We decided to play hooky from our nine to five jobs and take a day trip to Prince Edward County for some hiking and exploring with Maze & Nyx to see what dog friendly places we could visit!
We visited
We left early and made our first stop to Sandbanks Provincial Park where they advertise a dog beach and lots of hiking trails.
Sandbank Provincial Park
This provincial park is located at 3004 County Rd. 12 RR#1 Picton, ON K0K 2T0. The beach is located right on Lake Ontario. It boasts the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation and three expansive sandy beaches which includes the Outlet Beach (the East Lake sector), Sandbanks Beach (located in the Sandbanks day use area) and Dunes Beach (located in the Dunes day use area).
There are six trails to choose from for a hike (on leash of course!). They range in difficulty and in length but there are lots of different routes if you follow the AllTrails app. We parked at Dune’s Beach and headed to the dog friendly Sandbanks Beach.
Sandbanks hiking trail heading to the dog beach.
I have to say, after visiting the dog beach at North Beach Provincial Park (click here for that blog) and the dog beach at Arrowhead Provincial Park (click here for that blog), this beach disappointed us. There were warnings everywhere not to swim because of the undertow dangers. We were very leery about letting our dogs go in the water and we definitely wouldn’t be able to swim with the dogs! The beach was not a beach at all, albeit very beautiful, it was all rock edges or gravel beaches. Not my first choice to visit again but we very much enjoyed our hike.
Sandbanks Beach Area
We decided to take the Lakeview Trail. We followed the trail all the way to Route 12 which we followed back to the car. Our total hike was 7.4 km.
The walk was beautiful along this trail. We were able to stop every once in a while to allow the dogs to get a drink and play in the lake.
Bloomfield, ON
The Town of Bloomfield is a small, quaint town that is wonderful to visit and is over 200 years old. As it wasn’t far from the Provincial Park we headed there for a visit. We had previously visited the town last year and had a wonderful time and wanted to go back for another visit.
Our first visit was for some food at the Saylor House Café.
The Saylor House Café is a dog friendly café and serves breakfast and lunch and closes at 3 p.m. Check the hours as it is closed some days during the week if you wish to visit. We had a drink and some treats and said hello to the resident dog. It was a lovely spot to stop and take a break.
We visited the shops on the main street and found some beautiful gifts for friends and family. We also had to stop at Handworks to see the ever changing treasures. Last year when we visited we discovered Handworks (click here to visit that blog) and was fascinated by it. This time, we met the owner and she was telling us how the shop was originally inside and moving the shop outside to a “window shopping” concept has been very successful and enjoyable to run. It is a unique way to shop!
We started to head to Quinte West when we came across signs for an Ostrich Farm so we naturally had to check it out! It is called Struisvogel Ranch.
Struisvogel Ranch, Quinte West
This farm was such a wonder surprise. Owned by a family who were first introduced to ostriches in South Africa 10 years before they started this farm. The ostriches there were so much fun to see! They sell meat, fun merchandise AND they sell DOG BONES!!!
Dogs were not allowed in the ostrich part of the farm as the ostriches were a bit skittish. If you are able to leave the dogs somewhere else safely, there is an “Ostrich Walk”. This is a walkway around the ostrich pens and you are also able to feed them. We left the dogs in the car for a few minutes to say hello to them.
We had to buy some ostrich meatballs and give them a try! If you are in the area or just love ostriches, you need to check out this place!
Our stomach’s started to grumble so we started to make our way to Trenton to visit our dog friendly patio and favourite food – Boston Pizza. Apparently the dogs needed a nap on the way there.
Boston Pizza, Trenton, ON
Boston Pizza in Trenton is at 227 Dundas St E, Trenton, ON K8V 1L8.
Boston Pizza is our restaurant go-to. No matter where we go, we know that there is a place for us with our dogs and the food is always good. It is our home away from home. And the Boston Pizza in Trenton was no different.
Our bellies were full and the dogs had another nap while we ate. We had to hit the road for a couple hour drive so we headed to the local dog park. This park has a large fenced-in area as well as hiking trails. We met some friends and got ready for a long drive home. We had also previously visited this park, please click here for that blog.
We must of tuckered out Maze & Nyx as Maze was looking out the window and then just fell asleep. Bless her soul, she is so adorable.
Maze fell asleep on the way home.
Check out our other Road Trips!
