Upcoming Events
Interactive Map
Seven Wonders Bird Walks
Cycling Architecture
Canoe & Kayak SKiing
Driving Snowmobiling
Celebrations Culinary
Fishing Groups
Lanark County Tourism
Feb 13 2009

Lanark Highlands Tour

Explore the rugged highlands of the northwest corner of Lanark County, and discover a land of intrepid lumber barons and steadfast pioneers. Vast forests and rocky outcrops stand testament to the opportunities and challenges faced by all who have settled here, beginning in the early 19th century. Incredible beauty confirms why they stayed. Follow quiet roads to clean lakes and unspoiled rivers, this is true cottage country, and take the time to play a round of golf, satisfy your sweet tooth at a sugar bush, or tackle one of the many well-groomed ATV/snowmobile trails, including the former line of the infamous "Kick & Push" Railway. Or just relax and enjoy the view.

Tour starts and finishes in Lanark Village, approximately 65 km.

Established in 1820 as one of three military settlements following the War of 1812, Lanark Village has always served the needs of people living and working in the north end of Lanark County. In the 19th century, when millions of rafts shot down the Clyde River each spring during the heyday of the timber trade, Lanark was a gathering place for farmers and loggers, who came to town to purchase goods, sell to the mills, meet friends, and do business. The many fine homes built in Lanark during this era remind us just how important, and profitable, the age of water and steam was. The last of the mills finally fell silent in the late 20th century, but the village still provides many of the commercial and recreational resources of the area. While in Lanark, take the time to explore the village on foot, visit the shops and museum, grab a bite to eat. Check the calendar of events (insert URL) to time your visit with one of the many festivals and sporting events that take place in Lanark Village throughout the year.

To begin your tour, take Hwy 511 north, driving through Clydesville to Hopetown, perhaps named to reflect the desires of the many settlers who, in the 1820s, left the overpopulated towns and cities of the Scottish Lowlands in search of a better future in Canada. The pioneer cemetery here, on the right-hand side of the road, reminds us of their efforts.

Continue north on Hwy 511 to Brightside; turn left onto the French Line, so named for its French settlers, many of whose descendants still live here, as can be seen by the names on the mailboxes. Take a moment to stop in Green Mountain and take in a spectacular vista of rolling hills, rugged farms, and lush marshes. The cemetery at St. Declans Roman Catholic church was opened in 1898, when marked and unmarked graves from along the Clyde River were re-interred here.

Turn left onto Campbell's Road; go past Joe's Lake to Flower Station Road. A short detour will bring you to Clyde Forks, so named for the fork in the Clyde River, but once named for the Caldwells, lumber barons, who built the magnificent Clyde Hall in Lanark. Clyde Forks provides one of several access points for the K&P, a former rail line from Kingston to Renfrew, now an all-season trail maintained by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). This small hamlet also has an historic church, several quaint old homes, and a unique community-built chapel. Continuing along Flower Station Road will bring you to the hamlet of Flower Station, a former stop on the K&P, and Flower Lake, a popular place for swimming and picnicking. Both were named after the family who owned much of the K&P stock.

Retrace you route to Joes Lake; turn right onto Black Creek Road, which travels through remote country, rife with wildlife, ponds, and beautiful scenery. Watch out for pioneer barns and a 1970s "dome" home. Turn right onto South Lavant Road (County Road 16), and drive to the hamlet of Lavant on Robertson Lake, which has a beach, picnic area, and boat launch. Lavant and the historic township of Lavant were named in honour of the county seat in Sussex of the Duke of Richmond, who visited the area in 1819 as governor-in-chief of the Canadas.

Turn right onto Lavant Mill Road, which is reminiscent of what the country looked like during the 19th century timber trade; however, please be advised that it is not maintained during the winter. (In that case, retrace your route on South Lavant Road [County Road 16] to Poland, and pick up the tour there.)

At County Road 12, turn left for McDonalds Corners. This hilltop village features several churches, including picturesque St. Columbille's, and a willow labyrinth at the old schoolhouse, which regularly features the many resident and visiting musicians and artisans who have found their muse in Lanark Highlands. If you have a sweet tooth, keep an eye out for any one of the many maple syrup producers who tap the lush maple forests each spring and sell their product at the farm gate.

Turn left onto Concession 9, to Dalhousie Lake. A detour up Sugar Bush Lane presents a good view of the lake, around which are places for swimming, boating, picnicking, and golfing.

Turn right onto County Road 8, then left onto Concession 8.

Purdon Conservation Area Orchid Trail and Visitors Centre, Patterson Lake, is in full bloom late June, early July, but its boardwalk and lookout, all wheelchair accessible, make it an attractive stop other times of the year, too. This rare fen is inhabited by more than 16,000 wild Showy Lady's Slipper orchids, as well as pitcher plants, propagated by the late Joe and Norah Purdon in the mid-20th century.

Continue on Concession 8 to Poland, whose origins remain a mystery. Although there are many theories as to how the hamlet got its name, it was not from Polish immigrants, as there was none.

Drive past old farmsteads, lined with split-rail fences, and dense forest before turning right onto Dalhousie Concession 3 and through the crossroad of Hood, which is distinguished by a cluster of houses and St. James United Church (1859).

Watsons Corners is home to the oldest rural library in Canada, courtesy of the ninth Earl of Dalhousie, governor-in-chief of the Canadas (182028), who donated money and books to the people of Dalhousie Township for this purpose. This generous gift is commemorated at Watson's Corners Community Hall. Before turning left at Fiddler's Hill, give a thought to the many Irish and Scottish settlers who at times despaired of making it in this hostile land. When such a group sat down in discouragement on this very spot, a fiddler among them took out his instrument and played a lively tune to revive their flagging spirits. He obviously succeeded, as youll see an old schoolhouse where the descendants of those early settlers learned their three Rs, just before a rocky ridge where, on the right, is a geological formation known as an Indian Grindstone.

Keep right at the next intersection to return to Lanark and the conclusion of your tour.



Back