Hiking at Calabogie Peaks Resort: trails and lookouts

The main trail: Manitou Mountain

According to the Township of Greater Madawaska, the Manitou Mountain Trail is a 9 km hiking and snowshoeing trail of medium difficulty. It leads to three lookouts: Eagles Nest, Manitou Mountain and Red Arrow Rock. The official trail map shows the main corridor running between the parking lot at 342 Barrett Chute Road and the one at 6573 Calabogie Road, with Eagles Nest Lookout near that second access.

Eagles Nest from Calabogie Road

On the official map, the Little Pine Path links the parking lot at 6573 Calabogie Road (Highway 508) to Eagles Nest Lookout, at the west end of the trail. The township asks visitors to park in the lot near the trailhead: parking along Highway 508 is prohibited and subject to tickets and towing. Contributions can be made toward the upkeep of the trails, the parking lot and the bathroom facilities.

Trails around the resort

The Bear Claw Trail is a 2.5 km self-guided interpretive hike of easy difficulty through hardwood forest, according to Ontario Nature Trails. The Lost Valley Trail is a loop of about 4 km, of medium difficulty: it climbs to Juniper Ridge Lookout, with a panoramic view of Calabogie Lake, then passes rock outcroppings, small ponds and old white pines. The same source places the trailhead behind Dickson Manor, at the resort. The official map also names the Skywalk Trail and the Skywalk Loop, as well as the Calabogie Lake Lookout.

Access and parking

The Manitou Trail parking lot at 342 Barrett Chute Road uses the HONK pay-to-park system; the township asks visitors not to park on Barrett Chute Road. The rate is not published on the township page, and annual permits are sold at the municipal office. The resort itself says parking is available in designated areas.

Beyond hiking

The resort offers scenic chairlift rides to the summit, with views of the Ottawa Valley, in the fall. It also runs a beach (weekends in May and June, daily in July and August, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) with no lifeguards: swimming is at your own risk. Dogs must be leashed there. The township and resort pages about the trail do not mention a rule for dogs.