OHTO launches new Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Partnership project

Oct 16, 2024

OHTO launches new Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Partnership project, receives $80,000 in Government of Canada funding 

The Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO), along with key stakeholders, dignitaries and select representatives attended a special event on Friday, September 27, to mark the official launch of the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Partnership project. The event was held in Smiths Falls at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO) and was part of the pre-conference Trail Journey Series for the World Trails Conference held in Ottawa Sept. 29 to Oct. 4, 2024. 

In attendance at the event were mayors, councillors, and economic development delegates from municipalities located along or adjacent to the loop, representatives from regional snowmobile and trail associations, and other community stakeholders. 

The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop is a 360-kilometre rail trail loop through eastern Ontario and comprised of the Frontenac K&P Trail, Renfrew K&P Trail, The Algonquin Trail, the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail and the Cataraqui Trail. The trail development project is a collaboration between the Counties of Frontenac, Lanark and Renfrew, the Township of Rideau Lakes, and the Town of Smiths Falls, with support from OHTO.

“The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop project is an initiative that is a year in the making, following momentum generated at the Cycling Summit hosted in Arnprior in 2023,” said OHTO Executive Director, Nicole Whiting. “This project has evolved into an exciting collaboration between Counties and municipalities, community groups and local operators, to build a new signature cycling route showcasing the best of Eastern Ontario.”

Prior to the event, a group of international delegates to the trails conference spent three days cycling, hiking and riding ATVs on various portions of the loop and gathered at the end of their experience at RMEO to participate in the launch announcement. At the event, OHTO celebrated funding received for the project from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to increase visitation and support tourism growth in the Ontario’s Highlands’ region. 

The project is a key product development concept that will promote experiences available in the communities and regions surrounding the loop itself. Funding received through the Tourism Growth Program will ensure the assessment phase of the project is completed and the second phase of community engagement is able to begin in 2025. 

“Increased access to the wealth of trails in Eastern Ontario will support the overall wellness and wellbeing of local residents, but also attract more nature enthusiasts to the region resulting in more visitors to local businesses, shops and restaurants,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario. “The Government of Canada is pleased to support the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop through the Tourism Growth Program."

For more information about the project, please visit www.ohto.ca