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to History and Nature
The Cataraqui Trail is an exciting new addition to the trail system of Eastern Ontario. It is a four season trail for hikers, cyclists, equestrians, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers as main users, and follows the former Canadian National Railway line from Strathcona near Napanee to Smiths Falls, a distance of 104 km.  The trail has 48 main and secondary road access points along its length. Travelling from south-west to north-east, the trail route follows the Napanee River from north of Napanee to Yarker, then passes over a slight height of land to Harrowsmith, descends to Sydenham, passes through the Canadian Shield to Chaffeys Lock, and then parallels the Rideau Lakes to Smiths Falls.
The route is on railroad grade with a road bed of varying material and sizes as surface (standardizing the surface for all users is a high priority). The trail passes through or near numerous small communities with ever changing surroundings, and has many delightful sections with no evidence of human activity other than the railway right-of-way. Today, evidence of the rich history of this railway is rapidly disappearing. The rails and ties, sidings, stations, and even the connecting railways have often disappeared. The communities along the route have changed greatly over the years. The stations, mills, factories, mines, cheese factories and granaries have largely disappeared. Try to imagine the importance to the small communities along the route that the railway once occupied as you enjoy the silence of the present trail.  Water carriers near Chaffey's Lock at the official opening, September 4, 2000
The goal is to raise $750,000. We will need the support of institutions, user groups, service clubs, businesses, and individuals in our wider community. To date over $125,000 has been collected or pledged against this goal so we are off to a good start. If you can help, please fill out the donation or membership page and forward it to the address indicated. Your donation will receive a charitable donation receipt by return mail. For more information about the Cataraqui Trail contact:
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Ken Watson  © 1999-2008 Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
Visitors:
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