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Cataraqui Trail Website

The Cataraqui Trail has its own website. Please click here to visit the website.

Volunteers Needed

The Cataraqui Trail is looking for volunteers for the following positions:

trail maintainers

If you are interested in any of these positions, please call (613) 546-4228 ext. 304 or toll-free 1-877-956-CRCA ext. 304 and leave a message. Or email catrails@cataraquiregion.on.ca

Cataraqui Trail Management Board

The Cataraqui Trail Management Board is a group of community members who take care of and promote the Trail. For more information about the Cataraqui Trail Management Board click here.

Regional Trails Network

view map below for greater detail

Other Trails in the Area

Cataraqui Trail

The Cataraqui Trail was officially opened in September 2000. The Harrowsmith to Smiths Falls section is designated as part of the Trans Canada Trail.

In 1997, Canadian National donated the former Strathcona to Smiths Falls rail line to the CRCA. It is now known as the Cataraqui Trail. While the CRCA is the owner, the management and development of the trail is taken care of by the Cataraqui Trail Management Board (CTMB). The Management Board has representatives from trail user groups, municipalities, landowners and the CRCA.

From 1998 to 2000, the CTMB completed a Master Plan, raised funds and undertook many improvements to develop a multi-use trail. Cycling, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding are all permitted on the Cataraqui Trail.

The section of the Cataraqui Trail from Harrowsmith to Smiths Falls is designated as part of the Trans Canada Trail and was officially opened in September 2000. There is much ongoing work to do to keep the trail open. Bridges must be repaired, culverts replaced, trail surfaces improved and signage need to be installed. Ongoing maintenance is also required. The CTMB has organized teams of volunteers to help monitor and maintain the trail. They are also responsible for raising the necessary funds to operate, develop and maintain the trail. If you would like more information, visit the Cataraqui Trail website.

One of the ways that you can support the Cataraqui Trail is by purchasing an annual membership or making a donation. Click here for a copy of the membership form.

A Regional Trail Network

The CRCA is working with local municipalities, hiking groups, snowmobile clubs and other interested individuals to build a regional trail network. The proposed network would consist of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Waterfront Trail, the Cataraqui Trail and the K&P Trail.

The Cataraqui Trail and Waterfront Trail are now largely complete. The focus is on creating a linkage between these trails and the Trans-Canada Trail. The K&P Trail provides a good linkage.

The Waterfront Trail

The Waterfront Trail now stretches along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River from the Niagara Region to the Quebec border. In this area a group of enthusiastic local volunteers called The Eastern Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Waterfront Working Group, or WWG, worked on the section of trail along the eastern part of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The WWG encouraged municipalities and community groups to locate the trail as close as possible to the waterfront. Since their work was completed, this group was disbanded in 2007.

The Waterfront Trail is very different from the Cataraqui Trail. It is not owned by one group or organization. Instead, it follows existing roads, road allowances and public lands. The Waterfront Trail is only located on private lands if the owner is in agreement. Permitted uses include walking and cycling.

For more information about the Waterfront Trail click here.

The K&P Trail

The former K& P rail line is also being developed into a multi-use trail. When completed this trail would provide a link from the Waterfront Trail to the Cataraqui Trail and also, north to an additional section of Trans Canada Trail.

The City of Kingston has purchased the portion of the K&P Trail within the City limits and has developed the trail as far as the boundary with South Frontenac Township.

The County of Frontenac have been working on the section north of the City of Kingston. The section of the K&P Trail from the City of Kingston boundary to the Cataraqui Trail in Harrowsmith is now complete. The County continues to work on the sections of K&P Trail to the north of Harrowsmith.

Contact Us:
P.O. Box 160, Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada K0H 1S0
Telephone: (613) 546-4228
E-mail: crca@cataraquiregion.on.ca