Trails in Frontenac

Jul 02, 2020

Loop Trails

Frontenac County has many nature trails built out in loops for adventurous hiking, leading up to vistas with views of landscapes that are still and spectacular. The Canadian Shield holds sway in the northern reaches of Frontenac, and the Frontenac Spur juts into the heart of South Frontenac to Frontenac Park and into the Buck, Dog and Loughborough Lake regions.

For every formal trail, there are dozens of others, shared by neighbours and lake associations alike. Just like all the local trails, the etiquette is simple – enjoy, look and listen to absorb the whole experience, and leave nothing behind.

Kennebec Wilderness trail near Arden

Located on a 156-acre tract of public parkland near Arden, the Kennebec Wilderness Trails offer four seasons of outdoor recreational activity; hiking, geocaching, birding, and snowshoeing. The trail network consists of over 7 kilometres of hiking trails winding through a mixed forest of deciduous and coniferous trees. The valley meadows, wooded hillsides and rocky ridges are home to an abundance of wildlife. The terrain is rugged and undulating in many areas, offering a challenging hike for all ages. The trails can be accessed at trailheads located at 28786 Hwy #7 and on Nordic Road in the Kennebec Shores Waterfront Community. Maps are available on site or by googling Kennebec Lake Parkland Trails.

Shabomeka Legpower Pathfinders

Hike by bicycle or walk, or ski tour in the winter. A 65 km network of beautifully scenic paths for non-motorized use only, meandering through a wide variety of habitats in the forest heartland surrounding Shabomeka Lake in the Madawaska Highlands of the Land O’Lakes. A trail/network map is available at www.trailforks.com/region/shabomeka-lake. The pathhead is 1067B Shawenegog Lake Lane, marked PEARCE 22/23/EKELI. These minimal-impact paths were developed specifically for regular bicycles, in anticipation of ‘forest bathing’ or Shin Rin Yoku. Those with mountain bikes designed for maximum-impact ‘trails’ are directed to the excellent Flinton Forest Trails in the Township of Addington Highlands.

Meisel Woods

This picturesque property surrounds a 60-acre, headwaters lake known as Beaver or Bass Lake and includes additional water frontage on Crow Lake. The Sandi Slater Memorial Walk is a central feature of this conservation area. The trail is a stunning, 5km walk through forest, rocks, over streams and hills and boasts a number of lookouts, and benches that offer gorgeous views of Bass Lake and the surrounding area. Meisel Woods Conservation Area is located at 1392 Anderson Road North, near Crow Lake. Turn onto Anderson Road for approximately .5 km then turn right again on Anderson; 1 km ahead on the right-hand side is the trailhead. Google Meisel Woods.

There are numerous other hiking trails around. Frontenac Park and Bon Echo Park have extensive trail networks, and there are trails at the Gould Lake Conservation Area, and at the Portland Conservation Area.

Riding the rail trails

Frontenac County was once home to numerous railways travelling to and from destinations across Eastern Ontario. In recent years, some of the former rail lines have been revived as multi-use trails, re-connecting the former rail communities and activating tourist adventures across the region.

One such “rail-trail”, The Frontenac K&P Trail, travels north-south through the Frontenac region, forming a trail spine through many villages and several townships. The K&P is host to many uses including hiking, cycling, horseback riding and in the winter, snowmobile use. You can even find ATVs along the northern sections, starting near the village of Verona.

The name K&P is inherited from the former Kingston and Pembroke Railway, which is the corridor along which the K&P Trail travels 180 km north from downtown Kingston through Sharbot Lake to Calabogie and the Ottawa Valley. Here, trail tourists can connect to the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail, a 296 km multi-use rail-trail extending from Mattawa south to Smiths Falls.

Kilometre “0” of the “Kick and Push” starts in Confederation Park in Kingston, where a paved path rambles beside the shores of Lake Ontario before it transitions to a stone dust hard-packed passage lined with trees as it ducks under Highway 401 and into Frontenac County. From here, cyclists have an uncomplicated 75-kilometre pedal from Kingston to Sharbot Lake. Wildlife lovers should carry cameras for the ducks, geese, birds and beavers thriving in wetland stretches of this trail and considering the remoteness of the trail, you’ll likely want to pack snacks too. If shorter trips are on the menu, trailheads can also be found in Harrowsmith, Hartington, Verona, and Tichborne.

After arriving in Sharbot Lake, spend the night at Rockhill B&B, swim at Oso Beach or enjoy dinner and live music at the Crossings Pub.

The more adventurous trail traveller might venture north of Sharbot Lake, where the K&P is more remote, just as beautiful, and the surface provides more of a “rock and roll” experience, better suited for the confident gravel or mountain bike rider who prefers a white-knuckle experience. However, this section is well travelled and generally passable on an ATV.

Sharbot Lake is also where the Tay-Havelock rail-trail intersects with the K&P route. This well-used east-west trail connects Sharbot Lake to communities like Arden, Mountain Grove, Maberly and Perth.

Also intersecting the K&P Trail to the south is the 104 km Cataraqui Trail, an east-west rail-trail line that travels from Smiths Falls to Strathcona. This popular trail connects with the K&P Trail in Harrowsmith, linking K&P destinations to Sydenham, home of Canada’s oldest general store, Trousdale's. A popular destination for cyclists along the Cataraqui Trail is Chaffey’s Locks, where visitors can enjoy an ice cream at the Opinicon.

Each of these trails also help to create the Trans Canada Trail route, also called “The Great Trail.” This is a 24,000 km route that traverses Canada and the Cataraqui, K&P and Tay-Havelock trails all contribute 115 km locally to that network.

Hiking/ Multi-use Trails in Frontenac:

• Bon Echo Provincial Park Near Cloyne / 40km of Trails
• Cataraqui Trail Smiths Falls to Strathcona / 100+km
• Depot Lakes Conservation Near Godfrey
• Frontenac Provincial Park Near Sydenham / Over 100km of Trails
• Gould Lake Conservation Near Sydenham. 22km.
• K&P Trail Wolfe Island to Sharbot Lake and Beyond
• Kennebec Wilderness Trails Near Arden 7km
• Meisel Woods near Crow Lake 5km
• North Frontenac Parklands – various access points
• Portland Conservation Near Verona
• Rideau Trail Between Kingston & Ottawa / 387km
• Shabomeka Legpower Trail Near Cloyne
• Sharbot Lake Provincial Park Near Sharbot Lake
• Trans Canada Trail – Sharbot Lake, Mountain Grove, Arden