The best road cycling routes around Whitby

This trail is a lovely, compact gravel path that runs along the waterfront of Oshawa Harbour. It’s relatively flat and easy, with peaceful views of Lake Ontario, and includes a pedestrian bridge that connects to the broader Waterfront Trail, Second Marsh, the Oshawa Museum, and Lakeview Park. It is a fantastic spot for a scenic waterside stroll, suitable for the whole family any time of the year.

Oshawa Creek is a beautiful waterway that flows 50 kilometres from its headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine all the way to its mouth here at Lake Ontario. For centuries, it has been an important navigation route for Indigenous peoples and settlers, helping to shape the commercial, agricultural, and residential development of what is now the City of Oshawa. Today, it’s best known for the trout and salmon that migrate through its waters every spring and fall, making it a fantastic spot for both nature lovers and anglers.

Darren Park is a family-oriented park, with lots of activities for kids. In summer the splash pad is pretty popular, and there's a large playground, sandboxes, climbing structures, and even a themed play area with “dinosaur bones.” This park is the northern start point of the Whitby Hydro Corridor Trail.

Purple Woods Conservation Area offers year-round hiking with sweeping southern views and connections to the Oak Ridges Trail. Visitors can enjoy short, accessible routes like the Sugar Shack and Discovery Walk trails, while spotting migratory songbirds in spring and fall, Monarch butterflies in summer, and vibrant foliage in autumn. Each March, the 41-acre site transforms into the hub of the Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival, celebrating the area’s 150-year-old sugar maple forest. The festival highlights the evolution of syrup-making from Indigenous traditions to modern techniques, with maple products available for visitors to take home.

Following the Lake Ontario shoreline, the Whitby section of the Waterfront Trail offers long, easy walking and cycling routes with steady lake views, breezy open stretches, and access to several parks and marina areas. The path is mostly paved and flat, running past Lynde Shores, Whitby Harbour, Iroquois Beach, and the waterfront promenade, with plenty of spots to stop for views of the lake. Boardwalk sections, shaded pockets, and signed wayfinding make it simple to follow, and it connects seamlessly to the rest of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. A scenic, reliable lakeside route ideal for relaxed rides, long walks, or sunrise outings by the water.

The trail leads around Bobolink Hill. This massive hill was created during the construction of the nuclear power plant on Lake Ontario. The power plant was built directly on limestone, the bedrock beneath the moraine, and the resulting excavated earth was piled up nearby to form a hill. Construction of the plant began in 1981. https://www.durhamregion.com/opinion/columnists/bobolink-hill-an-ideal-spot-for-bird-watching/article_29e43554-752b-5cd8-9d2b-424e830b7344.html

Ronald C. Deeth Park in Whitby is a park along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, east of Thickson's Point. There is a gazebo along the trail. There is no access from the cliff to Lake Ontario. (Visit June 4, 2025) The Park is named after a former mayor of Whitby, who played a key role in developing the waterfront area.

The trailhead for the hike through the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve is located at the free public parking lot at the end of Colonel Sam Drive. At the turnaround, the access road leads a few hundred meters along a gravel road. The parking lot also serves as a starting point for a walk to Darlington Provincial Park, accessible via the Waterfront Trail. (Visit June 3, 2025)