| The 47 km ride from Morrisburg to
Cornwall is one of the most interesting sections of the trip. You
will follow the St. Lawrence Recreational Trail (a combination of
designated trails and quiet roads) for the duration. This area was
radically transformed by the construction of the Cornwall hydro dam in the
late 50's. Be sure to take your time to enjoy the scenery and to absorb
some of the history. |
| 0 km |
Leave Morrisburg heading east on County Road #2
and you will find that you have an excellent paved shoulder for the 9 km
ride to Crysler Park. |
| 7 km |
Riverside - Cedar Park
|
| 9 km |
Crysler Park.
The paved shoulder on C.R.2 ends at Crysler Park and you now need to head
into the park on the "The St. Lawrence
Recreational Trail" (turn at the Crysler Park Marina sign). The first 2 km through Crysler Park are on
hard-packed gravel roads. Although beautiful, the route through the park can
be somewhat confusing so be sure to be on the lookout for the small St
Lawrence Recreational Trail signs. In particular, take the
first left just past the old (Grand Trunk Railway) train! |
| 10 km |
Upper Canada Village.
The Ontario government created Upper Canada Village in order to preserve
some of the local historical buildings that would otherwise have been
destroyed during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Costumed
characters move about the village recreating life as it was in pioneer
days. Well worth a visit if you have the time. The St. Lawrence
Recreational Trail leaves Crysler park from the south-east corner and is
not the easiest to find! The first 4 km of the trail are crushed gravel; the
remaining 6 km are paved. The terrain is wonderful and if you look to the
south on a clear day you will catch glimpses of the Adirondack Mountains in
New York State). |
| 14 km |
 Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary and
Nature Campsite.
The (now paved) St. Lawrence Recreational Trail commences 200 m beyond the
Interpretive Centre. Be sure to turn right, and continue heading east, on
the paved trail!
 |
| 20 km |
You have reached the Long Sault Parkway,
and the St. Lawrence Recreational Trail follows it for the next 10 km.
This road links a series of islands created by the flooding of the St.
Lawrence River, and it
is parkland all the way. |
| 21 km |
McLaren Campsite.
|
| 22 km |
Woodlands Campsite & Picnic Area.
|
| 26 km |
As you enter Macdonnell Island you will
see part of the old Highway #2 to your right. Before the St. Lawrence
Seaway flooding (which commenced on July 1, 1958), this was the main
Toronto - Montreal highway! This is also the location of the infamous Long
Sault Rapids, a major obstacle for the early voyageurs. In 1843, the 11½
mile Cornwall Canal opened, and one of the submerged locks is just off
shore. This is a popular diving location. If you take a slight (500 m)
detour to the right, you will travel a portion of the original Highway #2
and also get a good look at the Ontario Hydro dam that was responsible for
the dramatic transformations in this area. |
| 28 km |
Mille Roche Campsite and Picnic Ground.
|
| 30 km |
At the end of the Long Sault parkway, you will
notice that the St. Lawrence Recreational Trail once again becomes a
designated paved trail. Turn right on to the trail just before the
traffic lights). |
| 33 km |
Moulinette Park.
Several buildings from the "Lost Villages" (villages that were
completely obliterated by the flooding of the St. Lawrence) have been
relocated here. |
| 35 km |
Guindon Park.
|
| 36 km |
Floral Drive.
|
| 39 km |
The bike path turns right, and heads south, at
this point. |
| 40 km |
You will come to a T-junction in
the bike path. Turn right at the junction (i.e. do not cross
the road!). |
| 41 km |
R.H. Saunders Hydro Electric
Generating Station. For the next 4 km, the St. Lawrence Recreational
Trail follows a narrow strip of land with the St. Lawrence River on the
right and the old shipping canal on the left. |
| 45 km |
Bridge to USA. |
| 47 km |
City of Cornwall. Cornwall was
first pioneered by the United Empire Loyalists in 1784, making it one of
Ontario's first European settlements. The city has done an excellent job
at creating parkland on the St. Lawrence shoreline.
|
