Next door to our nation’s capital lies Lanark County, a place boasting nine municipalities that each offer their own unique flavour, ranging from highlands, to rivers, to the majestic Canadian shield.
The county’s natural landscape makes it the perfect place for anyone looking for outdoor adventures, whether you’re into cycling, hiking or taking to the water in a canoe or kayak.
You may have heard a rumour that the region’s predominant “flavour” is as Canadian as it gets — Lanark County is the maple syrup capital of Ontario.
But rest assured, you can still enjoy this sweet treat all year on the Sip & Savour Trail, as well as at local institutions like Wheeler’s Pancake House, Sugar Camp and Maple Heritage Museum.
Nature trails and lakes
Lanark County‘s many lakes offer plenty of places to rent a cottage, enjoy the beach, do some fishing and boating — you can even sleep on the water in a Le Boat rental — or grab a paddle for a bit of canoeing and kayaking.
One of the county’s must-see natural wonders can be found at Purdon Conservation Area, where 10,000 showy lady-slipper orchids bloom from late June to mid-July.
A 30-min walk up Blueberry Mountain is the place to enjoy gorgeous view. And, the Silver Queen Mica Mine Trail — a unique experience like no other — is found in Murphy’s Point Provincial Park.
Cyclists can pack a lunch and spend a few hours or a full day traveling along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail from Smiths Falls through Carleton Place, Almonte, and Pakenham.
Yearly must-see events:
- April 27: The Festival of the Maples in Perth
- May 25: Franktown Lilac Festival
- July 5-7: Almonte Celtfest
- July 19-21: The Stewart Park Festival
- Aug. 9-11: Puppets Up! in Almonte
- Aug. 10-11: RMEO Trainfest
- Aug. 24-25: The Ontario Moonshine Festival
- Aug. 30-Sept. 2: The Perth Fair
- Oct. 4-6: Carleton Place Pumpkinfest
Arts, history and heritage
If you like nature with a side of heritage and history, Lanark County has you covered.
Art aficionados will enjoy Almonte’s Sivarulrasa Gallery or Perth’s autumn studio tour.
Crafty folks may want to check out a workshop at the Basketry Museum, a pottery class at Almonte’s Potter’s Guild or learn about all things textile at Fibrefest in the fall.
There are also plenty of places to learn more about local history, like Fortune Farms, where they demonstrate the art of producing maple syrup.
Maple-inspired food and more
The easiest way to be introduced to all things maple in Ontario’s sap-running syrup capital is to follow this map of the Sip & Savour Trail, which showcases and celebrates everything maple and much more!
When it comes to sipping, each brewer along the trail has a maple option. At Top Shelf Distillers you’ll find maple-infused Reunion French Toast Moonshine. Perth Brewery is where you can pick up some O’Canada Maple Ale.
In Almonte, Vodkow is redefining cream liqueurs with a uniquely Canadian product made possible by these intrepid brewers, who petitioned the federal government to expand the definition of the potato-based spirit to include ‘made from milk’. Their signature maple offering is Sugar Shack Maple Cream.
Everything you can savour on the trail is just as tasty. Perth’s Balderson Village Cheese Store is where you can find Maple Dale Jalapeno Peppercorn Cheddar. Hummingbird Chocolate in Almonte has a maple chocolate bar and unexpected options like “chocolate salami”, a traditional Italian and Portuguese specialty!
If you need a full sit-down meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll find The Stone Cellar in Perth, the Waterfront Gastropub in Carleton Place, Generations on the Lake or for some fine dining, the River House Winery for a maple pork sandwich with a side of wine, a waterfront view at CCs on the Rideau, and the black tartan kitchen is a fantastic option in Carleton Place.
One thing is clear – there’s no shortage of adventures to be found in nearby Lanark County.
Click here to learn more about being a tourist in Lanark County, and start planning your visit today!
