Once upon a time, the railroad ran through Algonquin Park. The Ottawa timber baron J.R. Booth had a productive business in Algonquin lumber. I have mentioned him before; click on his name in the tags to see local links to the man. Those days are long in the past, and the railroads have faded into the mists of time. The railbeds can still be found, however, and are often incorporated as sections of hiking or bicycling trails.
This stretch of trail is linked to the Track And Tower trail, in the vicinity of Mew Lake and Lake Of Two Rivers.
Nice shots! Here we have a rails-to-trails program resulting in long level trails.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful way to explore the park! Glad there aren't trains anymore, but at least the old tracks serve some purpose.
ReplyDeletelovely place and good recovery for the old track !
ReplyDeleteI trace these in the UK, this is one I followed in Scotland.
ReplyDeletehttp://spuduka.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-garlieston-link.html
Beautiful paths to walk through them .
ReplyDeleteTomás.
Looks like a place where nature helps one forget about commercialism. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNice they use it now for people enjoying the beautiful nature.
ReplyDeleteA train here through the park...? I can't believe it !
ReplyDeleteFor the rest, I agree with biebkriebels.
Those straight long trails seem to be more suitable for biking then for hiking. For me with my limited scope they would be too long anyway, I think.
ReplyDeleteWonderful setting! If it was here, the railroad would remain there for ages, rusty and covered with weed.
ReplyDeleteIs the caboose still there?
ReplyDeleteJane x
@Linda: it's a good way to make use of the track, if the trains no longer run.
ReplyDelete@Halcyon: it's such a fine re-use of the facilities.
@Massimo: thank you.
@Bill: I shall check that link out today!
@Tomas: thanks!
@Greensboro: it is like that.
@Marianne: it's become a well used notion here to incorporate those railbeds.
@Karl: sometimes it seems like it was impossible, but once you know there were trains, the signs are obvious when you are on a former track.
@Jan: there is a mix on trails like this of hikers and bikes, but with the grade the way it is, even wheelchairs can do well on this trail.
@Jose: here that's fortunately not the case.
@Jane and Chris: not here!
i really like when they repurpose them that way!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous trails William.
ReplyDeleteI love these rails to trails projects.
ReplyDeleteThese certainly make perfect trail projects.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful trail!! Definitely makes me miss the nature in MD. I'm surrounded by dust and palm trees here in San Antonio!
ReplyDeleteWe also have a "rails to trails" project. It's a good idea, I think.
ReplyDelete@Tex: it's either this or letting the woods overtake them.
ReplyDelete@Luis: it's a beautiful stretch for a stroll, I've always thought.
@Revrunner: they tend to make for level walking paths this way.
@Sharon: they do.
@Krisztina: I'm not sure what I'd make of myself being around palm trees!
@Judy: it is a way to restore and a better use of the land then leaving the tracks to rust.
Lovely captures, William. Beautiful trail!
ReplyDeleteSuch a peaceful, serene place. Just what I need right now.
ReplyDeleteA great idea, and I like that they have left some pieces of the old railroad ...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fine walking way with your camera.
ReplyDeleteA lovely trail. We have a few of these around here, old tracks made into bike paths.
ReplyDeletea beautiful place for a walk!
ReplyDeleteThey're making hiking/bicycling trails out of our old road beds, too. A wonderful use for them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine trail that is!
ReplyDelete@Linda: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Norma: you'd enjoy it.
@VP: there are times you can still see bridge foundations at rivers.
@Birdman: there's no shortage of photo opportunities.
@Denise: it's such a good use of the facilities.
@Tanya: indeed!
@Cheryl: it's great for exercise.
@RedPat: I enjoy that area.
I loved walking the rail way tracks when they were there and love walking them now as paths . I miss hearing a trail horn in the distance as it echoes another wonderful memory as a kid for me ! Nice photos . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteGreat place to walk. The railway beds are gone from a lot of places. The trains no longer run in many of the small rural areas in this country. I do not know what was done with them, but I don't know of any that were utilized like that one.
ReplyDeleteIt's not uncommon to do so here.
Deletelooks like a fun walk. any bears? ( :
ReplyDeleteNone that day.
DeleteThere is a rail bed that runs across the ranch. The old sp&s. Went from Seattle to Chicago! There was an old trestle across the creek. I wanna say it was 180 feet long! And about as high! The pillars are still here. Kinda cool.
ReplyDeleteCheri
I can imagine!
DeleteI think it's wonderful that long gone parts of rail tracks can still be found.. everywhere really.. little glimpses of the past for future generations. The trees in this park are magnificent William.
ReplyDeleteThat they are.
DeleteI either didn't know or had forgotten the railway ran through. Cool!
ReplyDeleteLong ago, yes.
DeleteYou are really making me want to travel to Algonquin very, VERY soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteAround here railroads came and went with virtually every area that was logged. Like yours, many rail beds became local roads; one has become a regional trail and bikeway.
ReplyDeleteThat isn't surprising.
Delete