2. The New Church and Old Cemetery Walk.
The first Church, St Stanislaus, was built in Wilno in
1876. There was an old school house built opposite the church at the end
of last century, and a rectory built early this century. The old Church
burned down on February 2, 1936, and the new Church started later that
year. The school house is now a private residence. The Rectory is now a
bed and breakfast.
Directions: From the Wilno
Heritage Park:
Carefully walk up the left hand side of the highway -
once past the White Pine Photographers it is possible to walk on the old
highway hidden in the grass. Opposite the church, carefully cross onto
the church property to enjoy the scenic views and take photos in safety.
After looking in and around St Mary’s, keeping to the left, walk behind
the church and through the gate marked “The Way of the Cross”. Following
the Stations of the Cross route until a few yards after Station V, where
there is a log archway marked “To the site of the original church and the
Pioneer Cemetery“ . Thro this archway is a pleasant trail among the trees
running along the side of a field. It is about a ten minute walk and comes
out on a road. Turning right onto the road, you will find yourself just
a few yards from the Old Rectory and beyond that the Old Cemetery. Browse
in the cemetery where the Polish pioneers who first homesteaded in the
Wilno Hills are buried from 1875. This is also the site of the first Polish
church, St Stanislaus. Return to the road, and continue (to the left out
of the cemetery) on the road until the junction of Church Street and Mountain
View Road. At the T-junction, keep to the right, continue until the dirt
road meets the made road, “Wilno South Road” . Turn right on
Wilno South Road and a few yards down on the left is a very picturesque
deserted old log farmhouse. There are two challenging hills on this part
of the road before the final drop into Wilno. There is a small crossroads
before the highway and this short cut is physically safer to walk on to
return you to the car park - but financially you are at risk as you will
not be able to resist dropping in the wonderful Wilno Craft Gallery. Along
Burchat Street is the Wilno Garden Gallery and Hill Pottery, a pleasure
to browse in the art gallery and the gallery’s delightful garden. There
is access to the Enchanted Shed and the Tavern through the gardens of the
Gallery and across a rustic bridge. Or return back to the highway
to visit the Post Office which carries interesting antiques, and the Tavern,
where you will surely need to quench your thirst and congratulate yourself
for having walked a good 6K.
TIME: 1.30 mins when walked at a steady pace.
DIFFICULTY: Hilly.
INTEREST: Historic heritage landmarks, photo opportunities,
the occasional deer, some small wild life and wild flowers.
DISTANCE: 6 ½ K
PS: The Stations of the Cross continues winding
its way through the pine trees and back to St Mary’s. This walk alone,
is a very pleasant 1-K stroll and a delightful walk with many photo opportunities
of the Stations, the artistic landscaping of rocks, logs, and flowers.
(see walk no.4.) |
3. The Logging Train Track Walk.
In 1894, J.R. Booth, the “lumber baron”, built this part
of the Ottawa/Arnprior/Parry Sound railway in order to take the logs from
Algonquin Park to the Ottawa River and then to Ottawa. It was finally
closed in 1966.
Directions: From the Wilno Heritage Park, (facing
the post office), walk to the left, along the bed of the railroad track.
Be assured by the absence of tracks that you will not meet a train. This
is a very easy walk and you can walk as far as you wish and then turn back.
The walk is very pretty, as the trees are thick and varied and the sides
of the track are covered in wild flowers. You are walking in the direction
of Killaloe, and for the stout hearted, or cyclists, the distance is 11
k - one way. If you do make it as far as where the tracks cross Old Trestle
Road, you have to come of the tracks and continue down the road which comes
out behind the OPP Police Station. From there you carefully cross the highway
and following the road into Killaloe. You could walk the opposite way to
Barry’s Bay which is also ll K one way. On your return you may have been
so impressed by the wildflowers and calming effect of the walk that you
may want to book into the Wilno Station Inn B&B and enjoy more of the
local walks, flora and fauna.
Distance: as far as your legs will carry you or
to Killaloe, whichever comes first.. Time: take as long as you wish. Difficulty:
deciding when to turn back. Interest: wild flowers.
4. Stations of the Cross at St. Mary’s Church
There is ample parking in the church car park. After
visiting the church, walk behind the church to the right. There is an area
with a picnic table to rest or picnic. This area is at the gate to Bright
Meadow. Station number one is to the left a few yards up the field. The
trail climbs gently towards the shrubs and flower beds at Station II.
The trail is quite clearly marked and turns to the left
in front of the gate marked “To the site of the original church and Pioneer
Cemetery” - (see walk no.1) At Station VII, the trail wanders through shady
pine, birch and choke cherry trees, which has been landscaped with flower
beds, rock gardens and small statues of Saints. Between Stations VII and
VIII is a black and gold metal cross, with a small plaque inscribed in
Polish. In English the words mean Jesus Christ, who bore our wounds,
have mercy on us. Then the trail starts to slope gently down towards
the field and the Church. There are benches along the way., to sit and
admire the view of the hills and the beauty of the sky, or to rest among
the trees.
This walk takes about 30 mins.
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