Eastern Canada - Toronto to St. Catharines - route suggestions?

My family lives in St. Catharine's, and thinking of trying to bike home to visit sometime this summer instead of taking the bus.

Ideally, if the GO Train starts up again this summer, I'd bike there Saturday morning, relax that night / spend the day with them Sunday, and take the bike onto the GO Back to Toronto in the evening.

Any suggestions for routes?

Good news! Go starts Niagara service on May 21st. Just saw that yesterday.

I'd be interested to see what routes others take as well. I took a train to Burlington and rode to Niagara on the Lake couple of years ago. Going along the lake past Burlington was nice, but then I was on the North Service Rd, and it wasn't so nice. The noise from the highway was deafening. But maybe there's a better way.

Waterfront Trail

TF's right. I've done this route many times...Waterfront Trail then turn left after Burlington onto one of the interior Niagara routes parallel to Lake Ontario. Of course you can go on the Lake Ontario route but it's a bit boring (this is the route mentioned by Lucille). Do a search on past topics such as Niagara Falls and Waterfront Trail.

Here is a link to a map of the Waterfront Trail. It was very useful when I rode from Oakville to Toronto, hope it helps a little.

http://www.waterfronttrail.org/maps/wt-zone2.pdf (http://www.waterfronttrail.org/maps/wt-zone2.pdf)

Thanks for the suggestions,

I was wondering though if the Waterfront Trail is the best option? An old co-worker of mine (no longer have contact with him) mentioned doing similar ride last year, and said at some point following the trail just got to be more hassle than it was worth and just used his GPS to "head in the general direction".

I can't seem to find the thread anymore (may have been on a different forum), of someone suggesting at some point going up along the escarpment instead - has a bit of a killer climb at the start, but after that going through some nice rolling areas / vineyards / etc.

What I'm thinking might be a better idea, and to keep the ride a bit more reasonable (at least for the first time trying it), is taking the Go to Burlington, and biking the rest of the way.

Well you have to make a choice...farmland / vineyards (via the Escarpment), or remaining by the water (avoiding the escarpment climb).

Here is a link to a map of the Waterfront Trail. It was very useful when I rode from Oakville to Toronto, hope it helps a little.

http://www.waterfronttrail.org/maps/wt-zone2.pdf (http://www.waterfronttrail.org/maps/wt-zone2.pdf)

Thanks for the link!

When you did that ride was it trail the whole way or did you have to go on roads/through city as well?

Well you have to make a choice...farmland / vineyards (via the Escarpment), or remaining by the water (avoiding the escarpment climb).

The route along the escarpment sounds nice, and wouldn't mind the detour to get up there --- not sure what roads/etc id I'd need to take to get there though.

Looking at Google Maps, seems like

- Water Front Trail, until Grays Road, right on Grays up to King,
- Left on King, then up New Mountain Rd
- Then follow Ridge Rd across the top of the escarpment , and follow that road / other roads working my way towards St. Catharine's ?

^sounds about right...just be aware, you'll be riding next to Stelco / Dofasco so try not to go on too hot / humid of a day.

That route is also a bit dryer than Highway 8/81 which is what I normally take. There are quite a few fruit stands along there.

Thanks for the link!

When you did that ride was it trail the whole way or did you have to go on roads/through city as well?


You do have to ride on the road (Lakeshore) in Etobicoke. It's not too bad, the road is fairly wide and there are two lanes in each direction. The trail picks back up after you pass some homes that own the land on the waterfront. There is a small sign that is easy to miss, look for a small creek bridge. I am planning on doing the ride again every soon. It is very enjoyable.


Hey es82, if you do end up riding, can you map it on MapMyRide.com so we can see it and you can give us some info. I would love to ride through the Niagara region, vineyards this summer.

It may be a good idea to check Map My Ride to see if anyone has done a similar ride. (If you have not already done so)

I just did the Niagara Falls - Fort Erie run. Nice 70km roundtrip ride!