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The
Ice Covered Bluffs
Photo Don Chisholm |
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Prince Edward County is a little
slice of heaven tucked out of harms way just below the 401.
It's located between Montreal and Toronto, east of Kingston
and directly south of Belleville. This just barely connected
peninsula is separated from the mainland by an intricate network
of bays and reaches.
Photographers and
naturalists will find this to be one of
Ontario's finest areas to explore. The
isle juts out into Lake Ontario making it
the first landfall across from the the
American shore. Travel weary migrants (of
the feathered variety) make good use of
this to reduce their flight time over
water. You'll find hundreds of birds
species using the beaches, bays and
points as recovery and staging areas
during migration. The isles winding
shoreline, extensive sand dunes, bluffs
and escarpment, provide habitat for a
diverse range of flora and fauna.
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| Getting Here:
If your driving from Montreal take the 20 west (or the 40 west, then
the 540 south to pick up the 20). Just above Napanee take exit 566
then follow the 49 south. From Ottawa take the 416 south to Prescott,
then head west and pick up the 49 south as above. From Toronto take
the 401 east and take the 33 south from Trenton, exit 522. If your
driving from the U.S. cross the international bridge north of Syracuse
near Alexandria and pick up the 401 west. If your coming from western
New York, head west at Buffalo to one of the border crossings in the
Niagara area and take the QEW to the 427 north then pick up the 401
eastbound.
Note:
Prince Edward County is referred to by several
different names. Quinte's Isle, Quinte and PEC
are all used.
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| Prince
Edward County has three
provincial parks. Sandbanks is
well know for its popular beaches
and camping. North Beach is also
a popular swimming area. |
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| The
Dunes of Sandbanks |
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| The
mysterious Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park
is another day with an interesting natural
feature, which perplexed area residents for
years. See if you can solve the mystery. |
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Prince
Edward County
Conservation Authority is
in charge of the isles
fourteen conservation
areas. These areas offer
some excellent birding
opportunities and a
chance to explore the
isles varied flora. While
nature observation and
hiking are the most
popular activities in
these areas, there is
also excellent mountain
biking and cross country
skiing. Macauley Mountain
has 11km of intermediate
and expert MTB trails.
You'll also find great
tobogganing here, but
watch out, it's a very
steep run. |
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| Birders
will be please by the wealth of observation areas
available to them. One of the finest birding
areas in Ontario during migration is located at
the southeastern tip of the isle at Prince Edward
Point National Wildlife Area. The beaches of
Sandbanks and the the bluffs in the conservation
areas are just a few of the other opportunities. If you want to do some road
biking, Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce
and Tourism has outlined six different bicycle
tours. Free pamphlets are available from the
tourism office.
Prince Edward
County is developing a solid reputation for its
diving as well. There are a number of shipwrecks
in the area and some, may yet lay, undiscovered.
There is a local charter available.
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| Quinte's
Isle in the Spring |
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At
the heart of Quinte's
Isle lies the quaint town
of Picton, a picturesque
country town with much of
a big cities amenities.
You'll find most
everything you'll need
here. Fine restaurants
and excellent
accommodations (we highly
recommend the isles
comfortable B&Bs) are
available here and
throughout the peninsula. Picton
has very good theatre
which you just might want
to take in. There are
also a number of museums
and historic sites in the
region worth seeking out.
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| Before
you leave you should make a point of sampling
some of the local wineries offerings, then stop
in to visit the Black River Cheese Factory to
pick up some of their excellent cheddar. You
should also take advantage of the great deal on
fresh mushrooms from the Highline Mushroom Farm
just outside Wellington. We did! |
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Visiting
from outside Ontario
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Visiting
from outside Canada
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