My wife managed well with her hybrid. No problem with that trail. Then follow West Lakeshore Drive around the lake to Dug Hill Road (on right). Blue Mountain rises 100 m above Charleston Lake … The 10 minute walk along the farm trail is nothing really to look at. ... View This Document Email, For more information, including maps, please visit www.friendsofcharlestonlake.ca. Lots of people but everyone considerate of space. The view at summit is beautiful. Blue Mountain is in Charleston Lake Provincial park, and has the highest peak in the county. When you get to the top of the Blue Mountain Trail, make sure to take a break and enjoy the picturesque views. I really liked how often the trail would have little obstacles to climb, some were a challenging pitch. Blue Mountain is also accessible off Hwy #2 on Blue Mountain Rd. The trail to Blue Mountain is only accessible by water. Nice trail takes you to Blue Mountain a couple small bridges. Charleston Lake: Blue Mountain Trail is a 9.2 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Ontario, Canada that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. It was super boring first going in. The Guide’s five regions each have special character. The moderately difficult hiking trail winds up the mountain past a beaver dam to the peak and then down to Charleston Lake. This is a trail I’ll definitely do again! Natural, Surface 2 to 2.5 hours on foot or 1.5 hrs. After Park Hours, you are hiking at your own risk. Follow Lakeshore Drive across the bridge. Friends of Charleston Lake , General Inquiry The trail is marked from both the Huckelberry Hollow (Lake) access and the southern access. Every donation of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt. Some elevation at the end with a great look out The view was fantastic at the top and there were lots of little spots for great pictures and to sit and have a snack while enjoying the sounds of the woods. Axis, Charleston Lake Provincial Park has the rugged character of the Canadian Shield. By supporting the Ontario Trails Council, you will support trails, enabling delivery of services such as trail promotion, advocacy, creation and maintenance. You can withdraw your consent at any time. My 6 year old definitely was starting to feel it about half hour before reaching the peak - but the view bolstered and energized her. Spectacular. However the trails to the east and the southeast from the junction where you headed southwest to Huckleberry Hollow just “ended” due to major flooding and large beaver ponds. All rights reserved. The trailhead and parking are on the left abo… All other photography courtesy of Ontario Tourism unless otherwise specified. Views were great. The floating Slim Bay bridge is a highlight of this trail. Someone had posted that there is a fee to enter, but because this entry point isn’t actually sanctioned by Charleston Lake Prov. Hikers have permission to cross private land and a well-marked trail leads to the summit with a panoramic 360° view. Charleston Lake Provincial Park is located on Charleston Lake near Athens, Ontario, Canada in the township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.. Custom trail ended up being on private land, cut back due to trail swamped out. Once you get into the woods that all changes and the trail becomes a winding forest filled with great elevation changes for any hiker to enjoy. First 15 min walk to get to the actual trail is quite muddy the day after a rainfall. Dave fished from his kayak and I hiked this amazing trail. I didn’t see another person until I was nearly back to the parking lot. Blue Mountain can be reached via Blue Mountain Road from Highway #2. Blue Mountain (at Charleston Lake) Drive Time: 40 minutes This 9.5 km trail takes you up to a scenic lookout located at the highest point in Leeds County. No bugs labour day weekend, nice view from the top of Charleston Lake and the Skydeck in the distance. Would be nice to go back in the fall when the trees are changing! You can see snow covered mountains of the Adrks in the distance. Depending on the season, birders have a chance to see Bald Eagles, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Cerulean Warblers, Yellow-Throated Vireos, and Black-Billed and Yellow-Billed Cuckoos. Instead of going to the summit I went on the Huckleberry Hollow trail to the picnic area on Charleston Lake. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking. Great place to eat lunch and enjoy the view. lovely trail, not very technical but a decent climb up to get the heart rate up and the legs straining a bit. Amazing trail - but sometimes the trail gets lost. The guide’s local food, arts, museum, park and business offerings are numbered to match the map. Taking the bikes was a great choice. Copyright © 2021, Ontario Trails Council. Also, any photos or videos you may have taken of your adventures on this or any other trail are welcome as well. Blue Mountain is the highest point in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The view is what makes this trail special. Extremely steep, rocky slopes follow much of the park shoreline while inland the terrain is equally rugged with a system of abrupt ridges and valleys. It was fairly easy to navigate Although Blue Mountain is within the park boundary, and can be reached by canoe, land access travels across private property. It is a pdf of the Blue Mountain trail (Mudlake & Basin are at the top) I'm not sure about bike use, but ATVs are out. This was our time doing this trail and loved it even though I enjoy a technical challenge it was still great with an awesome view from the top. Turn right (north) on US Hwy 176, just after the railroad tracks. picnic areas, parking, scenic lookout, interpretive signage. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/tallow-rock-trail Moderate not easy. Great hike.... basic/muddy 1.5k road walk into trailhead... after that great easy-moderate hike... great view at the top, Pleasant start 1.5k along a field. Park.Limited parking by roadside.The trail begins by following an unmaintained township concession, northwards, and then is signed with blue diamond markers with a hiker symbol to the summit. These listings are linked to interactive maps at fabexperiences.ca. Magnificent big rock walls near the top. Checkout the Friends of Charleston Lake site, it has contact information. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/charleston-lake-blue-mountain-trail Blue Mountain at Charleston Lake Remember: This is part of the Park and all guidelines must be observed including no ATVs. The trail head to Blue Mountain is only accessible by water from Huckleberry Hollow, so you can paddle and park the kayak or canoe on the shoreline, and follow the winding trail to Blue Mountain’s scenic vista to get an inspiring look at Charleston Lake. My second time here this year. The lake includes a number of islands and has an irregular shoreline which makes it an interesting location for canoeing and kayaking. By signing up for the Newsletter, you agree to receive periodic emails from the Ontario Trails Council containing news & updates. 15 c day. Trailhead at SC Nature Conservancy’s Blue Wall Preserve:From I-26 take exit 1 (SC Hwy 14) west toward Landrum. For a shorter trip, drive to the main entrance of Charleston Lake Provincial Park, on Woodvale Rd, and launch a canoe or kayak in the lake (Rentals available). It makes for an awesome lunch spot for the paddler and hiker. Blue Mountain At Charleston Lake - Frontenac Arch Biosphere Scale 1:22,000 Blue Mountain at Charleston Lake Produced by the FRONTENAC ARCH BIOSPHERE RESERVE Trail System Project from data collected in 2008-2010. The first part of the hike is an atv/tractor trail, but even that was pretty nice— if you’re a birder there’s lots of activity in the fields to keep you interested. Also, any photos or videos you may have taken of your adventures on this or any other trail are welcome as well. The Ontario Trails Council is a provincial organization and registered charity. How to get to Gordon Rock Shelter If you are trying to loop from Warburton Road on the Four wheeler trail you see to the right of your beginning ascent on the proper trail (not the road) you can’t. Use of the Open-Air Gondola is included in Pass or ticket admission during Gondola operating hours. One of the nicest hikes I’ve been on in a while. Easy to moderate. "The Outlet" area of Charleston offers amazing views - tranquil waters and a boat launch - Nearby are superb hiking trails at Blue Mountain - The World Famous "1000 Islands" are seven minutes away or trips into the USA as well - Boat Cruises - The Thousand Islands Playhouse and on and on .. Cycling: Charleston Lake Loop. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn left onto Lakeshore Drive, the entrance to Lake Lanier. One hot day last week, Railguy and I set out to hike the Blue Mountain Trail at Charleston Lake Provincial Park. The park includes hiking trails, swimming areas and campgrounds. Start off on a country path along farmland, then go up a rock face and it is an up and down trail with some tough parts after that. Hiking: Charleston Lake PP (Blue Mountain Trail & Sandstone Isl.) The hiking trails within Charleston Lake Park are varied and include distances for hikers of every experience level. 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