Gourmet Picnic Lunch
Visit a waterfall, jump from cliffs into deep waters or explore a secluded island on the French River, then dry off in the luscious sunshine while getting caught up on your summer reading list. Afterwards, as you search for the perfect picnic spot, pick a handful of blueberries (in July and August) or even a few bright red wintergreen berries to add to your gourmet picnic lunch, prepared by the Lodge at Pine Cove's chef.
You have several scrumptious meals to choose from: The Voyageur, The Paddler or The French. Your picnic lunch will be packed in an insulated hamper and comes complete with a blanket, dishes and cutlery. You provide the adventure or romance; the view is free. After your meal, soak up the sun, continue exploring or simply continuing reading your favourite novel.
We offer several options for your picnicking pleasure:
1) Picnic by Person Power - You can order one of our gourmet picnic lunches and take it with you to eat in your cottage, on the shores of Moira's Pond or another location that you can reach under your own power whether by hiking, by car or by canoe or kayak.
2) Picnic by Launch - You can order one of our gourmet picnic lunches and hire our Water Taxi. You will be dropped off at and picked up from one of three locations on the river: Doctor's Island, Little Pine Rapids or Five Finger Rapids.
3) Picnic by Combo - You can order one of our gourmet picnic lunches, rent a canoe or kayak (or use your own) and paddle to one of the Water Taxi's pickup spots. You and your boats can return by Water Taxi in the afternoon.
4) Picnic on Your Private Island - For special occasions and to really escape the madding crowd, you can order one of our gourmet picnic lunches and be dropped off and picked up by our Water Taxi at a secluded island.
Duration: the Water Taxi leaves the Lodge at 11:30am and 4:30pm, and picks up at about 5pm as long as there are three or more passengers.
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Hiking
The French River area surrounding the Lodge at Pine Cove offers a number of hiking opportunities.
Moira's Pond
This trail begins at the bridge at the Lodge at Pine Cove. Look for the signs. It's a great route to help you warm up your hiking legs, and for children and adults alike to explore the French River's landscape.
After crossing a clearing behind Bob's cottage, the trail climbs a small hill and enters a typical mixed white pine, red pine, oak and poplar forest. As you make your way, you may notice a small area dominated by enormous up-rooted trees. They came down in a brief but ferocious tornado in 2006. There are plenty of acorns in this area, especially in the fall. Feel free to take one home, but don't pocket too many since these small nuts are a prime source of food for a number of forest animals including squirrels.
The trail goes gradually downhill and the forest becomes more dense as the white pines increase in size and spruce trees appear. You might note that spruce trees have short needles, whereas pines have long ones. Red pines have two, 3-inch-long needles that are contained in a bundle, while white pines have five needles of a similar length per bundle. I remember this because "white" has five letters.
Just before you reach the pond you'll be enveloped in cedar trees. At this point, you will begin your loop around the lake. You can follow the loop in either direction. As you follow this trail, you'll notice that rock cairns mark the trail. We encourage you to add a rock to these cairns.
Moira's is a beaver pond. At its south end, look for the double dam. This form of construction provides beavers with extra protection in case the main dam breaks. Castor Canadensis is known as a keystone species due to its practice of damming rivers, which creates vast areas of wetlands that are essential to other aquatic species.
From Moira's Pond's rocky banks, you may see the beavers at work. In 2011, at least three members of this iconic Canadian species made the pond their home. Look for the beaver lodge and listen for the loud smack of a beaver's tail. It is often said that this characteristic practice is meant to warn other beavers that there is danger about, but having observed the beavers in this particular pond, I'm convinced that it is intended to scare humans away. Despite this habit, the beavers don't mind if you swim in the pond's clear warm water, picnic, pick blueberries (in July and August) and watch these hard workers. Otters and snapping turtles also live in Moira's Pond.
As you circumnavigate the large pond, the forest opens up in areas. Small rugged jack pines become evident on the massive pink granite rocks. This landscape is typical of much of the Canadian Shield. One of the special features of the jack pine is that these trees require heat (fire) for their cones to open and their seeds to be released. The rocks are also covered in mounds of grey lichens, small plants made of algae and fungus that do not require soil to grow. These hardy plants are also found hanging from evergreen trees. You'll find plenty of pinecones as you explore, so you might want to add one to your collection of gifts from the forest.
Soon, you'll come to the French River's North Channel. You can leave the trail here and scramble along the river's rocky shore. There are lots of great spots where you can dive or slide into the river for a swim, stop for a lunch or simply sit and watch the birdlife with your feet dangling in the flowing water. If you are lucky, the bald eagle that has an enormous nest further up the river may pass by, or a smaller osprey (also known as a water eagle) could soar overhead riding the thermals. If you want to add to your collection of forest gifts, why not choose a small smooth stone, but keep your eye open for a feather. You may just get lucky and find one of these precious items. Lore has it that if you find a feather, it brings good luck.
Either way you circumnavigate Moira's Pond, you will return to the main path in an eerily spooky spot amid dark cedar trees.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Note: While we encourage you to pick up acorns, pinecones and rocks, it's best to leave the flowers and leaves alone. We encourage you to remember to take your gifts from the forest home with you (and not leave them in your cottage).
Clear Lake
When you drive into the Lodge at Pine Cove and French River Adventures, you pass by Clear Lake. But to really appreciate this small beauty, it's best to walk to it. This hike follows "Highway" 528a and is a good workout as it climbs a set of rolling hills. You can extend your hike by taking a path that runs down the south side of the lake. If you follow the route early in the day or late in the evening, you are likely to see red fox, moose, ruffed grouse or other wildlife. The sun sets over Clear Lake making it a great stroll after dinner, depending on the season.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Mashkinonje Provincial Park
A 25-minute drive by car from the Lodge, Mashkinonje Provincial Park (pronounced mas-kin-onj) offers 35 kilometres of marked hiking trails. (To get there, use the map available at www.mashkinonje.com/map.html.)
Considered a wetland park since wetlands comprise one-third of it, this 2000-hectare area has lichens, liverworts, ferns and other plants seldom seen by hikers. You can view Lake Nipissing's West Arm, discover beaver ponds and warm yourself on rocky outcrops.
In all, Mashkinonje has 10 trails, ranging from the easy Loudon Peatland Trail to the rugged Coastal Trail. The first half kilometre of the Loudon Peatlands Trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Visit www.mashkinonje.com for more information about the park and view the newsletter section for the latest information. We sell trail maps and encourage you to consider canoeing or kayaking in the lake and getting out to hike the trails.
On your way back to the Lodge at Pine Cove, consider picking up some delicious elk sausage at Buechli's Elk Farm just southwest of North Monetville on Highway 64.
Duration: It takes about 25 minutes by car to reach Mashkinonje Provincial Park. You can hike as long as you'd like.
Difficulty: The trails range from easy to rugged.
Recollet Falls and the French River Visitor's Centre
The French River Visitor's Centre on Highway 69 is about a 40-minute drive from the Lodge at Pine Cove. Recollet Falls is at the end of an easy to moderate, 1.5-kilometre-long trail that leaves from the Visitor's Centre, so a nice combination is to visit the centre and complete this 40-minute hike (there and back). There is also a lovely suspension bridge over the French River that will give you a great view of this historic waterway.
The beautiful waterfall was one of the obstacles encountered by voyageurs who used the French River as a main waterway for trading furs and other goods from the early 1600s to the early 1800s. Stop at the falls and try to imagine these brave adventurers clad in their traditional woolen caps and ceinture fléchée or woolen sashes who carried their huge boats and thick stacks of beaver belts around the falls. According to historian Toni Harting, artifacts discovered at the site indicate that the unlucky travellers who were sucked over the falls by the strong current did not survive to tell the tale.
Look for modern-day canoeists who wisely portage their canoes along the boardwalk that passes by the falls on this popular paddling route.
Before setting out on your hike, check out the French River Visitor's Centre. It will provide you with detailed historical information about the French River - the first river to be named a Canadian Heritage River. (Visit www.chrs.ca for more information about The Canadian Heritage Rivers System.)
Killarney Provincial Park
Killarney Provincial Park is a 90-minute drive from the Lodge at Pine Cove. For information about Killarney's four hiking trails that range in length from the Granite Ridge Trail, a one-hour easy route, to the 100-kilometre-long strenuous La Clouche Silhouette Trail that takes up to ten days to complete, visit www.ontarioparks.com.
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Guided Trips by Canoe/Kayak
The French River offers wonderful paddling opportunities. To take advantage of our knowledge of the river or if you are not an experienced canoeist or kayaker, you can hire one of our guides to accompany you for an hour, half-day or full-day outing. To make arrangements to have a guide help you and/or your family explore the river in this way, please contact
info@frenchriveradventures.com at least a day in advance of your journey. We will design an excursion that suits your interests and paddling expertise. You might see beaver dams, an eagle's nest, soaring osprey or even white-tailed deer from your boat. You can stop to pick blueberries or cranberries in our favourite berry locations or to go for a swim in the river's warm water.
Duration: by the hour, half day or day.
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Guided Trips by Motor Launch
Another wonderful way to see the French River is by motor launch. Our motor launch offers comfortable seating and can be hired by the hour, or half day.
To make arrangements to have a guide help you and/or your family explore the river by motor launch, please contact info@frenchriveradventures.com at least a day in advance of your journey.
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Self-Guided Trips by Canoe/Kayak
We invite you to take advantage of our knowledge of the French River. Whether you rent canoes or kayaks from French River Adventures or use your own boats, we are pleased to suggest paddling routes that fit your time available and paddling skill. We are happy to share information about our favourite picnic spots, berry-picking sites, beaver dam locations, rapids and other destinations. We can give you a hand-drawn map of our favourite self-guided routes or sell you an excellent map of the French River that will provide you with the detailed information you need to explore the river beyond our suggested routes. These excellent, laminated maps cost $18 each (a percentage of which goes to the Friends of the French River).
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René's Cruises
Climb aboard René Lahaie's comfortable pontoon boat and it's surprisingly easy to imagine that you are in a Montreal or Voyageur canoe that is filled with beaver pelts en route between Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes, and the Ottawa River. René will regale you with his anecdotal stories about the French River while helping you better understand its important place in Canadian history.
For details about René's Cruises and to book a spot, visit www.frenchrivercruise.com or ask us to book the cruise for you.
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First Nation Adventures
In cooperation with the Dokis First Nation, French River Adventures offers a number of programs that are operated by this Ojibwe First Nation.
Pa-Pa-Se Fishing and Ceremonial Lodge
Pa-Pa-Se (woodpecker) will teach you everything you want to know about local fish including how to find them, prepare, cook and, of course, eat them. You are also invited to visit the Dokis First Nation Ceremonial Lodge.
Spirits of the Forest Hike
Pa-Pa-Se will take you and your family on a guided hike that explores the forest and its native medicinal plants. Offered between late July and October, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com to make arrangements. Learn why the Pa-Pa-Se is the most important creature in the forest.
Paddle to the Pow-Wow
You may want to join us at a Pow-Wow celebrated by the Dokis First Nation over the July 1st long weekend. If numbers allow, we plan to paddle the Lodge's 36-foot replica Montreal canoe (capacity for 20) to the Pow-Wow. It will take us about 2½ hours to paddle to the Pow-Wow. We will return to the Lodge at Pine Cove by Water Taxi. Details to come.
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Fishing
A warm-water fishery, the French River around the Lodge at Pine Cove is rich with pike, walleye, bass and muskie. Pros and amateurs alike have been known to catch some fine specimens. To increase your chances of catching one or more fish, we suggest that you hire our master guide Ron Bellan to show you the river. He also prepares a delicious shore lunch.
You can hire a guide, canoe or kayak or, if you are a guest at the Lodge at Pine Cove, use our ramp to launch your own boat or rent one of our small motorized fishing boats. Lodge guests are welcome to fish from shore, a practice that can also be very rewarding, especially within Pine Cove.
Fishing is a great way to get to know the French River and it may provide you with a delicious meal too.
We can provide you with information about fish-possession and size limitations. Please consider fishing with barbless hooks, and practicing catch and release. Only keep the fish you plan to eat so that our fish populations remain healthy. As we do not issue fishing licenses, please be sure to pick one up before you arrive. To make arrangements to rent a fishing boat and/or a guide, please contact info@frenchriveradventures.com at least a day in advance of your journey.
Fly Fishing
Whether you are a seasoned fly fisher or new to the sport, you will revel in what the French River and its tributaries have to offer. You can fish in the quiet river, try your hand in nearby rapids, visit a lake or drift fish. All are possible and can be easily accessed from French River Adventures and the Lodge at Pine Cove. Think of a two-pound small mouth bass on your line. That's excitement.
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Water Taxi
Our Water Taxi makes a standard run twice daily as long as we have a minimum of three (3) passengers.
It leaves the Lodge at Pine Cove's main dock at 11:30am and 4:30pm, travelling to three locations on the river (Doctor's Island, Little Pine Rapids and Five Finger Rapids).
Pick ups at these locations range between 5:00 and 5:30pm. Bookings for the Water Taxi are best made by 4pm a day in advance.
We offer limited Water Taxi services on Wednesdays.
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Montreal (Voyageur) Canoe
French River Adventures has a 36-foot-long Montreal Canoe that can be rented by groups for special occasions. With seating capacity for about 20, 18 of whom can paddle simultaneously, this great boat is rented with decorative wooden paddles. A reproduction of the actual canoes used by Canada's voyageurs, it has enormous capacity to hold gear, and when paddled by eight or more, it travels at twice the speed of a typical 16-foot canoe.
If you have a group of employees, paddlers, children or others who might benefit from the teamwork this canoe demands, you can rent this boat by the hour, half or full day.
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Suggested Clothing
The weather on the French River is fairly consistently warm during July and August. During May, June, September and October, however, temperatures can vary between very warm and quite cool. In the afternoons, there is often a breeze.
What to bring:
- Warm sweater
- Waterproof jacket and pants if you have them
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Appropriate footwear: running or hiking shoes for hiking, water sandals for kayaking or canoeing
- Camera and binoculars
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Optional: Bug jacket
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Workshops/Clinics
French River Adventures and the Lodge at Pine Cove host and/or organize a number of workshops or clinics each year.
In 2012, we have two workshops/clinics planned, including:
Creative Writing Workshop at the Lodge at Pine Cove
May 13 to 18, 2012
This May, spend five days on the banks of the historic French River in one of Ontario's most highly rated specialty lodges. (Visit Trip Advisor.) You will hone your skills working with some of Canada’s foremost writers and journalists in a landscape that will draw out your creativity. After a day spent focusing on fiction, non-fiction or memoir writing, enjoy a fine dinner accompanied by superb wine in the Lodge at Pine Cove's exquisite dining room. Share stories of the day with a small group of students and instructors before retiring to a deluxe cottage where you will nestle into the Lodge's luxurious beds and calling loons will lull you to sleep.
Join Leah McLaren, Globe and Mail columnist, long-fiction and screenwriting
Cecily Ross, Food in the Hills editor, non-fiction and memoir writing
Oakland Ross, Toronto Star feature writer, short-fiction and non-fiction writing
For more information on your instructors, the workshop and the Lodge at Pine Cove, visit The Lodge at Pine Cove and click on "Packages."
Black Feather Whitewater Canoe Clinic
May 25 to 27, 2012
This lodge-based, whitewater canoe clinic on the French River will teach you the basics of tandem whitewater canoeing for canoe tripping. By the
end of the weekend you will be ready to venture beyond placid lakes and streams to explore a wilderness river on your own, or with a canoe expedition.
Black Feather, one of Canada's premiere paddling adventure companies, will review basic paddling strokes, and explain how to adapt and use them in moving water. You will learn braces to steady the canoe in rough water, practice classic whitewater maneuvers such as eddy turns and ferries, and perform them in increasingly difficult conditions. You will receive instruction about how to read the river and plan a route through technical rapids, and you will practice self- and assisted-rescues. Though the clinic's focus is on the safe descent of rivers in a loaded tripping canoe, you will have the opportunity to experiment with more playful paddling styles. We invite paddlers with no whitewater paddling experience, and suggest that more seasoned canoeists will find the clinic a useful refresher.
Based from the Lodge at Pine Cove, the package includes 2 nights shared accommodation in luxurious beds in the Lodge at Pine Cove's delightful cottages, gourmet hamper breakfasts and a banquet dinner. The loon calls that will lull you to sleep are free.
For more information, visit www.blackfeather.com.
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Packages
Playtime at Five Finger Rapids
| Departure Time: |
11:15am |
| Return Time: |
5:00pm |
| Departure Location: |
Lodge at Pine Cove's Main Dock |
| Reservation: |
To reserve, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com before
4pm a day in advance. |
| Note: |
We will provide you with a detailed site map. |
Five Finger Rapids is the most popular destination from the Lodge at Pine Cove. Located on land owned by the Dokis First Nation, it is a lovely spot where rapids meet pristine ponds and jump-from cliffs complement a walking trail. You can swim, dive, picnic, read a book or simply breathe the fresh air. This magnificent spot will not disappoint. Your adventure begins as you board our Water Taxi at the main dock. During the 20-minute trip to Five Finger Rapids, we’ll entertain you with a brief introduction to the French River’s history of First Nations and fur traders. We will provide you with a gourmet picnic lunch prepared by the Lodge's chef. You have several menus to choose from. Once at Five Finger Rapids, you are on your own. You can make the short journey to the first set of rapids, drop off your lunch and begin to explore. Hike the trails, play in the rapids, swim in the pristine waters, jump from the canyon cliffs, visit the Little French River, read a book or lounge at your leisure. (Before diving from cliffs, always check water depths.)
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Paddle to a Pow Wow by Voyageur Canoe
| Date: |
Saturday, June 30, 2012 |
| Departure Time: |
TBA |
| Return Time: |
TBA |
| Departure Location: |
Lodge at Pine Cove's Main Dock |
| Level of Difficulty: |
No experience required |
| Reservation: |
To reserve, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com |
Please join us at a Pow-Wow celebrated by the Dokis First Nation on the French River. We have space for up to 20 people to paddle the Lodge's 36-foot replica Montreal canoe to the Pow-Wow. It will take us about 2½ hours to paddle there. We will return to the Lodge at Pine Cove by Water Taxi. Details to come.
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Explore Doctor's Island with a Gourmet Picnic Lunch
| Departure Time: |
11:15am |
| Return Time: |
5:00pm |
| Departure Location: |
Lodge at Pine Cove's Main Dock |
| Reservation: |
To reserve, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com before
4pm a day in advance. |
In July and early August, Doctor's Island is a favoured blueberry-picking spot, but there is a lot more to do on this large island. Explore the forest, warm yourself on the enormous granite rocks or sit on a cliff and watch the world go by. A bald eagle nests not far from Doctor's Island. See if you can tell the difference between this enormous bird and the smaller osprey or water eagle that may also soar overhead. You have several gourmet picnic lunch menus to choose from. So after a swim and having picked a handful of blueberries, it's time to lay out your blanket and discover what's inside your picnic hamper.
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Paddle, a Picnic and a whole lot of Pleasure
| Departure Time: |
various |
| Return Time: |
at your leisure |
| Departure Location: |
Bow Draw Café |
| Level of Difficulty: |
beginner to experienced |
| Reservation: |
To reserve, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com
before 4pm a day in advance. |
The French River in the lower part of Wolseley Bay and beyond is an archipelago of small islands, sandy beaches and even paddleable white water, if you are up for it on this unguided trip. Meet us at the Bow Draw Café and we will equip you with a canoe or kayak, and give you your gourmet picnic lunch as well as a map of the river that identifies some of our favourite spots. You will have the day to explore, swim, or simply hang out on your own deserted island. All you need is a camera, maybe a sketchbook, a great novel and some basic paddling skills.
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Your Island in the Sun
| Departure Time: |
11:15am |
| Return Time: |
5:00pm |
| Departure Location: |
Lodge at Pine Cove's Main Dock |
| Reservation: |
To reserve your Island in the Sun, contact
info@frenchriveradventures.com before 4pm
a day in advance. |
With a scrumptious picnic lunch prepared by the Lodge at Pine Cove's chef, you will climb aboard our Water Taxi at the Lodge's main dock. During the short trip to a secluded island, we will entertain you with a brief introduction to the French River’s history of voyageurs and fur traders. Once at your island, you are on your own. There are forests to explore, rocks to slide down into the French River’s warm water and a pair of hammocks ready for your reading or sleeping pleasure. As your appetites mount, find a shady location, lay out your picnic blanket and open up your lunch hamper. Inside you will discover a carefully crafted meal that will delight your taste buds. You have several menus to choose from. And if you take the trip in July or early August, you might augment your meal with some of the blueberries that grow wild throughout the region. After lunch, swim again, read a book or simply relax. We’ll be there to pick you up at about 5pm, giving you enough time to shower and have a cocktail before dinner.
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Morning Mist and Great Blue Herons on the Wolseley River (by kayak)
| Departure Time: |
6:15am |
| Return Time: |
11:00 am |
| Departure Location: |
Lodge at Pine Cove's Main Dock |
| Level of Difficulty: |
Medium, you need to be comfortable getting into and
out of a kayak |
| Reservation: |
To reserve, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com
at least two days in advance. |
This half-day, guided trip is especially suited for early birds and photographers who know that true peace only comes just after dawn. We will transport you along with a kayak to the top of Wolseley Bay, at the mouth of the Wolseley River, where hot coffee and tea await you. By 7am, we'll be in our kayaks and paddling the river complete with water lilies, pickerelweed and rushes. At this hour, birds, muskrats and the ever-busy beavers are at work and play. Expect to "portage" over a beaver dam or two before we reach the open water of this spectacular river. We will pull in to shore, enjoy a continental breakfast prepared by the Lodge's chef and watch the day begin before paddling back to Wolseley Bay. (At least four paddlers are needed for this trip to take place.)
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Full Moon Paddle
| Departure Time: |
varies |
| Return Time: |
1 hour later |
| Departure Location: |
Lodge at Pine Cove's Main Dock |
| Level of Difficulty: |
Medium to advanced, you need to be somewhat
comfortable paddling a canoe or kayak. |
| Reservation: |
To reserve, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com |
There is nothing quite like paddling on a mirror-calm lake under a full moon. So we invite you to try out this unique experience on this guided trip. With loons calling, we will follow the moon's glow and see stars dancing like diamonds on the river's surface. As mist rises from the cooling water, we will look out over the eerily lit granite landscape that surrounds the Lodge.
This summer, the moon will be full on June 4, July 3, August 1 & 31* and September 29. These trips will take place on or around these dates, clear weather permitting.
* This will be a famous "blue moon."
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Paddling Lessons
| Departure Time: |
varies |
| Return Time: |
45 minutes later |
| Departure Location: |
Bow Draw Café |
| Level of Difficulty: |
No experience required. |
| Reservation: |
To reserve, contact info@frenchriveradventures.com |
Beavers, maple syrup and canoeing are about as Canadian as Canada can be. But kayaks, used by Canada's Inuit shouldn't be forgotten either. If you have always wanted to paddle a canoe or kayak, but haven't had the opportunity, this is your chance. In the protected waters of Pine Cove, we will provide you with the basics of paddling and paddling safety. Depending on your aptitude, this lesson will be enough for you to continue using the Cove to practice or to get out on the river on your own. We provide the canoes or kayaks, paddles, personal floating devices and the paddling expertise.
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Multi-Day Lodge Based Paddling Adventures
3-Day Learn to Paddle Like a Canadian: Lodge-based Canoeing on the French River
Canoeing on Ontario's French River is about as Canadian as Canada gets. If you have ever dreamed of paddling one of these quintessentially Canadian boats, why not combine it with a stay at the luxurious Lodge at Pine Cove? You will enjoy fine dining, a soft bed in a private cottage, deluxe hamper breakfasts on your screened-in porch and a set of progressive canoeing lessons that will culminate in a half-day guided canoe trip. While you are not paddling, swim in the warm French River, hike, enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch or catch up on your summertime reading. And when the day is done, join us in the Lodge's fine dining room overlooking the river for a delicious three-course meal that will taste that much better after your day in the bow or stern of a red canoe.
Price: From $325*/person (weekday rate) or $345*/person (weekend rate)
*Don't be fooled by the price. Check Trip Advisor for what others say about the Lodge at Pine Cove. Prices based on double occupancy in a studio cottage at spring rates. Taxes and gratuities extra. Rates increase in high season.
Duration of trip: Two nights/Three days
Dates: from June to October, 2013
Included in the price:
- two nights accommodations in a luxurious private cottage at the Lodge at Pine Cove
- one three course dinner for two in the Lodge's spectacular dining room
- two deluxe hamper breakfasts for two served in your cottage with a view
- unlimited use of a canoe
- two 45-minute canoe lessons for two
- half-day guided canoeing trip
Options: Additional nights accommodations and meals are available
Information or to book: 705-898-2500 or info@frenchriveradventures.com
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3-Day Kraft Dinner No More: Lodge-based Kayaking on the French River
Tired of sleeping in a tent and eating Kraft Dinner? Your three-day stay at the luxurious Lodge at Pine Cove on the French River combines topnotch paddling with a sound night's sleep in a comfortable bed. Wake up to the call of loons as the warm water of Wolseley Bay laps at the rocks below your private cottage.
You'll be up early on Day Two. We meet the bus at 6:15am to drive a short distance to the mouth of the Wolseley River, where we'll climb into our kayaks for a trip into bird habitat on the peaceful river. Great blue herons, perhaps a bald eagle, sandhill cranes, ducks and beaver live nearby. We'll stop for hot coffee or tea and a hardy continental breakfast before heading back to the Lodge by 11am.
In the afternoon, you might paddle to a secluded spot, hike or read a book on your screened-in porch.
Enjoy a glass of wine before dinner in your cottage as the sun sets and then join us for a three-course dinner in the Lodge's exquisite dining room overlooking the French River.
On Day Three you might want to pamper yourself and sleep in a bit. Your day begins with breakfast delivered to your screened-in porch and perhaps a steaming cup of tea or coffee as you sit on the warm granite rocks on the water's edge.
Soon enough, you will climb into your kayak with a gourmet picnic lunch, a map of the French River Provincial Park and endless paddling opportunities. Play in the river's small rapids, perfect your strokes as you pass between deserted islands in waters that are refreshingly devoid of motorized boats. Stop for lunch, have a swim and then climb back aboard for the paddle back to the Lodge and home.
Price: From $365*/person (weekday rate) or $385*/person (weekend rate)
* Don't be fooled by the price. Check Trip Advisor for what others say about the Lodge at Pine Cove. Prices based on double occupancy in a studio cottage at spring rates. Taxes and gratuities extra. Rates increase in high season.
Duration of trip: Two nights/Three days
Dates: from June to October, 2013
Participants: Minimum two people
Included:
- two nights accommodations in a luxurious private cottage at the Lodge at Pine Cove
- one three course dinner for two in the Lodge's spectacular dining room
- one deluxe hamper breakfast for two served in your cottage with a view
- one ready-to-go gourmet picnic lunch for two
- unlimited use of two kayaks
- Guided half-day trip on the Wolseley River
Options:
Additional nights accommodations and meals are available
Our water taxi can be hired to shuttle kayaks
Paddling guides are available
Information or to book: 705-898-2500 or info@frenchriveradventures.com
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3-Day Kraft Dinner No More: Lodge-based Canoeing on the French River
Tired of sleeping in a tent and eating Kraft Dinner? Your three-day stay at the luxurious Lodge at Pine Cove on the French River combines topnotch flat-water and white-water paddling with a sound night's sleep in a comfortable bed. Wake up to the call of loons as the warm water of Wolseley Bay laps at the rocks below your private cottage. Your day begins with breakfast delivered to your screened-in porch. Soon enough, you will climb into one of the Lodge's canoes with a gourmet picnic lunch, a map of the French River Provincial Park and endless paddling opportunities. Practice your bow draw in the Rainy Rapids, perfect your J-stroke as you pass between deserted islands in waters that are refreshingly devoid of motorized boats. Stop for lunch, have a swim and then climb back aboard for the paddle back to the Lodge. After a hot shower massages your shoulder muscles, enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets. Then wander down to the Lodge's spectacular dining room for a delicious three-course meal that we promise will not include Kraft Dinner.
And tomorrow? Perhaps it will be Five Finger Rapids or Restoule Falls.
Price: From $280*/person (weekday rate) or $299*/person (weekend rate)
*Don't be fooled by the price. Check Trip Advisor for what others say about the Lodge at Pine Cove. Prices based on double occupancy in a studio cottage at spring rates. Taxes and gratuities extra. Rates increase in high season.
Duration of trip: Two nights/Three days
Dates: from June to October, 2013
Included:
- two nights accommodations in a luxurious private cottage at the Lodge at Pine Cove
- one three course dinner for two in the Lodge's spectacular dining room
- two deluxe hamper breakfasts served in your cottage with a view
- one ready-to-go gourmet picnic lunch for two
- unlimited use of a canoe
- route map
Options:
Additional nights accommodations and meals are available
Our water taxi can be hired to shuttle canoes
Paddling guides are available
Information or to book: 705-898-2500 or info@frenchriveradventures.com
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