Join us for the Hike Ontario Summit!
Celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Rideau Trail Association in person with fellow hiking enthusiasts.
Dates: September 25-27, 2026
Theme: Success through Adaptation, Sharing and Cooperation
Location: Westport, Ontario
Westport, Ontario is a small, picturesque village known for its relaxed pace, scenic waterfront setting, and strong sense of community. Nestled along the shores of Upper Rideau Lake and connected to the historic Rideau Canal system, it offers plenty of opportunities for lakeside relaxation and activities. Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to nearby hiking trails and sweeping views over the Rideau Waterway. The village itself features charming local shops, cafés, art galleries, and seasonal markets, giving it a welcoming small-town feel that blends tourism with everyday rural life.
Hosted by:
General Outline
Friday, September 25
The weekend will begin on Friday, September 25 with a casual (pay as you go) Meet & Greet at The Cove Country Inn. Come at 6 p.m. and select your refreshments and meet other hike enthusiasts.
Saturday, September 26
Plenary Sessions
Westport United Church (27 Spring St, Westport, ON K0G 1X0)
09:15–09:55: Registration and Coffee/Treats
10:00–10:30: Welcome to the Summit, (Hike ON, hosts, local officials plus Land Acknowledgment)
10:35–10:45: Short presentation on Rideau Trail Association
10:50–11:10: Short presentation on Green Trails ON
11:15–12:00: Hike Ontario Annual Meeting
12:00–12:45: Lunch at The Cove Inn
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions have been organized into functional group areas and will discuss/present subjects chosen with inputs from clubs. This is a great opportunity to help your club gain information to help improve its success. Expect three separate topics in each breakout session. More details will be published once feedback has been received from member clubs.
1:00-3:45 PM:
Association/Club Management – located in Westport United Church
Activity Planning and Conduct – located in Rosie Yumski’s (Conf Rm), 1 Bedford St
Trail Management – located in The Cove Inn (Conference Room), 2 Bedford St
Summit Dinner
The Oktoberfest themed BBQ/Picnic will be held at the North Crosby community Centre, 875 Concession Rd 8, Westport, ON K0G 1N0.
We will gather at that location following the completion of the breakout sessions. Come out and enjoy Oktoberfest sausages, spätzle, potato salad, and more. The event will be finished with a guest speaker presentation while attendees enjoy a variety of desserts.
Sunday, September 27
There will be four hikes, some with ceremonies, on offer.
- Foley Mountain. Hike and Ceremony at the site where the Rideau Trail was officially opened in Nov 1971.
- Frontenac Provincial Park, Little Slide Lake. Hike this lovely 13 km loop that was one of the first RTA side loops.
- Gould Lake. Hike and Ceremony. Dedication of Tom Dixon trail. (still awaiting blessing from CRCA for the dedication portion)
- New side route through Westport.
More details (including timings, distance, and rated degree of difficulty) will be provided on all of these options as Hike Leader planning is finalized.
Accommodations and Lodgings
The Summit will be taking place within prime tourist season, so accommodations should be booked early. In addition to Westport, the town of Newboro is quite close; with the cities Perth and Kingston located not too far away.
In order to assist with accommodations, local RTA members and hiking supporters are offering to billet Summit attendees for the Summit period. Vacancies are limited. If interested contact Randal Goodfellow by email at rrgoodfellow@gmail.com and he can provide information on availability options.
The Cove Inn is offering a special overnight deal for the weekend which may be the nights of Friday, September 25, Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27. If people wish to make reservations, they can call 613-273-3636 and make sure that they make it known they are with the Hike Ontario Summit. We will hold this deal until June 1, 2026!
For more information on hotels, motels, B&B and camping information, the following websites are helpful:
- Cove Country Inn — see also “Other Accommodations in Westport & Area”
- Places to stay in Newboro (8.5 km from Westport) are Stirling Lodge and The Poplars Resort
- Sunnyside Campground
- Sand Lake Campground and Cottages
Use your favourite travel site to check Perth and Kingston options.
We look forward to seeing, and talking, with you there.
Attendance Costs
Summit (including coffee, AGM and lunch) - $20 per person
BBQ/Picnic - $30 per person
Registration
Please register by 18 Sep 26 on Eventbrite:
Hike Ontario Summit 2026 Registration
Download and share the Hike Ontario Summit 2026 information document (PDF).