Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor
Overview
“Connecting Ottawa, Montreal, and Cornwall through scenic cycling routes that celebrate cultural heritage and natural beauty.”
The Cycle Ontario and Quebec Tourism Corridor is a cross-provincial cycling route linking Ottawa, Montréal, Cornwall, and the Prescott-Russell region with surrounding rural communities. Merging established networks with new trail development, the Corridor offers a scalable, four-season experience that’s accessible, sustainable, and culturally immersive.
More than a transportation pathway, the Corridor drives economic growth and cultural exchange, connecting travellers to UNESCO-designated waterways, agritourism, Indigenous experiences, and local food and artisans—all while promoting low-impact, responsible travel.
Overview
“Connecting Ottawa, Montreal, and Cornwall through scenic cycling routes that celebrate cultural heritage and natural beauty.”
The Cycle Ontario and Quebec Tourism Corridor is a cross-provincial cycling route linking Ottawa, Montréal, Cornwall, and the Prescott-Russell region with surrounding rural communities. Merging established networks with new trail development, the Corridor offers a scalable, four-season experience that’s accessible, sustainable, and culturally immersive.
More than a transportation pathway, the Corridor drives economic growth and cultural exchange, connecting travellers to UNESCO-designated waterways, agritourism, Indigenous experiences, and local food and artisans—all while promoting low-impact, responsible travel.
The Corridor spans a cross-provincial route between Ottawa and Montréal, with Prescott-Russell and Cornwall serving as regional anchors and connectors between urban and rural experiences.
The Corridor spans a cross-provincial route between Ottawa and Montréal, with Prescott-Russell and Cornwall serving as regional anchors and connectors between urban and rural experiences.
Corridor approach
The Tourism Corridor Strategy Program (TCSP) helps communities, provinces and territories plan and grow resilient, inclusive and regenerative tourism economies from coast to coast to coast. In support of the Strategy, the goal for the Tourism Corridors is to bring people, places and industries together to strengthen local wellbeing and accelerate sustainable destination development.
Corridor approach
The Tourism Corridor Strategy Program (TCSP) helps communities, provinces and territories plan and grow resilient, inclusive and regenerative tourism economies from coast to coast to coast. In support of the Strategy, the goal for the Tourism Corridors is to bring people, places and industries together to strengthen local wellbeing and accelerate sustainable destination development.
Cycle Ontario and Quebec corridor objectives
Guided by community leadership and local context, each Corridor defines objectives that reflect regional priorities while building on the shared goals of the Tourism Corridor Strategy Program.
Cycling access and sustainable travel: Develop a lively, four-season cycling network across Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec to support active, low-impact tourism.
Community-led tourism development: Ensure tourism growth is guided by locals, with benefits that support community wellbeing.
Environmental stewardship: Advance tourism that aligns with Canada’s sustainability goals through eco-conscious planning and climate-friendly travel options.
Key attractions and experiences
Participating partners
- Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO9) South Eastern Ontario
- Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
- Vélo Québec (VQ)
- Local businesses along the corridor
- Indigenous communities, particularly on Cornwall Island
- Municipalities of Ottawa, Montreal, Cornwall, and Prescott-Russell
Participating partners
- Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO9) South Eastern Ontario
- Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
- Vélo Québec (VQ)
- Local businesses along the corridor
- Indigenous communities, particularly on Cornwall Island
- Municipalities of Ottawa, Montreal, Cornwall, and Prescott-Russell
Climate resilience planning
By 2070, the Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor will face greater risks from extreme heat and heavy rainfall, with reduced risks from extreme cold and snow. These shifts impact infrastructure, safety, reliability, and seasonal use.
In response, Destination Canada and partners created a Strategic Climate Resilience Roadmap outlining eight Adaptation Priorities to guide communities, operators, and investors in future-proofing cycling routes across varied landscapes.
Climate resilience planning
By 2070, the Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor will face greater risks from extreme heat and heavy rainfall, with reduced risks from extreme cold and snow. These shifts impact infrastructure, safety, reliability, and seasonal use.
In response, Destination Canada and partners created a Strategic Climate Resilience Roadmap outlining eight Adaptation Priorities to guide communities, operators, and investors in future-proofing cycling routes across varied landscapes.
Understanding the risks and the roadmap will help partners and communities:
- Guide the planning and upkeep of cycling infrastructure, especially in high-use and high-risk areas.
- Extend cycling seasons by leveraging longer shoulder periods and reducing dependence on peak summer conditions.
- Collaborate on funding and tools to develop climate-ready features like shade, water access, durable surfaces, and real-time monitoring.
- Prioritize projects designed for future climate conditions to reduce investment risk.
- Invest in nature-based solutions—like tree canopies, stormwater systems, and erosion control—to boost rider comfort and long-term resilience.
Climate resilience planning is an ongoing piece of the corridor strategy and will continue to evolve with community input and new data. Communities, operators or investors who want to learn more about this work can contact Destination Canada for further information or support.
Understanding the risks and the roadmap will help partners and communities:
- Guide the planning and upkeep of cycling infrastructure, especially in high-use and high-risk areas.
- Extend cycling seasons by leveraging longer shoulder periods and reducing dependence on peak summer conditions.
- Collaborate on funding and tools to develop climate-ready features like shade, water access, durable surfaces, and real-time monitoring.
- Prioritize projects designed for future climate conditions to reduce investment risk.
- Invest in nature-based solutions—like tree canopies, stormwater systems, and erosion control—to boost rider comfort and long-term resilience.
Climate resilience planning is an ongoing piece of the corridor strategy and will continue to evolve with community input and new data. Communities, operators or investors who want to learn more about this work can contact Destination Canada for further information or support.
Investment opportunity in the corridor
The Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor presents a high-potential investment opportunity aligned with global trends in sustainable, experience-driven travel. It is transforming a scenic, underutilized region into a world-class cycling destination, generating returns across economic, social, and environmental pillars.
Potential investment opportunities in this corridor include:
Infrastructure & amenity development
- Build or upgrade trails, signage, and cyclist-focused amenities.
- Develop accommodations like B&Bs, lodges, and campgrounds tailored to cycling travellers.
- Expand bike rentals, repairs, gear shops, and secure storage.
Tourism products & experiences
- Collaborate with wineries, farms, artisans, and Indigenous partners to create immersive tourism offerings.
- Design varied route options and promote four-season activities.
- Develop guided, themed tours (e.g. culinary, heritage, cultural journeys).
Tech-enabled services
- Create digital tools for route planning, navigation, and local promotion.
- Leverage data analytics to improve marketing, itinerary planning, and booking platforms.
Current investment in the corridor
Several initiatives are already underway or planned:
- Enhancing existing infrastructure to link major cities.
- Building new routes that connect urban and rural destinations.
- Integrating cycling with culinary, cultural, and community-based tourism experiences.
Investment opportunity in the corridor
The Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor presents a high-potential investment opportunity aligned with global trends in sustainable, experience-driven travel. It is transforming a scenic, underutilized region into a world-class cycling destination, generating returns across economic, social, and environmental pillars.
Potential investment opportunities in this corridor include:
Infrastructure & amenity development
- Build or upgrade trails, signage, and cyclist-focused amenities.
- Develop accommodations like B&Bs, lodges, and campgrounds tailored to cycling travellers.
- Expand bike rentals, repairs, gear shops, and secure storage.
Tourism products & experiences
- Collaborate with wineries, farms, artisans, and Indigenous partners to create immersive tourism offerings.
- Design varied route options and promote four-season activities.
- Develop guided, themed tours (e.g. culinary, heritage, cultural journeys).
Tech-enabled services
- Create digital tools for route planning, navigation, and local promotion.
- Leverage data analytics to improve marketing, itinerary planning, and booking platforms.
Current investment in the corridor
Several initiatives are already underway or planned:
- Enhancing existing infrastructure to link major cities.
- Building new routes that connect urban and rural destinations.
- Integrating cycling with culinary, cultural, and community-based tourism experiences.
Get involved
To learn more about how you can be involved in the Corridor, including partnerships and investor opportunities, community engagement initiatives, and volunteer opportunities, please contact us.
To contact the Corridor team directly:
Erica D'Souza
Senior Director, Destination Development
Destination Canada
dsouza.erica@destinationcanada.com
Bonnie Ruddock
Executive Director, RTO 9
bruddock@region9tourism.ca
613-329-2753
Eric Collard
Executive Director, Sentier récréatif Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
info@sentierviatrail.com
Nathalie Lauzon
Vice-présidente opérations, Vélo Québec Voyages / Événements
nlauzon@velo.q
514-521-8356, poste 366 or 1-800-567-8356
Get involved
To learn more about how you can be involved in the Corridor, including partnerships and investor opportunities, community engagement initiatives, and volunteer opportunities, please contact us.
To contact the Corridor team directly:
Erica D'Souza
Senior Director, Destination Development
Destination Canada
dsouza.erica@destinationcanada.com
Bonnie Ruddock
Executive Director, RTO 9
bruddock@region9tourism.ca
613-329-2753
Eric Collard
Executive Director, Sentier récréatif Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
info@sentierviatrail.com
Nathalie Lauzon
Vice-présidente opérations, Vélo Québec Voyages / Événements
nlauzon@velo.q
514-521-8356, poste 366 or 1-800-567-8356
Resources and downloads
Strategy: Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor Strategy Summary
Insights: Access the Tourism Data Collective for national and regional insights, including market profiles, current tourism assets and capacity, and forecasting.
Investment Readiness: Find a project to invest in , or download tools to help your region attract and manage investment.
Destination Development Toolkits: Practical guides for communities building their first tourism plan.
Resources and downloads
Strategy: Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor Strategy Summary
Insights: Access the Tourism Data Collective for national and regional insights, including market profiles, current tourism assets and capacity, and forecasting.
Investment Readiness: Find a project to invest in , or download tools to help your region attract and manage investment.
Destination Development Toolkits: Practical guides for communities building their first tourism plan.