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Montreal to Toronto route

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Old 07-01-25 | 11:23 PM
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Montreal to Toronto route

My old thread: Need a tour suggestion
It is very old, starting a new one with a specific question: feedback on the route, specifically the section from Montreal to Brighton.
Looks like I will be able to finally follow the suggestions in the old thread and ride Le P'tit Train du Nord. Thinking of continuing to Toronto and then Niagara Falls. Planned route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51321532 -- I did detailed planning to Brighton, then let RWGPS continue to Niagara Falls (that part will follow the Waterfront Trail anyway). The route from Montreal to Brighton mostly follows gravel - Prescott-Russell trail, Ottawa Valley Rail trail, Cataraqui trail.
Are provincial parks of Ontario safe to camp in?
Plan B is to ride from Montreal to Alburgh, VT, then the islands/Vermont side to Whitehall, NY and then Empire State trail to Albany/Poughkeepsie.
Thank you!
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Old 07-02-25 | 05:41 AM
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Ive done a bunch of what you want to do, but before I write too much in detail, what tires are you thinking of using?
Also, you've mentioned not being comfortable on quiet paved two laner roads with speeds of 80-90kph (50mph ish) , so is that true and absolutely something you don't like to do?
The Ptit train du nord surface is pretty much fine even with a road bike, the gravel sections are nearly all hard packed and fine, and there are more paved sections than in the past--very pretty route.

the inner Montreal bike trails and leading out of Montreal are really great and pretty riding all in all, Ive ridden most of them.

The Prescott Russell trail surface is mostly good, but when I did it about 5 years ago, some parts were looser, but I was on 2 in slicks and have ridden and toured on all kinds of surfaces, so was completely fine with it. I was coming from Ottawa back to Montreal, and was told by an oncoming cyclist that the start of it was much looser gravel (closer to the Montreal end), and I was leaving it anyway before that point to spend the night somewhere well off the trail, so I can't speak for that part (plus it was five years ago, might be better)

Look up stuff on this, and overall, I would suggest wider tires, at least 38--but then again, it really depends on ones riding experience.

The cataraqui trail past Kingston used to have some soft and loose bits, but I havent done it and what I just wrote was comments from a friend who did it a long time ago, at least ten years back, so again--look up info.
It should be easy enough to get some feedback online.

As for safety in campgrounds, do you mean from a theft standpoint, or bears and such?
As Canadians, we don't generally worry about "safety" as such, but I might be reading your question wrong, but there are not homeless people and that sort of worries in campgrounds , but you do of course have to use common sense about not leaving valuables out unsupervised, but more importantly use common sense about not leaving food out as raccoons, small critters and birds and can make a mess of things if allowed.
Again, not really sure the angle of your question and your traveling experiences, but overall, no you do not have to worry about safety.

feel free to ask specifics, I ended up writing more than intended.....
Oh, be aware that we have blood sucking insects up here in the Great White North, again, I have no idea of your experience with mosquitoes, black flies.

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Old 07-02-25 | 06:15 AM
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Last summer I rode from Buffalo NY to the ferry to Kingston ON. Rode from there to Niagara Falls through Toronto. Summarized that trip at this link:
Bike Tour near Lake Ontario and part of Erie Canal - June 2024

I left the Waterfront Trail for most of the Toronto area, rode on roads instead. But otherwise mostly stayed on the Waterfront Trail.

I felt that the Ontario Provincial parks were very safe. I really liked Darlington, but Bronte Creek, not so much. But on Bronte Ck, I got one of the last sites available so it was of course one of the worst sites they had. They had some nicer sites that were already taken.

There are not many places to camp, so if you are camping at campgrounds, you may want to make sure that they still exist in your initial planning. Some that I planned to stay at that were on my map no longer existed.
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Old 07-02-25 | 03:03 PM
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Thank you djb for the detailed advice!
Originally Posted by djb
Ive done a bunch of what you want to do, but before I write too much in detail, what tires are you thinking of using?
Originally Posted by djb
The Prescott Russell trail surface is mostly good, but when I did it about 5 years ago, some parts were looser, but I was on 2 in slicks and have ridden and toured on all kinds of surfaces, so was completely fine with it. I was coming from Ottawa back to Montreal, and was told by an oncoming cyclist that the start of it was much looser gravel (closer to the Montreal end), and I was leaving it anyway before that point to spend the night somewhere well off the trail, so I can't speak for that part (plus it was five years ago, might be better)
Look up stuff on this, and overall, I would suggest wider tires, at least 38--but then again, it really depends on ones riding experience.
The Cataraqui trail past Kingston used to have some soft and loose bits, but I havent done it and what I just wrote was comments from a friend who did it a long time ago, at least ten years back, so again--look up info.
700x48c slicks (Soma Everwear), not road tires. Should be good for loose gravel, mud may be unpleasant. Will double check and also check for recent heavy rain.

Originally Posted by djb
Also, you've mentioned not being comfortable on quiet paved two laner roads with speeds of 80-90kph (50mph ish) , so is that true and absolutely something you don't like to do?
Now I would be more comfortable. I've read a story about a truck with a second trailer running a rider off the road near Johnstown: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...id=168986&v=2e
Am I overthinking it? Are you saying that the Waterfront Trail all the way or Route Verte 1 to Ottawa are a better options?

Originally Posted by djb
As for safety in campgrounds, do you mean from a theft standpoint, or bears and such?
As Canadians, we don't generally worry about "safety" as such, but I might be reading your question wrong, but there are not homeless people and that sort of worries in campgrounds , but you do of course have to use common sense about not leaving valuables out unsupervised, but more importantly use common sense about not leaving food out as raccoons, small critters and birds and can make a mess of things if allowed.
Again, not really sure the angle of your question and your traveling experiences, but overall, no you do not have to worry about safety.
Good to hear Example of my experience: last summer I arrived to a hiker/biker campground on the C&O canal towpath right after dusk and there was another cyclist staying there. I set the tent, approached him and said hi (I know it was stupid), next morning he told me he had thought I intended to steal something. A couple days before that he had left his bike at a campground for a while and someone stole his spare tire. Also at night there were some people outside discussing how to steal his bike. He packed everything and rode away at night. I think he said it had happened at the Dravo Campground on the GAP trail, and many locals on the trail told me it was a rough area.

Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN
I felt that the Ontario Provincial parks were very safe. I really liked Darlington, but Bronte Creek, not so much. But on Bronte Ck, I got one of the last sites available so it was of course one of the worst sites they had. They had some nicer sites that were already taken.
There are not many places to camp, so if you are camping at campgrounds, you may want to make sure that they still exist in your initial planning. Some that I planned to stay at that were on my map no longer existed.
Thank you! So far I planned campgrounds in Labelle and Saint-Jerome, then maybe Champlain Campground in the Voyageur Provincial Park. Will call the campgrounds to make sure they exist. Probably this is a somewhat curated map: https://bikeacrosscanada.github.io/
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Old 07-02-25 | 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by csport
...
Thank you! So far I planned campgrounds in Labelle and Saint-Jerome, then maybe Champlain Campground in the Voyageur Provincial Park. Will call the campgrounds to make sure they exist. Probably this is a somewhat curated map: https://bikeacrosscanada.github.io/
If a campsite has a current website that has a date somewhere of 2025 on the website, they probably are still in business. I do not think a phone call is necessary.

I did not check the sites in Canada for my trip last year because only one campsite that I wanted to stay at in 2019 on my Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI trip of five weeks had closed, all others were still in business so I was trusting the Open Streets maps. Provincial Park campsites rarely close, but private sector ones are less reliable. I am sure Covid had something to do with campsite and motel closures.
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Old 07-02-25 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by csport
Thank you djb for the detailed advice!
700x48c slicks (Soma Everwear), not road tires. Should be good for loose gravel, mud may be unpleasant. Will double check and also check for recent heavy rain.

Now I would be more comfortable. I've read a story about a truck with a second trailer running a rider off the road near Johnstown: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...id=168986&v=2e
Am I overthinking it? Are you saying that the Waterfront Trail all the way or Route Verte 1 to Ottawa are a better options?


Good to hear Example of my experience: last summer I arrived to a hiker/biker campground on the C&O canal towpath right after dusk and there was another cyclist staying there. I set the tent, approached him and said hi (I know it was stupid), next morning he told me he had thought I intended to steal something. A couple days before that he had left his bike at a campground for a while and someone stole his spare tire. Also at night there were some people outside discussing how to steal his bike. He packed everything and rode away at night. I think he said it had happened at the Dravo Campground on the GAP trail, and many locals on the trail told me it was a rough area.


Thank you! So far I planned campgrounds in Labelle and Saint-Jerome, then maybe Champlain Campground in the Voyageur Provincial Park. Will call the campgrounds to make sure they exist. Probably this is a somewhat curated map: https://bikeacrosscanada.github.io/
48 slicks in my opinion would be perfectly fine. Like I said, I've ridden on 38/40 and 48ish mm slicks a lot, and on rail trails, you really arent ever going to have mud, the crushed stone and stuff generally avoids actual mud.

about road incidents, I dunno, Ive been touring for over 35 years and use a mirror and am fine on all kinds of roads. For sure rail trails are quieter and all that, so can be more relaxing, even for someone like me who has ridden on roads in cities all my life and toured in all kinds of countries (touch wood!!).

going to Ottawa adds on extra distance, but I assume you want to see Ottawa.
I have done Kingston to Montreal and the roads are perfectly safe imo. The main traffic takes the big "interstate" type highway, the 401, and not the small "old highway" that runs along the St Lawrence. Very pretty ride all in all. The Thousand Islands area is really pretty.

to say its stupid to say hello to another cyclist at a campground, to me and any Canadian, is an odd thing to say. Campground folks are nearly always families, or people traveling, on vacation, and being friendly is just part of being Canadian. Like I said, campgrounds really don't have the stuff that you are describing, which seems to me is a reflection of your society that is a real difference to like in Canada. --- Sure, there are rough areas and poor people, and people who steal , but it's not something that you will really see or feel in a regular Canadian campground.
Yes, of course, things can get stolen at a campground, but having a feel for the people around you and the surroundings should aleve any fears that you have.
That said, I always lock my bike up, to a tree, to a picnic bench,or whatever, and dont leave my valuables in sight or out for someone to grab--basic common sense pretty much.
I'd say having situational awareness and observing the people around is the most important. Mr and Mrs Smith and kids on vacation , or a fellow bike tourist, not things to worry about. Sketchy looking folks hanging around a store you plan to go into, thats a different matter.

re Labelle, st Jerome camping, I dont think Ive camped at Labelle, and I forget how many klicks kms it is from Mont Laurier. St Jerome is where the Ptit train trail starts or ends, so Ive always finished there when doing the whole Ptit train du Nord (so not camped).

when are you thinking of doing this trip?
I ask because in high season, it might be an issue with full campsites. Due to the present particular political climate, more Canadians are not doing vacations in the States, which could very well make campgrounds more full than usual. On bike some places find spots for bikers, but that is hit and miss, but you could ask beforehand and see what Ranger Bob tells you over the phone about arriving by bike and if they will make an exception for a "full campsite".
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Old 07-07-25 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by djb
48 slicks in my opinion would be perfectly fine. Like I said, I've ridden on 38/40 and 48ish mm slicks a lot, and on rail trails, you really arent ever going to have mud, the crushed stone and stuff generally avoids actual mud.

about road incidents, I dunno, Ive been touring for over 35 years and use a mirror and am fine on all kinds of roads. For sure rail trails are quieter and all that, so can be more relaxing, even for someone like me who has ridden on roads in cities all my life and toured in all kinds of countries (touch wood!!).

going to Ottawa adds on extra distance, but I assume you want to see Ottawa.
I have done Kingston to Montreal and the roads are perfectly safe imo. The main traffic takes the big "interstate" type highway, the 401, and not the small "old highway" that runs along the St Lawrence. Very pretty ride all in all. The Thousand Islands area is really pretty.

to say its stupid to say hello to another cyclist at a campground, to me and any Canadian, is an odd thing to say. Campground folks are nearly always families, or people traveling, on vacation, and being friendly is just part of being Canadian. Like I said, campgrounds really don't have the stuff that you are describing, which seems to me is a reflection of your society that is a real difference to like in Canada. --- Sure, there are rough areas and poor people, and people who steal , but it's not something that you will really see or feel in a regular Canadian campground.
Yes, of course, things can get stolen at a campground, but having a feel for the people around you and the surroundings should aleve any fears that you have.
That said, I always lock my bike up, to a tree, to a picnic bench,or whatever, and dont leave my valuables in sight or out for someone to grab--basic common sense pretty much.
I'd say having situational awareness and observing the people around is the most important. Mr and Mrs Smith and kids on vacation , or a fellow bike tourist, not things to worry about. Sketchy looking folks hanging around a store you plan to go into, thats a different matter.

re Labelle, st Jerome camping, I dont think Ive camped at Labelle, and I forget how many klicks kms it is from Mont Laurier. St Jerome is where the Ptit train trail starts or ends, so Ive always finished there when doing the whole Ptit train du Nord (so not camped).

when are you thinking of doing this trip?
I ask because in high season, it might be an issue with full campsites. Due to the present particular political climate, more Canadians are not doing vacations in the States, which could very well make campgrounds more full than usual. On bike some places find spots for bikers, but that is hit and miss, but you could ask beforehand and see what Ranger Bob tells you over the phone about arriving by bike and if they will make an exception for a "full campsite".
Probably I was a bit socially stupid awkward as always, it was after dark, and the mentioned campsite is on the C&O canal with nothing nearby.

Doing the tour now, have ridden Le P'tit Ttrain du Nord and Prescott-Russell trail. No problem with PRT despite the rain.

Thank you for the hints!

Last edited by csport; 07-15-25 at 08:43 PM.
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Old 07-08-25 | 04:59 AM
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You've already done a good chunk then.
How was the start of the Prescott Russell and where did you get on it when leaving the island of Montreal.
Hope you enjoyed riding near and through Montreal?
I assume you followed the bike paths leaving Montreal going along the st Lawrence?
Get back here with your impressions of the other rail trail and or your whole trip, I'd be interested.
Cheers
And yes, we've had some very hot weather lately, and mucho rain at times, hope it wasn't horrible for you.
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Old 07-16-25 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by djb
You've already done a good chunk then.
How was the start of the Prescott Russell and where did you get on it when leaving the island of Montreal.
Hope you enjoyed riding near and through Montreal?
I assume you followed the bike paths leaving Montreal going along the st Lawrence?
Get back here with your impressions of the other rail trail and or your whole trip, I'd be interested.
Cheers
And yes, we've had some very hot weather lately, and mucho rain at times, hope it wasn't horrible for you.
I am back home. Really great tour! 1000km total, Mont-Laurier to Oakville. Will write more details later.

I was coming from Saint-Jerome and did not cross into Laval and Montreal (I think that takes a day or two itself, there are so many things to see even bike-wise -- Estacade and other routes), rode South and then took La Vagabonde to Oka and took Traverse Ferry to Hudson followed by quiet roads (Rue Main and 342) to Voyageur Provincial Park. Next day joined the Prescott-Russell trail near Barb (I think it is kilometer marker 10) and avoided the Eastern end of it.

All the trails were great: Trans-Canada Trail (Bells Corners to Carleton Place), Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (Carleton Place to Smiths Falls), Millennium Trail (Picton to Carrying Place). One exception is the Cataraqui Trail (Smiths Falls to Napanee), it is just not developed from about 8th to the 60th kilometer (near Perth Road). I took Opinicon Rd. to get to/away from the Chaffey's lock. The official site actually says that the Northern part of trail is not developed I totally missed it.

Great tour and a great experience, will write more details later.
Thank you for the advice and encouragement!

Cataraqui Trail near its Northern end
Cataraqui Trail near its Northern end


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Old 07-16-25 | 07:50 PM
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Neat. I'm glad the bike trails were enjoyable.
and a 1000k, cool.
That photo of the single trail looking Cataraqui would be fine on my bikepacking bike , but not so fun on narrower road tires and would get tiresome pretty quickly.
Depending on when you finished, holy cow its been hot lately, and I'm sure it was no different heading down towards T.O
put down more details when you feel like it, like I said, would be fun to read.
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