LeBoating On Canada's Trent-Severn Waterway

Le Boat Expands to Canada’s Trent-Severn Waterway

By Ted Scull

Le Boat, the self-drive firm, has grown over the years to be Europe’s largest renter.

Then after expanding its operations to Ontario, Canada to ply the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway from Smith Falls or Ottawa, Le Boat found that folks wanted even more choices of itineraries throughout Ontario’s pristine waterways to reveal those lovely landscapes.

Hence, beginning in May 2024, Le Boat will establish a new base at Peterborough to offer additional Trent-Severn Waterway mileage

Now self-driving Le Boaters can cruise northward on the Trent-Severn and then west to the Kawartha Lakes region and also eastward and then south to the port of Trenton just a short distance from Lake Ontario and noted for its Canadian Canoe Museum.

Canada’s Trent Severn Waterway Map. * Image: Le Boat

A Few Details About the Trent-Severn Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

The Trent-Severn Waterway is located in central Ontario’s cottage country region and is a 386 km (241 miles) waterway, first opened in 1922 to connect Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.

Today Parks Canada maintains and operates this historic lock system as a perennial destination for recreational boaters and paddlers, and a home to the many people who live, work, and play along this National Historical Site.

The Canal is connected by 44 locks, including 37 conventional locks, two sets of flight locks, hydraulic lift locks at Peterborough and Kirkfield, and a marine railway at Big Chute which transports boats between the upper and lower sections of the Severn.
The system also includes 39 swing bridges and spans 4,500 km (2,796 miles) of shoreline and over 500 square km (193 sq miles) of water

Subscribe to our monthly small ship cruise email

Subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com for monthly curated newsletters highlighting our top small cruise ship reviews, round-ups & offers!

Le Boat’s Fleet

The rental fleet, for the new Trent-Severn Waterway routes, will consist of eight luxury Horizon Cruisers, and their base will be located at Horseshoe Bay Marine, Peterborough, Ontario.

Le Boat's Horizon class in plies Canada's Trent-Severn Waterway

The Horizon class in Canada. * Le boat

Le Boat expects repeat customers to look to cruising additional stretches of the Trent-Severn Waterway, whether folks locally from Greater Toronto and Quebec, or from south of the border in the United States, or from Europeans that have already Le Boat’ed before, or even travelers as far away as South Africa and Australia.

The eight Horizon Cruisers are Le Boat’s best fleet. Each offers two or four bedrooms, with rentals starting at $2,800 (Canadian) for a week on a boat that sleeps five. Some travelers will opt for three- to six-night rentals, or perhaps seven to 10 nights.

Before cruisers operate the boat themselves, Le Boat’s base team will share everything that one needs to know to operate their home-away-from-home.

Itinerary Planning on a Le Boat Self-Drive Cruise in Ontario

To aid in planning an itinerary, Le Boat’s staff provides varied cruising routes and highlights what you will see along Ontario’s scenic waterways.

Suggested itineraries would include cruising north from Peterborough to Bobcaygeon:

Check in at the Le Boat base in Horseshoe Bay Marina in Peterborough and cruise towards Young’s Point and experience the Peterborough Lift Lock, a National Historic Site. This 120-year-old lift lock is the highest hydraulic lift lock in North America and towers 19.8 meters high.
Cruise picturesque lakes and rivers through lush forests as you arrive in the charming town of Lakefield.
Enjoy the tall pines and granite shores of Stony Lake and continue your cruise towards beautiful Burleigh Falls.
Discover the beauty of Kawartha Lakes to Buckhorn, named for the collection of deer antlers which were displayed on the outside walls of the original sawmill in the area.
Continue Cruise to Bobcaygeon, a charming village situated on the shores of Pigeon Lake. Dock at Bobcaygeon Harbour and explore the town, full of quaint and unique shops, eateries, and lots to see and do.
Visit the scenic town of Fenelon Falls, known as the “Jewel of the Kawarthas” you will find an eclectic mix of antique stores, gift shops, coffee houses and of course Lock 34, located on its own island.

120-year-old Peterborough Lift Lock on Canada's Trent-Severn Waterway

The 120-year-old Peterborough Lift Lock. * Photo: Le Boat

Another option is cruising south round-trip from Petgerborough toward the historical town of Trenton:

Cruise south along the Otonabee River to Rice Lake, visit the small village of Hastings.
Then head to Campbellford, where Le Boaters will have time to explore this charming community, visit the iconic Millennium Trail Suspension Bridge or stop for a selfie at the World’s Biggest ‘Toonie” (a Canadian two-dollar coin).
Just after Campbellford, boaters will get a chance to explore some truly beautiful natural scenery along the Trent-Severn Waterway and see Parks Canada’s Oasis pods campsites located between Locks 10 and 9.
Cruise to Trenton, which is set along the Bay of Quintes and marks the entry point to Trent-Severn Waterway from Lake Ontario and the southern end of our cruising area. Known for its military ties, Trenton is also home to the National Air Force Museum of Canada exhibits over 30 aircraft and dedicated to preserving the history of the Royal Canadian Airforce.