Sugarbush Loop

Start at the parking lot and follow the trail through the meadow. You'll head into a forest for some nice shade, with some grassy areas intermixed between the forest. At the fork, keep right and take the signs for the "wetlands lookout." This will take you to an area of Canadian Shield where there is some signage, a bench, and a viewpoint overlooking a marshy area. Note the beaver lodge on your left.Return down the path, keeping right at the fork, following the signs for "narrows lookout." The narrows lookout is just a bench with not much of a view. Keep going and you'll arrive at the "lake lookout," again with a bench. The lake lookout overlooks Murphys Bay, which is part of Lake Opinicon. The island you can see is Murray Island.Continue down the loop and you'll rejoin the main trail. Follow signs for "parking lot."

When the opportunity to acquire Sugarbush Island arose, supporters of the Rideau Waterway Land Trust rallied together. After a successful community fundraising drive, RWLT purchased this special place in October 2010.As an RWLT protected area, Sugarbush Island is available to the community for passive recreational use and quiet contemplation. In 2012 a walking trail was developed leading from Davis Lock Road through the meadow and woods to the short causeway leading to the island.