Sharbot Lake – Railway Heritage, Trails and Lake

Sharbot Lake offers a range of experiences for your stay: railway history, trails and the lake shape what you can discover locally. If you’re looking for a hotel, these themes can help you decide what to explore while you’re here.

Railway Heritage in Sharbot Lake

The Kick and Push Railway Museum is located in Sharbot Lake at the junction of the former Canadian Pacific Railway and Kingston and Pembroke rail lines. Its location makes the area’s railway history a tangible part of the local landscape.

Railway Heritage Park highlights the importance of the railway to the region’s history and to the people who lived there. The park includes a caboose exhibit and a children’s playground. The museum and park offer different perspectives: one is located at the former junction of the rail lines, while the other illustrates the region’s railway heritage.

Compare Trails and Routes

The Central Frontenac Trailway – Trans Canada Trail Section is 35 km long, follows a former railway corridor and runs east to west through Sharbot Lake. Its designation as a multi-use trail and its route through the community set it apart from the shorter named hiking trails.

Thomson’s Cut is a trail section in the hamlet of Sharbot Lake that is still under development. It is intended for pedestrians and users of off-road motorized vehicles. Its development status distinguishes it from the hiking trails described here.

The Ridgeview Trail is a 0.5 km out-and-back trail rated easy to moderate, with a view from the ridge. In Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, the 1.2 km Discovery Trail is a moderate loop. You can compare route type, length and the stated difficulty ratings, rather than considering distance alone.

Sharbot Lake and the Beach

Sharbot Lake has 99 islands and a diverse range of wildlife. On the water, you can paddle along the shores and around the rugged islands; be sure to take water and weather conditions into account. The shores and islands provide a different focus for paddling than the trails that run through or near Sharbot Lake.

A sandy beach in Sharbot Lake is open for free recreation. Listed facilities include washrooms, a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground, a large floating dock and a designated swimming area. As facility availability can change, it’s worth checking the current status before your visit. The public washroom at the K&P Trailhead at Sharbot Lake Beach is available year-round and serves, among others, trail users, beachgoers, shoppers, walkers, cyclists and ATV users; check its operating status before your visit as well.

Market and Café

The Sharbot Lake Farmers Market offers fresh bread, seasonal produce, locally raised meat, maple syrup, honey, preserves, handmade soap and handcrafted goods. The selection is seasonal and may change. If you’re looking for specific products, expect the range of items to vary.

The Cardinal Café is located in a restored church in Sharbot Lake and serves fresh coffee and homemade pastries. If you’re planning a visit, check current availability.

Frontenac County: A Broader Perspective

In the wider destination of Frontenac County, the Frontenac K&P Trail is a 90-kilometre multi-use rail trail that follows the historic Kingston & Pembroke Railway corridor. Activities include cycling, walking, hiking and horseback riding; ATV use is permitted with a permit, and snowmobiling is also allowed in winter. Check permit requirements and seasonal conditions before planning. Also in Frontenac County, Frontenac Provincial Park offers more than 100 kilometres of hiking and backpacking trails in interconnected loops.

Discover more destinations: Mountain Grove, Wolfe Island, Kingston, Battersea, Cloyne, Sydenham

Back to the broader travel overview: Frontenac County.