Hello hello, I hope you’re ready for another jammed-packed community itinerary because this one is definitely one of my favourites. Where are we headed with this community itinerary? We are pointing the spotlight at the Township of Greater Madawaska. To say that I’m obsessed about the Township of Greater Madawaska would be putting it mildly. There is a large variety of things to do and see. It has all the charm of a ski town without all the pomp and circumstance. I would also be remiss if I did not mention that the Province of Ontario has a “staycation tax credit” during the 2022 tax year. More information on that can be found here. Well, without further delay, let’s get down to business!
Accommodations the Township of Greater Madawaska
Somewhere Inn Calabogie – This newly opened motel is beyond gorgeous. It is thoughtfully decorated with calming neutral colours in the rooms and touches of wood accents. They have a bottle shop that includes a selection of Ontario craft beer and organic wines. This inn encourages its guests to unplug and reconnect with nature. I especially love that Somewhere Inn has pledged to “commit a portion of its revenue to organizations working towards environmental solutions.” Also, it should be mentioned that they are dog friendly. There has been thought given to every single aspect of this inn from the mattresses (which are Endy) to the space utilization of the guest rooms. To say I am impressed would be putting it mildly. This is also just down the road from Burnstown and White Lake, which is why it is also an excellent option for this itinerary.
Jocko’s Beach Resort – Located on Calabogie Lake, this accommodation option boasts four-season cottages. It is also located across the road from Somewhere Inn. These beautiful chalets and cabins look like something out of a movie. This resort is sure to set the scene for creating some lasting memories.
The White Pines Cottage Resort – Another option for four-season cottages is the White Pines Cottage Resort. This charming cottage resort is located on Black Donald Lake, which makes this a prime location for ice fishing and snowmobile enthusiasts.
Murphy’s Motel – I love that motels have made a resurgence. When I think go classic Ontario travels, I think of staying in motels. Murphy’s Motel in the Township of Greater Madawaska is an excellent example of an Ontario motel. It is clean with modern, rustic decor. Reviewers have stated that this is the perfect spot if you are hitting the snowmobile trails. It is also fairly close to Calabogie, making it a great “base camp” for a weekend getaway in the Township of Greater Madawaska.
Moonshine Chalet – If you’re travelling with a group of friends, a chalet may be more your style and accommodate more people. The Moonshine Chalet can accommodate up to eight people and is absolutely gorgeous. It is situated on 13 acres and has a private forest trail and an outdoor fire pit. There is nothing but rave reviews when it comes to this chalet and it would be an excellent spot to make some family memories, a girls trip or a couples group getaway. Another added bonus of this chalet is that dogs are permitted to join in on the fun!
Calabogie Lodge – To finish up the accommodations recommendations is the Calabogie Lodge. Located in the village of Calabogie, the Calabogie Lodge can accommodate a range of group sizes. The Calabogie Lodge is situated on Calabogie Lake and has some of the best views of the lake. The new restaurant “On the Rocks” is also located at the Calabogie Lodge, but we will be talking more about On the Rocks in the where to eat section. The Calabogie Lodge is an absolute gem and is central to all attractions within the Township of Greater Madawaska. The Calabogie Lodge even offers contactless check-in to those that request it.
Things to Do
Calabogie Peaks Resort – It would be lackadaisical of me if I did not include Calabogie Peaks Resort. I personally have so many fond memories here and always make a point of skiing there at least once a season. I love that even when it is super busy, the ski trails always have lots of room and are expertly groomed. If I am being honest, my favourite part of skiing is the après ski. I like to just be able to sit and relax after a day of skiing with a pint and some tasty bites. When public health measures aren’t so restrictive, Calabogie Peaks have several dining options that are more than conducive for an après ski. Besides skiing and snowboarding, Calabogie Peaks also has a variety of snowshoe trails. If you do not have snowshoes, they do rent them out for a small fee.
Tom Irwin Adventure Tours – Have a hankering for more adventure? Look no further than Tom Irwin Adventure Tours. During the winter, they run snowmobile tours. This is perfect for someone who wants to try snowmobiling but does not have equipment. It is also perfect for someone who is not super familiar with the area as the tours are led by trained guides. All tours include snacks, training, safety equipment and the snowmobile. What an excellent way to learn more about Greater Madawaska and potentially discover new trails that you may not know about. Tom Irwin Adventure Tours operates in all four seasons with different tours that include both on and off-road vehicles. A tour with Tom Irwin Adventure Tours is definitely on my Ottawa Valley bucket list!
Calabogie Rustic Farms – If you have been following the blog for any length of time, you know that I am in love with these types of stores. What kind of store is that? The kind of store that showcases a plethora of local makers/farmers/artisans and small businesses. I popped in during the opening weekend and was blown away by not only the kindness of the owners (they are the kind of people you want to share a cup of coffee with) but also the variety of goods that were for sale. It is stores and markets like this one that showcases the heartbeat of the Valley – the small businesses. I swoon when small businesses support each other. I definitely recommend checking out Calabogie Rustic Farms.
Hiking/snowshoe cross-country skiing adventures in the Township of Greater Madawaska
To say that the Township of Greater Madawaska has a plethora of trails to explore, would be the understatement of the century. Of course, there is the Eagle’s Nest, but I feel like that lookout can get congested and there are plenty of other trails that are also worth exploring.
The Manitou Mountain trail system, which Eagle’s Nest is a small part of, has a large number of trails. These trails within the trail system are popular for snowshoeing.
Sugar Mountain Trail is a 4 km out and back trail. This trail is not as heavily trafficked as the trail to Eagles Nest and there is a lookout at the end of the trail. The lookout is this stunning view of Wabun Lake. I should also note that Wabun Lake Road can be a bit rough, so drive according to the conditions.
Morrow Lake Waterfall is a short 1.8km out and back trail. It is used even less than Sugar Mountain and Eagles Nest. It should be noted that Morrow Lake Road is sometimes not plowed during the winter, which makes for an additional 8.2km onto the hike.
The Madawaska Nordic Ski and Recreational Trail Network offers groomed tracks for classic skiing and snowshoeing/fat-biking. Trails offer a variety of forest landscapes and are suited for all abilities. It is maintained by a group of local volunteers, a $2/per use donation goes directly into trail equipment and maintenance. A $20 seasonal ski pass is available through the Township of Greater Madawaska at the Bogie General Store in Calabogie.
Where to Eat
Oh-el-la – This gorgeous cafe is always a must-stop for me whenever I am in the Township Greater Madawaska – caffeine fuels my soul. I usually just get a regular black tea and pair it with one of their scrumptious sandwiches. When I say sandwich, I don’t mean a plain old ham and mustard. I’m talking about artisan bread and unique proteins like schnitzel. I’m totally not doing the sandwiches justice, let me just leave it at the sandwiches are incredible. The ambiance of the cafe is super inviting and warm. I love the minimalist design of the space with all of the clean lines.
Redneck Bistro – Every time I have been to the Redneck Bistro, the food has been exceptional. The quality of their meat is second to none (you can also buy meat directly from the Redneck Bistro) and the way they infuse flavours into their dishes is simply magical. I always start with their pulled pork egg rolls and then either get some sort of wrap or burger. There are loads of delicious options that it is impossible to make a bad choice. Redneck Bistro has a hearty draft list, with a substantial number of their beers being from Ontario.
I should also note that they have a heated patio, meaning that you can currently dine with them. The last fun fact about Redneck Bistro is that they have an extensive overflow parking lot that can accommodate a large number of snowmobiles.
On the Rocks – located within the Calabogie Lodge, On the Rocks has an incredible view of Calabogie Lake. They serve up some elevated cocktails along with a well-thought-out food menu with items like gnocchi or the Popeye pizza (spinach cream sauce, grilled chicken, fresh garlic and mozzarella). This is a newer restaurant in Calabogie having opened up in the summer of 2021. Everything about this restaurant is photo-worthy! A good whiskey sour in an elegant glass? Sign me up! I look forward to being able to dine in person at On the Rocks.
Calabogie Brewing Company – Seriously, there are so many delicious options in the Township of Greater Madawaska. Calabogie Brewing Company will always have a soft spot in my heart. Every time I see their beer in the LCBO, I can’t help but smile. They currently have their patio open, so you can enjoy a pint and some food right now! Looking for some menu recommendations? Let’s start with food: I always get their German-style pretzel (it comes with cheese sauce that has been made using their Kolsch) and one of their pizzas. If I’m being honest, my go-to picks are neither “The Veg” (mozzarella, bell peppers, sautéed onions, mushrooms and basil pesto) or “Smoked Meat” (mozzarella, Swiss, K&P mustard infused pizza sauce, smoked meat and sweet gherkin pickles). For the beer, I love their Nitro Brown Cow milk stout or Front Porch Kolsch. I should mention that they do not serve any other alcoholic drinks besides beer at Calabogie Brewing Company.
I would love to hear from you! What is your favourite part of the Township of Greater Madawaska? Is there something you would add to this list?