Topsy Farms Trails on Amherst Island: Wildlife and Unique Finds

Did you know that there are hiking trails to explore on Amherst Island? The trails at Topsy Farms are a bit of a local secret, but I’m hoping that you make the trip to Amherst Island to check out these scenic trails. You might just have them all to yourself!

Amherst Island is an amazing destination for lovers of wildlife and the great outdoors. It is best known as a bird watching destination. In the spring and the fall, you can spot migratory birds, including waterfowl and shorebirds. In the winter, the island is home to large populations of owls, hawks, waterfowl, and birds of prey.

I suggest that you spend the day at Amherst Island. Go for a drive around the island, stopping at its shorelines and beaches. Be on the lookout for birds, especially if you are visiting in the spring, fall or winter. Visit Topsy Farms for its nature trails where you’ll be able to see wildlife and other intriguing finds on the way.

Topsy Farms Trail Info and Map

You won’t find these trails listed on any of the popular hiking apps. Instead, head directly to Topsy Farms and pick up a map when you register at the Wool Shed. It’s a requirement to register before hitting the trails so they know you’re out there.

Topsy Farms asks for a $5 donation to help maintain the trails. There’s a large parking lot and parking is free. If you’d like to download the map in advance, you can download it from their website.

Hiking at Topsy Farms on Amherst Island

Topsy Farms was once a hippie commune, and it’s now a working sheep farm. Best known for their wool products, there are many activities at Topsy Farms that connect you with nature. They offer special events and experiences, forest therapy, forest bathing, farmyard activities for kids, and of course, the nature trails.

I went for a hike at Topsy Farms and saw so much wildlife on the way. I spotted rabbits, wild turkeys, and deer at multiple points on the way. Topsy Farms offers a few interconnecting trails, and it’s primarily a flat path the whole way. This hike is great for beginner hikers, families, and anyone who wants to be immersed in nature.

Eve’s Laneway

Walk from the parking lot, beyond the handmade stone fence and to the start of the paths. Eve’s Laneway is the first long path that you’ll walk. It follows the edge of the farm. There are a variety of rocks on the way: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic.

It’s easy to stick to the trail here because it goes in one direction only. Once you reach David’s Graveyard, it splits off from the Sugar Shack Trail. You can choose to walk in either direction.

David’s Graveyard

David’s Graveyard is one of the more interesting sections of the hike. There’s all kinds of abandoned old farm equipment here, as well as a couple of rusted out old cars. For those who enjoy finding old cars or interesting items on the trails, this one is for you!

I got a little bit lost in this section. There are some arrows and trail markers here and there, but these are few and far between. If you walk into the forest and don’t see any arrows or blazes for a little while, you might have gone the wrong way.

Sugar Shack Trail

The Sugar Shack Trail is a smaller loop trail surrounded by maple trees. Many of the trees here are sugar maple trees that are still tapped in the spring to make maple syrup. There is also an old sugar shack building on the trail that’s no longer in use.

Getting to Topsy Farms and Amherst Island

Amherst Island is a quiet and serene island to explore in southeastern Ontario. I recommend spending a full day on Amherst Island and the village of Bath on the mainland. Here’s a 3 day itinerary for Lennox and Addington County that includes these destinations, as well as Napanee, Sheffield Conservation Area, and more.

This beautiful island is best known for its birdwatching, especially during migration seasons in the spring and fall. In the winter, it’s a favourite among photographers who search for owls against a stark, nearly black and white backdrop.

To reach Amherst Island, you’ll need to take the ferry. It leaves Millhaven on the half hour and from Amherst Island on the hour. The total cost is $10.00, which you’ll pay on the Millhaven side (there is no cost when you return to the mainland). This price is per vehicle. Pedestrians without a vehicle can take the ferry for free.

Topsy Farms is located in the northwestern corner of Amherst Island. In addition to hiking at Topsy Farms, I also recommend going for a drive around the island. Stop for a bite to eat at the Back Kitchen. Look for wildlife and drive along the coast.

Amherst Island is 20km at its widest point, so it’s easy to drive around the entire island in a short period of time. Sand Beach Conservation Area is another great place to spend an afternoon. There’s a pretty little sandy beach and clean waters where you can take a dip.

More Hikes in Southeastern Ontario

Looking for more trail suggestions for southeastern Ontario? Take a look at these awesome provincial parks, conservation areas and trails:

• Marble Rock Conservation Area
• Jones Creek Trails (1000 Islands National Park)
• Landon Bay Hiking Trails (1000 Islands National Park)
• Hiking Guide for the 1000 Islands Region
• Gray’s Creek Conservation Area
• Guindon Park
• Hiking Guide for the Bay of Quinte Region
• Presqu’ile Provincial Park
• Proctor Park Conservation Area
• Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area
• Sager Conservation Area
• HR Frink Conservation Area
• Sheffield Conservation Area
• Potter’s Creek Conservation Area
• Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
• Lemoine Point Conservation Area
• Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve
• Rock Dunder Nature Reserve

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