My Opinicon

Sat. 24 February:  My Opinicon

The Rideau Trail blue side trails offer excellent hiking

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

This year, a new fleet of luxury rental boats is being introduced onto the Rideau Canal, based in Smiths Falls.  And Chaffeys Lock is sure to be a favourite stopping place for these travellers. 

It’s a fascinating section of canal as it winds between two large lakes.  But the jewel in this crown is the Opinicon Lodge, recently and spectacularly refurbished.  I had a tour of the lodge today and it just keeps getting more and more impressive.  And running right beside the hotel is a Rideau Trail blue side trail.

It was this blue trail that I was exploring today.  The simple loop, taking in the Cataraqui Trail, is 5.6 kilometres, starting in the Opinicon parking lot.  An extension of this blue trail runs west from Indian Lake Road to connect up with the main Rideau Trail.  If you add this return leg to your journey, you have a decent hike of nine kilometres.

And at the end of your trip, you have the comfy bar at the Opinicon to look forward to.  This makes the Chaffeys Lock blue trails a must-do for anyone who wants to see the best that Eastern Ontario has to offer – whether you come by boat or on foot.

That’s just MY opinion.

The Opinicon Lodge:  ideal starting point for this hike  

Rideau Canal at Chaffeys Lock:  exciting boating season ahead this year

At Chaffeys Lock

High Level bridge on the Cataraqui Trail

A  sheet of ice today - MICROspikes being the answer

Viewpoint at site of old trestle bridge (now an embankment)

Junction with the main Rideau Trail