Prescott Russell – Rail Trail

Length – 72 km (one way)

95% rail trail path
5% road crossings, detours

Elevation – This is a flat section of Ontario.

Terrain – Fine crushed stone, gravel, with paved asphalt in towns.

Skill – Easy

Maps – Map board at parking lots, with plenty of signage on the route.

Traffic – Very light use by bicycles, hikers, horseback riders, and snowmobiles in winter.

Facilities – Large parking lots, outhouses, picnic benches, bike racks, benches on the route.

Highlights – Some farms, bridge at Plantagenet, the train station in Bourget.

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – 1 800 361 7439

Website –  Prescott Russell County

Similar Trails – Kissing Bridge, Elora Cataract

Local Clubs – Ottawa Bicycle Club

Access – Parking lots at the Rail Trail Pavilions:

• Ottawa – Anderson Rd. Hwy 27
• Hammond – Hwy 21
• Bourget – Levis St. and Etienne St.
• Plantagenet – Hwy 9
• Vankleek Hill – Hwy 34
• St. Eugene – Mill St.

Other parking areas are located (from east to west) at Cassburn Road (Vankleek Hill), Caledonia Springs Road (Alfred), Station Road (Alfred), County Road 2 (Cobb Lake, Bourget) and Drouin Road (Hammond).

History – (I no longer include train history in my free reviews. Only to be found in my published books.)

Out by the eastern end of Ontario, runs the 72 km Prescott – Russell Rail Trail from outside Ottawa to Rigaud in Quebec.

A once busy train line running through farm country, this is now a “bike highway” to connect with other road touring loops and a great way to get to Montreal or Ottawa.

This Rail Trail is relatively new and well maintained by the county. The path base is crushed limestone gravel riders are used to. Only the thinnest of tires would have a possible handling problem. Some sections in town are paved. (I don’t know why…)

Plenty of signage on the route and simple comforts like outhouses and picnic benches make the trail welcoming. Unfortunately, I hear it is underutilized and in danger of funding cuts or maybe even closure.

So it’s my job to get the word out, and your task to ride it one day…soon.

Perhaps one can attribute the low traffic to its newness, lack of stellar landmarks and location. Yes, this is a corner of Ontario by the Ottawa River few of us venture to.

What you will find different are wide open spaces and a peaceful ride. No drone of highways, airports or industry. Just pure country, with crickets and BIG views of farms, fields and sky.

The Prescott – Russell Trail does not traverse many woodlots. There is little shade, so expect…

Read the rest of this review and 59 others in my NEW book, Volume 2 of Best Bicycle Park & Rail Trails in Ontario.