To Paradise - by Bike

Tues. 12 September:  To Paradise – by Bike

The Paradise Portal?  On the Cataraqui Trail

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

Chaffeys Lock is quickly becoming one of my favourite destinations.  And a lot of that is due to the resurgence of the Opinicon Lodge hotel with its ice cream parlour.

But it is also due to Chaffeys Lock’s unique location on the edge of the Canadian Shield, a land of lakes where the most interesting sections of Rideau Canal intersect with the Cataraqui Trail.  And there’s also a magical section of the Rideau Trail (actually a blue side trail off the main Rideau Trail) which winds its way across the canal and right past the entrance to the hotel.  All points seem to meet right there.

If you are looking for a pleasant bike ride in this part of the  world, then start, as I did, at the old cheese factory in the tiny village of Forfar, join the Cataraqui Trail, and follow it southwards to Chaffeys Lock and beyond.  The hard-packed, often grassy, trail is perfect for a hybrid tire.  You don’t need a heavy mountain bike. 

You can return along the same route, or partly on quiet side roads.  It allowed me to travel over thirty five kilometres (round trip) in less than three and a half hours, through enchanting and ever-changing scenery.

Then of course, at the halfway point, the Opinicon Lodge awaits.  They are friendly there, wanting to make sure that you are truly enjoying this newly renovated paradise under the trees beside the shimmering lake.  I biked away already planning my next visit. 

I started at the tiny village of Forfar

Making good time southwards on the Cataraqui Trail

Little Lake shining in the sun

Chaffeys Lock:  a boat passes beneath the high level bridge....

...heading north up the Rideau Canal

Kilometre 44 south of Smiths Falls,
at a point southwest of Chaffeys Lock

Here the Rideau Trail leaves the Cataraqui Trail
on its journey west and then south to Kingston

Chaffeys Lock

The Opinicon - my definition of Paradise

Racing back north past Little Lake

On the trail

Forfar Community Centre

35.7 kilometre journey today by bike