Trails and Conservation Areas

As a result of a fire on September 4, 2024, the Doube's Trestle Bridge on the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail (KTCT) has been closed and is impassable. The KTCT is closed from Orange Corners to Emily Park Road. For your safety, please respect the closure and avoid the area. Visit the KTCT website for all of the latest Doube's Trestle Bridge updates.

The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail is multi-use from Lindsay to Fowlers Corners. The trail has been surfaced (hard-packed limestone) is flat and level and passes by scenic rivers, wetlands and vary of landscapes. There are many access points including County Road 36, Omemee and road crossings between Lindsay and Peterborough.

VRT North Corridor

The VRT North Corridor follows the former CN Rail Line north, from Fenelon Falls to Kinmount. ROVs are permitted north of Northline Rd. Two-wheeled off-road motorcycles are only permitted north of the Somerville 7th Concession or Kawartha Lakes Road 44 honouring the rules and regulations for seasonal usage and permitted uses.

Recommended Access Points:

• Kinmount (parking and washrooms available): Austin Sawmill Heritage Park at Kawartha Lakes 121 and Station Road.
• Fell Station/Superior Road (parking available): West of Kawartha Lakes Road 121
• Fenelon Falls (North) (parking and washrooms available): Garnet Graham Park

Always take the scenic route. Interact with us by using our Victoria Rail Trail Interactive Map. Explore affiliated trail connections and the Somerville Tract.

VRT Central Corridor

The VRT Central Corridor begins in the north end of Lindsay at Thunderbridge Road and takes you north to Fenelon Falls. ATVs and Snowmobiles are permitted from Thunderbridge Road north honouring the rules and regulations for seasonal usage and permitted uses.

Recommended Access Points:

• Fenelon Falls (South) (limited parking): Old Railway Station
• Cameron (limited parking): Long Beach Road (Kawartha Lakes Road 34), East of Highway 35
• Kenrei (parking available): Kenrei Road at Victoria Rail Trail
• Lindsay (limited parking) (motorized north, ATVs and Snowmobiles): Thunderbridge Road
• Lindsay (limited parking) (non-motorized): Victoria Avenue North, between Pottinger Street and Susan Court.

Always take the scenic route. Interact with us by using our Victoria Rail Trail Interactive Map. Explore affiliated trail connections that connect you to the VRT North and South corridors.

The VRT South Corridor is part of the old CP Rail Line and extends 30 kilometres from Lindsay to Bethany. ATVs and Snowmobiles are permitted from Logie Street south honouring the rules and regulations for seasonal usage and permitted uses.

Recommended Access Points:

• Lindsay (parking and washrooms available): Kent Street East at Old Mill Park
• Lindsay (limited parking) (motorized south, ATVs and Snowmobiles): Logie Street
• Pigeon River (limited parking): Mount Horeb Road, Kawartha Lakes Road 31
• Bethany (limited parking): Intersection of Ski Hill Road and Jackson Street

Always take the scenic route. Interact with us by using our Victoria Rail Trail Interactive Map.

Trail rules are intended to promote multi-use recreational activities and will be enforced pursuant to City by-laws governing the use of the VRTC. All users must ensure they are aware of the rules and restrictions that apply to VRTC use within the City of Kawartha Lakes. All applicable by-laws are available on the City website or by contacting the Municipal Office at 705-324-9411. Any violations should be reported to the City of Kawartha Lakes during normal office hours at 705-324-9411 or the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Victoria Rail Trail Rules and Regulations

• Speed limits of 20 km/hr must be observed by all vehicles (ATVs, ROVs, Snowmobiles, Two-wheeled off-road motorcycles and Bicycles) in urban areas (Bethany, Fenelon Falls, Burnt River and Kinmount); elsewhere the speed limit is 50 km/hr.
• All use of the VRTC is limited to between 7am and 9:30pm.
• ATVs are not permitted on the VRTC between Logie Street and Thunderbridge Road in Lindsay at any time.
• ATVs, ROVs and two-wheeled off-road motorcycles are not permitted on the trail during winter months;
• ROVs are only permitted north of Northline Rd., to the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County boundary.
• Two-wheeled off-road motorcycles are only permitted north of the Somerville 7th Concession or Kawartha Lakes Road 44, north to the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County boundary.
• Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the VRTC during the month of April;
• Only licensed and insured ATVs, ROVs, two-wheeled off-road motorcycles and snowmobiles with KATVA, OFSC or OFTR trail permits are allowed;
• Dogs must be kept on a leash, please pick up after your dog.
• Equestrians have the right of way over all other users. Always follow multiple use trail guidelines.
• Privacy and rights of neighbouring landowners must be respected.
• Pedestrians have right of way over all other users;
• Privacy and rights of abutting landowners must be respected;
• Do not litter or remove natural vegetation.

Trail rules ensure all users have a good experience. They will be enforced pursuant to the City By-Laws governing use of the corridor. You can report violations by calling 705-324-9411 or by calling the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122

VRT Affiliated Partners and User Groups

• Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA)
• Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR)
• Kawartha Trans Canada Trail (KTCT)
• Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC)
• Kawartha Lakes Snowmobile Club (KLSC)
• Kawartha Field Naturalists
• Kawartha Green Trails Alliance

Trail rules are intended to promote multi-use recreational activities and will be enforced pursuant to City by-laws governing the use of the Somerville Forest Tract. All users must ensure they are aware of the rules and restrictions that apply to the Somerville Forest Tract Trails use within the City of Kawartha Lakes. All applicable by-laws are available on the City website or by contacting the Municipal Office at 705-324-9411. Any violations should be reported to the City of Kawartha Lakes during normal office hours at 705-324-9411 or the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Somerville Forest Tract Trail Rules and Regulations

• ATVs, ROVs and two-wheeled off-road motorcycles are not permitted on the trail during winter months;
• Please note, per By-Law 2006-147, Somerville Forest Tract Trails are closed to motorized vehicles seasonally. No person shall operate a Snowmobile, ATV, ROV or two-wheeled off-road motorcycle in the Somerville Forest Tract between April 1 and April 30 inclusive. No person shall operate an ATV, ROV or Two-Wheeled Off-Road Motorcycle in the Somerville Forest Tract from December 1 of one year to April 30 of the following year.
• Two-wheeled off-road motorcycles are only permitted north of the Somerville 7th Concession or Kawartha Lakes Road 44, north to the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County boundary.
• Only licensed and insured ATVs, ROVs, two-wheeled off-road motorcycles and snowmobiles with KATVA, OFSC or OFTR trail permits are allowed;
• Dogs must be kept on a leash, please pick up after your dog.
• Equestrians have the right of way over all other users. Always follow multiple use trail guidelines.
• Privacy and rights of neighbouring landowners must be respected.
• Privacy and rights of abutting landowners must be respected;
• Do not litter or remove natural vegetation.

Trail rules ensure all users have a good experience. They will be enforced pursuant to the City By-Laws governing use of the Somerville Forest Tract. You can report violations by calling 705-324-9411 or by calling the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122

Bobcaygeon Wilderness Park provides over eight acres of safe, accessible trails for walking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through a beautiful mature forest. The park also provides a unique educational opportunity to visitors.

A large pollinator patch showcases hundreds of native plants and highlights the importance of pollinators, especially bees to our ecosystems. Interpretive signs provide another educational component, explaining the significance of many of the natural features found within the park and along the trails.

The Dunsford Nature Trail is a recently built trail on a converted railway line. It extends 2.5 kilometres from Dunsford to Verulam Concession Road 2.

The trail passes through an area of lowland swamp and forest at the headwaters of a branch of Emily Creek. Access to this trail is available in the village of Dunsford, which is located northeast of Lindsay and southwest of Bobcaygeon on Sturgeon Road (Kawartha Lakes Road 7).

Explore the wetlands and forests at Gamiing Nature Centre. The 55 hectare property includes over 7 kilometres of trails and 15 hectares of wetland along scenic Pigeon Lake.

Gamiing Nature Centre is located at 1884 Pigeon Lake Road, Lindsay. For more information call 705-799-7083.

Kawartha Settlers' Village features a beautiful nature trail that extends around the perimeter of their 9 acre property. The trail is completely natural with mature trees, historic flowers and vines. The grass is kept short and the trail provides a peaceful walk.

Kawartha Settlers' Village is located at 85 Dunn Street in Bobcaygeon. For more information call 705-738-6163.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park has two hiking trails. The Lookout Trail is a 2.6 kilometre walk through eskers and kames formed over 10,000 years ago from the Wisconsin Glacier. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The Plantation Trail is a 4.2 kilometre moderate forest trek with both natural and pioneer highlights. Balsam Lake Provincial Park is located at 2238 Kawartha Lakes County Road 48 in Kirkfield.

Located on the north end of Balsam Lake, the 946 hectare Indian Point Provincial Park features one of the longest undeveloped shorelines in Kawartha Lakes. Consisting of a low, limestone escarpment, this lake shore property is an alvar.

This is not an operating Provincial Park and there are no visitor facilities. Camping is prohibited. Water access is available from Balsam Lake. For more information call 705-454-3324.

Somerville Tract is located in Norland and is comprised 3,420 hectares of mixed forest property. The Forest Tract contains three trail loops covering a variety of terrain including pine plantations, wetlands, hardwoods and rock outcrops. Somerville Tract is the perfect backdrop for your next hiking, nordic skiing, snowshoeing or mountain bike adventure. Somerville Tract is located on Arterial Road 45 in Kinmount.

For further information call 705-324-9411 extension 1301 or e-mail the Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division.

Formerly known as Dalton Digby Wildlands, the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Park is one of the most diverse and least disturbed natural areas found in Central Ontario. Containing more than 50 landform vegetation patterns, this site has limited or no recent history of logging. Its low-rolling topography includes organic soils, flat sandy deposits, and bare bedrock uplands with shallow soil patches.

Day use hiking and canoeing are permitted activities. Overnight camping is only allowed on existing campsites on the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. Victoria Falls, Hunter's Lake and Little Gull Lake are popular day use areas. No camping is actively enforced in these areas.

Over 40 kilometres of trail traverse the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Park including an additional three loop trails. Check the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association website for more information.

Access Points:

• 1115 Devils Lake Road - Township of Minden Hills
• 1526 Black River Road - City of Kawartha Lakes

McDonnell/Carew Park is located in the heart of downtown Lindsay. This park features a 4 kilometre lit urban trail along for both daytime and nighttime use. The wooden boardwalk provides the perfect, picturesque spot for a stroll as visitors will be led along the shores of the Scugog River.

Whether you are looking for the perfect spot to sit and watch the boats go by as they head to the Trent Severn Waterway Lock 33 or cast a line and fish from the dock there is plenty to see and do at this tranquil spot. Visitors can continue along the boardwalk as it leads to Old Mill Park, once there have some fun on the inclusive playground, the Old Mill historical building located in the park, offers a glimpse into Lindsay’s historic past and offers a great backdrop for photos

Address: 17 Lindsay Street, North, Lindsay

Ken Reid Conservation Area is a 110-hectare (272 acre) property of open meadow and forest that provides protection to the McLaren's Creek wetland. It is designed to be easily accessible and enjoyable for the whole family.

Ken Reid Conservation Area contains 12 interconnected trail loops totaling almost 12 kilometres.

Amenities include:

• hiking trails
• cycling trails
• picnic shelters
• group camping area
• wetlands
• cross-country ski trails

The Lindsay Legacy Trail is 1.6 kilometre section of paved trail from Victoria Junction (the corner of William Street North and Orchard Park Road, Lindsay) to Thunder Bridge Road, along the Victoria Rail Trail Corridor.

This trail is great for any form of active transportation. Stop by the railway station replica for information on geocaching, train history and local wildlife.

For more information call 705-324-9411 extension 1301 or e-mail the Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division.

The Rivera Park Trail is located on the east side of the Scugog River in Lindsay. The trail is 2 kilometres and takes approximately 30 minutes to walk. The trail is open year-round and is great for a variety of outdoor activities.

For more information please call 705-324-9411 extension 1301 or e-mail the Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division.

The Scugog River Rotary Trail follows the Scugog River on the east side of Lindsay. This trail was paved by the Rotary Club of Lindsay and is accessible for walkers, wheelchairs, strollers and roller skates. This trail is non-motorized. You can access the trail from Logie Street and King Street.

For more information call 705-324-9411 extension 1301 or e-mail the Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division.

Emily Provincial Park is located on Regional Road 10, just north of Omemee. The entrance to the trail is near the south beach parking area. Walk along the elevated boardwalk over a cattail marsh to a sphagnum moss island and a lookout tower to see the osprey nests. You can also swim at two sandy beaches along Pigeon River, fish or paddle.

Marsh Boardwalk Trail

The Marsh Boardwalk Trail begins on a bark-chipped surface and immediately you enter an area of tall and mature cedar trees creating a dense tree canopy. Soon you arrive at the boardwalk and begin walking through cattails and ferns. The boardwalk stops at a unique island referred to as Sphagnum Island, which was created over thousands of years. The trail continues to circle around the island and leads to a lookout platform that allows you to scan the marsh, Pigeon River and forest. If you look carefully, you will see a nest where for generations a pair of ospreys has raised their young.

Address: 797 Emily Park Road, Omemee

Telephone: 705-799-5170

Emily Tract is located on Arterial Road 14, just west of Cowan's Bay and Emily Provincial Park.

Emily Tract comprises 99.2 hectares (205 acres) of mixed forest property, with two trail loops winding through the property allowing you to explore unique glacial land features including moraines and eskers.

Emily Tract contains two trail loops: Loop 1 is gently rolling and heavily forested and Loop 2 crosses a wooden bridge, is hillier and is also heavily forested.

For more information please 705-324-9411 extension 1301 or e-mail the Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division.

Windy Ridge Conservation Area is a 35-hectare (87 acre) property that offers an ideal spot to enjoy a short walk in the open air and a stunning view. It is located at 998 Mount Horeb Road off of Highway 35 South. A lookout is minutes away from the parking lot, where you can see a panoramic view of natural areas of significance and beauty, including the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Hogsback Esker, and a provincially significant wetland that includes Pigeon River and Fleetwood Creek.

Fleetwood Creek Natural Area is a 900 acre (380 hectare) tract of land managed by Kawartha Conservation for the Ontario Heritage Foundation. Located within the Oak Ridges Moraine, the area is characterized by steep valleys, sand, soil, and many cold water streams. These streams form the headwaters of Fleetwood Creek, a major watercourse within the Kawartha Region watershed. The property is home to 250 species of flora and fauna and 44 species of birds. Three trails lead you through uplands, deciduous forests, meadows, and wetlands. Fleetwood Creek Natural area is located at 902 Ballyduff Road, Pontypool.

Forest Trail

The Forest Trail is divided into two branches; the West Branch is a 3 kilometre loop which consists of a twisting path on a gradual slope leading through open meadows and forests. The East Trail, a 3 kilometre loop leads through a dense forest then climbs up the valley slope. The Trail ends with a walk through an open meadow and then back through the forest to the parking area.

Valley Trail

The Valley Trail is a 2.2 kilometre trail that allows the visitor to view the characteristic valley lands of the area from two perspectives.  An observation platform offers a spectacular view of the surrounding land at any time of the year.  The more adventuresome can also descend into the valley.

For more information call 705-328-2271.

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area is a diverse 125-hectare (308 acre) property situated partially within the Oak Ridges Moraine. It is important for the many cold water seeps and springs that form the headwaters of Pigeon River, and as habitat for a diversity of wildlife. The southeast corner of the property offers a panoramic view of a vast tableland and the valley of the Pigeon River.

The Conservation Area has three interconnecting trail loops that total almost 5 kilometre. The trails go through dense forest, wetlands and meadows.

The marsh boardwalk is a highlight of the park. Water milfoil, turtlehead, asters, cattails, and arrowhead all thrive along the length of the walkway. Frogs, salamanders, turtles, and other water loving creatures also enjoy the marsh.