The “Ompah-Plevna” area is a large loop including the towns of Ompah, Plevna, Ardoch, Clarendon Station, Mississippi Station, Snow Road Station, and Vennachar. These are well-paved roads through quiet wooded region, with lakes and sweepers.
This makes a good extension to the Calabogie-area rides, by connecting Calabogie and Griffith through a long loop, extending what is already a great ride by several more hours.
There’s a convenient picnic area on a lakeshore just south of Mississippi Station but, strangely, no washrooms there.
The Route
Access
- Up highway 509 from Highway 7 to Clarendon Station; or
- Down highway 511 from Calabogie, turning West in Lanark, through McDonald’s Corners to Snow Road Station; or
- Centennial Lake Road from Calabogie, turning left instead of right at the Matawatchan stop sign. Through the town of Matawatchan to Vennachar. Turn left at the T-intersection at Vennachar, follow the long twisty road to Plevna.
For a great full-afternoon’s ride
- Ottawa to Calabogie. Get gas at Munfords at the main intersection.
- Down highway 511 to Lanark.
- West from Lanark, to McDonald’s corners. Break at the general store if desired.
- At Snow Road Station, go either way around the loop.
- From Plevna, head west and North to Vennachar.
- Turn right at Vennachar; Through Matawatchan to Centennial Lake road, and return to Calabogie.
Gas
You’re going through some wooded, undeveloped areas and there aren’t many gas stations. There are gas stations at
- Calabogie
- Griffith
- Lanark
There used to be gas in McDonalds Corners (at the general store) but it was no longer selling gas the last time I was there.
So think about your fuel before you set out on this route. A couple of distances between fuel stops for your reference:
- Calabogie, Centennial Lake Road to Griffith, then Ompah-Plevna area to Lanark: 156 Km.
- Griffith to Lanark by Ompah-Plevna: 122 Km.