Rock Dunder Trail

NOTE: Starting September 18, 2020, visitation to Rock Dunder hiking trails will be limited to 30 groups per hour to manage the number of people onsite at any one time and allow for social distancing protocols to be followed. This will allow everyone to better enjoy their visit in a safe manner. 

Rock Dunder is a 230-acre wilderness area that contains one of the hidden wonders of eastern Ontario. Only open from sunrise to sunset May 15-November 15, going before May 15th or after November 15th will subject you to prosecution.

Drive 30 min north from Kingston on Highway 15 and look for a turn-off on Stanley Lash Lane before you reach Morton. There's a small sign for Rock Dunder but it's easy to miss.

The parking lot is small and rugged; on summer weekends parking can fill quickly and spill onto the edge of the highway. There are bathrooms at the trailhead and you can take the Summit Loop trail in either direction.

The trail is well-defined and follows along Dean's Island on the coast of the Rideau in the northern direction, and along deciduous forest and granite bedrock to the south. Either direction brings you to Rock Dunder at the peak of the loop. This is the ideal spot for a break to drink, eat some food, explore a bit and take in the panorama above eastern Ontario forest. Depending on the weather and the day of the week, there may be a small crowd on the clifftop, but there's plenty of room for everyone. Once you're ready, take the circuitous route across the bedrock and wetlands back to the trailhead.

When I hiked the trail, I had no rock climbing equipment but I saw climbing pegs drilled into the rock on the edge of the cliff. Although I didn't try, I don't think it would be too hard to find a route to the base.