Description
The Nipissing Road was once home to many settlements of hopeful pioneers, but is now guarded by their abandoned log cabins and weathered barns. The road runs through the centre of the Parry Sound District between highways 69 and 11. It winds along 77 km of gravel road, bush trail and paved highway (#510) from the ghost town of Seguin Falls on Hwy 518 to the Village of Commanda on Hwy 522. The Nipissing Road is a ghost town trail with no facilities between Magnetawan and Commanda. Although the road is gravel, 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 might remember it. A series of historic markers are located along the route.
In the early 1990’s, a local group of trail enthusiasts known as the Forgotten Trails Association teamed up with Discovery Routes to have the Old Nipissing Road designated as part of the Trans Canada Trail. It became one of the very first sections in Ontario to become part of what is now the world’s longest recreation trail.
The recent rise in popularity of gravel cycling and bikepacking inspired Discovery Routes to develop a cycling experience that weaves together the Old Nipissing Road with a series of backroad loops ranging in length and challenge. Discover the history of the Old Nipissing Ghost Road in our Old Nipissing Ghost Road Cycling Experience.
Trailhead UTM 605821 mE x 5057798 mN
Ownership Road Allowance - varies
Length 70 km
Activities ATV trails, Cross-Country Skiing, Gravel Riding, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling
Amenities Parking, Rest Area
Difficulty Moderate
Directions
Staging Areas: Commanda General Store Museum at Hwy 522, Commanda Magnetawan Municipal Office/Library at 4304 Highway 520, Magnetawan Sprucedale Community Centre at 31 William Street, Sprucedale
For More Information
Old Nipissing Ghost Road Cycling Experience
A gravel ride featuring stories of the old road’s past and present.
History of the Old Nipissing Road
A website detailing the history of the ghost towns and cemeteries that line the Old Nipissing Road
