Categories: Travel

This Ontario lookout offers panoramic views of a village & historic waterway

Photo via Lynda McFaul on Shutterstock

Soak it all in! Ontario is blessed with scenic lookout points offering just a glimpse of its natural beauty. If you too are in search of stunning sights, Foley Mountain Conservation Area is the place to be. It offers a spectacular view of a local village and historic waterway.

It’ll take you about a three and a half hour drive east of Toronto. Head just north of Kingston, and you’ll find Foley Mountain Conservation Area. Here you can explore 325 hectares of forest, enjoy a picnic and rest area, go down a hiking trail, and more.

The main attraction, however, is its scenic lookout high above the town of Westport, aka Spy Rock scenic lookout.

How to get to Spy Rock scenic lookout

In order to access the mountain lookout, you’ll need to head on a hike along Blue Circle Trail. This is the longest trek out of the seven trails available at 3.2 km long.

According to the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, standing on top of the granite ridge, you can see the historic Upper Rideau waterway and the Village of Westport. This ridge is Foley Mountain.

Per Rideau Lakes, this view came to be when a “meteor slammed into the planet a few kilometers to the southwest.”

“The impact caused a massive earthquake, causing the earth of Foley Mountain to fall away 100 meters, creating the abrupt, high cliff with its spectacular panoramic view,” they add.

There are picnic areas nearby so you can enjoy a meal with a view. In total, there are about 10 km of hiking trails for you to explore.

Fees

To enter Foley Mountain Conservation Area, there is a $10 CAD day pass fee, which can be purchased on-site with cash or credit cards, through their online website, using the app, or over the phone.

The area is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Plan your next trip and embrace the outdoors this season!