A Guide to your Spring Ride
Can you feel it? Spring is just around the next bend. In just a few more weeks, April’s showers will wash away the remaining sand and salt, making our roads ready to ride for another season. Many of you are deep into planning your first weekend rip, or if you are lucky enough, a mid-week getaway.
To help with your spring ride planning, we’ve created two itinerary options for our Dynamite Alley loop, depending on your entry point – from the west, at Buckhorn or from the east at Madawaska. All you have to do now is message your friends, pick a date and go:
Dynamite Alley Facts
Distance: 508 kms
Location: Western part of Ontario’s Highlands
Description: This two-day loop features the best riding in the western portion of Ontario’s Highlands. Enjoy rock cuts, twisty roads and scenic lookouts during your riding adventure.
Close Entry Option #1 to view Entry Option #2.
Entry Option #1 – Buckhorn (west side)
Day 1 – Home to Haliburton (Distance from home to Buckhorn + 70 kms to Haliburton)
If you’re riding to Ontario’s Highland from the GTA, the closest entry point to Dynamite Alley is a 2.5-hour ride to Buckhorn, with epic riding to start the loop.
Route: Click to view Google Map
Upon entering Dynamite Alley, at Buckhorn, fuel up at Flynn’s General Store and Gas station before winding your way north up the 507, also know as the Buckhorn, towards Haliburton. Be sure to grab some of their amazing butter tarts and fritters. Enjoy one… or two, during your break and pack the rest in your saddlebag for a road snack.
Stop #1: Flynn’s General Store and Gas Station, Flynn’s Turn
After your twisty ride to Haliburton, check out the great view of the town and the surrounding area at Skyline Park before heading to the CF-100 Canuck for a selfie with this rideable roadside attraction.
Stop #2: Skyline Park, Haliburton
Stop #3: CF-100 Canuck, Haliburton
Overnight Accommodation: There are lots of overnight options in the Haliburton area, from quaint B&Bs to resorts. Here is a selection of motorcycle friendly choices.
- Arching Pines B&B, Haliburton
- Lakeview Motel, Haliburton
- Bonnie View Inn, Haliburton
- Pinestone Resort, Haliburton
Dining: These two dinner locations serve up great food with an awesome view if you have the option to eat outside on a warm spring evening.
- Hook Line & Sinker, Haliburton
- McKeck’s Tap & Grill, Haliburton
Day 2 – Haliburton to Spectacle Lake Lodge (196 km)
Today you will continue north up highway 35 until riding east through Algonquin Park on highway 60. While we love making stops and checking out the views at this iconic provincial park, pack some bug spray to enjoy some time off your bike.
Route: Click to view Google Map or Mobile App
Looks can be deceiving at your first stop. As one of Ontario’s smaller museums, the Stanhope Heritage Museum has one of the largest archives of Ontario pioneer history. Get a glimpse of what the early days were like for the settlers in the Ontario’s Highlands region. During your visit, don’t forget to snap a photo with the larger than life 14’ tall lumberjack called the Sawyer.
Stop #1: Stanhope Heritage Museum, Algonquin Highlands
Photo Credit: Doug Farrell
With the rushing waters of spring, Buttermilk Falls and its log chute located right off of highway 35, this is a great stop to see how logs were once transported down the river by loggers.
Stop #2: Buttermilk Falls & Log Chute, Algonquin Highlands
Spring is a perfect time to visit the Dorset Lookout Tower to avoid crowds. Opening May 19th for the season, this 100-foot-tall tower provides you with an epic view of the Lake of Bays.
Stop #3: Dorset Lookout Tower, Dorset
If you’re set on making a stop in Algonquin Park, the Visitor Centre has great exhibits inside, as well as a viewing platform of the valley.
Stop #4: Algonquin Park Visitor Centre, Algonquin Park
Photo Credit: Jesse Reid
Overnight Accommodation & Dining: Just off the Dynamite Alley loop, Spectacle Lake Lodge is the perfect spot to drop your kickstand for the night. With an onsite restaurant, the Lakeside Smokehouse, you’ll be able to settle in for the evening once you’re done riding for the day.
- Spectacle Lake Lodge, South Algonquin
Extend your Day 2 ride (109 kms)
After checking into your accommodations and dropping off your bags, make the most of the longer spring days and extend your riding time. Dip into the Ottawa Valley region for an additional 100 kms. Ride some of the nearby Top 10 Roads including Siberia Road and Old Barry’s Bay Road.
Additional Route: Click to view Google Map or Mobile App
Day 3 – Spectacle Lake Lodge to Final Destination (260 km + distance to final destination)
Today you ride! With very few stops, you will enjoy some of the best twists and turns of the route as you wind your way south.
Route: Click to view Google Map or Mobile App
After the fun you just had riding only Top 10 Roads to Bancroft, including Madawaska, Peterson, Elephant Lake, Loop Road and Hwy 118 & 28, it’s time to fuel up at the delicious Bancroft Brewpub. Choose from a selection of apps, wraps and gourmet burgers to keep you going for the rest of your ride home.
Stop #1: Bancroft Brewpub, Bancroft
Before exiting the loop, the lower portion of Dynamite Alley takes you past Petroglyphs Provincial Park on Northeys Bay Road. This park is home to the largest concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. Be sure to check out the Learning Place Visitor Centre to learn more.
Stop #2: Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Woodview
Entry Option #2 – Madawaska (east side)
Day 1 – Home to Bancroft (Distance from home to Madawaska + 113 kms to Bancroft)
Upon entering the Dynamite Alley loop at Madawaska, you will be greeted with road after road of twisties riding your way to your final destination.
Route: Click to view Google Map or Mobile App
As you wind your way along Madawaska, Peterson, and Elephant Lake Road, take a break at AM/PM Outdoor Gourmet to fuel up with a delicious burger or sandwich.
Stop #1: AM/PM Outdoor Gourmet, Harcourt
Overnight Accommodation: Continue your way on Loop Road and Hwy 118 & 28 to Bancroft, where you will break for the night.
- Sword Inn Bancroft, Bancroft
Extend your Day 1 ride (111 kms)
After checking into your accommodation and dropping your bags off, make the most of the longer spring days and extend your riding time with these great roads nearby including county road 504 and Lower Faraday.
Additional Route: Click to view Google Map or Mobile App
Dining: After your day of riding, relax at the Bancroft Brewpub for a delicious meal. Choose from a selection of apps, wraps and gourmet burgers.
- Bancroft Brewpub, Bancroft
Day 2 – Bancroft to Haliburton (204 km)
Get ready for a fun filled day of twisties as you meander your way to Haliburton.
Route: Click to view Google Map or Mobile App
The lower portion of Dynamite Alley takes you past Petroglyphs Provincial Park on Northeys Bay Road before heading north on the 507, also know as the Buckhorn. This park is home to the largest concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. Be sure to check out the Learning Place Visitor Centre to learn more.
Stop #1: Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Woodview
Continuing your way up the 507, stop in at Flynn’s General store to pick up some of their amazing butter tarts and fritters. Enjoy one… or two, during your break and pack the rest in your saddlebag for a road snack.
Stop #2: Flynn’s General Store and Gas Station, Flynn’s Turn
After your twisty ride to Haliburton, check out the great view of the town and the surrounding area at Skyline Park before heading to the CF-100 Canuck for a selfie with this rideable roadside attraction.
Stop #3: Skyline Park, Haliburton
Stop #4: CF-100 Canuck, Haliburton
Overnight Accommodation: There are lots of overnight options in the Haliburton area, from quaint B&Bs to resorts. Here is a selection of motorcycle friendly choices.
- Arching Pines B&B, Haliburton
- Lakeview Motel, Haliburton
- Bonnie View Inn, Haliburton
- Pinestone Resort, Haliburton
Dining: These two dinner locations serve up great food with an awesome view if you have the option to eat outside on a warm spring evening.
- Hook Line & Sinker, Haliburton
- McKeck’s Tap & Grill, Haliburton
Day 3 – Haliburton to Madawaska (196 km)
Today you will continue north up highway 35 until riding east through Algonquin Park on highway 60. While we love making stops and checking out the views at this iconic provincial park, pack some bug spray to enjoy some time off your bike.
Route: Click to view Google Map or Mobile App
Photo Credit: Kyle Hassan
Looks can be deceiving at your first stop. As one of Ontario’s smaller museums, the Stanhope Heritage Museum has one of the largest archives of Ontario pioneer history. Get a glimpse of what the early days were like for the settlers in the Ontario’s Highlands region. During your visit, don’t forget to snap a photo with the larger than life 14’ tall lumberjack called the Sawyer.
Stop #1: Stanhope Heritage Museum, Algonquin Highlands
With the rushing waters of spring, Buttermilk Falls and its log chute located right off of highway 35, this is a great stop to see how logs were once transported down the river by loggers.
Stop #2: Buttermilk Falls & Log Chute, Algonquin Highlands
Spring is a perfect time to visit the Dorset Lookout Tower to avoid crowds. Opening May 19th for the season, this 100-foot-tall tower provides you with an epic view of the Lake of Bays
Stop #3: Dorset Lookout Tower, Dorset
If you’re set on making a stop in Algonquin Park, the Visitors Centre has great exhibits inside, as well as a viewing platform of the valley.
Stop #4: Algonquin Park Visitor Centre, Algonquin Park
Get ready for your epic spring adventure. Share this itinerary with your riding friends, and if you haven’t already, order our Free 2024 Ride the Highlands paper map for everyone in your riding crew. We can’t wait to welcome you all back to Ontario’s Highlands for another riding season. See you on the road!