The most scenic place to run on the Ontario side of the Thousand Islands is the nearly 20 km of multi-use trails between Upper Canada Village and Long Sault. There are two sections: the Waterfront Trail, which runs from Upper Canada Village to Ingleside (9.4 km), and the wide shoulder along the Long Sault Parkway, which crosses 11 islands along the St. Lawrence River (10.3 km).
Waterfront Trail. This mainly paved multi-use trail starts at the east end of the Upper Canada Village Parking lot and runs for 9.4 km to where it intersects with the Ingleside entrance of the Long Sault Parkway. It’s a lovely combination of woods, grasslands, marshes, and some water views and crossings. Watch out for cyclists — it’s a popular trail!
Add-Ons: There are some nice roads and fields around the Upper Canada Village parking lot that are good for running. You can also head west on the road toward Crysler Park Marina.
Long Sault Parkway. Photo: Mark Lowenstein
Long Sault Parkway. This is a famous parkway that runs for 10.3 km between Ingleside and Long Sault. Only cars are permitted. The parkway crosses 11 islands, and there are some lovely views of the water along the trail and from the numerous crossings and small bridges. The parkway features a wide shoulder, so it’s both safe and popular with runners, walkers, and cyclists. The east entrance to the parkway is in Ingleside, and the west entrance is in Long Sault, with parking access in both areas.
Add-Ons: Additional quiet roads for running off the east end of the Parkway on Macdonell Island and Mille Roches Island/Moulinette Island.
The most scenic place to run on the Ontario side of the Thousand Islands is the nearly 20 km of multi-use trails between Upper Canada Village and Long Sault. There are two sections: the Waterfront Trail, which runs from Upper Canada Village to Ingleside (9.4 km), and the wide shoulder along the Long Sault Parkway, which crosses 11 islands along the St. Lawrence River (10.3 km).
Waterfront Trail. This mainly paved multi-use trail starts at the east end of the Upper Canada Village Parking lot and runs for 9.4 km to where it intersects with the Ingleside entrance of the Long Sault Parkway. It’s a lovely combination of woods, grasslands, marshes, and some water views and crossings. Watch out for cyclists — it’s a popular trail!
Add-Ons: There are some nice roads and fields around the Upper Canada Village parking lot that are good for running. You can also head west on the road toward Crysler Park Marina.
Long Sault Parkway. Photo: Mark Lowenstein
Long Sault Parkway. This is a famous parkway that runs for 10.3 km between Ingleside and Long Sault. Only cars are permitted. The parkway crosses 11 islands, and there are some lovely views of the water along the trail and from the numerous crossings and small bridges. The parkway features a wide shoulder, so it’s both safe and popular with runners, walkers, and cyclists. The east entrance to the parkway is in Ingleside, and the west entrance is in Long Sault, with parking access in both areas.
Add-Ons: Additional quiet roads for running off the east end of the Parkway on Macdonell Island and Mille Roches Island/Moulinette Island.
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Essentials
Waterfront Trail: 9.4 km (5.8 miles); Long Sault Parkway: 10.3 km (6.4 miles) -- they're contiguous
Parkway is fairy flat; Some small hills in trail running spots
Depends on section chosen
Waterfront Trail: Access at east end of Upper Canda Village parking lot; Parkway has access & parking at Ingleside & Long Sault entrances
Surrounded on three sides by the St. Lawrence River, Wellesley Island is one of the largest of the Thousand Islands. Lovely running in historic Thousand Island Park and some nice waterfront roads.
Nice running options in Clayton: Waterfront & attractive residential streets; Zenda Farms Preserve, which has lovely trails around pastureland & grassland; and the longer Rivergate Trestle Trail.
This cute town on the St. Lawrence River offers some nice waterfront running. Up to 6.8 miles out and back, with great river views. Interior farm roads a good add-on. Also the location of the Hope Ferry to Wolfe Island.
If you fancy some languid, flat, open running on nearly traffic-free farm roads, head to Wolfe Island. Accessible via ferry from Cape Vincent (NY) or Kingston (Ontario). Miles of pastoral roads for running.
The 6.7 mile loop around Point Salubrious is a lovely, flat run with great views of Guffin Bay and Chaumont Bay. The entire route is on the lightly trafficked Rt. 125. Water views, the Point Salubrious Historic District, farm fields.
A worth-it drive to Sackets Harbor to do a scenic run combining a nice waterfront road and trails around a historic battlefield, the site of an important battle in the War of 1812.
This 1,000-acre state park in Henderson is the former estate of Robert Wehle, and consists of 10 miles of wide, scenic trails along Lake Ontario, and around the estate grounds. We've mapped a 4.7 mile loop along the Snakefoot Trail.
Gananoque is the western gateway to the Thousand Islands area in Ontario. There's some nice running along the water, around pretty residential streets, and a 12 km trail system, with various loop options.
The 37 km paved multi-use trail along the Thousand Islands Parkway is a great running option in Thousand Islands NP. Some sections feature great water views. Also trail running at Landon Bay and Jones Creek Trails.
A nice run in this small city on the St. Lawrence River, considered the eastern gateway to the Thousand Islands area in Ontario. Combines waterfront paths, small parks, and the Brock Trail. Includes the unique railroad tunnel trail!
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Essentials
Waterfront Trail: 9.4 km (5.8 miles); Long Sault Parkway: 10.3 km (6.4 miles) -- they're contiguous
Parkway is fairy flat; Some small hills in trail running spots
Depends on section chosen
Waterfront Trail: Access at east end of Upper Canda Village parking lot; Parkway has access & parking at Ingleside & Long Sault entrances
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!