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Looking for a quick bikepacking adventure that gets you out of the city and into nature without needing to load up the car?

This overnight route from Toronto to Albion Hills Conservation Area is the perfect blend of trail riding, small-town hospitality, cold craft beer, and forest camping. Whether you're testing your first overnighter or want a low-stress weekend escape, this loop packs a surprising amount of scenery, solitude, and satisfaction into two days.

🚴 Day One: From Etobicoke to Albion Hills via Caledon Rail Trail

Start: Long Branch GO Station, Etobicoke
End: Albion Hills Conservation Area
Distance: ~75 km
Ride Time: 5–7 hours with stops

The adventure begins at Long Branch GO Station, a perfect jumping-off point for a car-free start. You’ll go north from here along the Etobicoke Creek Trail, a mix of paved and gravel paths that snake through urban parkland, gradually transitioning to greener surroundings as you leave the city behind.

The trail will take you through Brampton and connect to Kennedy Road North, a quieter alternative to busier roads, which will lead you into the heart of Caledon and onto the Caledon Trailway Path. The stretch of Caledon Trailway Path is pure joy for gravel and hybrid bikes: crushed limestone, gently rolling terrain, and shaded corridors through forests and farmland.

🍻 End of Ride Reward: Caledon Hills Brewing Company

No trip through Caledon is complete without a stop at the Caledon Hills Brewing Company, and it was one of the driving forces that kept us moving forward. The brewery offers a selection of German-style beers brewed on-site, with a cozy beer garden for rest and refuelling. Grab a sausage plate or pretzel and fill your bottles; this is the last major stop before camp.

From here, it’s a short but sweet ride toward Albion Hills Conservation Area, which offers wooded tent sites, picnic tables, and access to some of the best forest trails in the region.

🏕 What You Need to Know: Camping at Albion Hills

Location: 16500 Peel Regional Rd 50, Caledon
Season: May to October
Reservations: Strongly recommended via the TRCA Booking Website
Facilities:

Drive-in and walk-in campsites
Water taps and comfort stations
Fire pits (firewood for sale onsite)
Showers and washrooms
Access to 50+ km of singletrack and doubletrack MTB trails

If you’re bikepacking, ask for a walk-in site or one closer to the trail entrance. You’ll still have access to comfort stations and showers, but you won’t need to pedal deep into the park.

Pro tip: Bring some earplugs. There are trains nearby with horns going off all night.

🚴‍♀️ Day Two: The Scenic Way Back via Bolton and the Humber River Trail

Start: Albion Hills Conservation Area
End: Long Branch GO Station
Distance: ~85 km
Ride Time: 5–6 hours.

Day two delivers a new route back to the city, starting with a fun, flowy section through the Bolton Resource Management Tract. This area is popular with local hikers and mountain bikers and offers a quiet ride through pine forests and ridgelines. The flowy section through the Bolton Resource Management Tract was fun, but getting to the fun involved around 1 km of hike-a-bike up and down challenging slopes. You can avoid this by following the paved trail along the Emil Kolb Parkway.

From Bolton, prepare for some ups and downs before you link up with the William Granger Greenway, a natural corridor that runs along the Humber River, offering shaded trails and excellent wildlife sightings, watch for herons and hawks.

As the trail morphs into the Humber River Recreational Trail, you’ll pass through charming parks and scenic bridges, following the river toward Lake Ontario. The final stretch along the Waterfront Trail as you spin back toward Long Branch GO. Stop for a sweet treat at SanRemo Bakery along Royal York Road or for a coffee at Fair Grounds Organic Café before boarding the train home.

🏁 Final Thoughts

When it comes to bikepacking adventure fun, it is very personal and often depends on fitness levels. One rider’s fun might be another's struggle, and our two-rider team was no exception. So, how did it go?

Chris: rides an average of 100 km per week, mostly commuting and weekend rides.

Fitness level: Good

Ride Difficulty: 6/10 based on early season fitness and the amount of climbing on day two.

Highlight: The flowy trail section through the Bolton Resource Management Tract.

Lowlight: Busy road sections heading back into the city.

Overall, “I give it 7/10 for ease of access, available services, fun trails, and scenery. It’s a good time.”

Martin: rides an average of 12 km weekly, mostly local mountain bike rides.

Fitness level: Not so good

Ride Difficulty: 8/10 based on low fitness. There are no real hills on day one, but the trail climbs steadily up. In addition to that, there were headwinds on Kennedy Road, and I was spent by the time we got to the Caledon Trailway. Day two has twice as much climbing as day one.

Highlight: So many fun trails, Caledon Hills Brewing Company and hanging out by the campfire.

Lowlight: Bonking on day one to the point that I was too tired to enjoy my burger at Caledon Hills Brewing Company.

Overall: “I give it 8/10 for the same reasons as Chris: ease of access, available services, fun trails, and scenery. I would do it again.”

This Toronto-to-Albion loop proves you don’t have to travel far to find a big adventure. With a well-blended mix of paved paths, rail trails, forest routes, and a cozy night under the stars at Albion Hills, this overnight trip offers a perfect introduction to backpacking or a solid weekend escape for seasoned riders.

Ready to ride? This route is ideal from late spring to early fall, making an excellent warm-up for more ambitious tours. Bring your spirit of adventure and maybe a couple of cans from Caledon Hills Brewing for the campfire.

🎒 What to Pack for Your Overnight Bikepacking Trip

Packing light but smart is key for an enjoyable ride and a restful night at camp. Here's a practical checklist tailored for a spring-to-fall overnight adventure:

🛠️ Bike Gear