Deep Valley Run – a Colourful Masterpiece
Fall colour in Ontario’s Highlands is so spectacular that we imagine even the road builders of the past would stop to take in Mother Nature’s fall show when blasting rock cuts or clearing trees for the roads we ride today. It’s like they knew where to put the curves and the lookouts, to take in the best of the season for their two wheeled friends to come.
The Deep Valley Run becomes a colourful masterpiece in the fall, with its dramatic elevation changes, quaint small towns, heavily forested tracts and sweet flowy roads. Paired with your favourite fall playlist, this motorcycle route becomes almost Zen-like.
September may be the best time to Ride the Highlands, as you experience the ultimate contrasting mix of reds, yellows, and greens. Get your favourite riding group together and plan a memorable fall ride, adding our suggested stops to your itinerary.
Note – Option 1 outlines the route for those entering the route from the east. Option 2 details the route starting in the west. Close Option #1 to view Option #2.
Day 1
Day 1 of your Deep Valley Run fall colour tour is full of adventure. Enter the route from the east, crossing the Ottawa River on the Quyon Ferry. Enjoy your ride as you follow the winding roads of the northern portion of Deep Valley Run. Be sure to take the time to get off your bike and get your heart pumping by exploring some of the route’s great attractions.
Your first adventure stop, you’re headed to Airborne Petawawa to check out the majestic fall colours from a higher perspective as you skydive in the Ottawa Valley.
Still ready for more adventure? Refuel with coffee and baked goods at Fifth Chute Coffee in Eganville before rounding out your day of excitement by venturing underground for some spelunking with Caveman Chris at Bonnechere Caves.
End your day’s riding with an overnight stay at The Ash Grove Inn. Book a luxury suite and enjoy dinner and vibrant fall colour from the patio as the sun sets over Kaminiskeg Lake.
Day 2
Start day 2 taking Combermere Road back into Barry’s Bay for some high-test coffee or a maple latte at the Madawaska Coffee Co. Back on Deep Valley Run, day 2 (and 3) are all about taking photos of you and your bike with a canvas of fall colour.
You’ll ride Old Barry’s Bay Road to start the morning’s tour, one of our famous top ten roads. Your first stop is the Kamaniskeg Lake Lookout for a group photo with the amazing fall colour views.
As you start to ride west towards Tory Hill, you’ll make your way onto another of our Top Ten Roads, the 118 & 28. Ride to Bancroft, to Eagles Nest Park to check out the incredible views from the Hawkwatch, if you’re riding an ADV bike.
Bancroft is your location for lunch today. The Granite overlooks the town, and provides an upscale relaxed atmosphere. Feel like fish and chips? Head to For the Halibut. Looking for more of a pub vibe? Check out the Bancroft Brew Pub.
As you wind your way from Bancroft to Calabogie, you’ll find Rosie’s Café & General Store near Denbigh where you can take a break and grab a sweet treat and a coffee to fuel the remainder of your ride.
At the end of the day, enjoy some grub on the patio and pack a sample of beverages to take back to your accommodation at the Calabogie Brewing Company. Put your kickstand down at one of Deep Valley Run’s motorcycle friendly accommodations. We suggest making a reservation at the Somewhere Inn, a funky boutique hotel where you can warm up with their thermotherapy cycle, in room fireplace and soaker tub or take advantage of the earlier sunset around the campfire.
Day 3
Start your morning with coffee and breakfast with a view of Calabogie Lake at Oh-El- La Café, the espresso experts in the valley. Next, you’re off to the Cherry Point Picnic Area for a scenic morning pic with your bike before you finish out the route.
As you make your way through Arnprior, stop for lunch at the Lumbertown Ale House then detour to Pakenham to visit two locations just off the route but worth the stop. The Pakenham bridge provides your final scenic photo backdrop and the 1840s General Store and Bakery, believed to be the oldest operating General Store in North America, is a great place to pick up baked goods for your trip home.
Day 1
Wind your way to Ontario’s Highlands where you’ll join the Deep Valley Run in Tory Hill, heading north on the 118 to Essonville where you’ll turn your steed west. Admire the majestic fall colour as you ride the route along Elephant Lake Road, one of our famous Top Ten Roads, to AM/PM Outdoor Gourmet for lunch. Check ahead to ensure fall opening hours, then fill up with the quad burger, featuring 14 ounces (!!) of fresh beef.
Once you’re full, roll yourself to the Kamaniskeg Lake Lookout for a group photo with the amazing fall colour views in the background. When you’ve captured the moment, you’ll ride Old Barry’s Bay Road (another top ten road) to Barry’s Bay where you’ll find your accommodation for the night.
End your day’s ride with an overnight stay at The Ash Grove Inn. Book a luxury suite and enjoy dinner and vibrant fall colour from the patio as the sun sets over Kaminiskeg Lake.
Day 2
Day 2 of your Deep Valley Run fall colour tour is a big day, full of adventure that gives you new perspectives of the masterpiece of fall. As you follow the winding roads of the northern portion of Deep Valley Run, take the time to get off your bike and get your heart pumping by exploring some of route’s attractions.
Start your morning in Barry’s Bay where you’ll fuel up on high-test coffee or a maple latte and breakfast at the Madawaska Coffee Co.
Ready for adventure? Your first stop includes a detour underground, spelunking with Caveman Chris at Bonnechere Caves.
Next, you’re headed to Airborne Petawawa to check out the majestic fall colours from a higher perspective as you skydive in the Ottawa Valley. Petawawa is your location for lunch today. We’ll let you decide whether to eat before or after you jump from the plane!
When you have your feet back on terra firma, cross into Quebec for more views of the fall colour and Ottawa river before crossing back over to Ontario on the Quyon Ferry. If you have the time for one more stop, the village of Pakenham provides a fun detour. A group photo with the historic five-span bridge, the only one of its kind in North America, is always a great shot, and you can’t go wrong with a visit to the historic 1840s General Store and Bakery, believed to be the oldest operating General Store in North America.
Your final scenic fall colour photo of the day takes place at Cherry Point Picnic Area. As you end your adventurous day in Calabogie, enjoy some grub on the patio and pack a sample of beverages to take back to your accommodation at the Calabogie Brewing Company. Put your kickstand down at one of Deep Valley Run’s motorcycle friendly accommodations. We suggest making a reservation at the Somewhere Inn, a funky boutique hotel where you can warm up with their thermotherapy cycle, in-room fireplace and soaker tub or take advantage of the earlier sunset around the campfire.
Day 3
Start your morning with coffee and breakfast with a view of Calabogie Lake at Oh-el- la Café, the espresso experts in the valley.
As you wind your way from Calabogie to Bancroft, stop at Rosie’s Café & General Store near Denbigh for a break, a sweet treat and more caffeine to fuel your ride.
If you’re riding an ADV bike, you’ll find Eagles Nest Park just north of Bancroft, where you can check out the incredible fall colour views from the Hawkwatch.
Bancroft is your location for lunch today. The Granite overlooks the town, and provides an upscale relaxed atmosphere. Feel like fish and chips? Head to For the Halibut. Looking for more of a pub vibe? Check out the Bancroft Brew Pub.
As your Deep Valley Run fall tour comes to an end, you’ll make your way back to Tory Hill, where you’ll complete the route in epic fashion on another of our top ten roads, the 118 & 28.
Check out the full route here and find GPX files here. Need help planning your ride? Drop us an email at ontariohighlands@gmail.com. Use #ridethehighlands to tag us during your ride. We’d love to see your fall colour motorcycle masterpiece.