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This idyllic Ontario village is part of Canada’s first waterway trail town initiative
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This idyllic Ontario village is part of Canada’s first waterway trail town initiative

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Lakefield, Ont., is a charming village in Ontario’s countryside that offers true solace, serving as an idyllic escape in the summer season. If you’re looking for some downtime, make your way to the village of Lakefield.

Your adventure begins along the Trent-Severn Waterway. This gem is about an hour and a half away from Toronto.

What to know about Lakefield, Ontario

The village of Lakefield is known for its “gentle pace and friendly locals that has inspired people to visit for generations,” according to its local tourism website.

You’ll find a place brought to life through its lovely local shops, exciting events and eateries. The historic downtown is filled with shops, cultural stops, and restaurants. If you’re looking to get some grub, stop by the Canoe & Paddle.

It’s an English pub and restaurant that’s located in the historic Hamblin’s building. You’ll fuel up on classic pub fare and Ontario craft beer.

For book lovers, Lakefield is also a hub for literary arts. Famous Canadian writers Margaret Laurence, Catherine Parr-Traill, and Susanna Moodie called Lakefield home, and the town continues to carry the tradition with its annual Lakefield Literary Festival.

Visitors are welcome to explore the local spots, but if you’re more of a nature buff, there are several ways to embrace the surrounding beauty.

What makes this village stand out is the network of scenic backroads for driving and cycling. Four of the Kawartha Classics Road Cycling Routes pass through Lakefield, making it the ultimate outdoor destination.

Take a stroll along the Lakefield Trail, kayak on the Waterway, or hop on one of their bikes located at the marina to cycle through its historic downtown, according to the tourism group.

Or, venture on a different kind of trail – a waterway trail, that is.

Trail towns in Ontario

Lakefield is actually considered a “Trail Town”. But what IS a trail town, you may ask? According to TSW Trail towns, a “Trail Town is a community through which a trail passes, offering services to support trail users and actively promoting the trail to both residents and visitors.” But in Kawarthas Northumberland, their “trail” is a waterway trail, the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada.

The Trent-Severn Trail Town program includes these other Ontario names:

  • Bobcaygeon
  • Buckhorn
  • Campbellford
  • Coboconk
  • Fenelon Falls
  • Hastings
  • Lakefield
  • Lindsay
  • Peterborough
  • Rosedale

This quaint village has a little of everything, making it a great destination for a day trip. So whether you plan on taking the waterway trail and stopping at every town along the way, or making a day trip straight to Lakefield, you’re definitely in for an adventure.

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Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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