If you are an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys nothing more than to hit the trails, you’ll want to check out the Chaffeys Lock area. The historic resort village may be best known for its scenic location along the Rideau Waterway, but it also lies at the convergence of hiking, cycling, and snowmobile trails. It is particularly attractive for hikers and walkers as a hub surrounded by exceptional trail systems in the Village and close by.
Cataraqui Trail / Trans-Canada Trail
Just north of the lock is an expansive former train bridge built in 1912 that today is part of the multi-use Cataraqui Trail. The Cat Trail, as it is locally known, is part of the Trans-Canada trail system. The 104km trail follows the abandoned CN Railway line from Strathcona near Napanee to Smiths Falls, with the section by Chaffeys Lock recognized as the most scenic part. The trail can be accessed near the intersection of Indian Lake Road with Opinicon Lake Road just west of the Village, or from Marina Road on the east side. It is a four-season trail available to hikers, cyclists, skiers, and snowmobilers.
Rideau Trail
The Rideau Trail is a 387 km interconnected network of hiking trails between Kingston and Ottawa, with a side route, marked with blue triangular markers, that runs along Chaffeys Lock Road to Marina Road and northward along Marina Road to join up with the Cat Trail. The main trail is west of the Village and passes through rugged, though scenic, Canadian Shield terrain.
Marion Dunn Heritage Trail
Enjoy a stroll and learn along the way as you follow the Marion Dunn Heritage Trail located in Chaffeys Lock. The trail follows the route of the original road built to haul stones for the construction of the lock from the Halladay Quarry at Elgin. The path goes from the old canalmen’s house at the entrance to the Opinicon resort to the Chaffey Graveyard. The route
passes among many old locust, black cherry, butternut and maple trees that have grown since Colonel By cleared the land in an attempt to prevent malaria, which was then thought to have been caused by bad air. The remains of one of Samuel Chaffey’s buildings, the lime kiln and blacksmith shop, are located on this trail. Marion Dunn, a granddaughter of an original settler, provided the Chaffey’s Lock & Area Heritage Society with funds to create and maintain the trail.
Trailside Park
Chaffeys Lock’s newest park was established in 2023 as part of the new Trailside at Chaffeys community. Each of the wooded estate lots back onto the 23-acre park and have easy access to a network of roughly three kilometres of recreational trails. A high rock cliff at the east end of the village and visible from Chaffeys Lock Road is now accessible by trail. It provides a
panoramic vista of Opinicon Lake to the south. The Park is adjacent to the Cataraqui Trail and trails have a few connection points. Local volunteers continue to make improvements to the trail system.
James H. Fullard Nature Reserve
This 32-acre island, owned by the Rideau Waterway Land Trust, is located near Chaffey’s Locks on Lake Opinicon. Sugarbush Island is an integral part of the 385-acre Murphy’s Bay Wetland Complex. The Island is widely regarded as one of the best natural areas in the Rideau Corridor and one of its top botanical sites. As an RWLT protected area, Sugarbush Island is
available to the community for passive recreational use and quiet contemplation. In 2012 a 2.8km walking trail was developed leading from 1408 Davis Lock Road through the meadow and woods to the short causeway leading to the island. The lands are open sunrise to sunset
May 15th to November 15th, and donations are appreciated.
Rock Dunder Nature Reserve
Rock Dunder is arguably eastern Ontario’s number one hiking destination, lying within the internationally recognized Thousand Islands Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. Trails lead hikers up to the bald shield “Rock” which rises 275 feet above Morton Bay of Whitefish Lake, one of the highest points of land in the area. Rock Dunder provides breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and woodlands. The trails and vistas are enjoyed seasonally. There is a fee for entry and parking can be limited during peak periods. Entrance to the trail system is off Highway 15 just south of Morton, about 17km southeast of Chaffeys Lock.
Other Notable Hiking Destinations
We’ve highlighted hiking spots close to Chaffeys Lock, but residents and visitors can find many other great hiking locations within a relatively short drive, including:
Lost Bay Nature Reserve – 238 hectares of classic Frontenac Axis landscape 17km northeast of Gananoque
Charleston Lake Provincial Park – offers seven scenic trails of varying degrees of difficulty that showcase the biological, geological, and human history of the park, located at 148 Woodvale Rd. near Lansdowne
Foley Mountain Conservation Area – known for its high granite ridge overlooking Upper Rideau Lake and the Village of Westport and offering 9km of scenic and interpretive trails
Frontenac Provincial Park – this huge semi-wilderness park is located at 6700 Salmon Lake Rd. north of the village of Sydenham and offers 13 trails totaling more than 100km There is a wide variety of trails to suit all ages and skill levels for Chaffeys Lock’s residents and visitors.
For more information on how you can become part of the Chaffeys Lock community, visit our main website!