The Log Driver’s Waltz 2025 Grand Depart

2025 marks the fifth year of the Log Driver’s Waltz Bikepacking Route. Located on the unceded and unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation, The Log Driver’s Waltz is a challenging route that takes riders to and through the hidden gems of the Ottawa and Gatineau Valleys. With ~9500 m of steep, relentless climbing over its 805 kilometres the route can sap the energy from even the strongest legs. Riders who underestimate the difficulty of this route are guaranteed to suffer. Expect it to be harder than it looks. Also expect opportunities to swim in the many lakes and rivers once part of historic log drives.

Starting in the Lanark Highlands with its historic log buildings and split-rail fences, the route winds its way over hill and dale on gravel roads, bush roads, rail trails and forest tracks towards the town of Renfrew. Dropping into the relatively flat Ottawa Valley the route crosses from Ontario into Quebec over the dam at Portage du Fort. Gravel country roads climb away from the Ottawa River until the town of Shawville at which point the route follows the historic PPJ railbed northeast past Campbell’s Bay. Turning inland once more riders will encounter steep climbs almost immediately. Relief will come on a couple of flat sections on the Veloroute des Draveurs rail trail just before Gracefield. Here the route crosses the Gatineau River and heads south climbing and descending many steep pitches before reaching Lac Ste. Marie.

One of the rare paved segments of the route leads up the steep road to Mont Ste Marie Ski hill to where the climbing really starts on the Chemin Solitude. Expect rough surfaces and some hike-a-bike. Following the descent into Denholm the route zigzags back and forth across the Gatineau River Valley on the way to Wakefield. Leaving there riders will experience one of the highlights of the route, 80 km of double and single-track trails through the Gatineau Park. For some this section seems interminable but mountain bikers will be in their element. Here the tough climbs are rewarded with viewpoints over the Ottawa Valley.

In contrast to the remote, rugged, and out-of-cell-service sections the route soon passes through Ottawa, Canada’s national capital. Following a short section of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers a stunning vista of Parliament Hill. The Trans Canada Trail with its gentle rail grades between Ottawa and Carleton Place offer tired legs some respite and rest for the final push into Almonte.

In addition to the full LDW route, there are also the 380 km Half/Demi and the 1600 km Rewind alternative distances to choose from.