A ride to remember: Waterfront cycling in Cornwall
Add Cornwall to your summer or fall vacation list for a cycling experience unlike any other. Enjoy amazing off-road cycling trails right along the St. Lawrence River with easy access to restaurants, shops, attractions and more.
You can cycle the entire length of Cornwall’s waterfront — some 18km — before continuing west for another 25km to Upper Canada Village near Morrisburg. That’s over 40km of cycling right along the river’s edge. This route, known as the Riverside Trail, forms part of the larger Waterfront Trail.
“Cornwall has everything cyclists and cycle tourists are looking for — non-stop riverfront views, natural scenery, a fascinating history and great places to stop for a bite and drink,” said Marlaine Koehler, executive director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, the organization that oversees the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
“For families looking for a fun trail experience, Cornwall is the perfect destination.”
Along with the trail, Cornwall’s great location — only an hour’s drive from Ottawa and Montreal — makes it an ideal destination for cyclists in search of a fun day trip or an overnight experience.
PARK AND RIDE
The Cornwall Civic Complex offers the perfect starting point for a one-day cycling adventure. Located at 100 Water Street E., the facility provides ample free parking just steps from the trail. It’s also steps away from the many trendy shops and restaurants along Pitt Street in Downtown Cornwall, a perfect place to wrap up a ride with a nice meal and a cool drink on a patio.
Heading west, cyclists can enjoy great views of the river while rolling by numerous landmarks and attractions like the Cornwall Community Museum, the historic Cornwall Canal, the R.H. Saunders Generating Station and more. The trendy Rurban Brewing, Cornwall’s popular craft brewery, is just a short detour off the trail, on Cumberland Street.
Adventure awaits further west with the renowned Upper Canada Village and the majestic Long Sault Parkway, a series of islands connected by causeways and bridges. The parkway was created during the massive St. Lawrence Seaway and hydro project of the 1950s, and several villages were inundated as part of this Earth-changing project. The stories of these communities live on at the Lost Villages Museum, a beautiful collection of heritage buildings right along the trail just west of Cornwall.
CYCLE AND STAY
For those in search of an extended adventure, the Ramada by Wyndham and Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre are making it easy with a special Cycle & Stay Package starting at $149 per night, with a meal voucher included.
Another overnight option is Chesley’s Inn in Downtown Cornwall. The historic inn was built in 1814 and is just a block away from numerous restaurants and shops as well as the cycling trail.
GUIDED TOURS
Take your adventure to the next level with a multiday Cornwall cycling tour with Ottawa’s Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals. Enjoy a two-day cycling journey through nature while learning more about the region and its rich history. Guided or self-guided options are available and can be booked through the Escape Tours website.
RIDE ON!
In addition to the waterfront cycling, there are many other cycling routes to enjoy in Cornwall. There’s a 25km Urban Loop around the city, while dozens of other rides of various lengths can be discovered through the SDG Cornwall Adventure Club. These routes combine cycling along the waterfront as well as quiet county roads in SDG counties surrounding Cornwall.
The St. Lawrence River Lifestyle Group on Strava is another great resource for cyclists searching for rides in the area.
BIKE RENTALS
For those who prefer to leave their bikes at home, bike rentals are available at Marina 200 along Cornwall’s waterfront ( just east of the Cornwall Civic Complex). Bikes are available daily and can be reserved by calling 613-932-8301.
WATERFRONT TOURS
Explore Cornwall’s waterfront in a unique new way with a guided pedicab tour from Waterfront Tours. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views of the river with stops at key landmarks along the way. Dinner tour options are also available and you can book online at the Waterfront Tours website.
GET ROLLING!
For additional information, including cycling maps, directions and additional information on cycling in Cornwall, visit www.CornwallTourism.com/cycling.
Cornwall Tourism staff are also available to assist with recommendations and questions. Text them any time at 613-938-4748 or email them at info@cornwalltourism.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.