70% complete! Workers from McColl Construction are doing a great job. The bridge will be safe, durable and attractive once it is finished by the end of November.

Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association (KTCTA) consultant, Al McPherson said, “If not for a combination of contributions received through donations, sponsorships, trail maintenance and enhancements would not be possible.” Contributors are integral to management of the Kawartha section of The Great Trail. Kawartha Lakes’ stretch of trail is 53.8 kilometeres and it is not municipally funded. Volunteer stewards of the trail rely on contributions for maintenance, enhancements, and promotion.

Trail improvements to the historic Doube’s Trestle Bridge will commence mid September and could take 2 months. The cost is in excess of $100,000. Worn wood decking is being replaced with environmentally friendly composite lumber to permit safer passage and provide a longer lifespan.  
Doube’s Trestle Bridge passes over the Buttermilk Valley, which is roughly situated east of Omemee and west of Peterborough. Originally constructed in the 1880s for the Midland Railway, it stretches approximately 572 feet across nine spans and stands about 70 feet high. It is one of Ontario’s great remaining railway attractions. The bridge offers trail users, residents and visitors alike, beautiful vistas of natural features and drumlins in the Buttermilk Valley.

John Hagarty, KTCTA Chairperson, said, “Trail safety and enjoyment are paramount to our stewardship role.” Bridge maintenance is being done with minimal disruption to trail users, but we rely on their co-operation to ensure the contractor’s crew can get the job done in a timely manner. Trail users are encouraged to follow cautionary signs and asked to give way to the crew prior to crossing the bridge during the construction period. “Our Board and volunteers have been instrumental in a range of ongoing projects along the trail, such as trimming brush, trail bed maintenance, and garbage removal. Improvements to bridges, drainage, and signage are also critical maintenance tasks. We have undertaken numerous enhancement projects too,” added Hagarty. Contributions from residents and businesses are absolutely essential.

Doube’s Bridge will be under construction from September 15 – October 21, 2019, having the decking replaced. Access across the bridge will be possible but restricted.

The Great Trail Treasure Hunt is finally upon us! The hunt begins Wednesday June 19th and runs until Sunday August 18th! Grab your friends, gear up and join with other Canadians in hunting for over 200 treasures across Canada. Win amazing prizes by discovering hidden boxes along The Great Trail, the longest recreational trail in the world!

As part of the Great Trail Treasure Hunt, we’ve hidden a GPS cache somewhere along the trail. Here’s how to find it and enter! You can also follow the link below for more information.

1. Find a box on the Trail (you can find the location by visiting the Treasure Hunt website).
2. Take a photo/selfie with the box in its location.
3. Claim your prize by entering the box’s redemption code on TheGreatTrailTreasureHunt.ca.
4. To boost your chance of winning a prize, post a photo of the box to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #GreatTrailTreasure
5. Even if you are not the first to find a treasure box, you can still enter!
6. There is also an essay entry option for those who cannot access the trail.

Learn More Here!

3 Free Sessions at Fleming College Lindsay

Kawartha Trans Canada Trail is happy to offer free trail painting sessions to Seniors (65+)! Each session will be a plein air (outdoor) introduction to watercolours. There are three sessions planned, with 10 participants in each session. All painting supplies and a light lunch will be provided. You only need your creativity!

The Omemee Bridge is now open! – Thanks to funding from Toronto Dominion Friends of the Environment and Trans Canada Trail National, and many thanks to the volunteers from Omemee Lions Club, Kawartha Trans Canada Trail and others.

A big thank you to all of the participants from our 2018 Digital Photography Workshop for Seniors and photo contest. Visit the gallery page now to view the entrants, finalists, and winner!

Thank you to everyone who made our 2018 digital photography workshops a great success! Registration is currently closed but keep an eye out for more workshops in 2019. Also, check back here later in November to see all the entries and winners of this year’s photo contest.

Three digital photography workshops are being offered free to Seniors (65+) to encourage Kawartha Trans Canada Trail use and enjoyment. With a professional photographer as your guide, discover how to improve your photography, using a camera, an iPad or a cell phone to capture the natural environment and special moments while on the Trail. Register for as many of the workshops as you would like. The workshop sessions include free refreshments, a free draw at each workshop, complimentary giveaway and complimentary group photo.

For a fantastic and comprehensive beginners guide to Geocaching, please head over to hobbyhelp.com. It’s a great introduction to geocaching and will answer any questions you might have about this great outdoor pastime!

To start exploring the many geocaches accessible from the trail, have a look at our Geocache page for more information. Happy hunting!