Sharbot Lake is a community shaped by the lake itself  - with water on both sides of town and stunning views that are never far from reach.

Spend the morning in the lake, then dry off with a walk or bike ride on the K&P before landing at a patio to soak up the sun. Your afternoon can be spent exploring local food and drink, including fine chocolates, artisan cheese, and local wine. 

A visit to Sharbot Lake isn’t built around one single stop. The lake, the trails, and the surrounding communities all sit close enough that the day comes together without much effort.

Pause in Sharbot Lake.

2-Nights, 3-Days in Sharbot Lake
3 Days

Morning

  • On your way into town, stop at Seed to Sausage to pick up picnic fare, like locally sourced meats, fresh sides, and everything you need for a simple lunch by the water. Seed to Sausage is known for its selection of locally sourced meats, raised with care and a focus on ethical, sustainable farming practices.

Afternoon

  • Running through Sharbot Lake, the K&P Trail follows a former rail corridor that once linked Kingston to Renfrew. Now part of the Trans Canada Trail, it offers a mostly flat, well-packed surface that’s easy to cycle or walk, with changing scenery that moves between forest, rock, and wetland as you go.
  • Pause at the Railway Heritage Park on the K&P, a natural midpoint that ties the trail and the town together. Explore the outdoor museum here, and learn more about the railway history of the community.
  • The public beach in Sharbot Lake sits at the centre of town and is where the community gathers to celebrate and while away a hot summer day. Settle in at the beach for a picnic with your stash from Seed to Sausage and a mid-afternoon swim. Let the afternoon stretch on as you slide deeper into cottage time.

Evening

  • Make your way to the Crossing Pub at Sharbot Lake Country Inn for dinner, a relaxed and comfortable eatery that often carries into live music and a longer evening on the weekends in summer. 
  • Settle in for the night at one of the many accommodators in the area, most with stunning waterfront locations to deepend your cottage experience here. Some good options are The Cottages at Windrush, Lehlewa Lakeside Retreat, Rockhill B&B, or the Sharbot Lake Country Inn, all within easy reach of the lake.
  • As the sun starts to dip, make your way back to the beach — this is where the nightly show unfolds. As the sun inches towards the horizon the light stretches across the lake, reflecting off the water and slowly giving way to evening.

Morning

  • Ease into the morning at Cardinal Café, where fresh-made donuts, savoury breakfast sandwiches, and specialty coffees set an easy pace for the morning. The patio is a popular spot in the morning, and you may even catch a glimpse of the lake while you bask in the morning sun.
  • Head to Sharbot Lake Provincial Park to start the day, where a network of trails winds through mixed forest and along the lake. Mornings here are quieter, with light moving through the trees and the shoreline still calm.

Afternoon

  • Make the short drive Kennebec Wilderness Trail (20 minutes), where a network of over seven-kilometres of trails winds through mixed forest and rolling terrain.
  • While you are out on the road, explore the region’s food and drink with a wine tasting at River House Vineyard & Winery, a small batch winery set in rugged backcountry east of town.
  • A must is a stop for a wood-fired pizza and to pick up some artisanal cheese from Back Forty Artisan Cheese, just a short drive north of Sharbot Lake proper.
  • Fine Chocolates by Ludwig is a small-batch chocolatier near Sharbot Lake. Contact the shop in advance to plan your visit to pick up some decadent chocolate and learn more about how it’s made here.
  • On your way back to Sharbot Lake, stop into Worldview Studio and Gallery of Fine Art, where artists Janet K. Mackay and Mitchell Webster work across sculpture and painting that reflect the diverse landscapes you have just driven through. Contact them in advance to arrange for your visit.

Remember, you don’t need to fit everything in today. A couple of stops is enough before heading back toward the lake.

Evening

  • Make your way to Kick & Push Brewery for dinner and a tasting flight — a relaxed space where it’s easy to settle in and stay awhile.
  • After dinner, head back to the water for an evening swim or a quiet walk along the shoreline as the light fades. As the sun drops, return to the beach and watch as the light stretches across the lake.
  • If the sky is clear, take the short drive to the North Frontenac Dark Sky Preserve, where the stars come into full view without interference — a different pace to end the day.
  • Fall asleep at your accommodation lulled by the sounds of the water lapping at the shore.

Morning

  • Start with one last quiet morning by the lake and take a short walk, stop for a coffee from Cardinal Cafe, or just take a moment to sit outside before packing up.
  • Stop by Oso Sweet Maple Syrup to pick up some of their sweet maple syrup and products and bring home something with a direct connection to the landscape. Check with them in advance to arrange a time to swing past.
  • Take your time heading out, one more pause by the water won't go amiss.
  • Did you miss a stop from day two? You can always linger here long enough to fit it all in. 
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