At first glance, a modest brown ranch-style bungalow sits among trees on a dead-end road in the Niagara hamlet of Bethel, hinting at a simple country dwelling.

But the home is merely the starting point of an 82-acre sprawling landscape, welcoming those who crave a life wrapped in nature. One look at the forest-filled backyard and the scale of the property makes it clear — there’s plentiful opportunities for hunting, fishing, small-scale farming and hiking, thanks to roughly 20 walking trails that wind through the expansive Port Colborne terrain.

An aerial view of the 3481 Troup Rd. property in the Bethel community in Port Colborne that is selling for $3.5 million. | Ruzycki Real Estate

A property with that much land is becoming increasingly rare, “getting closer to one-of-a-kind, especially with that amount of acreage,” said realtor Frank Ruzycki Jr.

“In terms of what they have on the property, there’s not a whole lot to compare it to,” he said. “It’s 15 minutes from everything essentially but when you go there, you feel like you’re in north Ontario — just no one’s around.”

The home, a ranch-style country house built in 2008, is listed for $3,509,000.

The Troup Road home in Port Colborne sits on 82 acres. | Ruzycki Real Estate

The residence offers more than 3,800 square feet of living space, with an open-concept design that includes vaulted ceilings in the main kitchen and living areas.

It has three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and a finished basement with two additional potential bedrooms.

Outside, a true wraparound porch encircles the home, providing panoramic views of the property from every side.

The ranch-style bungalow at 3481 Troup Rd. in Port Colborne has 3,800 square feet of living space and sits on 82 acres of land. | Ruzycki Real Estate

The current owners purchased the property about eight years ago, making it their own. Beyond some interior cosmetic adjustments and mechanical updates to the house, most of their efforts have focused on the land and outdoor amenities.

“When this property came up, they jumped on it and throughout the last years have really honed into what they wanted to make (of it),” said Ruzycki.

“They’ve fished on it, they’ve hunted on it, they have snowmobile trails, ATV trails. With their family dynamic, how they have, they’ve been able to enjoy it to the maximum they can.”

Part of that investment includes a 30-by-60 insulated three-car shop and an attached three-car attached garage, which Ruzycki called a “mechanic’s dream,” complete with heating and electrical hookups.

The ranch-style house on Troup Road in Port Colborne has an open layout. | Ruzycki Real Estate

Outdoors, the backyard was levelled out to install a 12-foot deep fish-stocked pond for year-round use — plus a sandy beach area — an in-ground heated pool and a hot tub. There is also a smaller pond nearby that can be used for pond hockey over the winter months and several deer stands for hunting season.

And on the 20 acres of forest, about 20 walking trails (or ATV trails) have been maintained, with trail braiding so it can be walked along year-round with “minimal amount of disturbance of the area.”

“You barely even need boots for the property but as soon as you go off those trails, it is protected conservation area,” he said.

The 82-acre property on Troup Road in Port Colborne includes a 12-foot deep fish-stocked pond. | Ruzycki Real Estate

When it came to price point, the size of the of property was the main consideration. Ruzycki said other properties in the $3-million range are often ornate mansions or lakefront, but the Port Colborne home includes “many things that other properties do have — as well as having that acreage or the country aspect.”

More than 20 trails wrap around the 20 acres of forest. | Ruzycki Real Estate

For potential buyers, it offers unlimited recreation outdoor activities from hobby farming, adventure, riding, hunting or simply peace, privacy and indoor comfort. Ruzycki added it can be maintained as is or upgraded into a “truly self-sustaining property.”

“It’s not just an open farm field. It has a lot of opportunities … the options are pretty much endless,” he said. “You don’t even have to leave the property to do what you want to do.”

An in-ground pool and outdoor patio at the Troup Road home in Port Colborne. | Ruzycki Real Estate

PRICE: $3,509,000

3481 Troup Road, Port Colborne

Bedroom/bathrooms: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms

Living space: About 3,800 square feet

Lot size: More than 82 acres

Neighbourhood: Located on a dead-end road in Bethel (Port Colborne) with a handful of neighbours, the property is close to local Port Colborne and Welland amenities and quick QEW access.

Listing Agent: Frank J. Ruzycki (Ruzycki Real Estate, RE/MAX Niagara Realty Ltd.)