August 2, 2026 · Common Empire
Gravel Country: A Guide to Riding Lanark County (Perth, Almonte & Carleton Place)
If gravel riding has a home in Eastern Ontario, it is Lanark County. Just west of Ottawa, this patchwork of quiet concession roads, decommissioned rail lines, river valleys, and heritage towns adds up to a near-endless network of dirt to explore. Whether you are rolling out from Perth, Almonte, or Carleton Place, you are never far from a gravel road with no traffic, big skies, and a coffee stop at the end. Welcome to gravel country.
Why Lanark is gravel heaven
Two things make this region special. First, the sheer density of quiet gravel — the county is laced with hard-packed concession roads that see more tractors than cars, linking farms, forests, and lakes. Second, a backbone of well-maintained rail trails that let riders of any level string together long, traffic-free routes. Add in welcoming trail towns for refuelling, and you have a place where a first-timer and a seasoned gravel racer can each find their perfect day. (New to the dirt? Start with our roadie's guide to your first gravel ride.)
The rail-trail backbone
The star is the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail, a 62-kilometre former rail line running from Smiths Falls all the way to Arnprior, passing directly through Carleton Place, Almonte, and Pakenham. Its gentle grades and packed surface make it a superb introduction to gravel — smooth enough to feel close to pavement, and car-free the whole way. The K&P Trail, Cataraqui Trail, and the Carleton Place Trailway extend the network further, so you can plan anything from a flat family spin to a full day linking towns.
Don't miss the Pakenham Five-Span Bridge — a beautiful stone arch bridge over the Mississippi River and a favourite photo stop on many routes through the area.
Riding out of Perth, Almonte, and Carleton Place
Carleton Place sits on the Mississippi River and makes a natural hub, with the trailway and quiet roads fanning out in every direction. Almonte, in Mississippi Mills, is a picture-perfect mill town with riverside charm and — importantly for cyclists — a genuinely great coffee scene. Perth, with its historic stone streetscape, opens onto the rolling backroads and gravel of the Lanark Highlands to the north and west. Each town is a worthy start or finish, and the roads between them are the reward.
Routes to build up to
Start on the rail trail to get a feel for the surface, then branch onto the concession roads as your confidence grows. From there, the county is famous for its bigger mixed-surface loops — routes in the 80-to-110-kilometre range that weave paved sections, gravel, and quiet trail through the Lanark Highlands. These are the rides that turn a curious roadie into a committed gravel rider. Build your distance gradually, carry plenty of supplies, and treat the first long one as an adventure rather than a race. Browse our route library to find one that fits.
Fuel stops worth the detour
Half the joy of Lanark gravel is the refuelling. Equator Coffee in Almonte is a beloved roaster and a natural cyclist gathering point, and the trail towns are dotted with bakeries, cafés, and small-batch spots perfect for a mid-ride stop — you'll find our picks on each town's guide. Ride hungry — you will not go without.
Gravel tips for the county
Lanark's gravel ranges from billiard-smooth rail trail to chunky, washboard backroad, so tyre choice and pressure matter. Run a tyre with a bit of volume, drop your pressure lower than you would on the road for grip and comfort, and carry a plug kit and spare tube — loose surfaces find punctures. Our Tyre Pressure Calculator will set you up for the day.
Plan the perfect gravel day. Dial in your setup with our free Tyre Pressure Calculator, then pair your route with the towns, stops, and rides in our Lanark County area guide.
Lanark County rewards the curious. Every gravel road seems to lead somewhere quieter and prettier than the last — so pick a town, point your wheels at the dirt, and go exploring. Adventure is better when it's shared.