Scenic driving routes in Ontario, like the Shield Drive, offer a premier touring experience through Addington Highlands. These pre-planned itineraries feature well-maintained county roads, rolling hills, and historic village stops, providing travellers with downloadable maps and turn-by-turn directions to explore the unspoiled rural charm and dramatic landscapes of the region at their own pace.
Lennox & Addington’s touring routes run from the shores of Lake Ontario into the heart of the Canadian Shield, and you can watch the landscape change through the windshield as you go. In the south, the roads are lined with hay fields, century-old barns, and lakeside orchards where the land is flat, and the light is wide. Head north, and the farmland gives way to exposed granite, dense pine, and the kind of open rock country that feels like a different province entirely. Six self-guided routes cover that full range, each with turn-by-turn directions and context on the history and communities along the way. Most loops start or pass through Napanee, making it a natural base for the day.
What to Expect
These are roads built for the drive itself, with long curves, rolling terrain, and views that open up between stretches of forest and farmland. Six themed loops cover different parts of the county, from quiet lakeshore corridors to the twisting pavement of the northern shield.
Here’s What’s Different
- A clear geographic transition from lakeside orchards and farmland to rugged granite shield country.
- Dedicated maps covering both historic Loyalist settlements and northern wilderness landscapes.
- Each route comes as a compact, downloadable PDF sized for glove-box storage.
Good to KnowÂ
- The Shield Drive is the longest loop and best suited for a full-day adventure. The Transition Drive is worth timing for autumn, when the maples and evergreens begin their colour shift.
- LOCAL TIP
Pick up local snacks in Greater Napanee before heading north, where service stops are more spaced out.
- FAST FACTS
- There are 6 distinct pre-planned itineraries available for download.
- Have a photo from your road trip? Tag us with #unspoiledLA.
Let’s Get Touring
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Location Details
Pre-Planned Routes Available: 6 Routes (shown below)
Distance: 89 km to 188 km loops
Difficulty: Easy
Your Route
Length: 87 kmÂ
The Rural Drive passes through Newburgh, Camden East, Yarker, Colebrook, Moscow, Enterprise, Tamworth, Erinsville, Roblin, Selby, and Napanee. Each community has its own character. The route follows picturesque rural landscapes dotted with century-old homes, barns, and actively farmed land.
Length: 114 kmÂ
The Shoreline Drive begins along the shores of Hay Bay and the Bay of Quinte, passing cottages, campgrounds, and some of the best Walleye fishing water in North America. The route takes in rural settings overlooking open waterways before turning south along the Loyalist Parkway to the historic village of Bath and back to Napanee.
Length: 98 kmÂ
Long before anyone thought of touring this region, the United Empire Loyalists walked this countryside. Farmland, apple orchards, and vineyards now line the Empire Loyalist Drive as you pass through Adolphustown, Conway, Sandhurst, Bath, Amherstview, Odessa, and Napanee, with historical sites marking the route.
Length: 97 kmÂ
The Farming Drive runs through Newburgh, Camden East, Yarker, Wilton, and Napanee. The route follows picturesque farmland, quiet towns, and charming villages through the agricultural heart of the county.
Length: 186 kmÂ
The Shield Drive takes riders into the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield in the Addington Highlands. The route passes through and past Bon Echo Provincial Park, with stops along the way in Denbigh, Vennachar, Cloyne, Northbrook, and Flinton.
The Transition Drive earns its name. The southern stretch features working farms, wetlands, and limestone outcroppings, but as you ride north the surroundings shift. Granite and evergreens take over as you enter the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. This route is at its best when the leaves begin their autumn turn.
What We Offer
Common Questions
The Rural, Shoreline, Empire Loyalist, Farming, Shield, and Transition drives all provide comprehensive loops through the county.
The Shield Drive takes a full day to complete, while shorter routes like the Rural Drive can be finished in 2-3 hours.
The Transition Drive and Shield Drive are the premier choices for witnessing the autumn transformation of the Canadian Shield.
Conservation Park in Napanee and various stops along the Shoreline Drive provide ideal picnic areas and waterfront views.
Contacts
Naturally L&A Visitor Centre
Help us plan your Lennox & Addington Adventure.Â
Stop in and see us at 41 Dundas St. W. in Napanee.
Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Get the Itinerary
Get the official A Slice of L&A route sent to your phone with stops and local recommendations ready to go.
Getting Here
41 Dundas St W, Napanee, ON
Routes begin in various locations, with many loops centring on the town of Greater Napanee for easy access from Highway 401.
Help us plan your Lennox & Addington Adventure.
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