Old Nipissing Ghost Road

Ride

Type: Bike Packing / Gravel Biking

Distance: 

• Old Nipissing Ghost Road – End-to-End – 77.1 km
• Old Nipissing – North/ Algonquin Loop – 113.3 km
• Old Nipissing – Middle Loop – 64.5 km
• Old Nipissing – South Loop – 79.8 km

Staging Areas:

• Old Nipissing Ghost Road – End-to-End – Commanda General Store Museum at Hwy 522, Commanda
• Old Nipissing North Algonquin Loop – South River Brewing at 309B HWY 124, South River
• Old Nipissing Middle Loop – Magnetawan Municipal Office/Library at 4304 Highway 520, Magnetawan
• Old Nipissing South Loop – Sprucedale Community Centre at 31 William Street, Sprucedale.

Alerts:

The old adage “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” has never been truer than with this cycling adventure on the Old Nipissing Road. The appeal for many cyclists of the ride between Magnetawan and Commanda is the remote and rugged nature of the old ghost road. The deep ruts of wagon wheels from a bygone era have been replaced by ATV tracks and nature’s unyielding power to reclaim the Northern Ontario wilds. With limited cell service and trails in every direction, it is easy to get off course. Matched with seasonal businesses with limited hours, wildlife encounters (big and small), and challenging terrain, makes the experience a true Northern wilderness adventure.

Old Nipissing Ghost Road – End-to-End (77.1 km)
The adventure begins at the Ghost Town of Seguin Falls at the South end of the Nipissing Road where some buildings are still visible in the old ghost town. This is the intersection with the Park to Park Trail and where the Trans Canada Trail continues its path East to Newfoundland. The gravel party begins right off the top as you ride North on the Nipissing Road. The climbs are a little punchy for the first 20 km to Spence and the locally-famous Cornball Store.

The route along Nipissing Road is clear and well maintained gravel. Take note that several of the offshoot roads along this section may appear as connecting to others when this isn’t the case.  As is typical along the original wagon routes, you will pass numerous small cemeteries for different denominations. Dates around 1886 start to appear on headstones, telling the story of young and old who would have cut this path back in much harder times.

Onto the tarmac North of Spence and a trio of steep grinds to get the juices pumping through Magnetawan. Ontario’s shortest highway (510) at just 3 km is the last of the smooth riding.  The route transforms and facilities drop off from here, as does reliable road maintenance. Although the road is gravel (or once was), it is entering unorganized township where no one authority is responsible for maintenance and its condition varies. Some sections are wide and well kept; others are little more than two ruts plunging into dark woods, much as the pioneers would have experienced a century ago. The North end is also prone to washouts and floods making for a thrilling terrain with a few surprising (and muddy) technical challenges. No promises that you won’t be involved in a hike-a-bike situation! There are intermittent Trans Canada Trail signs and road markers are not always present. Be sure to stop to read the series of historic markers located along the route.

Old Nipissing Ghost Road – North/ Algonquin Loop (113.3 km)
Touch the Northern edge of Algonquin Park with this loop where it veers away from the Old Nipissing Road. Eagle Lake Road into the Village of South River is a freshly paved cottage road that can get busy in the summer with recreational traffic on their way to Mikisew Provincial Park and the many cottages lining the multiple lakes and rivers. It’s the same situation traffic-wise for Chemical Road East of South River as a popular access road to Algonquin Park’s access point #1 at Kawawaymog Lake. Stay at one of the remote lodges or outpost cabins, or rent a canoe from one of the park’s lakeside outfitters to really experience this wild place. Chemical, Forestry, Hemlock and Alsace Road on the loop are a mix of packed gravel of varying conditions with rolling hills, punchy climbs and sharp bends with poor sightlines. Alsace Road follows the original colonial road to Nipissing Village. With less regular maintenance along some parts of the roads, be prepared. You’ll witness the northern way of life with possible active logging operations, private hunt camps and stunning wilderness. Amenities are scarce, plan accordingly. Watch out for moose!

Old Nipissing Ghost Road – Middle Loop (64.5 km)
This is a shorter loop that allows riders to return along a different route on the way “home”. Go where the google car won’t go! The roads have variable surface conditions, from hard packed gravel, broken pavement and loose gravel. Be prepared to be self-supporting as there are no amenities along this loop.

Old Nipissing Ghost Road – South Loop (79.8 km)
Departing from Sprucedale and heading North, you will follow Stisted Road, which is paved for 6km, until the intersection of Richardson Road, where gravel returns – buckle up for some grindy hills. Stisted Road continues for 2km North, before turning West onto Royston Road for a lumpy and twisty ride towards Starrat Road. At Starrat Road, head North to Midlothian Road. This section is well maintained municipal backroads. Note that Midlothian Road can have increased traffic, relative to other roads on this route, as it is a feeder route from Burk’s Falls to the south of Ahmic Lake. Weekends can have increased cottage traffic.

A must-stop at the Cornball Store before the ride on the Nipssing Road. See the description above (Old Nipissing Road – End-to-End) for road conditions on the Nipissing Road.

After emerging from your gravel adventure on the Nipissing Road, you will arrive at Highway 518. To the West is Orrville, the East the return to Sprucedale. There is an option to pick-up the Park 2 Park Trail here and head East or West, but note the trail surface is soft and typically suited to Fat Bike. The route, as marked here, follows Hwy 518, a favourite of local road cyclists and motorcyclists for its meandering corners and rolling terrain. There are many wetlands and wildlife spotting opportunities along this route. There is a boat launch and public swim option at the North End of Bear Lake Road, just off the 518.

Gravel Route Extension Option – Bear and Axe Lake Road- at approx. km 40, you will reach West Bear Lake Road, which can be taken south to Axe Lake Road and reconnect with Hwy 518 – adding about 20 km of remote gravel riding. The extension would miss the public swim spot described above, but it is only a few hundred meters from the West Bear Lake Road intersection.

This route is generally a very low traffic option with very rideable and well maintained gravel roads – with some hills for extra spice. Enjoy grinding your way around this route, and trust your gear weighs less than the colony settlers who travelled these roads with all their possessions in search of new lives in Canada’s great wilderness.