There are few better ways to get to know a place than by tracing its food and drink back to the source.
By Maddie Johnson
In the Ottawa Valley, I was surprised to find those paths often led straight to an orchard. Curious to learn more, I packed up the van and headed east to follow the Ottawa Region Cider Trail and find out where it might take me.
After a long drive, I like to get out and stretch my legs. Bonnechere Caves, near Eganville, came highly recommended, so I thought it would be a natural start to the trip. The guided tour winds through limestone passages carved by an ancient sea, where coral and fossils are still visible in the rock—a unique and interesting introduction to the region before heading further into the Valley in search of something to quench my thirst.
Fortunately, Brooker’s Cider is just up the road. The family-run cidery just outside Douglas was actually born from a chance discovery. When Craig Brooker and his wife moved to their 100-acre property about eight years ago, they found it overflowing with wild apple trees and decided to put them to use.
“It felt wrong not to use what the land was giving us,” says Brooker.
His bottles are truly wildcrafted—fermented with natural yeasts, unfiltered, and bottled with nothing more than a touch of honey to condition. Each new batch takes on a life of its own. “Every season, every bottle is unique,” he says. “It’s the land speaking for itself.”
From there, the road winds into Calabogie, a small town with plenty of character. In search of dinner, I was told that Redneck Bistro is a local favourite for its generous portions and lively, casual atmosphere, while On the Rocks offers a more elevated waterfront dining experience with sunset views over the lake.
If you want to stretch your legs before dinner, the Eagle’s Next Lookout hike is one of the area’s most popular trails, a short but rewarding climb to sweeping views of the Madawaska Highlands.
For overnight, Somewhere Inn Calabogie is a destination in itself. The boutique property blends Scandinavian-inspired simplicity with rustic valley charm. “People often tell us, ‘we’d never even heard of Calabogie before, but we saw you on Instagram and decided to come,’” says Meghan James, the inn’s general manager. “When they get here, they quickly learn how much of a community it really is.”
The next morning, I walked across the road for a quick swim at the beach, then warmed up with the inn’s sauna and cold plunge before getting back on the trail.
Leaving Calabogie behind, the backroads lead through Burnstown, where Neat Cafe has turned a converted schoolhouse into one of the Valley’s most beloved stops. Known for wood-fired pizzas and live music, it’s the kind of place where locals and visitors mingle daily, with mismatched tables and a small stage tucked against the wall. A midday bite here pairs perfectly with the next stop: another orchard.
Just outside of Pakenham, Farmgate Cider is a great example of how family and craft can intertwine. Three generations of the Davies family run the business on their 100-acre farm, where a love of fruit trees turned into years of experimenting with ways to use the harvest.
“Pretty soon we had more apples than we knew what to do with, so fermenting them felt like a natural next step,” says Meaghan Davies, who manages the farm’s events and marketing.
Farmgate’s ciders lean dry and European in style, sometimes softened with a touch of maple syrup or honey. The labels feature Brenda Davies’ oil paintings, while the barn-turned-cidery has become a gathering place for concerts and workshops.
“We all bring a piece of ourselves to Farmgate,” Meaghan says. “It’s what makes it feel so alive.”
Between tastings, the Valley makes it easy to slow down and explore all the nature around you. An afternoon paddle with Ottawa Valley Canoe & Kayak offers a chance to drift along the calm, pine-framed river, while hikers might prefer Blakeney Park & Rapids, where short trails and boardwalks wind along the Mississippi River with views of rushing rapids.
Either way, it’s a good reminder of how central nature is to the Valley, with plenty of outdoor activities always close by—and a welcome break between tastings.
Back on the road, Saunders Farm brings a different kind of energy. Long known for its festivals and family-run events, the farm purchased Flying Canoe Cider in 2021 and established Macintosh Cider House, choosing to centre their production around the region’s own Macintosh apple—a rarity in cidermaking. Partnering with an orchard in Dundela, where John Macintosh first cultivated the now-iconic variety hundreds of years ago, keeps that heritage alive.
“Macintosh apples are at the heart of what we do,” cider-maker Graham Cuthbertson says. “At minimum, they make up 51 percent of every can, often more.” Rather than leaning old-world, Saunders creates approachable, ready-to-drink ciders and isn’t afraid to experiment.
“For me, cider is about colouring outside the lines,” Graham says. “Our guests want that playfulness.”
To round out the trail, head to Calabogie Brewing’s Kanata taproom for dinner, where hearty pub fare pairs easily with a flight of beer or cider. The brewery recently brought Ernest Cider under its wing, bringing another layer of local craft to the table. Ernest has always kept its approach simple and honest, 100% Ontario apples, a touch of local honey, and nothing artificial.
It’s a fitting finale for the Ottawa Region Cider Trial—a collaboration that shows how the Valley’s craft continues to grow and evolve. This trip was a reminder to me that cider is never just one thing. With so many styles and stories to discover, I can’t wait to keep following the trail across Ontario to see what else is out there.
Images courtesy (Farmgate Cider) Krystal Dalby Photography, Rothbauer Studio, Lauren McCormick Photography; Brooker’s Cider; Ernest Cider; Saunders Cider Co; (Somehere Inn Calabogie) BMJ Design, Maddie Johnson, Ottawa Valley Tourism