Welcome to The Ottawa Valley

Backroads Touring: Up the Line 'n Round the Bend

In the 1850s, as sawmills and settlements opened up the interior of the Ottawa Valley, the Canadian government developed a series of colonization roads throughout central Ontario. The most significant of these was the Ottawa and Opeongo Road, better known as the Opeongo Line. It followed a westward course in its climb from the Ottawa River to the Madawaska Highlands – linking several wilderness routes along the way

European settlers were lured by land grants, but the challenge proved too difficult – the land was unforgiving. The giant virgin pine stands were harvested, the ever hopeful pioneers moved on, and forests eventually reclaimed many of the primitive homesteads.

Today, some of the original log barns are still filled each summer with hay and grain harvested from the small fields. The remnants of the great hardwood forest still cloak the hills and stand cheek by jowl with areas of cultivated land separated by fences of stone. And, while many of the once-bustling communities are now relative ghost towns, the spirit of adventure that attracted our pioneers remains.

"Up The Line", the official self-guided driving tour of the Opeongo Line is now available on cassette. Hosted by local musician and balladeer Barney McCaffery, the tour is most spectacular during our fall colour season. Tour lasts about 2.5 hours (150kms)

Media Inquiries:

Judy Hugli, Ottawa Valley Tourist Association
800-757-6580
jhugli@countyofrenfrew.on.ca

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