Blueberry Mountain (CliffLAND): Trail Report

Blueberry Mountain (CliffLAND): Trail Report

Blueberry Mountain is a 4.5km trail that is rich beyond measure in flora, fauna, and has incredibly kind and friendly eco-loving owners. It is privately owned land (CliffLAND) and under a conservation easement with Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT).

Suggested Stops

What hiking trip is complete without a post trail lunch?! Back towards Almonte we went and straight to Equator to refuel! I’m lovin’ the newly renovated area for the coffee shop – it’s bright, open, and one of my favourite spots to study. This time though, there was no school on the mind. I’m actually pretty sure I was still smiling ear to ear from that wonderful hike when I made my lunch order. Aaaaaaand although no one likely cares about what I eat, I do have to say that the chicken club sandwich was ridiculously delish. Oh, and we had coffee, because at this point I’m pretty sure the world revolves around coffee.

Important Insights

Kindly respect the land owners (the Cliffords), the land managers (MMLT), and the property by not feeding the free range chickens, keeping the noise down, keeping dogs on-leash, and following Leave No Trace principles. Kindly consider donating to MMLT for the maintenance of this incredible trail.

Land Acknowledgement

These are the lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) people.⁠ It is important as avid hikers and stewards of the land, to acknowledge and understand the full story our surroundings along with the people that care for her, both past and present. As sourced from native-land.ca, if there are corrections please send to victoria@girlgonegood.com.

Land Management

Blueberry Mountain at CliffLAND is managed by Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT).

GPS Coordinates

45.16484, -76.67209

Street Address

502 Hills of Peace Rd

Directions

From Ottawa take the 417 West and continue on the 17 West (towards Arnprior/Renfrew/Pembroke). Exit on the (March Rd). Turn left (South) towards Almonte on County Road 49. Follow the 49 through Almonte, Middleville, and then Hopetown where you hit a T junction. Turn right (West) on County Road 511. Once you hit Brightside, turn left on to French Line Road. Next is a right turn on Flower Station Road. You’ll drive past Joe’s lake on the left and eventually it’ll turn to a dirt/gravel road. Take a final right turn on Hills of Peace Road. The trailhead is clearly marked at the end of this road (and right beside the Clifford family home).

Parking

Small parking lot at trailhead.

Cell Reception

Yes

Washrooms

Outhouses located 50m up the trail.

Accessibility

No

Trail Details

Entrance Fee

Hours of Operation

All seasons. Open dawn to dusk daily.

Trail Map

Available from MMLT.

Trailhead

Located at the parking lot.

Number of Trails

1

Total Distance (km)

4.5

Elevation Gain (m)

140

Cell Reception

Yes

Features

Woodlands, Ecological Significance, Ponds

Activities

Hiking, Birding, Snowshoeing

Trail Description

Blueberry Mountain Trail is easy to follow and clearly marked. For the most part it is a wider path with a gentle incline. What I really enjoyed was the multiple signage along the route explaining the flora and fauna points of interest. This really is a lovely walk through the woods with all kinds of flora, ponds, streams, and birds. Of note: the last 140 m to the first lookout has a steeper incline. There are two fantastic lookouts at the top of Blueberry Mountain. And as Howard pointed out (if you have a good enough eye), you can see Manitou Mountain and the top of the chair lift for Calabogie Ski Resort off in the distance. You have to look carefully, but it’s there! I found it interesting that the property was once home to a wilderness school (now that’s the kind of school I would have enjoyed). “cliffLAND, previously referred to as the Alba Wilderness Property and once home to the Alba Wilderness School is composed of 1250 acres of beautiful wilderness located high in the hills of the Lanark Highlands” You can read more about the property’s history on the cliffLAND website. What really won me over while researching the hike however was when the cliffLAND website stated: “The Clifford’s believe that humans, wildlife, and pure wilderness can co-exist together.” All the love my friends, all the love.

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