The Trent-Severn Waterway is one of Canada's national historic sites. By 1920, it was open to thru navigation across central Ontario from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. This 386 km stretch of scenic lakes, rivers and locks was created over a period of 87 years in conjunction with the water transport needs of the local lumber industry and the neighbouring communities. Subsequent ongoing development and improvements to the infrastructure since 1920 have resulted in a modern recreational waterway which locks over 120,000 boats per season. Parks Canada is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the 43 locks and 125 dams controlling the water flows in this 18,600 sq km area. For more information on the Trent-Severn Waterway please check the links at the bottom of this page.
Parking for all of our cruises on the Trent-Severn Waterway is in Peterborough.
Our Kawartha Cruises described below navigate a 240 km (150 mile) section of the Trent-Severn Waterway to the north-west of Peterborough. These cruises travel the Kawartha Lakes and the Severn River as shown on the map to the right.
Big Chute to Peterborough
Switch to Peterbourgh to Big Chute
Passengers board our chartered bus by 6:00 p.m. at the Peterborough Holiday Inn. There is free car parking at the Holiday Inn. Bus arrives at Big Chute shortly after 8 p.m. for embarkation on the "Kawartha Voyageur' which will remain docked for the night at Big Chute.
Day 1 Big Chute to Orillia
After viewing the Big Chute Marine Railway we depart about 9:30 a.m. up the Severn River with its rocky gorges and islands. Our first lock is the highest mitre lock on the system, Swift Rapids. Then through Sparrow Lake, the upper Severn River to the aqua waters of Lake Couchiching, and to Orillia's lovely downtown waterfront.
Day 2 Orillia to Kirkfield
A morning crossing of beautiful Lake Simcoe places us by noon at the Gamebridge entrance to a series of locks and canals above the level of the adjacent farms. Then on through man-made Canal Lake with its tiny "marble-arch" bridge--a must for photographers as we pass through. We reach our overnight stop at the massive Kirkfield Lift Lock in a tranquil rural setting.
Day 3 Kirkfield to Bobcaygeon
From Kirkfield we journey through several miles of narrow man-made canal to Balsam Lake which is the highest point of the Waterway between Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario. Across Balsam, through Rosedale Lock, and across Cameron Lake we come to Fenelon Falls with its scenic waterfall and rocky gorge. Then on through Sturgeon Lake to Bobcaygeon, the hub of the Kawarthas and a particularly pleasant setting for the night.
Day 4 Bobcaygeon to Lakefield
This day is a progression of beautiful Kawartha Lakes and their joining locks and villages: Pigeon Lake through Gannon Narrows into Buckhorn Lake; Lower Buckhorn Lake into Lovesick Lake with its legend of unrequitted love; Burleigh Falls into Stoney Lake and its thousand islands; Hell's Gate with its Little Church on the Rock standing guard; then Clear Lake, Young's Point and finally Lake Katchewanooka to our overnight stop at Lakefield.
Day 5 Lakefield to Peterborough
Our final day is a busy journey down the Otonabee River through a series of seven locks including the great Lift Lock to our base at Peterborough Holiday Inn around 2:00 p.m.
Peterborough to Big Chute
Switch to Big Chute to Peterborough
Embarkation starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Peterborough Holiday Inn. There is free car parking at the Holiday Inn. The "Kawartha Voyageur" remains docked at the Holiday Inn for the night.
Day 1 Peterborough to Buckhorn
Sailing after breakfast the "Kawartha Voyageur" ascends seven locks on the Otonabee River between Peterborough and Lakefield including the great Lift Lock. Entering the first of the famous Kawartha Lakes, Katchewanooka, just after lunch we continue up to historic Young's Point then through Clear Lake, Hell's Gate, with its lonely Church on the Rock standing guard and Stoney Lake to Burleigh Falls. After Burleigh we cross Lovesick and Lower Buckhorn Lakes to the village of Buckhorn where we dock for the night.
Day 2 Buckhorn to Rosedale
A leisurely departure from Buckhorn after the lock opens sets the pace for a relaxing day through Buckhorn Lake and Pigeon Lake, Bobcaygeon and Sturgeon Lake. Later in the afternoon, we pass through the Fenelon Falls lock and cross Cameron Lake to our overnight stop at the beautiful Rosedale lockstation.
Day 3 Rosedale to Orillia
From Rosedale, we enter Balsam Lake which is the highest elevation on the Trent-Severn Waterway. Then through several fascinating miles of narrow man-made cuts to Kirkfield Lift Lock followed by Canal Lake and the Talbot River to Lake Simcoe. A late afternoon crossing of about 12 miles rewards us with an attractive overnight docking at the port of Orillia.
Day 4 Orillia to Port Stanton
After a morning of shopping or a visit to the Stephen Leacock home, we sail up Lake Couchiching to enter the Severn River at Washago. This section of the Severn down to Sparrow Lake offers a fine display of lovely homes and cottages. Overnight docking is at Port Stanton on Sparrow Lake.
Day 5 Port Stanton to Big Chute
A final spectacular day cruising down the Severn River with its rocky grandeur, through the mighty Swift Rapids lock and then on to our destination at Big Chute Marine Railway. A two hour visit here caps our cruise before boarding a chartered bus to return to Peterborough with arrival around 5:00 p.m.
AUTUMN COLOUR
Ontario, Canada has long been noted for the annual carnival of autumn that nature produces so enthusiastically each fall.
The silent lakes become sequinned with fallen leaves. Departing geese, a questing osprey or a lonely loon break the evening stillness. Even a whiff of distant woodsmoke enchants. A great boulder on a rocky shoreline resembles a granite haggis seasoned with sumac.
Our colour cruises present all this beauty through five exhilarating days. In the comfort and warmth of the ship's lounge or in the crisp autumn air on the sun deck you follow the identical itineraries of the Summer cruises.
Then of course you enjoy genuine old fashioned cooking, cozy evenings to relax with the family atmosphere created by the Ackerts and their helpful crew, and finally a great night's sleep in your own heated cabin.
Parks Canada Trent-Severn Waterway
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