Trails Fest
Thank you to all the FAB volutneers and our local partners who hosted hikes in the beautiful and biodiverse Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region August 17th & 18th, 2024. Despite grey skies, the weekend was a success and we look forward to planning Trails Fest 2025!
Come explore the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region with us during Trails Fest!
Planned hikes and partners for 2026 are listed below. Pre-registration is recommended as spaces are limited!
Join Dr. Rena Upitis (Founding President) and Luke Howie (Program Director) for a guided exploration of Wintergreen Studios, a non-profit environmental retreat centre located on 204 acres of land in beautiful South Frontenac, and home to the infamous grey ratsnake! Meet us at the main lodge on Friday, September 11th where we’ll depart at 2pm and return before 4pm.
We’ll take the Main Trail to Paddy’s Lake (1.2km) and follow the Stream Trail (1.4km) back. If hikers have the energy, adding in the Cliff Trail (1km out and back) to the Mica Mine is an option before returning to the lodge. Expect to see several beaver dams, an abandoned mica mine, a number of wooden bridges, and a large wooden musical instrument hanging between cedar trees that hikers are invited to play.
This series of trails is considered moderately challenging as there are some climbs and decents over both dirt paths and rock. Parking is available on-site for free.
Join Jim Moss, a member of the Rideau Trail Association, on Friday, September 11th from 5:30 to 7pm for a guided hike along the Mine Loop and Wagon Trail at Gould Lake Conservation Area – a Cataraqui Conservation property. There were once several mica mines operating near Gould Lake, with the last one closing in 1912. Hikers can still see a number of old pits and a large boiler along the current trail, which is a side loop from the full Rideau Trail. We’ll also be on the lookout for a evening birds, natural stone bridge and hopefully spy one of the resident porcupines (no promises though!)
We’ll meet at the Gould Lake parking lot (1540 Gould Lake Road) before starting this approximately 5km hike. The trail is considered moderate to advanced difficulty/intensity as there are many rocks and roots and we’ll be keeping a steady pace in order to be back before sunset for a fun snack!
Leashed dogs are welcome. Parking is available on-site for free.
Join Gwen Gibson, dedicated volunteer with the Friends of Mac Johnson Wildlife Area group, and Becky Lamb, FABN’s Communicatons & Outreach Coordinator, for a dog-friendly hike at Mac Johnson Wildlife Area – a Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority property – on Saturday, September 12th from 10 to 11:30am.
The full hike is 3km long and features wildlife and vegetation of three unique landscapes that intersect: woodlands, wetlands and fields. We will take a leisurely hike along the Buell Creek reservoir leading up to the scenic Beaver Dam Pond. Depending on the timing and sense of adventure, there’s an option to walk back through Trail #2 which runs deeper into the forest.
The trail is considered easy as it is a flat, open walking path. There may be some wet areas depending on the weather. Meet in the main parking lot at Debruge Road. Parking is free.
Leashed dogs are welcome! We’re excited to partner with the Leeds and Grenville Animal Centre who will have volunteers joining the hike to supply water breaks for thirsty pups and a treat for furry friends at the end.
Join Cassey O’Connor, Project Assistant, and Wren Shay, Research Assistant, of The River Institute, and Victoria Renner and Christine Grossutti from the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network for a hike along the Brockville waterfront section of the Great Lakes Water Front Trail on Saturday, September 12th from 1 to 2:30pm. This is a hands-on opportunity to get to know the St. Lawrence Kahnekarónnion (River) by learning how to use our Water Rangers testing kits to conduct community science water monitoring and using the iNaturalist app to identify flora and fauna alongside the river.
For the best experience during the hike we recommend downloading the FREE iNaturalist app and creating an account before arriving for the hike. This is part of the Canada Water Agency’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative to deliver community-based science projects as part of Canada’s Freshwater Action Plan.
We’ll meet outside the Brockville Museum (5 Henry Street) before starting this approximately 2km hike. The trail is considered low difficulty/intensity as there is a wide path and we’ll be stopping frequently to talk about the water and conduct sampling. Leashed dogs are welcome. Parking is available at the municipally managed lot at the waterfront adjacent to the Museum at $1.50 per hour, payable via the machine in the lot.
Join David Schimpky, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network’s Executive Director, and John Festarini of Parks Canada, for a hike looping Jones Falls Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Site – in Rideau Lakes on Saturday, September 12th from 4 to 5:30pm. David will speak to the history of the Rideau Canal and UNESCO’s World Heritage Site designation and how this fits with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network’s work in the Region. A Parks Canada representative will also highlight the Stone Arch Dam, Sweeny House and old Blacksmith Shop.
We’ll meet at the Jones Falls parking lot (just off Jones Road, next to Kenneys Road) before starting this approximately 1.5km hike. The trail is considered low to moderate difficulty/intensity as it is mostly on maintained paved/gravel paths but there are some slopes, stairs, and narrow paths. We’ll be going at a slower pace in order to observe and discuss the canal.
Leashed dogs are welcome. Parking is available on-site and free. Public washrooms are available on-site.
Join Community Outreach Coordinators Priya Ramachandran from the Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative and Becky Lamb from the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network to hike the Lookout Trail in Landons Bay on Sunday, September 13th from 10 to 11:30am. It might even inspire you to try the A2A Trail: A Pilgrimage for Nature.
Get a sense of the journey Alice the Moose takes between the Adirondack Mountains and Algonquin Park highlands through the narrow passage of the Frontenac Arch by hiking this 2km trail. Together we’ll explore the importance of this landscape, species at risk, safe passageways and habitat connectivity.
We’ll meet at the Information Kiosk (a small cabin visible from the main parking lot), located at the trailhead. The trail is considered moderate difficulty/intensity as there are sometimes narrow pathways with uneven ground, tripping hazards (roots/rocks), marshy areas, and multiple set of stairs (without banisters).
Leashed dogs are welcome. Parking is available on-site and there are access fees (typically $8.50/vehicle) that can be paid at a machine and displayed in your vehicle.
Save the date: September 11-13th, 2026
We can’t wait to get back out and explore the FAB Region with you this fall!
Trails Fest is our annual, weekend series of guided hikes with partners from across the FAB region. All hikes take places on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee (Kanienʼkehá꞉ka) and Anishinaabeg (Algonquin) people. We are grateful to be able to gather on this land and intend to walk together in a good way.
Hikes run rain or shine and are only cancelled in the case of extreme weather. A FABN staff member will contact you within 24hrs of the hike if there is a need to cancel.
Hikes will be led in English, although you do not need to understand/speak English to enjoy the hike.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the hike’s start time to ensure you are able to park and find the meeting location.
We strongly recommend that hikers bring:
- Close-toed shoes
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- A hat
- A waterbottle
- Your nature journal (if you have one) or mobile device if you like to use iNaturalist for community science
Hikes are FREE thanks to the in-kind support of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network and the various hike hosts and partners. Pay-what-you-can donations are gratefully welcome as any proceeds raised through Trails Fest help to ensure this unique UNESCO-designated Biosphere Region remains viable and vibrant for all of us, and those who come after us!
Contact communications@fabn.ca with any questions about Trails Fest or if you require any accommodations to fully participate.
Not able to attend Trails Fest but still want to explore the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region by trail? Check out our trails and waterways blog for itinerary ideas!
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere region is one part of the larger Algonquin to Adirondacks region. To learn more visit A2A Collaborative and be sure to check out their A2A Trail “A Pilgrimage for Nature” and how to become a local Trail Champion.
