Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Partnership Project

In partnership with the Counties for Renfrew, Frontenac and Lanark, OHTO is establishing a new signature tourism experience in Eastern Ontario by capitalizing on recent capital trail investments by local municipalities resulting in a 350-kilometre off-road loop of rail trails (The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop or EORTL). Through this project, a market readiness assessment of the trails will be conducted while also supporting the development of partnerships, policies, investments and marketing to support a new signature trail experience, as well as a series of industry engagement sessions to increase awareness of the economic and social impact trails have on our communities.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Read the full media release here for the funding announcement.

View a map of the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop

Project Phases between 2024-2026

Project 1 – Assessment (2024): An experienced trails consultant, Jane McCulloch (owner of Terminus Consulting), will evaluate the market readiness of the three trails and provide recommendations. This includes attracting key private investments such as accommodations, outfitters, and food and beverage providers.

Project 2 – Action (2024-2025): Municipalities, Trail Groups and other partners will implement the recommendations to ensure the trails meet a minimum standard of market readiness. Economic Development staff will facilitate the attraction of identified businesses, and communities will be encouraged to support the trails through cooperation and joint initiatives.

Project 3 – Promotion (2025-2026): Once the trail loop is at or near its minimum level of market readiness, promotional activities we be developed and launched to relevant markets in North America and beyond, establishing it as a signature experience in Canada.

Eastern Ontario Trails Loop - Background

For more than a decade, the Counties of Frontenac, Renfrew and Lanark have been rehabilitating former railways into high-quality, multi-use “rail-trails.” Cataraqui Conservation has led some of this work, with its initial acquisition of the Cataraqui Trail. The Town of Smith’s Falls is a key junction in the rail trail network with access to passenger rail and roadways, trailheads, and tourism amenities such as accommodations, retail, attractions, etc. The Town of Smiths Falls has invested in an Active Transportation Master Plan and infrastructure (bike lanes, cycling repair stations, etc) and has future goals of increasing connections of the major rail trails with intertown recreation trails and amenities such as Trail head, etc. The Town of Smiths Falls is located within an hour’s drive of Ottawa and Kingston. 

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For questions and inquiries about the EORTL Partnership Project, please contact Kasey Rogerson, Director of Industry Development at kasey.rogerson@ohto.ca.