Ultimate Guide to Visiting and Hiking the Eagles Nest Lookout

Eagles Nest Lookout is a hiking trail that has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years because of the scenic lookout year round. It’s at the tail end of the Manitou Mountain Trail (a longer 9 km one-way trail). Note: as of spring 2023, there is a fee for parking!

How do you get there? It’s over an hour drive from Ottawa in the Greater Madawaska area, located on Highway 508/Calabogie Road just past Calabogie Peaks Resort.

Summer Trail: From the trailhead parking lot, the trail is a wide old logging road. Right before you get to the lookout, there is a giant sign to the right and a steep climb on rocks and roots for about 3-5 minutes. The sign identifies the significance of the site to the Algonquin Anishinabe community.

Winter Trail: Just up the road from the summer trailhead is a paved winter parking lot. You’ll cross the highway and follow the blue rectangles painted on the trees for the “Little Pine Trail” through the forest. While I do recommend snowshoes or crampons, you can certainly do the trail without either. The snowshoes/crampons help with some of the steeper hills that may be slick with snow and ice.

When’s the Best Time of Year to Go? This is an easy hike during the summer and fall, and open for snowshoeing in the winter (crampons are recommended). The trees turn yellow in the fall, which makes it a beautifully scenic view and the snow capped trees in the valley are beautiful in the winter. If you don’t own snowshoes, you can rent them from the Calabogie Peaks Resort (6 minutes east up highway 508).

When’s the Best Time of Day to Go? Early morning or late evening is the best time of day to visit the Eagles Nest lookout to avoid the crowds and get the best photos. It’s a beautiful location for both sunrise and sunset, but bring a headlamp and mind your footing in the dark!

BONUS: Visit the Calabogie Peaks Resort during fall and take the Calabogie Chairlift to see panoramic views of the resort and fall foliage. You can also take the chairlift during the winter and snowshoe down the hill.

BONUS 2: On your way to or from the lookout, stop at The Blackbird Café for excellent food in an adorable café.