| The 49 km ride from Morrisburg to
Cornwall is one of the most interesting sections of the trip. You
will follow the St. Lawrence Recreational Trail (which is also the
Waterfront Trail) for the duration. This area was
radically transformed by the construction of the Cornwall hydro dam and
the St. Lawrence Seaway Project in the
late 50's. Be sure to take your time to enjoy the scenery and to absorb
some of the history. |
| Maps |
Distances |
Route Description |
| |
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. |
|
W-T Long Sault |
6 km |
Riverside - Cedar Park
|
| |
9 km |
Crysler Park.
The paved shoulder on C.R.2 ends at Crysler Park and you should now 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 pleasant, 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. It is also signed as the Waterfront
Trail. In particular, take the
first left just past the old (Grand Trunk Railway) train! |
| |
11 km |
Upper Canada Village.
The Government of Ontario 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. It is well worth a visit if you have time. The Waterfront Trail leaves Crysler park from the south-east corner and is
not the easiest to find. Ride past the Upper Canada Village entrance (where
there is a gift shop and cafe) and then turn right at the St. Lawrence Parks
Administrative Building. Continue straight ahead and ride past the Security
and Operations Building and you should start to pick up the Waterfront Trail
signs again. The next 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. |
| |
17 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 (continuing to follow Waterfront Trail markers). The "Nature
Campsite" is excellent, and is worth the 1 km detour!
 |
| |
22 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. There are no services along the Parkway, but
there are services (store, restaurant, bank) in Ingleside, just north of
where you are! The Long Sault Parkway was re-surfaced in 2010. |
| |
23 km |
McLaren Campsite.
|
| |
25 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 (dating back to
1885) 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. |
| |
31 km |
Mille Roche Campsite and Picnic Ground.
|
|
W-T Cornwall |
33 km |
At the end of the Long Sault Parkway, you will
notice that the St. Lawrence Recreational Trail (Waterfront Trail) once again becomes a
designated paved trail. Turn right on to the trail just before the
traffic lights). |
| |
37 km |
Ault Park.
Several buildings from the "Lost Villages" (villages that were
completely obliterated by the flooding of the St. Lawrence) have been
relocated here. It is worthwhile spending a few minutes looking
around the old buildings where you will learn more about how the St.
Lawrence Seaway Project affected this region. |
| |
38 km |
Guindon Park.
|
| |
39 km |
Floral Drive.
|
| |
43 km |
At this juncture, the Waterfront
Trail (which you will now follow all the way to Downtown Cornwall) takes the
right fork (and does not cross the road!). |
| |
44 km |
R.H. Saunders Hydro Electric
Generating Station. For the next 4 km, the Waterfront Trail (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 |
Old Shipping Canal locks. |
| |
48 km |
Bridge to USA (opened in 1962). |
| |
49 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.
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