Backroads of Ontario

by Ron Brown

In his relentless quest for the unusual in a world of the mundane, modern-day explorer Ron Brown has traveled nearly every backroad in Ontario. This guidebook features 23 trips, each illustrated with photographs and accompanied by an easy-to-follow map.

These trips range in length from afternoon outings to weekend excursions. And all lead to fascinating out-of-the-way places within easy driving distance of major cities in Ontario.

Backroads of Ontario

Ghost towns An underwater graveyard of shipwrecks Charming villages Century-old mills and farmhouse Architectural curiosities Prime picnic spots an amethyst mine and more.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Canada, Ebooks

271 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

About the author

Ron Brown is a geographer and travel author of more than twenty books, including Rails to the Atlantic, The Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, and Back Roads of Ontario. He is past chair of the Writers' Union of Canada and leads tours of Ontario's unusual sights. He lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book with great ideas for day trips. One to remember, along with his others!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wished that the history and connection to the land was more present in the descriptions. they felt cut and past from the local library - that had surface description and missed many of the hidden histories. Perhaps I wanting too much.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suggestions for those who don't want to travel far, yet need a little getaway. Beautiful photography and a nice easy read that inspires you to jump in your car and go on an adventure!

[Kathleen Nightingale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great table book.

[Paul Sutter]

If you ever need to know about any place in Ontario, all you have to do is give Ron Brown a shout. He is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to locating out of the way places, and places that are perfect for day trips. Books written by him for the most part are trips back through the mists of time, as you find only about popular towns that no longer exist as well as locales that still exist, and are more than worth your time and trouble visiting.
Brown has written more than twenty books, each one as authoritative as they come, creating quite the reference book. His latest BACKROADS OF ONTARIO is the sixth edition, and each successive book adds a little more for the reader to view and ponder, when it comes to travel plans. No matter what time of the year you are considering road trips to areas noted in the book, you are sure to enjoy the experience and the scenery.
This new book boasts thirty-three backroad adventures that are great for family travel or going solo. The book takes us from the frantic pace of car-packed roadways, to areas that are more remote, where drivers are not frantically racing along the highways. These areas are mostly laid-back with historical relevance behind them. The book gives their history and why they are must-see.
As well, there are dozens of pictures in the book, enticing the reader even more, with the combination of words and photos. You will see such areas as Napanee River Road, Island Roads, Bruce Peninsula Road, Rice Lake Road, Trail of the Drowned Villages, Trail of the Sleeping Giant, Manitoulin’s Haweater Trail,The Perth Road, St. Clair River Parkway, and many others.
The book is a true history lesson, filled with facts and lesser-known spots that you can visit and never forget. BACKROAD OF ONTARIO is family friendly, with thirty-three reasons to get out of the house and head out to some memorable locales.

[Abel Shen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book and I had a lot of fun when I read it along with a map(google map or backroad map in Ontario),
it's been several adventures when I followed its guide and I have visited somewhere I would never without reading it.
whenever I need to find an idea of where to go at the weekend, this book always gives me good suggestions. however, I feel the itineraries listed in the book are a little bit too tight if you want to finish one trip in one day. I would like to stay in some places longer instead of just wandering around.

[Roger Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but poorly researched. Interesting because he points out some interesting features along the routes he describes. His knowledge of geology is abysmal and I found a few faults with his historical pieces, such that it makes me wonder how much of the parts I know nothing about were as he stated. I got the feeling that anything he mentioned could be found in the local tourist brochures. On the other hand if you like taking Sunday car rides through the countryside, then perhaps it would be worth your while to buy a copy. Note that it is very Toronto oriented.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and informative book highlighting many small towns, villages, and hamlets in Ontario.

This is a great book to keep in your vehicle for assistance in deciding which direction to take the next time you feel like driving around the beautiful countryside of Ontario, Canada.

4 out of 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with lots of info about exploring Ontario by using the smaller back roads. Perfect for short trips in our own province.
Photos help to entice the reader to explore !
Good maps of the smaller roadways to follow.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going to be very useful to me in the future!

[Ed Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Ron Brown Book.
It is full of historical facts and photographs from all over Ontario Canada.
It is a quick entertaining read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another neat book on Ontario, only if I had the time to visit all of these spots! I was really intrigued by the Kingston to Perth route - we will see if we ever get on this route . Lots of great information .