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View Full Version : Driving Routes in Ontario



Kaiserhead
10-05-2009, 05:59 PM
We grew tired of the Forks of the Credit and how many times can you drive down Twin Rivers Drive? So, we spent the weekend trying to find the best back roads between here and Sudbury. This trip took our four Mazda's (two Miatas, a Protege and a Mazda6) up to Tobermory and Manitoulin Island via the Chi Chimaun, through Sudbury, down Highway 69 and around Lake Muskoka. Total millage: 1100kms. Some of these routes were on a map someone posted online a few months ago, others we found by accident.

Here's a summary of the best routes:

Flesherton to Thornbury:

This route takes you along the edge of a valley, lots of hills and twisty corners. The road from Kimberley to Thornbury has long banked corners. Very few other cars on the road.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Flesherton,+ON&daddr=E+Back+Line+to:Lower+Valley+Rd+to:44.333058,-80.559311+to:Grey+Rd+30+to:Thornbury,+ON&geocode=%3BFUekowIdl_oy-w%3BFctPpAId9BIz-w%3B%3BFYSWpAIdqsYy-w%3B&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4&sll=44.327164,-80.514507&sspn=0.05919,0.154324&ie=UTF8&ll=44.543995,-80.459747&spn=0.05897,0.154324&t=p&z=13

Little Current to Espanola:

Ok, this is a bit of a trek for the average Sunday afternoon, we spent the night in Little Current at the Anchor Inn (full suite for $77, not bad) and headed out early in the morning. Highway 6 heads through some rocky sections along this route with long banked corners and endless hills and valleys. Fantastic scenery adds to the fun. Some other cars and the occasional OPP cruiser.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Little+Current,+ON&daddr=Espanola,+ON&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=46.036539,-81.719742&sspn=0.229754,0.617294&ie=UTF8&z=10

Highway 529 off Highway 69:

This is 25km route runs parallel to highway 69 and has long corners, open straightaways, and absolutely no one around. Not much to see unless you are into trees. There were no others cars around.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=King%27s+Highway+69+%26+HWY+529,+The+Archipe lago,+Parry+Sound+District,+Ontario&daddr=45.712413,-80.491333+to:King%27s+Highway+69+%26+HWY+529,+Magn etewan+1,+Parry+Sound+District,+Ontario&hl=en&geocode=FYX8twIdiXc1-w%3B%3BFWtpugId_7cz-w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&sll=45.691635,-80.439355&sspn=0.231184,0.617294&ie=UTF8&ll=45.706179,-80.428848&spn=0.231124,0.617294&z=11

Highway 400/Bala to Highway 11/Southwood Road:

This was the gem of the day. County Road 38 from Highway 400 to Bala has nice corners, tons of hills, and ends in the town of Bala which is a nice spot to take a break. A BMW club with about 30 cars was there when we arrived.

From Bala, head south to Torrence to pick up Southwood Road. This road is absolute madness and may be one of the best roads I've driven on. Endless corners, hills, blind twists, forests and open sections, it'll wear you out. The road is posted 60 km/h, but we hardly got past 40 km/h since you have no idea where you are going. Its a real life roller coaster ride, your passengers will probably want to stop for a break.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=King%27s+Hwy+400+S%2FTC+S&daddr=Regional+Rd-19&hl=en&geocode=FR2NrgIdm5c--w%3BFTeSrAIdD5VF-w&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=15&sll=44.861466,-79.3294&sspn=0.014662,0.038581&ie=UTF8&ll=44.952894,-79.49501&spn=0.117109,0.308647&z=12

Canning Road to Hamlet:

You can skip Highway 11 and head straight to Canning Road to avoid highway 11 (its under construction and traffic is backed up and Severn Bridge.) Take Canning Road to a village called "Hamlet" (I'm not joking, that's what its called) and you'll find an old swing bridge. Then head back to Orillia along some long and straight country roads with no one around.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=King%27s+Highway+11+%26+Canning+Rd,+Gravenhu rst,+Muskoka+District+Municipality,+Ontario&daddr=HAmlet,+ON+to:New+Uhthoff,+ON+to:44.629565,-79.437425&hl=en&geocode=Ff6eqwIdVohF-w%3B%3B%3B&mra=mi&mrcr=2&mrsp=3&sz=15&sll=44.629848,-79.426346&sspn=0.014721,0.038581&ie=UTF8&ll=44.786343,-79.376736&spn=0.058724,0.154324&z=13

Ridge Road into Barrie:

Who would have thought that there was a nice part of Barrie? If you exit Highway 11 at Hawkestone and head along Ridge Road into Barrie, you'll see big homes on the lake and cool little villages. Pretty straight with a few curves, this road is a nice way to end the trip before you rejoin the 400.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Hawkestone,+Oro-Medonte,+ON&daddr=44.4048807,-79.6042223+to:Barrie,+ON&hl=en&geocode=%3BFZCQpQIdAlZB-ylndMi2AqUqiDGQd0HmKXsDEw%3B&mra=ls&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=27.382728,79.013672&ie=UTF8&z=11&via=1

Enjoy!

fini
10-05-2009, 07:40 PM
awesome! i'm gonna try to do the ridge road route this weekend!

thanks!

Ex-Rolla
10-05-2009, 07:41 PM
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

towelsnap
10-05-2009, 08:22 PM
nice routes.... Tobermory is amazing for snorkeling and have family up in Owen Sound