2026 Route and Itinerary Overview- Cycle the best of Canada’s South over 5 days.
Join us from Monday , August 10th to Friday, August 14th, for the 2026 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure cycle tour and awareness ride.
5 Days |425km | Includes optional trip to Pelee Island
That’s right — Windsor, Essex, and Pelee Island mark Canada’s southernmost point. Here you’ll find award-winning wineries, a fabulous culinary scene, sandy beaches, acres of rich farmland, and fascinating history — from the Underground Railroad to the War of 1812 to Prohibition. Explore tallgrass prairie and oak savannah landscapes, world-renowned birding areas, and of course, incredible cycling. Flat terrain.
Join us for an unforgettable week of adventure!
The 2026 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure features five days of immersive riding with only two overnight locations— giving you even more time to experience the region’s warm hospitality, unique attractions, and scenic trails.
Registration opens on January 6th 2026
Join us for 57 – 97 km (maximum) of daily riding combined with lots of fun off-the-bike activities and plenty of time to explore. Enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new friends.
Overnight stays in the communities of Windsor (3 nights) and Leamington (2 nights) Camping available in Point Pelee National Park ( including Otentiks!) for the two Leamington nights. See accommodations for more information on how to book residence rooms in Windsor and hotels in Leamington or Otentiks in Point Pelee National Park.
Day One: Monday August 10 – Windsor Loop (54km)
- Arrive at College Residences in Windsor for GWTA registration
- Rooms may not be available until 3pm -please store luggage in your car if your room is unavailable.
- Free Secure Long Term parking for the week on site.
- Cycle either the Windsor Loop (54km) or if you prefer a gentle start ride the Sandwich Town Loop (13.5 km)
- Meet and Greet Reception in the evening
- Dinner on your own – Restaurant options coming soon.
- First of two consecutive overnights in Windsor residences or hotels (no camping available in this location).
Day Two: Tuesday, August 11 –Parkway Trail Loop (81 km) or Sandwich Town Loop and Gordie Howe International Bridge to Belle Isle Detroit (55 km)
- Group breakfast
- Choose your ride – either the Parkway Trail Loop ( 81 km)or The Sandwich Town Loop extending to the Gordie Howe International Bridge for an introduction to Binational Trails (55 km). For those those are comfortable crossing the border join a ride to the fascinating city of Detroit and a visit to Belle Isle.
- Overnight in Windsor
- Dinner on your own
- Optional post dinner activities
Day Three: Wednesday, August 12 – Wednesday, August 12 – Ride to Leamington through Lakeshore, Comber (97 km)
- Group breakfast
- Cycle to Leamington (97km)
- Group dinner in Leamington
- Overnight in Point Pelee National Park (campers) or Leamington (hotels). Otentiks are also available in Point Pelee for a unique camping experience.
Day Four: Thursday, August 13– Kingsville & Pelee Island (79 km)or Wine Trail Loop (96km) or Day in Point Pelee National Park
Choose your own adventure:
- Ferry to Pelee Island and Island Loop (79 km) – will also include ferry ride to and from the island.
- Wine Trail Loop (96 km)
- Day in Pelee National Urban Park which may include an Indigenous heritage experience
- 2nd overnight in Leamington (hotel) or Point Pelee Park ( camping or Otentik)
- Evening programming in Point Pelee National Park
Day Five: Friday, August 14 – Ride Leamington to Windsor (97km)
- Ride to Windsor via the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail through the towns of Amherstbutg and LaSalle (97km)
- Stay overnight in residence accommodations in Windsor or Windsor hotels.
- Celebration Dinner
Support: Luggage transportation between Windsor and Leamington, support vehicles, mechanical assistance, cycling volunteers.
Background:
In 1992, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, then a provincial agency, was mandated by the Province of Ontario to establish a waterfront trail. This was one of 83 groundbreaking recommendations in the Hon. David Crombie’s final royal commission report, Regeneration. The Trail was to be a catalyst and symbol for a new relationship with the great lakes and watersheds. In 1995 we inaugurated the 300 km Waterfront Trail from Hamilton to Trenton. In 1999, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust evolved from a government agency to a charity founded by Hon. David Crombie to maintain the momentum on the legacy initiative. Many wondered if the transition would spell the end of the Trail. Thanks to the leadership and commitment of community partners, the support by the public, the Trail continued to expand. By 2008, the Trail had grown from 23 to 41 communities from Niagara to Quebec, and we launched the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure.
In its first year, 2008, the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure guided cyclists along 680 km of Trail from Niagara to Quebec over eight days. The ride was a demonstration that the Trail was not only functional, it was an incredible, fulfilling experience. It connected participants to the ambitious vision at the heart of the Trail — regenerating our Great Lakes and watersheds, and gave partners an opportunity to the progress they had made.
Today the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is 3,600 km from Quebec to Sault Ste Marie, with work well underway to connect communities along Lake Superior. It connects 177 communities. It is far from finished. We are establishing a connected, continuous trail. The goal is a dedicated Trail as close to the shore as ecologically feasible.
We will continue to seek opportunities to improve the Trail as well as complete it along Lake Superior and Georgian Bay. If you wish to support this work, please consider making a donation.
The GWTA 2026 is possible thanks to the generous support and help of our partners:
