Cataraqui Trail

The Cataraqui Trail is an exciting new addition to the trail system of Eastern Ontario. It is a four season trail for hikers, cyclists, equestrians, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers as main users, and follows the former Canadian National Railway line from Strathcona near Napanee to Smiths Falls, a distance of 104 km. The trail has 48 main and secondary road access points along its length.



Travelling from south-west to north-east, the trail route follows the Napanee River from north of Napanee to Yarker, then passes over a slight height of land to Harrowsmith, descends to Sydenham, passes through the Canadian Shield to Chaffeys Lock, and then parallels the Rideau Lakes to Smiths Falls. The route is on railroad grade with a road bed of varying material and sizes as surface (standardizing the surface for all users is a high priority).



The trail passes through or near numerous small communities with ever changing surroundings, and has many delightful sections with no evidence of human activity other than the railway right-of-way.

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At the Ontario Trails Council, we do our best to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the information we provide on the site. Please remember however, that some of the information you'll find here has been provided by third parties; we can't take responsibility for that information or make any guarantees as to its quality or accuracy. It's also important to remember that while something you read here may have been correct at the time it was posted, Seasons change and the trails change with them! Contact the trail manager or local weather office when planning a trip to avoid surprises, like poor conditions or trail closures.

Please note that when you send us images, you give us the right to use them as we see fit, without limitation or compensation, to promote the Ontario Trails Council.

This site is supported by a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion Active 2010 Recreation Program, The Ministry of Natural Resources, The Ontario Trillium Foundation and trail users like you!

TRAIL STATS
LENGTH:
104 km 
DIFFICULTY: •• 
ACTIVITIES:
Hiking & Walking, Running, Cycling - Roads & Paths, Equestrian, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing & Backcountry, Dog Sledding 
CHARACTER:
Natural, Rail Trail, Scenic, Historic 
SURFACE:
Mixed 
AMENITIES:
 
OTHER:
Trans Canada Trail 
LOCATION
REGION:
Eastern Ontario 
SUB-REGION:
Rideau Heritage Route 
CLOSEST TOWN(S):
Smiths Falls 
GPS: See Map 
SEASONS / HOURS
Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter 
CONTACT INFO
NAME:
Cataraqui Regional C.A. , Robert Gerritsen 
PHONE:
613-546-4228 ext. 234 
EMAIL: Email Us Now  
WEB SITE
For more information, including maps, please visit our Web site at www.cataraquiregion.on.ca