Grey-Bruce Cycling Weekend: Owen Sound to Kincardine in 2 Days

This two-day cycling route takes you through the heart of Grey-Bruce County, connecting Owen Sound to Kincardine along a mix of rail trail, county roads, and lakeside routes. The trip covers approximately 150 to 170 kilometres depending on your exact routing, passing through Wiarton, Sauble Beach, Southampton, and Port Elgin before finishing in Kincardine. The terrain is moderate, the towns are welcoming, and the Lake Huron shoreline provides a constant backdrop for the second day of riding.

Day 1: Owen Sound to Sauble Beach

Distance: approximately 75-85 km | Surface: rail trail gravel and paved county roads

Morning: Owen Sound and the Bruce County Rail Trail

Start in Owen Sound, where you can fuel up at one of the downtown cafes before hitting the road. The city sits at the head of Owen Sound bay, surrounded by the Niagara Escarpment's bluffs and waterfalls. If you have time before departure, a short spin along the harbour path warms up the legs and offers views across the bay.

Head west from Owen Sound on the Bruce County Rail Trail. The trail follows the former railway corridor through the rolling farmland south of the escarpment. The surface is packed crushed limestone and gravel, firm and smooth in dry conditions. After rain, softer spots may develop in low-lying sections, but the trail drains reasonably well. Hybrid bikes and gravel setups handle the surface with ease. Road bikes with tires 32mm or wider will manage, but anything narrower will struggle on the loose sections.

The first 30 kilometres of trail pass through a quiet agricultural landscape of hay fields, cattle farms, and small woodlots. The villages along the route are tiny, sometimes just a church and a few houses, so carry water and snacks from Owen Sound. The grade is gentle throughout, rarely exceeding a 2% incline, as you would expect from a former rail bed.

Midday: Wiarton

From the rail trail, transition to county roads heading north toward Wiarton. The route follows County Road 13 and local roads through a landscape that becomes hillier as you approach the Bruce Peninsula. Wiarton sits at the base of Colpoys Bay, a deep inlet of Georgian Bay, and marks the start of the Bruce Peninsula. The town is famous for Wiarton Willie, the albino groundhog, but for cyclists it is more useful as a resupply point with restaurants, a grocery store, and a waterfront park ideal for a lunch stop.

From Wiarton, take County Road 13 west and then south toward Sauble Beach. This stretch covers roughly 25 kilometres on paved county roads through mixed terrain. The first half features some escarpment-influenced hills as you cross the spine of the peninsula, with one notable climb of about 60 metres over 2 kilometres. The second half descends gradually toward the Lake Huron shoreline, with the landscape opening up as you approach the coast.

Afternoon: Sauble Beach

Arrive at Sauble Beach in the mid-to-late afternoon. The beach stretches for 11 kilometres along the Lake Huron shoreline, and arriving by bike after a day of riding makes the sand and water feel earned. The town is a summer resort community with a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of restaurants, and accommodation ranging from motels to cottage rentals.

Overnight options: Sauble Beach has several motels and B&Bs along the main strip. Booking ahead is recommended for July and August weekends. Carson's Camp and Sauble Falls Provincial Park (a few kilometres south of town) offer campground options for those carrying gear. The provincial park is small but well-situated near Sauble Falls, which is worth a quick visit.

Day 2: Sauble Beach to Kincardine

Distance: approximately 75-85 km | Surface: paved county roads and highway shoulders

Morning: Sauble Beach to Southampton

Head south from Sauble Beach on Bruce Road 13, which connects to Highway 21 and the Lake Huron shoreline route. The road passes through flat terrain between the lake and the farmland to the east. After roughly 20 kilometres, you reach Southampton, one of the most attractive small towns on this stretch of coast. Southampton's main street runs down to a fine sandy beach, and the town has bakeries, cafes, and a heritage atmosphere worth a morning stop.

The riding between Sauble Beach and Southampton is flat and straightforward, with the lake occasionally visible through gaps in the dunes and cottages lining the shore. Traffic is moderate in summer, heavier on weekends. Early morning starts help you clear this section before the day-tripper traffic builds.

Late Morning: Southampton to Port Elgin

Southampton and Port Elgin are separated by only 5 kilometres of road, and the two towns nearly run together along the shoreline. Port Elgin has a larger commercial district with grocery stores, a library (useful for charging devices and checking maps), and the kind of fast-food options that touring cyclists sometimes crave after two days of riding. The waterfront in Port Elgin includes a paved path that offers a brief stretch of car-free riding along the beach.

Afternoon: Port Elgin to Kincardine

The final stretch from Port Elgin south to Kincardine covers approximately 45 kilometres along Highway 21 and parallel county roads. Highway 21 is the most direct route and has adequate shoulders, but traffic can be steady in summer. An alternative is to use the grid of concession roads one or two lines east of the highway, which carry far less traffic and pass through farmland. These roads add a few kilometres to the distance but provide a quieter, more pleasant ride.

The terrain along this stretch is flat to gently rolling, with the Lake Huron shoreline to the west and agricultural land to the east. You will pass through the communities of Tiverton and Inverhuron, both of which have small parks and beach access if you want to stop for a swim. Inverhuron Provincial Park, about 15 kilometres north of Kincardine, has a fine beach and makes an excellent late-afternoon rest stop.

Kincardine appears as the road descends gently toward the lake. The town's lighthouse and harbour come into view first, followed by the historic downtown. Arriving here by bike, with Lake Huron spread out before you and a full weekend of riding behind you, is deeply satisfying.

Logistics and Tips

• Total distance: 150-170 km over two days, depending on routing choices and detours.
• Bike recommendation: Gravel bike or touring bike with tires 32mm or wider. Hybrid bikes work well for the entire route. Road bikes are fine for Day 2 but will struggle on the rail trail sections of Day 1.
• Navigation: Download maps in advance. Cell service is reliable in towns but can be patchy on the rural stretches between communities.
• Water and food: Towns are spaced 20-30 km apart along the route. The longest gap without services is the rail trail section between Owen Sound and Wiarton. Carry at least two water bottles and energy food for this stretch.
• Shuttle options: If you want a one-way trip without arranging a car shuttle, check with local bike shops in Owen Sound and Kincardine about shuttle services. Some accommodation providers along the route also offer pickup and dropoff for touring cyclists.
• Best time: Late June through September. July and August are warmest but busiest. September offers ideal riding conditions with fewer crowds and the beginning of fall colour on the inland stretches.

For more detail on the region's trails and towns, see the full Grey-Bruce cycling guide. The Explore the Bruce cycling page lists current trail conditions and local cycling events.