Completing the Circuit: Renfrew to Arnprior on the OVRT

Wed. 9 October:  Completing the Circuit:  Renfrew to Arnprior on the OVRT

A year ago, I biked the new Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT) from its start in Smiths Falls, north to Arnprior.  This was as far as you could bike.  But then in late September last year, I discovered an alternative trail from Arnprior to Renfrew along the route of the old CN railway line.  Here's a link to the story of that trip:

http://thepassionatehiker.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-cn-option-from-arnprior-to-renfrew.html

Yesterday, I returned to the area to discover that progress has been made on the OVRT.  The smooth trail surface now extends all the way into Renfrew, another 30 km up the old CP railway line.  For logistical reasons, I biked this new section of OVRT in an easterly direction from Renfrew back to Arnprior.  It was a delight.  Long sections of this trail hug the edge of the wide Ottawa River, making this a very scenic route.

The opening of this latest section of trail for biking has now created an exciting “circular” route of about 60 km for cyclists.  I would recommend starting in Arnprior, and following the CN trail west to Renfrew Junction.  Then turn north on the K&P trail for a short distance until you meet the OVRT, which you can then follow through Renfrew and all the way back to Arnprior.  Being all railway lines, you can count on an easy ride, through beautiful countryside, with few, if any, other travellers, and the added bonus of a lively town at each end.

For those keen cyclists who like to stay in touch with the progress of stone-dusting the OVRT, here is a link to a useful website:

http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=e54f5b47545841dd9f86e8d2d139a421&extent=-79.1358,44.7887,-75.5899,46.4086

Here are some photos taken yesterday on my trip along the OVRT.  Since this blog is intended to be useful, I have included more photos than normal, and have not edited them.

Renfrew:  E. of Munroe Ave. & S. of Jennet St. 
Am on the trail looking W.

Here the newly laid stone dust surface starts

Crossing Hall  Ave., Renfrew

These nice Algonquin Trail signs start here

O'Brien Rd., busy access to major Hwy. 17 from Renfrew

This is a shared use trail

Whitton Rd., already 4 km from the start

Hwy. 17 bridge

View back towards Renfrew from the Hwy. 17 bridge

Gigantic sign - amazing what grows in these Canadian fields

Typical scenery between Renfrew and the Ottawa River

Guest Rd., a quiet country lane, crosses the line.
7 km from the start.

Some colors but not as golden as I had expected

Line curves left after Thomson Rd.

E. of Early Rd.

Crossing River Rd., the highway which follows the
southern shore of the Ottawa River all the way into Arnprior.
Here I am just over 13 km from the start

Just beyond River Rd.

Approaching the river's edge - just out of sight

First view of the Ottawa River, after 16+ km of trail

Looking east downstream - Quebec shore in distance

Many homes along this section of the river

Running east, parallel to River Rd.

The only railway remnant I saw on my trip today

Telephoto of the Quebec shore

A beautiful fall day

Looking downstream from the wharf at Sand Point:
a perfect lunch spot, approx. 21 km from the start

Looking upstream from the wharf

Small beach beside the wharf at Sand Point

Near Braeside Beach

Creek crossing just west of Arnprior

River Rd. bridge on west side of Arnprior

Arnprior:  here is where I stopped last year,
as the trail had not been completed....

....now looking back west on a hard packed surface, perfect for cycling

A good place to stop, in the middle of Arnprior, after 30 km of easy biking
(altho' I went one street further,  to Daniel St.)