Length – Â 85 km (one way)
90% rail trail path
10% road crossings, detours
Elevation – Flat as she goes with a few noticeable inclinesÂ
Terrain – crushed stone, gravel, asphalt, very sandy and rocky north of Kinmount.
Skill – Easy, north part difficult
Maps – A few map boards, well marked.
Traffic – Bicycles, hikers, horses, ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, Nordic skiers
Facilities – Limited parking, towns of Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, Kinmount and Haliburton have food, lodging & toilets, bike share station by locks
Highlights – Wilderness, Waterfront cottages, Fenelon Falls & locks, Highlands Cinemas in Kimount, old train stations and old locomotive in Haliburton
Trail Fee – Free
Phone – 705 324 9411
Website – Kawartha Lakes
Similar Trails – Victoria South, Uxbridge Lindsay, N. Simcoe + Tiny
Local Clubs – Peterborough Cycling Club
Access –
- Lindsay: Trail starts north of Pottinger St. on Victoria Ave. N with only street parking. At the end of William St. N and Champlain Blvd. there is more room or where it crosses on Thunder Bridge Rd.
- Fenlon Falls: If you are heading south park at the old train station, 103 Lindsay St.
If you are cycling northward park near the locks around Garnet Graham Beach Park \ - Kinmount:Â Austin Sawmill Heritage Park
- Haliburton: Gelert Rd. lot (7290 Haliburton Country R. 1)
History – The Victoria Railway started running trains in 1878 to Haliburton. Originally intended as an immigrant settlement project for settlers to give business back to the railroad. But by the time it was built it was a means of extracting lumber and minerals from the north.
Eventually, Lindsay became an important train hub with lines from other railways running in all directions. Today sadly it has no tracks left.Â
It was acquired by the Midland Railway in 1882, and eventually by the CNR in 1923. Regular passenger service ceased in 1960 and freight service lasted till 1978.