The trail, which is on unceded Algonquin territory, is an easy walk with a round trip length of four kilometres, taking about 1.5 hours to complete.

Follow the map markers on the reverse side of this pamphlet as they highlight features along the trail that were either influenced by or important in the construction of the Rideau Canal, which is the oldest continuously operated canal in North America.

Please be sure not to disturb plants and wildlife you may encounter.

• Download the Tip to Tip tour.
• Follow along on Google Maps.

This 1.5 to 2 hour tour is intended to be taken by watercraft and involves mostly light work if paddling, plus some portaging. In places, there is some challenging paddling if you choose it, which is highlighted in the tour text. Because of the presence of the Parks Canada dam, the island cannot be circumnavigated on water so parts of the tour will involve backtracking the same stretch of water on both the canal side and the river side. Take advantage and see both shores of the canal and river sides! Please be sure to follow all safety instructions, particularly around the dam and at the lock station. Also, please be careful to not land on private property.

Stops 1a & 1b are on foot and intended to give a perspective view on the 2km long island that you will be boating.

• Download the Historic Canal & Rideau River Tour.
• Follow along on Google Maps.

The Burritt family not only founded the village of Burritt’s Rapids, but made a significant contribution to its development.

The Burritt family originally made its way from Glamorganshire, Wales, in 1640, before heading to Connecticut settlement, and then Vermont, in the American colonies. By the time of the American Revolution (1776-1783) the family was well established in the soon-to-be United States. Their loyalty to Britain, however, would soon strain this relationship and send the family on a new course.

This 60 minute walking tour will explore both the history of the Burritt family and their role in the founding and development of Burritt’s Rapids.

• Download the Burritt Family Tour.
• Follow along on Google Maps.

Stephen Burritt, his wife Martha (Stephens) and brothers Daniel and Edmund came to this area in early 1793. Stephen was granted land in the hamlet now known as Burritt’s Rapids, and with the construction of the canal in 1827-1831 the land was “sub-divided” and subsequently the “island” became the heart of a thriving community.

By the mid-19th century the hamlet boasted several mills, a tailor shop, hat shop, two shoe stores, a bank, post office, two hotels and even a resident doctor. Unfortunately, once river traffic was superseded by the railroad, which by-passed the community, commerce declined and the hamlet was left in peace. Old photos show Grenville St. has not changed too much in 200 or so years - the shops have gone, but the structures have been carefully retained as private homes.

This tour will take approximately 45 minutes at a leisurely stroll. As stops 21 and 23 are more distant, driving may be preferred.

• Download the Architecture Tour.
• Follow along on Google Maps.

A community for over 225 years, Burritt’s Rapids has had a long history of gardens—even appearing in the Canadian Gardening magazine in the 1990s. Do you ever wonder what plants were common in the area throughout this time?

According to some texts, lilacs, hydrangea, irises, daffodils, hyacinths, roses, peonies and daylilies were all common in Ontario gardens in the 19th century. While we don’t know exactly what varieties were grown in Burritt’s Rapids, these classic 19th century plants are still abundant in private gardens around the village today.

In 2005, planning began for the creation of a special public garden, to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Rideau Canal by Burritt’s Rapids’ “Village Greening” group. If you know gardeners, over time their flower beds tend to slowly grow in number and size. So too have the public gardens here!

This walking tour is a short showcase of some of the stories of the gardens here and will take 15-30 minutes.

• Download the Public Gardens Tour.
• Follow along on Google Maps.

The Brown Sign Tour will walk you step by step through significant landmarks and buildings with timelines. Explore the history of businesses, families, tragedies, and interesting facts about how Burritt's Rapids came to be the welcoming, tight-knit community it is today. The tour will take approximately an hour to complete.

• Download the Historic Brown Signs Tour here.
• Follow along on Google Maps here.