The Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) has received the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Destination Development Award for its work leading the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL), a regional project transforming a network of underused rail trails into a single, connected, multi-day cycling destination.

Initiated in 2024, the EORTL brings together seven municipal and non-profit partners to develop a 320-kilometre loop connecting Renfrew, Lanark and Frontenac Counties, the Township of Rideau Lakes and the Town of Smiths Falls. When complete, it is expected to be Canada’s longest rail trail loop.

The Destination Development Award recognizes a regional approach to destination development that builds on existing infrastructure and connects visitor experiences with year-round recreation, business opportunities and community collaboration. It celebrates projects that improve the physical or structural assets that make a place worth visiting.

The EORTL project was a perfect fit with destination development activities including advancing trail surface upgrades, consistent signage and wayfinding, improved trailheads and amenities, and a Trail Town model that engages local businesses and communities in shaping the visitor experience.

The EORTL partnership project connects existing trail infrastructure with railway history, culinary, and agri-tourism, while leveraging the region’s natural landscapes to create a repeatable, multi-day experience. The looped design is intended to encourage longer stays and increased visitor spending across rural communities, while also providing residents with accessible, year-round recreation and off-road connections.

“We are very pleased to share this award with the many partners who are committed to bringing the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop to life,” said Nicole Whiting, Executive Director of OHTO. “By working together, we are creating a cycling experience that will encourage visitors to stay longer, support businesses across our rural communities, and give residents a wonderful way to enjoy the region year-round.”

The partnership is led by OHTO and includes Renfrew, Lanark and Frontenac Counties, the Township of Rideau Lakes, the Town of Smiths Falls, Cataraqui Regional Conservation Authority and the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. The project is also supported by trail organizations, municipalities, and local businesses.

Since 2024, project partners and the federal government have invested more than $200,000 in the initiative, with partners contributing a further $30,000 annually. When complete and export ready, the EORTL is projected to attract more than 200,000 visitors a year and generate over $100 million in total economic impact.

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About the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop  

The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop is a regional partnership developing a connected off-road cycling experience across Renfrew, Lanark and Frontenac counties, the Township of Rideau Lakes and the Town of Smiths Falls. The project aims to strengthen rural communities, support local businesses and create a seamless multi-day cycling experience by 2030.

About OHTO

Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) is a not-for-profit organization mandated and funded by the province of Ontario to support tourism within the counties of Haliburton, Lanark, and Renfrew and portions of Frontenac, Hastings, and Lennox and Addington. Find out more at www.ohto.ca.  

Partnerships