Waupoos

Waupoos is the Prince Edward County that existed before the wineries and the tourists arrived. Located in the eastern part of the county, this small settlement is surrounded by apple orchards, mixed farmland and quiet roads that wind down to the shores of the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario. There are no boutiques, no wine bars and very few visitors on any given day. That is precisely the point.

The name Waupoos comes from an Indigenous word, and the area has been farmed continuously since the early days of European settlement. Apple orchards have been the backbone of the local economy for generations, and the fruit trees still define the landscape. In spring, the orchards bloom white and pink. In fall, the branches hang heavy with apples ready for picking.

The Cider House

The most well-known stop in Waupoos is the cider house, which produces craft cider from local apples. The tasting room sits among the orchards and offers a range of ciders, from bone-dry to sweeter styles. The property includes a small restaurant and outdoor seating with views over the trees and fields.

Visiting the cider house is the main reason most tourists make the drive to Waupoos. It is a worthwhile stop, especially in fall when the harvest is underway and fresh-pressed cider is available. The drive itself is half the experience, passing through some of the county's most pastoral scenery.

The Landscape

Eastern Prince Edward County has a different feel than the west. The terrain is gently rolling, with long views across orchards and fields to the water. The roads are quieter, the properties are larger and the development that has transformed parts of Picton and Bloomfield has barely touched this area.

The shoreline near Waupoos faces the Bay of Quinte to the north and the open lake to the south. Small waterfront areas dot the coast, and the views across the water to the mainland and the Thousand Islands region are expansive. On a clear day, the sense of open space is remarkable.

Cycling through the Waupoos area is rewarding for those who enjoy long rides on quiet roads. The terrain is not flat, with gentle hills and curves that keep things interesting. Traffic is minimal, and the scenery shifts between orchards, farmland, forest and water views.

History

Waupoos has deep roots in the county's agricultural history. The United Empire Loyalists who settled the area in the late 1700s found rich soil and a climate moderated by the surrounding water. Farming, fishing and small-scale industry sustained the community for two centuries.

Several of the buildings in the area date to the 19th century. Stone houses, old barns and the ruins of former mills and churches mark the landscape. The Waupoos area has not been heavily restored or curated for tourism, which gives it an authenticity that the more developed parts of the county sometimes lack.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in the Waupoos area is limited to private rentals and a few rural retreats. There are no inns or hotels. What you find instead are quiet country retreats on large properties, some with water views, most with the kind of deep privacy that is hard to find in the busier parts of the county.

Staying near Waupoos suits travellers who want to be away from the main tourist circuit. You will need a car for everything, and the nearest restaurants and shops are in Picton, about 20 minutes northwest. But for those seeking genuine rural quiet, this area delivers.

Getting There

Waupoos is reached via County Road 8, heading southeast from Picton. The drive takes about 20 minutes and passes through increasingly rural landscape as you leave town. From Lake on the Mountain, the Waupoos area is about 15 minutes south.

A loop drive from Picton through Waupoos, along the south shore, and back through Cherry Valley makes for a half-day scenic tour of the eastern county. Combined with a stop at the cider house and a walk along the shore, it offers a complete picture of a quieter, more traditional Prince Edward County.