Foley Mountain Conservation Area

Foley Mountain Conservation Area

Length: 9 km trail system

Time: 3-4 hours

Terrain: Easy-Moderate

Located on the north shore of Upper Rideau Lake is Foley Mountain Conservation Area. With over nine kilometers of hiking trails and scenic views, the park has something for everyone. The entrance to Foley Mountain is off Country Road 10 just north of the Village of Westport and there is a $6.00 entry fee (per vehicle) which is payable by cash or credit.

A must see is the Spy Rock Lookout which is located near the first parking area (N 44 41.068 W 076 23.527). From the clifftop you get a full 180° view of the lake and Westport.

Spy Rock Lookout

This parking area is also a great spot to start your hike as you have access to three different trails. To the north you can take the 1.3 km (loop) Beaver Trail which follows the shoreline of an old Beaver Pond. To the east is the 3 km Blue Circle Trail which takes you though wetlands and hardwood forests.

Beaver Pond

To the south is the 1.8 km White Pine Trail which takes you along the ridge line above Upper Rideau Lake towards the Interpretive Centre. This section is also part of Rideau Trail system which runs from Ottawa to Kingston. For the most part, this trail is quite easy and mostly downhill. There are a few soggy spots and in the Spring there could be streams crossing the trail.

White Pine Trail in the Spring

If you're at the point where you need a break why not stop by the Interpretive Centre and learn about the park. Also located here is a second parking are (closed in the off season), washrooms and the wheelchair friendly, Mobility Trail. This short walk has views of the lake as well as information panels on how the region was formed.

Mobility Trail

Each trail is marked with their own unique identifier and maps can be found near both parking lots or with the scan of a smartphone (look for the QR code). Whether you're looking for a easy walk or a tough hike, Foley Mountain will not disappoint.

Algonquin Park - Beaver Pond Trail

Beaver Pond Trail

Length: 2 km Loop
Time: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: Moderate

Located in Algonquin Park, the Beaver Pond Trail is a great spot to learn about Canada's national animal, the beaver. Along this 2 kilometer loop you will pass through some great Canadian wilderness including lakes, creeks, cliff tops and of course, beaver dams.

Parking is located on Highway 60 near the kilometer 45 marker (N45 35.520 W078 20.405). The trail is has a wide range of difficulty so come prepared with comfortable hiking boots and lots of water. The trail head is located at the west side of the parking, be sure to grab a copy of the trail guide which includes a map and explanations of the numbered sign posts. You can borrow the guide book for free but if you wish to take it home there is a post where you can deposit $0.50.

From here you'll cross the bridge to start the hike. Just across the bride is your first (and only) fork in the trail, you'll want to turn left as the trail to the right is where the hike will end. The first few hundred metres of the trail is downhill and quite rocky but will eventually open up to a great view of a beaver pond complete with a den.

After the small lookout the trail turns into a boardwalk which allows you to cross the pond. From the boardwalk you can get some closer views of the pond to the right and the meadow to the left. The meadow is a good example of the ecological changes a beaver can make on the region. This area at one time was thick forest but after the dam was build and the area was flooded the tree died and became the base for the new meadow.

This next part of the hike will bring you back into the forest which will follow the edge of the pond and eventually a small creek. It consists on a wide but rocky trail as well as a few sets of stairs. If you have not already applied the bug spray you might want to stop and do so now, this part of the hike is in a small valley with little air flow so the mosquitos are thick.

After a few hundred metres you'll see a clearing on the left of a very impressive beaver dam. This is a great spot for a few distant pictures but the trail leads you to the edge where you can go in for some close-ups. From here you can see just how the dam works. Below is a tiny creek but above is a very large lake which is filled with many other dens.

The next section of the trail will follow the lakes edge and eventually bring you out to a point with a nice panorama of the lake. The trail itself is a little more difficult at this point with a lot of up and downhill but it is quite a bit easier than what will come next. If you need a break or a drink of water I suggest taking a moment at one of the nice clearings along the lake.

The next half kilometer of the hike is quite demanding as the trail climbs about 25 vertical metres away from the lake. The route is full of roots, rocks and poorly spaced steps but you're in for a treat once you get to the top as you get a fantastic view of the first beaver pond from high above. Watch your footing around the edge of the cliff as it is not fenced off.

The trek ends with a simple downhill back to the bridge at the beginning of the hike. Beaver Pond Trail is a great walk for those looking for a challenge without hiking too far. The terrain has a great mix and the views are fantastic.

Trail Map

The Mer Bleue Bog Trail

Mer Bleue Bog Trail

Length: 1.2 km loop
Time: 45-60 minutes
Terrain: Easy

Welcome to the Mer Bleue Conservation Area. Located south-east of downtown Ottawa, Mer Bleue is little piece of north hidden in the south. The area features a number of hiking trails including the Bog Trail Boardwalk. Parking for the boardwalk is located at the end of Ridge Road, which is off Anderson Road.

The hike is a 1.2 km loop and takes about 45 minutes. The terrain is pretty easy, for most of the hike you're on flat wooden plank with only the last few hundred metres being on old fashioned dirt. Dogs are not allowed.

When you arrive at the parking lot head south past the outhouse towards the bog. Along the way there are a number of information panels explaining the history and science of the bog. You'll eventually arrive at a series of four panels at a fork in trail, from here turn right and the boardwalk is right there.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Mer Bleue is actually an ancient channel of the Ottawa River. During the last ice age this area was under several kilometres of ice, when the glacier receded this new part of the Ottawa River was created. Over time the flow changed and thus the Mer Bleue Bog was born.

As you cross the open water along the boardwalk you'll notice the trees and plants ahead of you are a little different than what you just saw near the parking lot, that's because they are. Mer Bleue is a boreal peat bog, some flora can't grow here where others thrive. As you continue along the trail you'll notice trees such as black spruce and tamarack as well as ground cover or blueberries and cottongrass... these are normally located in more northern climates.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

As mentioned earlier, this trail is a loop so you'll eventually be sent back towards the ridge. But before that happens you'll be treated to a nice close-up of an old beaver lodge. Of all my years of coming to the bog I have never seen a beaver using this lodge but don't be surprised of you see any swimming around. The area is very active with wildlife... it not uncommon to see muskrat, turtles and even the odd moose. If you're a photographer, this is a great area for taking shots of animals.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

As you near the end of the boardwalk it means your hike is almost over. The last few hundred metres are in the woods along the edge of the ridge overlooking the bog. This spot provides a few great views of the marsh as well as few spots to sit down for a picnic.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Enjoy your hike at the Mer Bleue Bog Trail.

Rock Dunder Trail

Dunder Rock Trail

Length: 3 km (round trip)
Time: 120 minutes
Terrain: Moderate to Difficult

Spring has arrived in Eastern Ontario and that typically means two things to me... The NHL playoffs are just around the corner and hiking season is here.

Today's conquest was Rock Dunder. Located in Morton, Ontario, Rock Dunder is great hike that both the young and old can enjoy. Taking the path described below takes about two hours and is about five kilometers long, round trip. Trails are marked with blue arrows. At the summit you'll enjoy one of the best views in the area.

Parking can be found just south of the small town of Morton at the end of an unmarked road. At the beginning of the trail is a outhouse, a few benches and a map of the trails. Not that they are difficult to remember, but I would still suggest taking a picture of the map for future reference. You never know when you'll need it.

From the parking lot there are two ways to reach the summit, I chose the Cabin One trail which in turn continues onto the Summit trail. The first kilometer of the hike is fairly flat with no real challenges. As you approach the first cabin you get a great view of the bay which means you're getting close to the more difficult parts.

Cabin One

But even though the trail becomes more challenging you'll still have no issues. After the cabin the path starts to follow along the bay about 10 metres above the water level, rising higher in some points. Here is where you get you're first great view of the region. Make sure you take a few minutes at each of the courtesy benches to take in the amazing scenery.

As you get closer to the top the trail will turn from moderate to difficult. Be aware of what's ahead and take your time, you're far from the parking lot and no one wants to get hurt.

Moderate to Difficult

The last five minutes of the hike are the hardest. In a short five minutes you climb about 50 vertical metres to the summit. You know you're getting close when the trail turns from dirt to smooth rock.

But now you're finally here, you reached the summit of Rock Dunder. Take some time and enjoy the views and make sure you take lots of photos. On a nice clear day you can see as far as the 1,000 Islands Tower near the US border. Also, be sure to watch you're footing around the ledges, it's a long, steep way down.

After you've enjoyed your time at the top turn around a head back down the trail and back to the car knowing you reached the summit of Rock Dunder.

View from the Summit