In the 1850's, as sawmills and settlements opened up in 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 to an unceremonoius end north of the village of Barry's Bay

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 stilll cloak the hills and stand cheek by jowel 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.

We hope you enjoy the narrated guided tour of the historic Opeongo Line.

Download the audio file (for mp3 players).
67.5MB
Listening Length: 1 hr, 12min Stereo
Actual Tour Time: Approx. 2.5 hours or 150km

Download the brochure/map.
2.3MB Adobe Acrobat Reader Required
 

You can also order this tour on CD for $11.30 (taxes included) by completing the order form below or calling 1.800.757.6580 or 613.732.4364.