Excursions and adventures around Madawaska Valley

Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the oldest and largest established public parks in Canada. Known throughout the world as a spectacular wilderness destination, it is truly one of the Ontario’s greatest treasures. From the beautiful clean lakes and rocky hills, to the howl of the wolf or the call of the loon, this park is an outdoor recreation paradise. The park can be accessed at many areas in and around Barry’s Bay Cottage Resort. Close to the resort, interior trips can begin as nearby as the Aylen Lake access mere minutes away off Aylen Lake Road. Alternatively, the Basin Lake Road access to the east and the Shall Lake access to the west are both less than half an hour away.

If experiencing a few of Algonquin Park's more popular day attractions is on your mind, then here are some fantastic options. The breathtaking Barron Canyon and area trails can be found just under an hour away by car to the east. While to the west, a short 35 minute drive brings you to the East Gate and famous Highway 60 Corridor route. Along the corridor visitors can enjoy the abundance of trails and even spend an afternoon at the Algonquin's Visitor Centre complete with exhibits on local wildlife, an outdoor logging museum and much, much more.

If you are looking for a day or overnight canoe or camping trip into the park, Algonquin Bound Outfitters provides full rental packages, guided trips and even shuttle service to the park at discounted prices for our guests.

The Barry's Bay Railway Station is one of the few original railway stations left in Ontario. It has been restored to its original beauty and is currently the site of the local Tourist Information Centre next to Highway 60. In addition to housing the South of 60 Arts Centre, historical items can be found inside and outside of the building. The original railway hotel, which now stands as the Balmoral Hotel, and the original wooden water tower are found nearby, while concerts, workshops and children's programs are held through the spring, summer and fall at the railway station.

The Bonnechere Caves are one of Attractions Canada’s Provincial Gold Medal Winners. The twisting labyrinth of limestone passages contains the fossils of thousands of 500-million-year-old coral and sea creatures. Each fall, this underground world is transformed into the largest bat roost in the Ottawa Valley. Guided tours leave every twenty minutes and last approximately an hour.

Also in the area is the Fourth Chute, which is one of five spectacular waterfalls on the Bonnechere River. This watershed provides productive farmland, substantial forests, and scenic landscape along its course. Log drivers built chutes around these obstacles, and later dams were built to produce hydroelectricity. Found about an hour away, the caves and chute are located 8 km east of the town of Eganville along Fourth Chute Road. Watch for the blue and white tourism directional signs along Highways 60 or 41.

Visit this provincially significant wetland that was enlarged by the damming of the Madawaska River in 1956. The Marsh is home to numerous furbearers (Muskrat, Otter, Beaver, Fisher and Red Fox), amphibians (Green Frog and Bull Frog, Snapping Turtles and Painted Turtles) and is home to thousands of migrating waterfowl each spring and fall including the Canada Goose, the Mallard, Common Pintail, the Greater Scaup, and the Green-winged Teal. In addition, the marsh is home to many other species of birds including the Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles and Osprey, Belted Kingfishers, Tree Swallows, Yellow Warblers, Red-Winged Blackbirds, the Common Yellowthroat and Common Grackle.

Perhaps the most photographed site in the entire Combermere area, this faithfully restored chute is an example of the engineering marvel of the logging industry in the 1800s. The two hundred foot chute and boardwalk, and the adjoining control dam rest on Byers Creek was originally used to safely route logs from Brudenell, Wilno and Barry's Bay into the Madawaska River for their trip down to the Ottawa and eventual transport to Europe. Today, the slide has today become a site for swimmers, photographers, fishermen and those simply wishing to relax and enjoy Mother Nature's gifts. The park is located east of Combermere on the Old Barry's Bay Road approximately 3 km from Highway 62.

Many of our local artisans have studios open year round. Their studios are full of original creations. During the sumer & fall (July & early October) the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour is a popular tour that allows free access to any of the locations on their current tour. Watch for the Maple Leaf Signs that mark each studio. Alternatively, the South of 60 Art Centre is dedicated to providing a variety of art experiences, for the residents of and visitors to the Madawaska Valley. Based out of the Barry’s Bay Railway Station, it stages exhibits, concerts, workshops and children's programs through the spring, summer and fall.

Family raft trips and kayaking is offered at the Madawaska Kanu Centre.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, each cottage is being equipped with a canoe and paddles and guests are encouraged to bring their own lifejackets. Kayaks and paddleboards are available through Algonquin Bound Outfitters or similar businesses in the town of Barry's Bay.

The Madawaska River is justly celebrated as one of the best places in North America to learn whitewater skills or enjoy the popular Madawaska Family Float Trips. The stunning location and dependable warm whitewater is a formula that has beginner to expert paddlers returning each summer. An estimated 15,000 canoeists and kayakers paddle the Madawaska River each year. The mix of flat and whitewater appeals to beginners and experience paddlers alike. For more information of canoeing or kayaking in the area, contact either the Madawaska Kanu Centre for family rafting trips and whitewater kayaking or Algonquin Bound. The popular family rafting trips are also offered out of the Kanu Centre, which is less than half an hour away from our resort.

Visitors should take the time to drive or cycle the myriad of backroads in the area. Madawaska roads are hilly and spectacular in their beauty. They take you past many historical sites and through small towns where you will meet unique characters. The Valley also boasts that there are few locations east of the Rockies that provide more challenging or scenic conditions for cyclists or mountain bikers. In fact, chances of seeing wildlife are much greater on a bike. Cyclists can start right our resort, while mountain bikers need look no further than the abandoned railway or B102 Snowmobile Trail to find an enjoyable biking route. A few other popular backroad routes include the Bark Lake/River Road Loop, the Barry's Bay, Wilno & Kaszuby Loop and the infamous Opeongo Line Tour.

ATVers should note that they are allowed on municipal roads in the district, which makes it possible to ride from the resort to link up with the B102 or other trails in the immediate area. While we do not have any direct access to the trails you can go right out of our driveway and head west to Arbor Vitae (500m) and then follow along to civic number 612 to look for the big sign pointing to B102.

Across from 612 Arbor Vitae Road, there is a signed trail trail that accesses a system of old roads and trails that links to the B102. Please be careful not to cross private property when accessing the trail systems. Further afield, there is the Thomas P Murray trails south of town off Highway 62, while west of the resort, the new Spectacle Lake, Bear and Brunett Mountains Trail system offers some ATVing around Brunetts Pond and the lookout.
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You can see a map of Renfrew County's ATV trails. See the ATV club trail pass site. You can also contact Back Country Tours, where you can book tours to travel across Renfrew County.

Back Country Tours and Highland Wilderness Tours are great places to contact for snowmobile tours on the B102 Snowmobile Trail.

There will be tracks visible from previous sleds crossing but the trail is not groomed or marked. From here you link to the B102 which leads to several towns at various distances (Barry's Bay is 7 km, Madawaska 18 km etc.). Snowmobilers will find our short linking trail to the OFSCB102 on the east side of the lake. The B102 links to the B Trunk Trail running east-west between Algonquin Park and Pembroke allowing for extended riding in the area. The high elevation of the Madawaska Highlands often allows for more snow and an earlier season than many of the other trail systems in Ontario. Please visit the OFSC website for more information on conditions and safety before heading out on the trails.

This hillside hamlet is Canada's oldest Polish settlement - a thriving village with real character that is found 10 km east of Barry's Bay. Established in 1864, the community flourished when the railroad was built through the Wilno Pass in 1865. Today, anchored by the towering spires of the village church and an historic roadside tavern, Wilno is a mixture of traditional farmers and loggers, and colourful musicians and artisans. As they say in these parts, if you don't know about this place - soon, you Wilno! While in town, be sure to visit the heritage park with its authentic log buildings recreating a pioneer homestead where the original train station stood. Alternatively, the Wilno Lookout offers one of the most stunning views in the valley from Shrine Hill. It is just past the spectacular St. Mary's Church, which is also well worth the look. Be sure to visit the Canadian Kashub Festival at the start of May each year.

Available through local outfitters. Contact Highland Wilderness Tours.

Available through local outfitters. Contact Highland Wilderness Tours.

Available through local outfitters.

Explore the different golf courses and clubs in the surrounding area. There is Barry's Bay Golf Course, which is 9 hole golf course and Homestead at Wolf Ridge Golf Club, which is an 18 hole golf course in Killaloe. Barry's Bay Golf Course is a 10 minute drive from our cottage resort and Homestead at Wolf Ridge Golf Club is 20 minutes.

Tom's Lookout at Gun Mountain is a network of six trails that allow you to explore the nature in Madawaska Valley.

Opeongo Nordic Trails is a beautiful place to go cross-country skiing. They update the status on their trails, conditions, if they've been recently groomed, and their pricing on their website.