Trail Towns and River Views: Cycling from Carleton Place to Pakenham
Just west of Ottawa lies an undiscovered gem of recreational opportunities – cycling, paddling, hiking - you name it and you’ll find it in Lanark County. Here, one of the recreational centerpieces is the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT), a 300-kilometre multi-use trail following a former rail corridor from Smiths Falls to Mattawa.
The OVRT offers cyclists a safe, mostly level, accessible route for all skills levels.
I am by no means an experienced cyclist – I’ve been on some long rides (the longest was 30 kilometres) but the day my husband and I set off for our OVRT adventure would be only my second time on a bike this year.
I wasn’t sure what to expect – I’d heard a lot about the OVRT from cyclists, some said it was amazing and a great day-trip option, some said it was boring or the gravel surface was too hard to cycle on, so I was prepared for anything when we set out one sunny morning in June.
Here's what we learned about the route, what you need to know, and how to plan your own cycle trip on the OVRT.
Carleton Place to Almonte
Carleton Place to Almonte is a nice and easy trip that ends with a sweet reward and the promise of a fabulous lunch and wander in the scenic small town of Almonte.
We left a vehicle in Pakenham and then drove back to Carleton Place to start our trip from there. Another option is to do an out-and-back ride that takes you over the same terrain twice.
Trailhead Carleton Junction
Start Here: Carleton Place
There are trailheads at a number of locations along the OVRT but we chose Carleton Place to start our journey for a number of reasons. The trailhead is at Carleton Junction in the heart of town, and there are public washrooms there and a safe parking area for us to leave our car.
We had already left a second vehicle in Pakenham where we planned to end our trip rather than bike out and back. The trail between Carleton Place and Almonte is easy cycling, with lots of shaded sections in Carleton Place to keep cool and a welcoming breeze on the longer stretches without cover trees.
Other trailheads options are in Almonte at the Almonte Public Library or in Pakenham if you are coming from the other direction.
What you need to know
- The trail is paved in Carleton Place which is really nice! There is lots of traffic on the trail so keep your eyes open as you travel.
- You will pass a path that detours off the trail that takes you to Hackberry Park, a nice little park that would be perfect for getting your feet wet in the Mississippi River after pedaling all day.
- There are multiple road crossings in Carleton Place but all are full pedestrian crossings with flashing lights for safety. Outside of Carleton Place there is one road crossing on a busier stretch of highway 29 between Carleton Place and Almonte to watch out for.
- Note the brewery, Braumeister Brewing Co. is located adjacent to the trail with a lovely patio and food truck that would be a great stop to refuel before you head out or on your way back.
- Bike friendly businesses are everywhere in Carleton Place! A few notables are Stalwart Brewing Co. (winner of the Ontario by Bike bicycle friendly business award), Black Tartan Kitchen and Boulton House Restaurant.
- Pick up a pretzel from The Little German Bakery to munch on as you cycle.
About the area
Park the car and still explore Carleton Place! The Chamber of Commerce rents out bikes from its downtown office for $5 a day. Call ahead and reserve to make sure one is available, and grab the free local cycling map to guide your trip.
12 km • Gravel trail, level, no change in elevation
Next Stop: Almonte
You could easily spend all day in Almonte, shopping, sitting by the river, or even cycling to nearby experiences. Take your time here, the next leg of the trip is roughly as long as the first leg between Carleton Place and Almonte so there is plenty of time to explore.
Downtown Almonte's hilly terrain makes it highly picturesque for a photo but it's also a little hard on the legs if you've just come off a bike. Almonte is known as a highly bicycle friendly community and cyclists are a common sight here.
We forgot to bring our bike locks with us so left our bikes unlocked when we went into stores or restaurants in Almonte but they were perfectly safe - the joy of small towns! Almonte Bicycle Works is a bike repair shop located right in town in case you have any issues and need some service help.
What you need to know
- Your arrival in Almonte takes you straight to the trailhead at the Almonte & District Public Library. There are washroom facilities inside and also a bike station there.
- Take a closer look at the park benches as you bike past them at the library - there are fun saying and art added to each one.
- Places to eat are everywhere in Almonte - some good bike friendly options are Cafe Postino (there are places to lock your bike right on Mill Street), Joe's Italian Kitchen, or the Barley Mow. The Sterling has a great patio and makes killer cocktails but maybe not the best fit for an afternoon of cycling.
- If you have some time there are so many cute shops in downtown Almonte to explore! Bring some saddlebags with you to stash your goods for the rest of your ride.
- Stop in at Almonte Ice Cream Shop for a sweet ending to your visit here.
About the area
Dr. James Naismith, the founder of basketball, was born in Almonte, where the original homestead still stands today. Visit the Dr. James Naismith memorial statue on Mill Street, and get your picture taken with this Canadian legend.
Take a Break
Stay Here:
We didn't spend the night in Almonte but The Monte Inn & Lounge is located right in town and is a bike-friendly option for cyclists who want to stay overnight here. They also have an on-site hot tub and sauna to soak your tired muscles!
Almonte to Pakenham
The terrain changes as you travel from Almonte to Pakenham, shifting from farmland to forest and back again. Watch for glimpses of the river as you ride.
Trailhead Almonte Public Library
Start Here: Downtown Almonte
After a break for lunch and some shopping you will be ready to hit the trail with fresh legs and a full belly. Before you head off, explore the Almonte Riverwalk to get a waterside perspective of the community (and cool off in the shade). If you've done some shopping during your break now would be the time to get organized and make sure your bike is balanced before setting off again.
What you need to know
- The next leg of your ride is a little longer so make sure you reserved some energy to get you to Pakenham.
- Check your bike over using the bike repair stand on the trailhead at the Almonte Public Library.
- There are public washrooms available at Almonte Old Town Hall right near the trailhead.
15 km • Gravel trail, level, no change in elevation
Next Stop: Pakenham
Your ride ends in Pakenham which is little more than one main street but so cute it is worth a visit. As a bonus its small size makes it a great place to explore without expending too much energy! You will notice the Mississippi River is front and centre in Pakenham, issuing its siren call to come and take a dip before ending your adventure (don't worry, we told you where in the section below).
The location to exit off of the OVRT in Pakenham is not intuitive - keep an eye out for trails that lead off to the right from the main trail that will take you into town.
What you need to know
- If you need a cool-off after your ride the beach in Pakenham is located directly behind the community centre/arena and has a nice sandy entry and a changeroom for you to change into your swimsuit.
- If you're still hungry (or hungry again) Centennial Restaurant makes a mean pizza and is a local favourite.
- Keepers Coffee Bar can be your go-to for a coffee to take on the road with you.
- Scoops Ice Cream is just off the main street and packed with customers when the weather turns warm. Worth the stop!
- Don't leave Pakenham without visiting two of the Seven Wonders of Lanark County - the St. Peter Celestine Church and the Pakenham Five-Span Stone Arch Bridge. The park right next to the bridge is the ideal place for a picnic and to do some stretching before hitting the road.
About the area
Cartwright Springs Brewery takes locally-made to a whole new level, using natural water from an artesian spring located on the property, just 15 metres away.
End of Ride
What I Learned
My experience on the OVRT was excellent - the trail was in fantastic shape, the gravel was not, in fact, cumbersome to ride on as I had heard from someone, and I didn't find it boring at all! The promise of the next community lying just a short ride ahead was totally the incentive I needed.
I was pleasantly tired afterwards but not exhausted. The only thing that would have made it better is if we had planned ahead to stay in Almonte as we could have easily spent a few hours exploring in Carleton Place and Almonte.
Storyteller:
