Appleton to Carleton Place: The Rotary Centennial Trail

Wed. 26 June:  Appleton to Carleton Place:  The Rotary Centennial Trail

The Centennial Trail runs between Appleton and Carleton Place -
about six kilometres, depending on your start and end points

There is more than one way to travel the few kilometres between the village of Appleton and the town of Carleton Place, in rural Eastern Ontario.  You can drive of course.  Or you can, I suppose, canoe up the Mississippi River, but it would be more sensible to do the journey in the other direction!   But how many people know that there is a delightful trail that links these two communities?

In 2005 the Rotary Centennial Trail was created, but over the years, it seems to have faded into relative obscurity.  Its start and finish points are vague, although the central part of the trail is well-sign-posted.  Its creators did a great job of linking existing roads with sections of woodland trail.  The roads are not busy. 

This short hike of about six kilometres (depending on where you start and end) has plenty to offer:  historic homes; river views; watching future (or past) Brooke Hendersons swinging their clubs as you walk beside the golf course;  turtles crossing the quiet roads; lonely sections of trail through the trees; feeling far from  anywhere.  And the grand finale of reaching downtown Carleton Place along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (the old railway), crossing the Mississippi River, with the ornate Carleton Place Town Hall as a back-drop to the fast-flowing waters.

And of course, the advantage of doing the walk in this direction is that you have plenty of choices for ice cream at the end.  And a friendly taxi service to give you a ride back to the start if you wish (drop into County Cabs at 123 Bridge Street, handily situated in the centre of town).

This is an ideal stroll for anyone who wants a gentle walk with lots to see along the way.  Try it out for yourself.

Enjoy this photo record of a trail that deserves to be “rediscovered”.

A scenic start to the walk

Beside the Mississippi at Appleton

Appleton Bay (and runway for the 'plane)

The dam at Appleton.  Here once was a  busy woollen mill, now a ruin

Quiet roads through Appleton

This was once the Appleton General Store and Post Office

Crossing the river in Appleton

I think this was the home of Joseph Teskey, Mill owner, built around 1844

The Mississippi River 

Very little traffic

We head out into the countryside before turning left here 

Some very nice sections of trail

This turtle was probably looking for somewhere to lay her eggs

Luckily she turned back into the grass

Look for these signs 

The trail map

Great idea for any trail these days

Some lonely sections of trail

Arriving in Carleton Place at McNeely Ave. (Hwy 29)

The Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (the old railway line)

Crossing the Mississippi in Carleton Place,
and closer view (below) of Town Hall

Our reward 

The route of the Centennial Trail
and connections via OVRT and streets
into downtown Carleton Place