Beachfront bliss at Anupaya Cabin Co.

A fun road trip to the most peaceful place!

If you’re like me, perhaps you have trouble fully relaxing at home. I find there’s always a chore or two waiting for my attention, errands to run, cleaning needed or cooking to be done. That’s why I’m such a big fan of running away from home, albeit temporarily. When I am scouting locations for road trips, my biggest desire is to find a place where I can embrace an unspoiled natural environment while simultaneously relaxing and recharging. I recently found a spot that fits these requirements to perfection, and it’s only two hours from Ottawa. Anupaya – a Sanskrit word which means ‘the pathless path’ – is a stunning place with such a soothing vibe that I dare you to visit and not feel 100% restored.

Nestled on a private sandy beach on the shores of the Ottawa River just west of the charming town of Deep River, the spot now called Anupaya Cabin Co. was originally established as a fishing resort in the 1930s. Yes, the fishing is still excellent there, but there’s so much more to enjoy, including doing absolutely nothing if you prefer. I’m almost at a loss for words to describe how blissful this place is – it’s like an oasis of tranquility that transports you far, far away from the stresses of daily life.

Hosts Shan and Pete MacLaggan epitomize the ethos of hospitality. They are enthusiastic, warm and welcoming; the time we spent chatting with them was a genuine highlight of our getaway. The ‘pathless path’ philosophy they espouse is intended to remind us to embrace all of life’s twists and turns (not to mention the bumps and bruises) and to be fully present in each and every moment. As they say, it’s hard not to celebrate all that is gloriously wild and tangled in the world when you’re immersed in and connected with nature as you are at Anupaya.

We rented one of their adorable studio cabins right on the beach and it proved the perfect home base for three days of paddling, swimming, sightseeing, napping and reading. The ultra-comfortable king sized bed and spacious front porch were our two favourite spaces and we also appreciated that the bright, clean cabin included Wi-Fi, a picnic table and fire pit plus bean bag chairs on the beach. Thoughtful touches like coffee, tea and an aromatherapy candle are also provided, along with Turkish towels plus cozy woolen wraps for cool mornings or evenings. Many of the lovely amenities found in the cabins are also available for purchase in Anupaya’s onsite or online boutiques.

Of course, I’m always on the hunt for food elements when I’m road tripping. You can pre-order fresh eggs from their flock of hens and guests are invited to pick a few items in the expansive vegetable garden to add to their plates. As a bonus, you’ll be invited to socialize with their very friendly goats.

I found it easy to pull together delicious meals in the cabin’s compact yet well-equipped kitchen but if you’d rather have someone else do the cooking, Swisha Spuds is just a short drive (or boat ride away) and I can confirm their poutine is amazing. In nearby Deep River, you can find a good grocery store and several restaurants as well as McGregor’s produce stand in the summer and early fall.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn last week that the Ottawa River is the deepest river in North America. The water is clean and clear in this stretch, making it perfect for swimming at one of the area’s many sandy beaches. You can bring your own boat to paddle or enjoy the complimentary canoes available with each cabin rental.

We loved how the light danced on the water at sunrise and enjoyed slipping quietly along the shoreline, watching the birds, listening to the loons and waving to other boaters as we marveled at the power of the natural forces that shaped this rugged landscape millennia ago.   

Shan and Pete have ambitious plans to make Anupaya an even more treasured destination, as they work to upgrade, rebuild and winterize some of the cabins, construct their own family home on the property, restore the pool, create an event space with a café and add a pontoon boat for excursions. As they strive to enhance and expand this eco-conscious, sustainable business that truly honours the land upon which it’s perched, their care for both guests and the environment is reflected in every aspect of their operation. We can’t wait to go back. And not just to see the goats.

Disclosure: this post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.