The Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards is one of those townships where I discover or see something new each and every time that I visit. In terms of census data, the Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards has a population of 2,410 people (2021 Canadian Census) and occupies an area that is approximately 391 square kilometres. It includes the communities of Killaloe, Round Lake and Wilno. Needless to say, this sparsely populated township is an outdoor lover’s dream!
The Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards is full of lakes, rivers and parks. While I will be discussing some of these parks later in this blog post - some of the lakes, rivers and parks include Bonnechere Provincial Park; Bonnechere River Provincial Park; Foy Provincial Park; Round Lake Park; Station Park; Golden Lake; Round Lake; Supply Lake and the Bonnechere River.
Some of my most memorable hikes have been in the Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards. On that note, I do believe it is high time that we get to the meats and potatoes of this blog post. Without further delay, I present to you the summer feature of the Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards!
Where to Stay
The Riverview Retreat
This Airbnb is located in Killaloe near the Bonnechere River. This cottage is burst with amenities, which include Starlink internet (arguably the best internet on the market), a fully equipped kitchen, a large propane BBQ, hairdryer, coffee maker, and it is pet-friendly. This would be a beautiful spot to vacation and can accommodate up to four people. For more information about this lodging option, check out the website link here.
Waterfront Cabin
If you are looking for a lodging option that is on the water, then you are in luck with the waterfront cabin. Amenities at this lodging option include Algonquin Park Pass, two kayaks, one canoe, one pedal boat, life jackets, a fully equipped kitchen, a large propane BBQ, and Starlink internet. This cabin can accommodate up to two people and it would be perfect for those people who are working remotely. For more information, check out the website link here.
Bonnechere Provincial Park
Located on Round Lake Road in Killaloe is Bonnechere Provincial Park. This provincial park is open seasonally from May to October. It boasts a variety of amenities including all-terrain wheelchairs, a boat launch, campsites with electrical, laundry facilities, a playground, shower facilities, and a trailer dumping station. The park also offers stand-up paddle board rentals. I should add that this provincial park also has several hiking trails, which are also available for day use. There is the McNaughton Trail (2km out and back trail) and there is a trail system that is adjacent to the Little Bonnechere River. This is comprised of 10 trails of varying lengths and difficulty. For more information, check out the Bonnechere Provincial Park website here.
Covered Bridge Park
Located on Round Lake Road is Covered Bridge Park. The campground is open from May until October and the waterfront log cabins are open all year-round. They offer several accommodation options from cottages/log cabins, sites for tent camping, RV sites and yurt tent camping. Amenities offered by Covered Bridge Park include bird watching; wildlife viewing, canoeing; berry picking; swimming; and fishing. For more information about this wonderful lodging option, check the link here.
Lakepoint Cottage Resort
Located on Golden Lake in the town of Killaloe, this cottage resort is an excellent place to relax regardless of the season. Yes, this means that not only is Lakepoint Cottage Resort open in the summer, but it is open in the winter also! In the summer, Lakepoint Cottage Resort offers a variety of activities that its guests can enjoy. These activities include kayaking; kids’ playground; hiking; canoeing; fishing; volleyball; badminton; board games; and a pool table. This cottage resort is also home to a beautiful sandy beach. I should also add that Lakepoint Cottage Resort is also pet friendly. This means that the whole family can make use of the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit. For more information, check out their website here.
Where to Eat
Garth’s Kitchen
This most delicious lunch option is located in the heart of Killaloe. Garth’s Kitchen prides itself on its quality food and cozy atmosphere. Items that the cafe serves include donair wraps, falafel wraps, various salads, a plethora of soups, and chicken Caesar wraps. These are the types of lunch foods that I love! Tasty wraps and hearty salads. I love being able to do a bit of a grab-and-go with my lunch so that I can enjoy it with a view (or in front of my computer attempting to craft witty blog posts, but I digress). Garth’s Kitchen is open from Monday to Friday 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. This is perfect if you are looking for some lunch nourishment to bring on your hike - hello picnic and a hike! Mark my words, I will have a little hiking picnic this summer! I have also been told that Garth’s makes some scrumptious pizzas on Friday nights! For more information about Garth’s Kitchen and their food, check out their Facebook page here.
BeaverTails
Did you know that the famous BeaverTails were born in Killaloe? Well fun fact, they did! Not familiar with what the heck are BeaverTails? It is the most delicious piece of dough that is stretched and then deep-fried. When it comes out of the deep fryer, it is finished with the toppings of your choice. My personal favourite is the Killaloe Sunrise, which is cinnamon sugar and topped with lemon juice. The lemon really ties it together, so darn good!
There is still a BeaverTails location in Killaloe on Queen Street. This location is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm all summer long! Needless to say, having a BeaverTail from the birthplace of BeaverTails is on my summer bucket list. For more information about BeaverTails, please refer to their website here. For Killaloe-specific information, check out their Facebook page here.
Creekside Grill
Located in the same location as BeaverTails is Creekside Grill. In addition to BeaverTails, they serve such food items as poutine, hamburgers and onion rings. Creekside Grill has excellent portion sizes and doesn’t skimp on flavour. Can you say….start the car?? For more information, check out their Facebook page here.
Things to do
Shopping at Grandma’s Pantry
Located in the heart of Killaloe, Grandma’s Pantry is a health food store and so much more. From supplements, baking supplies, spices, coffee and so much more in this store. This store is a joy to explore and you’re bound to find something that you didn’t know you needed during your visit. I love that a store like this, which is normally found in a larger metropolitan area, can be found in this smaller community. I love being able to find niche products here in the Valley without having to basically make the pilgrimage to Ottawa. Grandma’s Pantry is also the home of Engine House Coffee and The Mix Company where you can grab a cup of joe and gluten-free gourmet mixes. For more information about Grandma’s Pantry, check out their website here.
Beach Day at Foy Provincial Park
One of the most well-known, best-kept secrets is Foy Beach. It is located at the non-operational Foy Provincial Park on Round Lake. It is important to know that the day use facilities were closed in 1994 and have not reopened since. This means that whatever you bring to the beach, you need to hike it out. In recent years, there has been a drastic increase in trash being left at the beach. Don’t be a littering Larry, pick up your trash and take it with you….mmmmmkay?!
To get to the beach, navigate the google maps or mapquest (is that even used anymore??) to Foy Provincial Park. Look for the Foy park signs and park on the side of the road. Normally there are other cars parked on the side of the road, which makes it hard to miss. Then, follow the paths on the waterside to the beach. All of the paths on the waterside will lead to the beach, which makes it easy.
The beach itself isn’t usually super busy. It is normally frequented by locals. The temperature of the water is usually perfect (I am very fickle and cannot stand being cold, so me saying that means a lot!). This is a beautiful spot to spend a summer day with friends, a good book, or play in the water with your family.
Killaloe: An Irish Gathering
The 2022 edition of Killaloe: An Irish Gathering is set to take place on August 18, 19 and 20. The event is taking place at Station Park within the Township of Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards. A fun fact about Station Park is that it is situated on the original site of the Old Killaloe Railway Station. This railway station was demolished in 1968 - just a fun fact, now back to the Irish Gathering. I’m in awe that The Leahy Family will be playing at this gathering. I remember watching them on the television when I was a kid. Their shows are true performances and it is difficult to peel your eyes away. Needless to say, this is wicked that the Leahy Family is performing, in addition to other acts, a free show during the Irish Gathering.
There will be an Irish Gathering parade on August 20 at 11:00 am. Participants can be on a float, on an animal, on foot, or in a vehicle. This sounds like it would be quite the parade to witness!
Also on August 20 is the Irish Gathering carnival. This carnival will be taking place at Station Park. It will include such activities as carnival games, arcade games, face painting and my personal favourite…bouncy castles! This carnival will take place from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This is sure to be a most exciting event. I can see it being an event in which so many lasting memories are made! If you attend, be sure to tag Time in the Valley in your photos! For more information on Killaloe: An Irish Gathering, be sure to check out the Facebook page with the most up-to-date information and details. The link to the Facebook page can be found here.
Hiking
Tramore Cliffs
Also sometimes known as Blueberry Hill, is the Tramore Cliffs. It is located near the intersection of Kilby Road and Tramore Road. There is a little inlet in the trees on Tramore Road and the trail is right there. You can park next to the trail and then be on your merry way. I should say that the trail is not marked, but it is not overly difficult to find. The first 300 metres of the trail is a bit of a soul crusher. I have to remind myself that it doesn’t last forever and it is only a 1.4km round trip. The top of the hill has excellent views of the Bonnechere River and Golden Lake. A fun tidbit, there is a little farm stand on Kilby Road right at the intersection that sells cookies and coffee. These cookies make the most excellent “top of the hill” snack while taking in the view. If cookies are not your thing, then fear not - there is also an abundance of wild blueberries. Hence why it is also called blueberry hill. Honestly, the energy it takes to get to the top of the hill is totally worth it! The view is fantastic. It also gets a good breeze up there too, which helps with cooling off! For more information on this gem of a trail, check out the trail overview here.
Next up
The next two blog posts will be a bit different. I am going to be highlighting ATVing in Renfrew County and then after that, I am going to be doing a round-up of off-the-beaten-track hiking trails. It is going to be great and I cannot wait to share it with you!
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A fun fact for you… I went to high school with a number of the Leahy family members, and they would perform at our various assemblies!
Now that is super cool!