Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Partnership Project

The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL) is a visionary 360-kilometre continuous off-road loop trail in phased development across the counties of Renfrew, Frontenac, Lanark, and the Township of Rideau Lakes, and poised to become a signature tourism experience for the region. This pivotal initiative, led by the Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) and in partnership with regional partners, builds on recent capital trail investments to unlock the full potential of rail trail tourism in Eastern Ontario.

When fully developed, the EORTL is projected to generate an estimated $65 million in direct annual economic impact and more than $100 million in total economic impact. Community partners and tourism operators are encouraged to take part in a series of industry engagement sessions to share insights and shape this initiative. Together, we can transform these underused corridors into a world-class trail experience that benefits residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

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Loop Development Phases

The concept of developing a 360 km connected rail trail loop was introduced in late 2023 as a regional opportunity to create a signature trail tourism product in Eastern Ontario. In the early stages of the project for what would be come the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop, activities focused on establishing the vision, partnership structure, and securing funding to support the initiative. Initial efforts involved convening key partners—including municipalities, counties, conservation authorities, and regional tourism organizations—to explore alignment, determine feasibility, and build consensus around a shared vision for the Loop.

During this time, OHTO led discussions to define the scope of the project, secure commitments through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with project partners, and identify strategic roles and responsibilities. Early work also involved inventorying existing trail segments, mapping potential connections, and identifying governance, funding, and resource needs to move forward. These foundational steps laid the groundwork for a coordinated assessment process and successfully secured funding through FedDev’s Tourism Relief Fund program in 2024.

In 2024, OHTO contracted with Jane McCulloch of Terminus Consulting to evaluate the market readiness of the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail, the Cataraqui Trail and the K&P Trail. A market readiness assessment was developed to ensure a consistency standard for the entire trail loop, the availability of peripheral experiences required to create a signature cycling loop (ie. food and drink and accommodation options) and key actions project partners can take to ensure their segments are market-ready by 2030.

Recommendations contained within the Trail Tourism Assessment report prepared by Terminus Consulting provided a general overview of trail conditions, signage, and readiness of the communities along the trail to cater to the trail tourist.

Phase 2 of the project turned to product and infrastructure development as well as initiating engagement with tourism operators and communities.

In 2024, OHTO contracted with Amy Camp of Cycle Forward to develop a Community Engagement Plan to support project partners as they work to complete a market-ready trail system by 2030. The Community Engagement Plan highlights engagement recommendations, strategies and tactics to gain buy-in and support from project partners, communities along the trial, and the cycling community as a whole.

The Engagement phase of this project is an opportunity for partners to implement recommendations from the Community Engagement Plan and includes hosting stakeholder sessions to generate excitement and investment from trail communities as municipal and county partners continue to work on achieving market readiness for the trail.

This phase is also intended as the impetus for the development of peripheral trailside experiences to support the launch of the trail in 2030.

The final phase of the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL) project will focus on marketing, positioning, and promoting the Loop as a fully integrated, market-ready cycling tourism product. Building on the groundwork of assessment and engagement, this phase is designed to generate high-impact visibility, drive visitation, and ensure long-term sustainability of the trail as a signature tourism asset for Eastern Ontario.

During this phase, OHTO and project partners will activate a regional marketing campaign to showcase the trail as a premier cycling experience in Ontario, develop and launch a consumer-facing brand, and foster media coverage of the experience.

Phase 3 will culminate in the official launch of the EORTL in 2030 as a fully realized, 360-kilometre loop trail that unites communities, strengthens the rural tourism economy, and positions Ontario’s Highlands as a top cycling destination in Canada.