Chatham-Kent's rural routes and scenery are the perfect place to experience the open road on a motorcycle. Scenic lakeshore routes along Lake Erie take you through quaint and picturesque towns. Head inland and you will come across unique towns and stops along the way to take a break, catch your breath and discover a hidden gem, perhaps not noticed by car.
Chatham-Kent Trails
This cruise along some of Chatham-Kent's rural roads allows motorcycle enthusiasts to explore the Underground Railroad. The Freedom Trail leads to three authentic and engaging Black Historical Sites;
Buxton National Historic Site & Museum in North Buxton, the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society's
Black Mecca Museum in Chatham and the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, located in Dresden. Ride the Freedom Trail Route and don't miss your opportunity to tour the museums and original historic buildings of this significant part of Chatham-Kent's history.
This route features Chatham-Kent's iconic winding roads, rural scenery and many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered along the way. Each community dotting this route has its own distinct blend of charm and hometown feel. With plenty of unique shopping, attractions and restaurants, riders will get an experience they won't soon forget. Discover the beauty of Lake St. Clair & Lake Erie, with must see stops along the way, including the waterfront communities of Mitchell's Bay, Rondeau and Erieau. Renowned for some of the best fishing around, enjoy the scenic waterfronts and don't forget to check out our beaches and other local amenities. Experience this and so much more while you cruise the Hub & Spoke Route in Chatham-Kent.
Take the Road Less Travelled
French History
A trip through Chatham-Kent is not complete without taking in the rural landscapes surrounding Mitchell's Bay, Grande Pointe, Pain Court and Tilbury, as they each have maintained their French heritage and showcase the agricultural prosperity that Chatham-Kent is renowned for. In front of the church in Pain Court an Ontario Heritage Foundation Plaque commemorates the arrival of French settlers from Quebec in the early 1800s.
Provincial Parks
In the thick of Carolinian forests, riders can choose the natural settings of two provincial parks. Both Rondeau and Wheatley provincial parks are situated along Lake Erie. Rondeau is home to the largest Carolinian forest left in Canada. Rare habitats accustomed to southern climates include the endangered Prothonotary Warbler, Sassafras and Virginia Opossum. Oak Savannah, Hickory, Sumac and Tulip trees can also be found in both parks.
Tecumseh Parkway
The Tecumseh Parkway traces the October 1813 pursuit of the British and First Nations armies by the Americans that culminated in the Battle of the Thames. The parkway includes a stop at the Tecumseh Monument commemorating the Native leader Chief Tecumseh. The Parkway brings visitors to eleven sites across Chatham-Kent that tell an important part of the story of the retreat.
