Strong
Best WindowMay through October
Variantsrail-trail
RegionRideau Lakes, Ontario

Cycling.

The Cataraqui Trail runs east from Newboro through Chaffeys Lock and on toward Smiths Falls along the former CN rail corridor — a flat rail-trail surface managed by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority and connected at its eastern and western ends to the broader Cataraqui Trail and Trans Canada Trail networks. Within Rideau Lakes Township, the trail passes the Newboro and Chaffeys Lock lockstation areas and offers family-friendly cycling on a managed surface.

Cycling in Rideau Lakes
01 — What to know

The brief.

The Cataraqui Trail is a multi-use rail-trail open to cycling, walking, and (in winter) snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The surface is generally hard-packed gravel suitable for hybrid and gravel bikes; standard road bikes work in dry conditions.

Access points within the township are at Newboro, Chaffeys Lock, and points east toward Smiths Falls. The trail is managed by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.

The township also has quiet country roads suitable for cycle touring along the Rideau Heritage Route corridor, but the Cataraqui Trail is the only managed off-road cycling infrastructure surfaced in regional research.

02 — Locations

1. places.

  1. 01

    Cataraqui Trail

    Rail-trail through the southern half of Rideau Lakes Township between Newboro and Smiths Falls; passes Chaffeys Lock area; managed by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.

03 — Conditions

Today's read.

Air Quality
22
eu-aqi · low
UV Index
1.8
scale 0–11
Humidity
59%
relative
Visibility
33.6 km
clear
Temp
+5.8°
H 15° · L 0°
Sun
05:40 / 20:22
14h 42m daylight
A+
Prime conditions for cycling

Cool but comfortable for layered effort · light winds · clean air.