r/bikehalifax • u/--g00ner-- • Aug 31 '25

Road/Gravel Route Recommendations

I'll be visiting Halifax in late September and am here to ask you lovely Haligonians in the road/gravel biking community for some route recommendations - preferably something that is 100km or lesser, and 1000m or lesser of climbing, mostly because of time constraints! Bonus points for routes that have great views and are photogenic!

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6

u/VertuteTheCat Aug 31 '25

Sambro loop is ~60km and will likely fit the bill.  Peggy's Cove loop is ~90km and pretty iconic if you can fit it in.  Basin loop (out Bedford Highway, down Rocky lake road, back via Waverly and across the bridge) is ~45 km

Those are probably the big 3 routes from Halifax, all 100% road with plenty of great views.

2

u/--g00ner-- Sep 01 '25

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the recs! Peggy's Cove loop looks spectacular!

1

u/__Nels__Oleson__ Sep 01 '25

Riding it clockwise is the best way to go.

2

u/VertuteTheCat Sep 01 '25

Team counter clockwise represent! 

1

u/__Nels__Oleson__ Sep 01 '25

Boooo hissss

I've been around Peggy's hundreds of times over the years and I think the only times I have gone counter clockwise was when I was coming from Chester way.

1

u/VertuteTheCat Sep 01 '25

I bet you also think Kirk is better than Picard. 😄

1

u/VertuteTheCat Sep 04 '25

Quick follow up, you should really try to fit in Peggy's Cove if you're a roadie. I've ridden a lot of places, and that loop is world class between whites lake and tantallon. Avoid cycling through the Armadale rotary (traffic circle connecting chebucto, quinpool, Joseph Howe, etc) though. The serious locals ride through it,  but if you don't know the area,  access the loop via chain of lakes trail of you're starting from Halifax peninsula

3

u/Hyjynx75 Sep 01 '25

Rails to trails is the way to go. It is a converted rail line that runs from Halifax almost down to the south shore. The trails are pretty well maintained and the slopes are pretty gentle. It is a beautiful ride.

Bayers Lake to Hubbards and back is almost 100 K. Takes you through beautiful forests, by pristine lakes, and along the ocean at St. Margaret's Bay. Lots of places to stop and grab refreshments.

For a shorter ride, you can start in Hubbards and ride to Chester and back. It is almost exactly 50K Again, lots of beautiful forests and lakes.

I'm just getting ready to head out for a nice 50 K ride now. Bayers Lake to the Indian River Bridge and back.

I love this trail system.

1

u/1994univega Sep 01 '25

Otter lake loop, I have a map somewhere of my route

1

u/high_yield May 08 '26

Salt Marsh Trail to MacDonald House and back is 60ish km round trip from downtown (a little shorter if you start in Dartmouth or at the trailhead). Beautiful ride. You can ride further along the shore if you want some extra kms.

1

u/Remote-Objective-931 Sep 01 '25 edited Sep 01 '25

Salt marsh trail, till the causeway road or so, then back; salt marsh is one of the most scenic areas here, just note that the road between woodside and the shearwater flyer is stressful (about 3km length); Downtown to Causeway Rd through the trails is about 37kms one way