Featured location
Wakefield
Chase the Gatineau River north to the red covered bridge.
Wakefield is the classic Ottawa-Gatineau day-ride payoff: a riverside village about 40 km from downtown, reached by following the Gatineau River valley through rolling farmland and the fringe of Gatineau Park. Cyclists love it for the scenery, the famous red covered bridge, and a compact main street packed with cafes and bakeries built for a mid-ride refuel. It works equally well as a road out-and-back or as a launchpad for gravel loops into the park's northern trails.
What the riding’s like
The core route north follows Highway 105 (Boulevard St-Joseph), mostly flat with a resurfaced paved shoulder but a fair bit of car traffic, plus a few short punchy climbs near Gatineau and on the approach to the village. The quieter Chemin de la Rivière alternative for the last stretch trades traffic for river views and a couple of steeper pitches (watch the oblique railway crossing at the bottom of one descent). Push into Gatineau Park toward Lac Philippe and you swap pavement for firm gravel doubletrack and the long Eardley Escarpment climb, the region's best-kept gravel secret.
Points of interest
Worth a look on the bike or a reason to linger after the ride.
Wakefield Covered Bridge (Gendron Bridge)
LandmarkThe village's iconic red covered bridge across the Gatineau River, rebuilt in 1998 after a fire and open only to pedestrians and cyclists.
Wakefield Mill & MacLaren Falls
HistoryAn 1838 stone flour mill, now a boutique hotel and spa, set beside the tumbling MacLaren Falls and short heritage walking trails.
Fairbairn House Heritage Centre
HistoryA preserved 19th-century homestead near the covered bridge with a tourist office, exhibitions, a log cabin and barn, and river-access trails.
Gatineau Park / Lac Philippe
NatureThe park's forested northern end just west of the village offers beaches, lakes, and a network of gravel doubletrack ideal for exploring by bike.
Gatineau River waterfront
ViewpointThe village sits right on the wide, calm river, a scenic spot for a post-ride swim or riverside break.
Food & coffee stops
Where riders refuel — coffee, baked goods, and a proper post-ride meal.
Café Earle (Earle House)
CafeA restored heritage house serving ethically sourced coffee, breakfasts, and homemade fare on a garden and river terrace.
Wakefield Bakery
BakeryA long-running village bakery popular with cyclists for its buttery scones and breads, with a little garden to sit in.
Pipolinka Bakery
BakeryA husband-and-wife bakery on Chemin Riverside turning out Polish-inspired sourdough and pastries since 2005.
Kaffé 1870
PubA rustic, band-owned riverside pub and Wakefield institution known for comfort food and near-nightly live music.
The Village House
RestaurantWidely considered Wakefield's top restaurant, with an elevated seasonal menu for a proper sit-down meal.
Ride ideas
Rides to, from, and around Wakefield to get you started.
Gatineau River Out-and-Back
The classic day ride from Ottawa-Gatineau up Highway 105 and Chemin de la Rivière to the covered bridge and back.
QEW (Quyon-Eardley-Wakefield) Loop
A big adventure loop stitching gravel back roads, a river ferry, covered bridges, and the long Eardley Escarpment climb through Gatineau Park.
Lac Philippe Gravel Loop
From the P17 lot near the village, climb firm doubletrack on Trails 53, 51, 50 and 52 through the park's quiet northern forests to Lac Philippe.
Frequently asked questions
- How far is Wakefield from Ottawa?
- Wakefield is about 35 km from downtown Ottawa, in La Pêche, Quebec.
- What's the cycling like in Wakefield?
- The core route north follows Highway 105 (Boulevard St-Joseph), mostly flat with a resurfaced paved shoulder but a fair bit of car traffic, plus a few short punchy climbs near Gatineau and on the approach to the village. The quieter Chemin de la Rivière alternative for the last stretch trades traffic for river views and a couple of steeper pitches (watch the oblique railway crossing at the bottom of one descent). Push into Gatineau Park toward Lac Philippe and you swap pavement for firm gravel doubletrack and the long Eardley Escarpment climb, the region's best-kept gravel secret.
- Where should cyclists stop for food or coffee in Wakefield?
- Popular stops include Café Earle (Earle House), Wakefield Bakery and Pipolinka Bakery — see the full list of food and coffee spots on this page.
- What's a good cycling route from Wakefield?
- The Gatineau River Out-and-Back is a great start — a 80 km road ride. The classic day ride from Ottawa-Gatineau up Highway 105 and Chemin de la Rivière to the covered bridge and back.
- What is there to see in Wakefield?
- Highlights include Wakefield Covered Bridge (Gendron Bridge), Wakefield Mill & MacLaren Falls and Fairbairn House Heritage Centre.
Plan your ride around Wakefield
Open the interactive map to plot a route, then check the amenities and trails layers along the way.
Explore the routes mapMore featured locations
Local details change — confirm hours and openings before you ride, and always ride to the conditions you find on the ground.