Kawarthas Living

When you drive through the Golden Horseshoe area of southern Ontario, it can be easy to forget that you are close to some of the most pristine cottage country anywhere on the planet. Sprawling cities are the hallmark of this area of Canada, yet all around, within a few hundred kilometres, is some of the best and most valuable real estate in North America.

One of the regions known as a great place to get away from the daily bustle of the city is the Kawartha lake area north of Lake Ontario. This region is characterized by a series of lakes running east to west, and joined together, and to Lake Huron in the west, by the Trent-Severn waterway. When it comes to real estate, Kawarthas country is cottage country, and all the lakes that make up the system are dotted with some of the nicest cottages you can hope to find.

One of the most popular spots for Kawartha Lakes cottages is also at the highest point of the region. In fact, Balsam Lake is the highest point on the Trent-Severn waterway (by which you can sail all the way from Toronto or further east on Lake Ontario right to Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, if you like). There are claims that this lake is the highest point on Earth to which a boat can be navigated from sea level, thanks to the creation of the waterway. You might not save on gas by taking this route, but you will certainly be able to skip all the traffic!

Along with Balsam, there are thirteen lakes in the Kawartha Lakes region. The area is also dotted with small towns, from which cottage owners can re-supply for their fishing or hunting getaways. Of course, you don't have to do any recreational sports to enjoy Kawartha Lakes living, you can just sit on the deck of your cottage and read as the day goes by; it's all a part of the lifestyle in Ontario cottage country.