The Eganville area is an oasis for trail lovers with an abundance of forests, parks,
swimming areas, scenic vistas, heritage sites and welcoming communities to
enjoy.
Cycling
Challenge yourself to pedal the Foymount Hill or the Opeongo Line with
elevations of up to 1600 feet above seas level. Take a more leisurely pedal
through the quiet countryside and soak in the serenity of the Ottawa Valley.
Join us for the popular Tour de Bonnechere: Pedal for Mental Health every
August that draws cyclist of all ages and skills from across the province.
Bonnechere Caves to Foymount Hill Trail
(Paved) – A challenging ride that can be 10 to 100km depending on route, it has
steep climbs up Foymount Hill, Ontario’s highest settlement. Start at Bonnechere
Caves just outside Eganville for route details and a chance to earn an ‘I Climbed
Foymount Hill’ T-shirt upon return during the season.
(Paved) – This is an easy and scenic 32km bike ride that provides many views of
the Bonnechere River. The route passes by the Bonnechere Caves and village of
Douglas.
Golden Lake-Augsburg-Ruby Trail
(Mixed) – This 45km tour takes you from the village of Golden Lake, through the
Pikwakangan First Nation Community, to the hamlet of Augsburg. There are also
options on this route to make a shorter tour.
Lake Dore-Micksburg-Osceola Trail
(Paved) – The Snake River meanders back and forth from Lake Dore to Muskrat
Lake with this route crossing the river five times. This is a relaxing 47km ride that
takes you past some of the County’s dairy farms. Lake Dore is known to be the
largest freshwater lake without an island in North America.
Eganville is a cycle-friendly community not only to her visitors but her residents
as well. Whether passing through or moving in, meet up with the Bonnechere
Group for a ride on Wednesdays at McRae Lookout Park. Bicycle repair and
sales are available locally, listed under Cycling on our Services page.
Hiking
Lake Clear, 1961 by A.Y. Jackson
Hike to the spot where famous Canadian painter A.Y.Jackson of the Group of
Seven painted Big Rock by walking to the end of the Lake Clear public beach on
Beulow Road in Eganville and following the walking trail. A close-up view of Big
Rock is an easy paddle away.
Connaught Trail (Shaw Woods)
This trail will take you over the Dore Scarp through a variety of forests
and habitats from bogs to rock barrens. A complex system of wetlands is highly
interspersed throughout this upland forest environment. The contrast between
open wet and dry forested landscapes provides for an especially rich
biodiversity.
West Trail (Shaw Woods)
You are about to step into a rare and ancient forest. In many ways, it is not unlike
what the first European explorers to eastern North America would have
encountered. Some clues to recognizing this as an ‘Old Growth Forest’ are
obvious while others are more subtle. See how many of these characteristics you
can identify on your walk.
East Trail (Shaw Woods)
These trails will take you along the Snake River, Dore Scarp and Shaws Pond.
From atop the scenic lookout in times of low water, it is still possible to see the
river channel as it was before the dam was built in the 18th century to create the
millpond. The landscapes and diversity of life forms found here stand in sharp
contrast to the hardwood forest spreading out before you to the southwest.
In the village of Eganville, this geologically rich trail leads you to an exhibit of
rock types, a limestone quarry, a dug trench, a walk along the Bonnechere River
and fossils.
A 7 km circular trail to the pretty First Baptist Church and an old cart track flanked
by cedar and stone fences. There are sweeping views of the Bonnechere Valley
and Madawaska Highlands, and Eastern Bluebirds if lucky, as you wind your way
towards and along the historic Opeongo Road.