Dust Demons Unite – The Gravel Crusher Adventure Loop is Here
Why the name Gravel Crusher? Because there is soooo much (60%) gravel on this loop that we wanted to pay homage to the road builders who made it. The ‘crusher’ is the massive machine that pulverizes large rocks into the blissful gravel surface we ADV riders love to ride. If you’re ready to embrace dusty backroads, the Gravel Crusher Loop is the prefect place to start.
The Facts
The Gravel Crusher is a 693 km loop, including extender routes, that weaves and winds its way through the counties of Lennox and Addington, Hastings, Frontenac and Lanark. It links together quaint historic communities that you would never see when travelling the paved roads. This ride offers a mix of breathtaking scenery, twisty gravel backroads, and the fellowship of companion riders.
The Ride
The Gravel Crusher is easily accessible whether you are coming from the east or west and is great to ride in either direction. If you are riding from Quebec or the Ottawa area, picking up the route in Carleton Place or Pakenham is your best option. Marmora provides access if you are coming from the GTA or western Ontario. These entry points also offer the ability to refuel both you and your bike before starting the ride.
This loop is the largest of our Ride the Highlands Adventure Routes, making three days the perfect amount of time to enjoy riding and the sites and food along the way. Several motorcycle friendly accommodations are available to choose from, located throughout the route.
Extender Routes
Two extender routes are included in this loop that are highly recommended:
The 92 km Westport Loop takes you through the postcard perfect village bustling with ice cream, patios and a microbrewery. This loop has a little more pavement, including the Top 10 Road, Westport Road, but it’s worth every inch, trust us.
‘I Ride for Cheese’ is a 68 km extender loop that is in the heart of Lanark and Frontenac County and stops at rider favourite, Back Forty Artisan Cheese. This incredible lactose oasis is owned by a fellow rider and purveyor of the finest cheeses and woodfired pizzas. Plan ahead as they are only open Fridays and Saturdays from mid-June until end of September, but even if you’re hitting the gravel midweek, the ride is still worth it.
Points of Interest
There are some great stops worth mentioning that you should make sure to visit:
Pakenham Bridge – The 5-span bridge in Pakenham is a true testament to the roadbuilders of the area. It was built by Scottish stone masons in 1903, to move products and goods to market in Eastern Ontario.
Woody’s Cycles – Located just outside of Perth and right on the Gravel Crusher Loop, Woody’s Cycles is like no other place you’ve ever been to. Be sure to chat with Woody and explore this motorcycle graveyard.
Hidden Goldmine Bakery – A short ride into Madoc on Old Marmora Road, stop here for a mid-morning coffee and some delicious baked treats, including an unforgettable cinnamon bun or their signature butter tarts.
Marmora Mine – Covering 75 acres with a depth of 700 feet, the former Marmora Mine was initially developed to extract iron ore for the war effort. The waste rock from the mine was sent to a nearby plant to produce gravel for local road construction. Today, it serves as a point of interest for those exploring the area.
The Gravel Crusher Loop is perfect for adventure bikes of all sizes and rider abilities. The road types range from rural backroads of varying widths and gravel types to more remote double track access roads. At minimum 80-20 tires are recommended. Cell service is spotty in remote areas so always be prepared by downloading the GPX file and printing the PDF map for reference. Also, ride with a buddy. It’s more fun to have someone to discuss the day’s adventure.
Click here to access GPX File* and PDF Map
*Please note: GPX file does not work on your phone if your are viewing the blog from a Facebook link. You must be in an external browser.
This loop is your chance to escape the routine, challenge yourself, and enjoy the thrill of the ride. So, gear up, embrace the dust, and let the Gravel Crusher Loop take you on the ultimate backroad adventure.
Hello RTH— Huge thanks for putting this route together. My buddy Ben and I crushed the core route last week, camping at Silver Lake then Bon Echo, August 20-22. Would be happy to share photos if you would like!
We love seeing and sharing rider photos. You can send them to ontariohighlands@gmail.com
Excited to do this ride but the pdf map link is broken 🙁
Yes… there was a glitch, but we fixed it quickly. Let us know if you run into any other issues.