Hemlock Shores of Bala

We're always happy to add an available cottage in the Bala area as it's a place that is synonymous with vacation. Just west of the little town (walking distance if you fancy a bit of a stroll) you will find lovely Hesners Lake. At a little more than a kilometre in length, complete with an island of its own, Hesners Lake is fun to explore in a small boat, great for swimming, and fun for novice anglers who want to snag a perch or bullhead catfish.

Hemlock Shores of Bala is a wonderfully refurbished traditional cottage, offering modern amenities and facilities in the peace and privacy that you have come to expect in the Ontario cottage tradition. Located near the eastern end of the lake, you will enjoy a view that looks down toward the west and is privy to picturesque sunsets. The breezes coming from the lake sing through the trees and offer a cooling refrain to the warmth of summer. You may want to spend your days on the dock, in the water or under the trees. Indoors, you have the option of a screened sunroom if you like. Of course, the cottage itself is what you would expect - a living room, kitchen and dining room all offering top notch facilities for your group. If the weather turns cool or rainy, you can enjoy the game or a movie on the large screen TV. You might opt for formal dining at the table or something more relaxed in the sunroom or on the deck.

While Muskoka offers a plethora of activity within a short drive, you are close enough to Bala that a nice walk bring you into town - perhaps to enjoy an ice cream cone, do a little shopping or see what is happening at the Kee to Bala. Further afield, the towns of Gravenhurst and Port Carling bristle with quaint shops and scenic stops. Avid road cyclists might think about a Lake Muskoka circuit - a 100-km trip through Port Carling, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. Those seeking a more genteel outing may simply enjoy strolling along the local cottage roads. The Wahta First Nations territory just to the west has some interesting convenience stores if you are seeking an eclectic bargain.

Whatever your choice of activity during the day, rest assured that your rest is assured. Three comfortable bedrooms will sleep your family in comfort, bridging the gap between memories of the day past and the anticipation of the day to come.

Inside the Cottage

• Sleeps 6
• 3 bedrooms (1 with queen, 1 with double and 1 with 2 twin)
• 4-piece bathroom
• Kitchen with stove, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher
• Living room with 50-inch Satellite TV with DVD player
• Woodstove
• High Speed Internet
• Dining table with seating for 4 plus 2-seater breakfast bar
• Washer/Dryer

Outside the Cottage

• Screened Muskoka room with furniture
• Sundeck with lake view
• Propane BBQ
• Shallow walk in waterfront
• Fire pit
• Canoe, Paddleboat and dock

Things you need to know:

• Sorry, pets are not permitted at this property
• Linens and towels provided - please bring your own beach towels
• Cottage is to be left in an as-found condition at the end of your stay
• The cottage has a southwest exposure
• Storage cabin on site is reserved for the owner's personal effects and is not accessible to guests

Waterfront

The entry is shallow and gradual. There is a flat rocky frontage. The water reaches about 4 feet at end of dock, then deepens rapidly. Swimming area generally weed free with gravel. There is a softer bottom as you move further out

Trivia

Until the construction of the dam at Bala Falls in 1873, water levels in lake Muskoka could fluctuate wildly each year, by almost 10 feet in some years. This is the only outlet point for Lake Muskoka.

Winter Notes

Access to the cottage is mostly on public roads, except for the driveway leading from Hesner’s Lake Road to the cottage. The driveway is 275 metres (900 feet) long and is privately-maintained by the cottage association. While the driveway is plowed out by the cottage association’s road maintenance contractor after a significant snowfall event, it is not sanded or salted. An all-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended for driveway access from the end of November to early-April. Access may be feasible with front-wheel drive vehicles with good snow tires; however, guests who choose to park their vehicles on Hesner’s Lake Road and walk up the driveway to the cottage are advised that overnight parking on township roads is at their own risk.