Doube's Trestle Bridge

During our recent stay at Emily Provincial Park, we journeyed out one morning to check another of the railway attractions off my “must see” map: The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Doubes Trestle Bridge!

Part of the Trans-Canada Trail, it’s a former rail line bridge, spanning across Buttermilk Valley.

Only about 10 minutes from Emily Provincial Park - and about an hour and a half from Toronto - it’s a great trail to spend some time on.

I’d thought we were just going for Doube's Trestle Bridge itself, but the trail was really nice - and left me wishing we’d booked more time to explore it!

Even aside from the panoramic views you’ll get from the bridge, there are all kinds of things to see along the trail - and a few ways to enjoy them!

Trail users can walk, run or bike on this recreational trail. It’s in really good shape, and well maintained.

Anyway, lots to talk about - and photos to share! - so let’s get to it!

The Basics:

Location Name: Doube’s Trestle Bridge
Address:: Trans-Canada Trail, Kawartha Lakes, ON K0L 2W0 (Click for Google Maps location)
Website: Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association
Price: Free!

Maps and Signage

As a very straight-shot trail, this one really didn’t need much in the way of maps or signage, IMHO.

That said, there was a nice trail map at the Orange Corners access point where we parked, and there’s always the Kawartha Trails Trail Map, online.

It’s a nice feature - an interactive map, where you can filter for connecting trails, parking lots, parks, and other points of interest.

As an example, if we were to continue past the bridge for a bit, we would have come across a beaver lodge!

There was some educational signage on the bridge itself.

Connectivity

We had decent connectivity any time we checked our phones along the trail - usually to google something we saw.

This was just a very short section of the overall trail, though - we can’t speak to connectivity along the rest of the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail.

Accessibility

The trail is a well packed crushed limestone surface. It’s wide, flat, and - because it’s a former rail trail - there isn’t a lot in the way of elevation changes.

This section of the trail is wheelchair accessible, and definitely doable for any other kind of mobility aid. I was having a less-than-great tendon day, the day we went, and I had no problem with the trail.

The only possible concern is that there wasn’t any actual designated accessible parking, and you can’t book a spot or anything. So, you may find yourself out of luck, if that section of trail happens to be busy at the time of your visit.

There are parking lots further out from the bridge, and theoretically those could possibly have accessible parking... but the distance may pose its own issues.

Pets

The trail seemed popular for dog walking at the time of our walk, and dogs are welcomed to use the whole trail.

They’re supposed to be on a leash and under control at all times while using the trail.

Also, owners are expected to scoop the poop *and properly dispose of it*. I’ll never understand the people who bag it and then leave it, or hang it in a tree or whatnot.

Didn’t see any of that this time, just a random mini-rant!

Parking

We parked at the trail entrance on Orange Corners rd.

While there’s not an actual parking lot there, there’s a widened section of road that’s clearly intended for parking - at least PART of the year.

Signage there indicated that parking was NOT permitted between November 1 and April 30.

There’s another trail entrance on Emily Park Rd, but we didn’t realize that til after we got home and looked at the map more closely.

So, no idea what the parking situation is on that end, but it’s probably worth checking out.

If you’re staying at Emily Provincial Park - like we were at the time - it’s a fair amount closer than the Orange Corrners Road access point.

Miscellaneous

While I mention walking and cycling, the trail is also used for horseback riding and - in the winter - cross-country skiing and snowmobiling!

Also, as a note: The trail provides some degree of “access” to private property in some places.

Just because you physically CAN access them, doesn’t mean you legally can - trail users are urged to stick to the trail itself.

The Bridge

Doube’s Trestle Bridge was built in 1883, as part of what would become the Canadian National Railways’ Omemee-Peterborough line. It’s 200 metres long, and 30 metres tall.

The bridge was originally a wooden trestle bridge, with the central part of the trestle eventually upgraded into a steel bridge. This was done to help accommodate the heavier freight trains.

The last train to cross the bridge was in 1978.

At that point, the bridge became property of the provincial government and the rails were pulled out.

Entertainment and Activity

Hiking

The Kawartha Rail Trail section of the Trans-Canada trail is 54 km long, and stretches from Manilla to Peterborough.

As mentioned, it’s a really nice wide, flat trail with a well packed surface.

I’m a fan of surfaces like this, as rainy days don’t negatively impact the experience! (I’m NOT a fan of trying to cross large muddy sections of trail!

Despite being such a short section of overall trail, the ~1 km walk from the Orange Corners trail access to the bridge was actually pretty interesting.

Fairly early on, you come to another trestle bridge - at least we think it’s trestle.

Not sure if there’s a quantitative measure to define “short spans” of bridge, or if it’s more a matter of proportion to the overall bridge length... I digress.

It’s a nice little bridge to walk under, and almost serves as a visual.. Appetizer?... to the main event, further up the trail.

Along the way, you pass wide open views of different tracts of farmland, sometimes with cows or horses out in the pastures.

It just makes for a really nice vibe on the walk.

It’s a solid bridge, under foot... but the bolts that were “securing” the sides to the trail were... suspect.

Many were missing, rusted through, or were kind of loosely sitting in sections of rotted wood. So, definitely safe to cross... but wouldn’t recommend leaning on the railing, as you take in the views of the area!

If you’re not one to actually cross the bridge - or need a break - there are benches on either side of the bridge.

Pro tip: The bench on the far side has a much better view.

We spent a bit of time enjoying the sights, before headed back to the car.

All in all, a nice little section of trail, and it really left us wanting to see more of the Trans Canada Trail in the future!

Biking

The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail looks like a FANTASTIC place to go cycling ... and I’m still kicking myself that we weren’t able to go back with our bikes.

The weather and timing just didn’t work out for it. 🙁

Not only was the trail perfect for it, the trail association really seems to welcome cycling.

I love when I see these little repair stations out on trails - it’s so thoughtful! This one was located right next to the bridge.

Birding, Wildlife, and Nature

On the morning of our walk, the trail was fantastic for hearing - and sometimes seeing! - birds, but the lighting didn’t work out so well for actually photographing them.

Overall, we saw: American Crow, American Robin, Black-And-White Warbler, Black-Capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Eastern Meadowlark, Hermit Thrush, Pine Warbler, Red-Winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler.

... and we heard: American Goldfinch, Bobolink, Cedar Waxwing, House Wren, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow.

Beyond the birds, an Eastern Garter Snake crossed the trail right in front of us on the way back.

Porter ended up calling me “Indy”, and I realized that I’m kind of surprised it’s taken 18 years for him to make THAT comparison. I’m a nerd that’s VEHEMENTLY opposed to snakes *and* Nazis.

I’ve been called worse, LOL!

Anyway, there were also were a TON of different wild flowers along the trail, as well as some apple trees and raspberry bushes.

Niantic Games

There are two Portals / Pokestops / etc, right at the bridge. Nothing at the Orange Corner’s trail access point, though.

If you’re coming from the west, there’s another where the trail crosses Highway 7, and three more where it crosses Emily Park Rd.

We had plenty of internet connectivity at the bridge, but didn’t check at the other trail access points.

Final Thoughts

Slightly mixed final thoughts here, between the two of us.

For me - not so into bridges, didn’t go more than a few metres out on the bridge itself - I loved it!

The trail was super easy to walk on, the views were great, and I loved how varied the flora and fauna were, even over such a short distance.

My only regret - and I’m still kicking myself about this, two weeks later! - is that we didn’t go back with our bikes. I would have loved to see more of the trail!

Just, you know, going in the other direction of the bridge. 🙂

Porter loved the trail itself, loved the concept of repurposing rail bridges as trails. As a mechanical engineer, though, he was deeply unsettled by some of what he saw out on it.

Said it’s absolutely safe for cyclists - and pedestrians walking along it - but he questions the safety of the railing attachment.

Definitely recommends the experience, but strongly urges everyone to NOT lean on that rail, and keep a close eye on any kids that may do so.

Rusty rail attachments or not, we’ll definitely be back, next time we’re in the area!

More Places to See

Looking for some nice sights to see and great places to visit while you're out on your camping adventures? Here are a few of our favourite day use parks, attractions, etc.

Batchawana Bay
Big Bay, Ontario
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Falls Reserve Conservation Area
Flowerpot Island
Menesetung Bridge
Point Pelee National Park
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
Spirit Rock Conservation Area
Temagami Fire Tower