Bikes and Sights: Cycling On The K&P Trail

As I mentioned last Monday, the most amazing man in the world and I went bike riding one evening on the K&P Trail; an off-road recreational trail that is about 15 kilometers long (9 miles). And today, I’d like to write a little about that area and include some photos.

There is parking available at various points along the trail where you can leave your car.

One of the most popular trails in the Kingston area, the K&P winds its way through and around gorgeous lakes and fields, and presents a very scenic experience with its open landscape, rock cuts and wetlands.

Here I am looking all active and stuff.

It is a semi-urban and rural trail that is open year round, offering a variety of recreational uses including hiking, walking, horse-back riding, ATV driving, snow-shoeing, running, cross-country skiing and, as in our case, cycling.

Lots and lots of greenery surrounds you.

Incorporated in 1871 by a group of Kingston businessmen, the K&P was originally a rail line intended to run from Kingston to Pembroke to gain access to the lumber and mining industries, as well as the agricultural economy in eastern Ontario.

We've got a long road ahead of us.

By 1884, approximately 180 kilometres (111.8 miles) of mainline and sidings had been laid that reached Renfrew, but by this time, the Canada Central Railway had already built a line from Renfrew to Pembroke, and since it no longer made sense to continue, the K&P was terminated.

You spot some farms along the way.

Because of financial difficulties, the rail line was leased to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) for 999 years in an agreement formalized in 1912. Beginning in the 1950s, the line was gradually abandoned.

And once in awhile you get a glimpse of wild turkeys.

The K&P, affectionately remembered as the ‘Kick and Push’ railroad, was transformed section by section into a scenic trail, and is now lined with trees as it crosses through the small towns it once promised prosperity to.

A tunnel runs underneath the highway bridge.

It is a very peaceful trail that we have walked through a few times since we moved here, and on our most recent visit, we choice to cycle instead, and ending up covering a total of about 13 whopping kilometers (8 miles) to and fro!

A silhouette under the bridge.

And to reward ourselves halfway through our ride, we parked our bikes outside a Tim Hortons (largest fast food service, and national icon) and enjoyed one of these:

Nothing like an iced cappuccino after a good cycling workout.

Then we headed home as it started getting dark.

Waiting for me to catch up as I stop to take photos.

It was a beautiful evening to spend on this amazing trail.

A mama duck and her babies enjoying a swim.

Have a great day, everyone.