Hiking in Combermere Park: trails, map and practical info

Combermere Park is a small community park located in the village of Combermere, in the Ottawa and Countryside region of Ontario. It sits within the broader landscape of Renfrew County, where the Madawaska River valley shapes the terrain and gives the area its distinct rural character. The park serves as a local green space that connects visitors to the natural setting of this quiet village tucked between lakes and forested hills.

The Setting

Combermere itself is a small village that sits at the junction of Highway 62 and Highway 517, surrounded by the kind of mixed-forest and lake country that defines this part of Ontario. The park reflects that environment — it's a place where the outdoors feels immediate and unhurried. The Madawaska River runs through the broader area, and the landscape around Combermere is defined by Canadian Shield geology: exposed rock, mixed boreal and deciduous forest, and a network of lakes that draw cottagers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the warmer months.

The village has a long history as a rural community in Renfrew County, and the park is woven into that local fabric. It's the kind of spot that locals know well and visitors discover when they're exploring the back roads between Bancroft and Barry's Bay.

What to Expect on the Trail

Combermere Park offers a low-key outdoor experience suited to casual walkers, families, and anyone looking to stretch their legs in a natural setting without committing to a full-day backcountry adventure. The terrain here is gentle and accessible, making it a good option for visitors of all ages and fitness levels.

The park's surroundings feature the mixed woodland typical of this part of the Ottawa Valley — a blend of white pine, birch, maple, and spruce that shifts with the seasons. In spring, the forest floor comes alive with early wildflowers. By summer, the canopy fills in and provides shade along the paths. Fall brings some of the most striking colour in the region, with the hardwoods turning before the conifers hold their green through the colder months.

Getting There

Combermere is accessible by car via Highway 62, which runs north from Bancroft or south from Barry's Bay. The village is small and easy to navigate. Parking in the area is straightforward given the rural scale of the community.

The Broader Area

One of the real draws of visiting Combermere Park is what surrounds it. The Ottawa and Countryside region offers a dense network of outdoor opportunities within a short drive. Renfrew County is home to Algonquin Provincial Park to the northwest, and the Madawaska Highlands to the south and east. Paddlers, hikers, and cyclists all find reasons to spend time in this corridor.

The village of Combermere itself has a few local services — enough to make it a convenient stop on a longer road trip through the region. The Madonna House community, a well-known Catholic lay apostolate founded in Combermere, adds a layer of cultural and historical interest to the area for those curious about the village's story beyond its natural setting.

Good to Know

• Location: Combermere, Ontario, in the Ottawa and Countryside region
• Terrain: Gentle, accessible, suited to casual walkers and families
• Best seasons: Spring through fall for trail use; the fall foliage in this part of Ontario is particularly strong
• Access: Via Highway 62 through the village of Combermere
• Nearby: Madawaska River, Renfrew County back roads, Algonquin Provincial Park corridor

Combermere Park is the kind of place that works well as part of a larger day out in Renfrew County — a quiet stop in a village that punches above its size when it comes to natural surroundings and local character.