Hey friends, what a ride it has been being able to profile all of the communities in the Ottawa Valley in collaboration with the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. It has been an absolute privilege being able to venture around the Ottawa Valley while showcasing some ideas on where to stay, where to eat and things to do. The last community that will be profiled in this series is the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan. I do always like saving the best for last and I love a good challenge. That is exactly what is happening in this case. Conducting research on items to include in this blog post was a bit more challenging than the other community itineraries. I will say though, that the challenge made finding the gems that much sweeter. Without further delay, let’s get this show on the road.
Things to Do
The Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan has an abundance of the great outdoors. If you enjoy being one with mother nature, then I suggest checking out this gem of a township. I have actually had a couple of adventures in the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan and I am always impressed by the vastness of the nature in this township. This township is the perfect spot for off-grid experiences and really reconnecting with nature.
Fishing on Gorman Lake
If you enjoy the calming activity of fishing, then you should check out Gorman Lake. I should preface this by saying I am terrible at fishing. I don’t mean in the skill sense, I mean in the “I can’t sit still and keep quiet for very long” sense. Although, one could argue that is a skill in and of itself. Gorman Lake is 180 acres in size and has several species of fish in the lake. These species of fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike. This would be an excellent way to relax in nature and then any fish you catch (provided it is within the daily limits) you can eat for dinner, what’s not to love!?
Relaxing on the beach
While I recognize that it is not yet beach weather, it soon will be and it is good to have several beach options! I have been finding that my usual quiet gems have become increasingly busy in recent years. This is why it is good to have options! The Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan has four public beaches. These beaches are: Raglan White Lake Beach (121 Raglan White Lake Road); Gorman Lake Beach (3404 Letterkenny Road); Kauffeldt Lake Beach (59 Lilly Pad Road); and Generics Lake Beach (117 Generics Road). All of the beaches have picnic tables, changing rooms, outhouses and docks. In addition, Gorman Lake Beach has a natural play structure for those who are young and young at heart.
ATV/Dirt Biking
There are seriously so many logging roads and ATV trails in the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan. During my research, my husband and I decided to take our adventure bike (Yamaha Teneré 700) out for a prance around the township. We ended up taking the bike down this forest access road that was very close to Lower Madawaska River Provincial Park. The trails and the dirt roads were really well maintained and it was some excellent riding. There were a few spots where the road was a bit washed out, but the water wasn’t super deep and we were able to traverse through it with no issue. If you are looking for a spot for some adventure, I definitely recommend this area!
For more information on the ATV trails, check out the RCATV website here. I should also add that this area (specifically Hyland Creek Road and Kurgus Road) is perfect riding for adventure bikes. These are dirt roads with the occasional stone patch and mildly winding. We thoroughly enjoyed our ride in this area and will definitely be back. There are also several spots along these roads that are perfect for a picnic (I say that because I always get quite hungry during a good ride, so why not pack snacks to enjoy in a picturesque spot).
Rockhounding
Another way to enjoy the great outdoors in this area is by doing some rockhounding and mineral collecting at the Beryl or Rose Quartz Pits with Aqua Rose Gems and Minerals. If sifting and digging through rocks to find buried treasure is your thing, then you will want to head to the Beryl Pit for a self-guided experience in search of amazonite, rose quartz and aquamarine.
Permits for the Beryl Pit are available for purchase at Kauffeldt’s General Store in Quadeville between May to October.
Guided visits to the Rose Quartz Pit, by owners Dave & Renee Patterson, are available by appointment by calling 613.756.1361.
Have a bit of an adventurous spirit? Look no further, the Madawaska Kanu Centre has you covered. MKC offers a variety of courses in both whitewater canoeing and whitewater kayaking. I should also add that they do offer courses for all experience levels and can create custom courses. For more information, check out their website.
Where to Eat
Maplehaus Banquet Hall and Event Space
Located in Hardwood Lake, this space truly is a community space. They host special events like mother\'s day brunch, Thanksgiving, Canada Day and even host the occasional community potluck. I love these spaces that are truly community spaces rather than just a business. In the summer months, Maplehaus has a backyard grill where they serve up delicious bbq fare. They also have an extensive craft beer menu from Bancroft Brewing Co, Brock Street Brewing Co, Haven Brewing Co, Pelican House Brewing Co, Whitewater Brewing Co and Calabogie Brewing Co. Needless to say, there is something for everyone (who is of legal drinking age, of course). It should also be noted that Maplehaus is an official must-see food stop on Ride the Highlands Motorcycle routes. For more information about upcoming events check out the Maplehaus website here or their Facebook page here.
Country Fried Chip Wagon
Located in the heart of downtown Quadeville, Country Fried Chip Wagon offers delicious food and friendly customer service. The chip wagon itself is a converted recreational vehicle, which adds to the charm and the allure of the establishment. They serve delicious burgers and fries. I was checking out reviews when I was doing research for this blog post and several people recommended the Letterkenny wrap. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it is named after Letterkenny Road, which is one of the main roads into Quadeville. This is the perfect stop before you head into the woods for a long day of ATV riding.
Where to Stay
Stan’s Cottages
Located at McPhees Bay and the Madawaska River, this resort offers a variety of cottages for rent. This cottage resort has two and three-bedroom cottages for rent that can accommodate 4, 6 and 9 people. All of the cottages are lakefront with picnic tables, fire pits and gas barbecues. Another fun amenity is that all of the cottages have a dock. It should be noted that during the months of July and August, the cottages are only available for long-term rentals (three weeks and longer). For more information about Stan’s Cottages, please check out their website here.
Kargus Off-Grid Cabin
Located on Kargus Road, this is the perfect way to reconnect with nature in the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan. The cabin itself is located on 350 acres and also boasts a private dock. This cabin is perfect for those people who want to go hiking, fishing, ATVing, or simply soaking in all the stunning forests. This cabin is actually super close to a plethora of ATV trails and logging roads. If you’re on the prowl for a cabin that will house a crowd, you’re in luck with this cabin. I should also add that there is a huge amount of availability this summer. Another item worth noting is that this cabin has a three-night minimum for rentals. For more information, check out the website here.
An anecdote about the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan
When we were riding around the township on the bike, we stopped at Lyndock Baptist Church. We stopped at first to take in the view, and then we decided to walk around the cemetery and were able to sort of soak in some of the history of the township. The number of tombstones that belonged to the same families was astounding (Kauffeldt, Remus, Wolfe and Kargus to name a few). Seeing the years of birth and death of all of these people put into perspective the life that they might have lived some one hundred years ago.
I would imagine that the majority of these families were farmers. The land is rolling hills for as far as the eye can see, which also had a large number of rocks. I can’t help but think of the resiliency of these people. Not having the modern conveniences that we do today and when working the land literally meant life or death…it is humbling, to say the least. I really enjoy these little windows into the past and can’t help but be in awe of the pure grit. Anyways, it was neat touring around the township after the cemetery visit and seeing some of the family names represented through some of the roads within the township.
Next up
What’s the next blog post to be published by Time in the Valley? Stay tuned for what Time in the Valley has cooking with the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. Want to get on the email list to stay in the loop? Subscribe here!