Paddle to KLT’s Hiking Trails

Photo: Bench at the water’s edge on the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve.  Thanks to our volunteers for building this bench and others along the Stony Lake Trails. 

Do you love paddling and hiking?

Two of Kawartha Land Trust protected properties provide excellent destinations for a paddling and hiking combo adventure. There are public access areas in close proximity to each of these destinations. You can paddle to the trails and then go for a hike or just enjoy a little rest and a picnic.

  1. Big (Boyd/Chinimis) Island on Pigeon Lake
  2. Stony Lake Trails on the North Shore of Stony Lake

Here are few things you should know before you go:

Permitted activities of both properties include the following:

  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • Picnics
  • Hiking, walking and related passive use recreation
  • Research and educational programs
  • Dogs (On leash)

Prohibited activities include the following:

  • Overnight camping
  • Hunting
  • Vehicle use
  • Alcohol
  • Harm to wildlife, vegetation or other features
  • Fires

Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island

Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island, located in Pigeon Lake, is the largest undeveloped island in the Kawarthas covering 1085 Acres. There is a well marked 8km hiking trail on the island travelling through lush forests and meadows with various scenic picnic locations along the shorelines.

How to Get There: 

  • Public lake access at the end of Bear Creek Road, Trent Lakes.
    Google Map Location: Bear Creek Road, Trent Lakes
    This location is not a boat launch, but you can launch a canoe or kayak at this location.
  • Approximately 1 km paddle from the end of Bear Creek Road to the South Dock and Trail Head on Big Island (1 km each way)
Map of Big (Boyd/ Chiminis) Island  – Printable version here
Look for the dock at what is historically known as the ‘Shore Lunch Spot’, dock at South access to the hiking trails on Big Island.

Stony Lake Trails

The 10 kilometer trail network boasts scenic views of Stony Lake, hiking experiences from moderate to intermediate, benches at resting areas and abundant opportunities to view wildlife. Paddle along the North shore of Stony Lake to KLT’s newest protected property the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve on the Stony Lake Trails

How to Get There: 

  • Access the rails from Stony Lake on the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve in Boshink Narrows, look for the green boat house and trail map.
  • Township of North Kawartha boat launch at the end of Mount Julian Road
    Google Map Location: Wharf at Mount Julian
  • Approximately 3.25 km paddle from the Mount Julian Road to KLT’s Jeffrey-Cowan Property (3.25 km each way)
Stony Lake Trails Map - .jpg File
Map of Stony Lake Trails – Printable version here
Look for the green boat house on the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve at Boshink Narrows.

These protected properties, and the conservation work of the Kawartha Land Trust, has been made possible by the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Please consider joining us by making a donation today.

Share your adventure with us!

If you go on one of these day trips we would love to hear about it. You can tag your photos on Instagram: #KawarthaLandTrust

Posted July 23, 2018.

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