In the most northern reaches of Peterborough County lies the Township of North Kawartha, where farmland and deciduous forests give way to the striking granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield, windswept pines, scenic rivers and lakes, and charming towns and villages.
From shopping and dining to reconnecting with nature, North Kawartha offers a road trip experience in The Kawarthas that invites you to slow down, take it all in, and rejuvenate your spirit. It’s not a stop along the way — North Kawartha is a destination all on its own.
Morning: Explore the charming village of Apsley
Your road trip begins with a relaxing morning in the charming village of Apsley, located in the centre of North Kawartha just off Highway 28.
If you’re travelling from the south, stop in at Honey’s Diner on the way to Apsley for a hearty traditional breakfast. Located between Big Cedar and Woodview, the family restaurant is known for its hospitality and exceptional service.
Enjoy a latte or cappuccino and a wholesome sandwich or sweet treat at Calm N Ground, a popular Apsley cafe on Burleigh Street, the village’s main street.
From there, you can explore local businesses including Apsley Vintage & Gallery, which offers vintage fashions and works by talented local artists, and DJC Casual Clothing, where you’ll find curated collections of exclusive, cozy, cottage-chic, and fashion-forward styles.
Head north on Burleigh Street to The Grape and Wedge, where you can fill your picnic basket for the afternoon with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and other specials made fresh to order. Don’t forget to stock up on some baked goods for the road!
Interested in dining al fresco? Stop in at Swiss Bear Café Bistro on Highway 28, known for its authentic house specialty schnitzel, loaded pierogies, and pies and tarts that are made on-site by a professional chef trained in Switzerland.
Before you begin your afternoon adventure, make sure to visit HERmanas on Highway 28, a boho-chic boutique offering timeless clothing, shoes, accessories, skincare products, and more. At this must-stop shop, you’ll find European brands alongside the latest collection of internationally acclaimed and ethically made swimwear from Bikinis by Bridget, an Apsley-based brand whose designs have been seen on runways around the world.
Afternoon: Choose your own outdoor adventure
There are lots of ways to spend your summer afternoon enjoying the outdoors in North Kawartha.
Head north out of Apsley on Burleigh Street to reach the hidden gem of Chandos Beach, just off County Road 620. Located on the northern edge of Chandos Lake, the free public beach features a gently sloping shoreline ideal for families with children, along with change rooms, public washrooms, a swim raft, and a spacious picnic area. Swimming lessons are also available.
You can also take the scenic route around Chandos Lake to find Shantilly’s Place. Originally known as the historic West Bay Narrows Marina, the bustling marina is now owned and operated by Shantelle Bisson and her husband Yannick, the star of CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. Stop in for an ice cream cone, or visit Duke’s Chip Wagon or The Snack Shack for their famous subs, wraps, and wood-fired pizza.
Head south out of Apsley on Highway 28 to Northey’s Bay Road, where winding turns will lead you to Petroglyphs Provincial Park. Open May through October, this sacred site is home to one of the largest known concentrations of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. The carvings depict a wide variety of human and animal forms that tell the story of lives of the Indigenous peoples of this region from over a thousand years ago. Experience the Learning Place Visitor Centre through a guided tour provided by members of Curve Lake First Nation.
From there, visit McGinnis Lake, one of Canada’s few meromictic lakes. The lake’s preserved ancient sediment make it a rare and protected waterbody, where the layers of the lake’s water don’t mix, creating a stunning turquoise colour. While swimming isn’t permitted, snapping a few Instagram-worthy photos is highly recommended!
Is being on the water your passion? Book a guided excursion with Lovesick Kayaking for a paddle around Stoney Lake and Lovesick Lake’s Wolf Island. Why not rent a kayak for a self-guided adventure on Eels Creek from Haultain to Northey’s Bay, where each bend along the waterway offers new landscape from impressive willows overhanging limestone banks to massive pines standing on granite shoreline.
Flowing from Eels Lake in the north all the way to Stoney Lake in the south, Eels Creek is a favourite of North Kawartha Mayor Carolyn Amyotte.
“It has historical, cultural, environmental, and recreational significance for residents and visitors alike,” she says. “Eels Creek offers many paddling opportunities, with the most popular being the High Falls route from Haultain to Stoney Lake. There is also a hiking trail from the Northey’s Bay Road parking area to High Falls. Eels Creek is one of the crown jewels of North Kawartha’s natural landscapes.”
Located on Eels Creek, High Falls is an Instagram-worthy destination of its own, with its cascading waters flowing from a narrow opening, surrounded by lush forest. It’s also a popular camping spot for Eels Creek paddlers.
Evening — End your day in majestic Burleigh Falls
Your North Kawartha road trip ends in Burleigh Falls, whose majestic fast-flowing rapids offer another Instagram moment. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after your journey and watch the sun set over The Kawarthas.
Enjoy a meal at Burleigh Falls Inn, located on the picturesque 11-acre Burleigh Island. Open year round and offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner accompanied by weekly entertainment, this historic inn has welcomed families and couples for more than a century.
Burleigh Falls Inn overlooks the channel between Lovesick Lake and Stoney Lake and is just steps away from Lock 28 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, which also features a popular boat launch. You can watch the lock in action from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday and on holidays (it closes an hour earlier on other days).
Need more time to explore North Kawartha? Burleigh Falls Inn offers a variety of accommodations suitable for families, a getaway with friends, or a spontaneous romantic escape.
You can also check in to Viamede Resort in Woodview, on the shores of Stoney Lake. Also open year-round, Viamede Resort offers classic cottage charm with fireside dining and farm-to-table tasting menus.
Wherever you choose to end your day in North Kawartha, you’ll almost certainly fall asleep to the hauntingly beautiful call of the loon.
“I invite everyone to come and explore North Kawartha-where connecting community, nature and spirit is our superpower,” says Mayor Amyotte. “In a world that refuses to slow down, a place that makes you hit pause is everything. With two provincial parks, a crown game preserve, and numerous lakes for cottaging, boating, and fishing, you don’t have to travel far to find that pause button. Connecting to what matters is intuitive in North Kawartha.”
For a detailed itinerary of your road trip in North Kawartha, visit The Kawarthas Tourism website at thekawarthas.ca/north-kawartha-roadtrip/.
Want to see more of North Kawartha?
As a four-season destination, there’s much more to see and do in North Kawartha throughout the year. Here are just a few ideas for your next road trip.
In early September, the three-day Creekside Music Festival takes place on the edge of Eels Creek in Apsley. Very popular with locals, the festival is a celebration of live music and food and a local vendor market. Only 700 tickets are available each year, so don’t wait to secure yours!
A few weeks after the festival, fall colours provide a breathtaking backdrop for the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour. Taking place the third weekend in September for over 30 years, the self-guided tour offers an opportunity to visit dozens of artist studios across North Kawartha, where you can watch artists at work, chat with them, and even add to your art collection.
When the snow falls, strap on your skis at Kawartha Nordic, where 80 kilometres of maintained trails for skiing, skating, and snowshoeing wind through the forest off Highway 28. Warm-up shelters along the way add to the cozy atmosphere.
Road Tripping in The Kawarthas is a partnership between kawarthaNOW and the Peterborough County Tourism and Communications Division, created to showcase the unique and distinct townships of The Kawarthas.
This series supports the regional Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) campaign by inviting locals and nearby neighbours to rediscover the places, people, and businesses that make this region unforgettable. Every visit to The Kawarthas supports our local economy — and adds another chapter to your Kawarthas story.
Visit The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
