into the community of @poi[Thornbury](5767402), with boutique shops, local restaurants and @poi[Thornbury Cidery](5767401), as well as and the famous @poi[Fish Ladder](5768110). Enjoy the beautiful final 13km of rail trail with rest rooms and beach access at Christie Beach or ride into @poi[Meaford](5767404) for a visit to the @poi[Meaford Hall Arts and Cultural Centre](5768111)'s art gallery. Enjoy shops and restaurants in town before or after checking into your accommodations.

# @slice[Day 2: Meaford to Owen Sound - 46km (28 Miles)](d,49598.75,95572.14)

Ride out from Meaford west, towards @poi[Owen Sound](5767409), following paved roads out of town. Quickly connecting to the quiet rural countryside, riders will climb up and around the Escarpment. A mix of paved and unpaved roads will bring the group past farmlands and vineyards, as this areas is this an emerging wine-growing region.

With views of the bay or escarpment never far off, a lunch stop at bicycle friendly @poi[Coffin Ridge Winery](5767408) will be well deserved after the morning ride. Sit and enjoy the views looking west over Owen Sound and Georgian Bay and enjoy a glass of locally grown, Frontenac Gris or Pinot Noir. @slice[Enjoy a steady decline off the escarpment and an afternoon ride that coasts along roads with low-volumes of traffic](d,73979.11,95630.47) and routing along the eastern shore of Owen Sound into town. Visit the @poi[Historic Leith Church](5768109), before arriving in Owen Sound, and what is reported to be Group of Seven artist, Tom Thomson`s final resting place and grave.

# Additional Visitor Information

Use below to find out more about ride areas and plan an extra day or two to see more.

* Ontario By Bike - Grey County - [www.ontariobybike.ca/grey](http://www.ontariobybike.ca/grey)
* Visit Grey  - [www.visitgrey.ca](http://www.visitgrey.ca)
* Bruce Grey Simcoe - [www.brucegreysimcoe.com](http://www.brucegreysimcoe.com)
* The Georgian Trail - [www.georgiantrail.ca](http://www.georgiantrail.ca)
* Tom Thompson Trail - [www.tomthomsontrail.com](http://www.tomthomsontrail.com)
* Ontario By Bike - Simcoe County - [www.ontariobybike.ca/simcoe](http://www.ontariobybike.ca/simcoe)
* Cycle Simcoe - [www.cyclesimcoe.ca](http://www.cyclesimcoe.ca)

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# Getting To/From Start:

*This is not a looped itinerary and it is suggested to always organize and/or confirm reservation and timing of transportation services prior to departure to ensure availability of services. Stayner is located just 15 minutes south east of Collingwood. Factor in the following approximate drive times to get to the start: Toronto 1 hour and 40 minutes; Kitchener-Waterloo 2 hours; Niagara Falls 2.5 hours; London 3 hours.*

Georgian Bay Explorer

Route Overview

Route Details

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