July 30th, 2019

Insider’s Guide to the Kawarthas

Insider’s Guide to the Kawarthas 1


One of the most beautiful spots in the world — just 90 minutes from Toronto — the Kawartha Lakes in Ontario is the perfect place for a leisurely trip or to build your custom cottage. Whether you’re planning to call Kawarthas home or simply take a vacation here, there are plenty of hidden spots of beauty for you to find, from trailheads and hiking routes to cultural experiences and incredible food.

Complete with plenty of sunshine, water, and adventure, northern Kawartha Lakes has so much to offer including granite and white pines, lots of lakes and unknown areas full of potential. With over 250 lakes — including those connected via the Trent Canal for boating from Ottawa to Georgian Bay — for you to choose from, there’s simply no shortage of beautiful places to build or explore.

Insider’s Guide to the Kawarthas 2

Outdoor Activities

Whether you’re in the mood for a strenuous hike, a leisurely walk, or a scenic overlook, there’s nothing you cannot find around the Kawarthas. Not only are the Kawarthas a great place to lace up your shoes and get moving, but they also boast part of the longest recreational trail in the world with its own little slice of the Trans Canada Trail. Set up a picnic table at one of the provincial parks, witness stunning beauty in natural conservation areas, and embrace your inner nature lover outdoors.

Trails

Ganaraska Trail

Kawartha Trans Canada Trail

Victoria Rail Trail

Bobcaygeon Wilderness Park

Dunsford Nature Trail

John Eakins Walkway

Gamiing Nature Centre Trails

Kawartha Settler’s Village Trail

Provincial Parks

Balsam Lake Provincial Park

Indian Point Provincial Park

Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Emily Provincial Park

Conservation Areas

Ken Reid Conservation Area

Fleetwood Creek Natural Area

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area

Insider’s Guide to the Kawarthas 3

Food & Drink

From locally grown goodness to comfort cooking, the Kawarthas has no shortage of incredible restaurant and food options to choose from. Enjoy a delicious slice of pizza at Pane Vino, experience the local beer scene at the Pie Eyed Monk and pick up your morning brew at Boiling Over’s Coffee Vault during your stay.

Pane Vino

Mickael’s Café Librairie

Olympia

Pie Eyed Monk

Boiling Over’s Coffee Vault

Insider’s Guide to the Kawarthas 4

Shopping

Regardless of what your visit is for, you’ll want to pick something up to remember your stay at Kawarthas. You can search for some curated goods and textiles at Olde Mill Primitives in downtown Lindsay, find some Kawartha fashion at Sweet Annie’s, or find some new shoes at Bigley’s.

Olde Mill Primitives  (Lindsay, ON)

Bigley’s (Bobcaygeon, ON)

Hamilton Creek (Lindsay, ON)

Houghton Creek (Lindsay, ON)

Sweet Annie’s(Lindsay, ON)

Insider’s Guide to the Kawarthas 5

Arts & Culture

When you’re not hiking trails and shopping in the stores, add some culture to your Kawarthas trip. Catch a movie at the Kinmount Highland Cinemas, enjoy the arts at the Kawartha Art Gallery, and learn about history at the Old Gaol Museum.

Academy Theatre

Lakeview Arts Barn

Kinmount Highland Cinemas

Lindsay Little Theatre

Kawartha Art Gallery

Old Gaol Museum

From the stunning outdoors where conservation areas and beautiful hiking trails abound to the little shops and museums you’ll find along the way, your trip to the Kawarthas is certain to be one full of incredible beauty, outdoor adventure, delicious food, and lots of culture.

What to Read Next

Custom home renovation with stone exterior, modern lighting, and covered patio surrounded by trees at sunset in Cottage Country.
June 13th, 2025

13 Tips for Planning Your Luxury Home Renovation

Read More Read More
Luxury-eco-home-and-boathouse-in-ontario-built-into-the-rockscape
May 30th, 2025

28 Sustainable Design Ideas for Luxury Eco-Homes

Read More Read More
A luxurious custom boathouse at dusk, featuring a two-level design with large windows, natural stone accents, and wood siding. The structure extends over the water with integrated boat slips below and a spacious wraparound dock above, lined with Adirondack chairs. Surrounded by pine trees and lit with warm, ambient lighting, the boathouse sits on a quiet lake in Ontario’s Cottage Country.
May 21st, 2025

Custom Boathouse Guide: Build a Resort-like Lakefront Property

Read More Read More
Ken Jaquith Director Of Client Experience
Have Questions? Ask Ken! learn more
learn more