The Cabot Head Trails

When you visit the lighthouse you can head off on a trail which will lead you along Wing Field Basin, also known as the Georgian Bay coastal route, where you can enjoy amazing views over the basin and over Georgian Bay. The trail itself is well kept and easy to walk, with only a couple hills to ascend and descend.

The trail entrance from the bay A part of the trail The trail entrance  View over the basin and the shipwreckA closer look at the shipwreckLookout over Georgian Bay   The biggest uphill part of the trail with large stones on the side

The Light Tower

In July, 1895, the Department of Marine and Fisheries called for tenders for the construction of a light and fog-alarm station at Cabot Head. The main building consisted of a wooden dwelling house and light tower combined, painted white. The fog-alarm plant was constructed on the shore below and east of the light. The lantern atop the tower contained several parabolic metallic reflectors utilizing light produced by kerosene lamps. Manufactured by the Chanteloup Company, of Montreal, this “catoptric” apparatus was fixed to a rotating frame which, driven by a clockwork mechanism, cast a beam of white light, with three flashes fifteen seconds apart, then an eclipse of forty seconds.

Location

The historic Cabot Head Lighstation perches on the northeastern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, much as it has since 1896. Though operation systems have changed, this important navigational aid serves to guide vessels large and small on the Georgian Bay. The light itself now stands atop a steel, solar powered and automated tower. The lighstation and lightkeeper’s cottage remain vibrant and alive with activity, preserving the human and natural history of its beautiful, rugged coast. Cabot Head witnessed the heyday of the Great Lakes shipping and fishing, timbering and pioneering in the Bruce Peninsula’s remote wilderness. Today, visitors around the globe come to explore maritime history, and relive the pioneering spirit.

Dine at the Light Picnic

While touring the lighthouse, hiking one of our trails, picnicking or swimming in the basin make sure to drop into our giftshop in the cottage porch and our on-site art gallery, in our Fog Alarm Building. We offer local artisans work.

Open daily May 1 – Thanksgiving weekend, 10:00am – 7:00pm.

Fundraiser for Cabot Head Lighthouse

Enjoy a spectacular locally made picnic every Wednesday at Cabot Head Lighthouse, while being surrounded by breath taking views of Georgian Bay.

Not your ordinary picnic! Harvest Moon Organic Bakery is providing delicious picnic dinners for you and your loved ones or you and a group of friends! Come and savor this delicious experience overlooking the blue waters of Georgian Bay. The best seats in the house; exclusively yours.

What to order?

There is lots to choose from. Tina and Graham will be serving their homemade artisan bread and using locally grown vegetables with every meal!

What’s the cost?

A picnic for two – $100.00 and receive a $50.00 donation tax receipt to Cabot Head Lighthouse

MENU:

All of our picnics feature what we select from our garden that is perfectly ripe. Menu’s vary by season.

Spring will highlight spinach, asparagus, radishes, snap peas, rhubarb and fresh spring herbs.

Sample Menu:

• Wild blueberry sparkling water

• Rustic walnut and apricot ciabatta bread

• Lovage and garlic chive cheese ball

• Harvest moon’s garden crudités

• Marinated asparagus and portabella mushroom quinoa salad

• Garden and three cheese panzerotti

• Strawberry and rhubarb galette.

“Unwrap the surprises wrapped within the basket, savor the tastes of the season, breathe in the bay with every bite.”

For reservations contact Harvest Moon Organic Bakery at 519-592-5742, Tina and Graham will be happy to help you.

Reservations must be made by Monday in order for your picnic on Wednesday. Reservations will be available from: June 12, 2013- September 18th, 2013.

The Lighthouse

Established in 1896 to guide ships rounding Cabot Head, this Lightstation has served for decades as an important navigational aid to boaters on the often turbulent Georgian Bay. Today, the Cabot Head Lighstation has been returned to useful services as a historical local landmark, including museum, interpretive plaques, trails, picnic area, gift shop and art gallery.