Tory Hill: Railway History, Trails and Glassblowing

Tory Hill offers several distinct reasons to stay: a village history shaped by rail traffic, trails bearing traces of earlier use, a paddling route and a glassblowing studio. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tory Hill, these themes can help you choose a destination that matches your interests. Options range from the history of former rail traffic to activities on foot, by bike or on the water.

Railway History and Traces of Earlier Use

The village developed around the railway. Between 1893 and 1960, trains passed through Tory Hill three times a week. One historic link to this past is the IB & O Rail Trail: it was once part of the Irondale, Bancroft & Ottawa line. The railway has shaped both the village’s history and the history of a trail suited to hiking or cycling.

The Homesteader Trail Loop refers to pioneers who tried to farm in this part of the Canadian Shield. On the trail, you can discover long-abandoned, overgrown fields and old stone walls. These features add traces of earlier farming attempts to the railway history.

Trails and Practical Information

The IB & O Rail Trail is 5.5 km long and relatively flat; it’s suitable for hiking or cycling. It is also shared with motorized recreational vehicles and horses. If you’re on foot or by bike, take this shared use into account when planning your outing.

The Homesteader Trailhead at Tory Hill Park has free parking, a picnic area, a playground and portable toilets. The park at the IB & O Rail Trail in Tory Hill offers picnic tables, play equipment, a toilet and ample parking.

Paddling on Wilbermere Lake

The Wilbermere Lake Paddle offers a different kind of route: it runs along the shore of Wilbermere Lake for about 4.5 km and includes a detour upstream to a beaver dam. From there, the route continues downstream on the Irondale River to the bridge at the 45th parallel. Near its final section, the route passes a swimming beach with a dock.

Wilbermere Lake Beach is a sandy beach with docks and portable toilets. Check the current status of the beach facilities before your visit. The activities differ considerably from those on the 5.5 km IB & O Rail Trail: there, it’s about hiking or cycling on a shared trail; here, it’s a paddling route along the lakeshore and river.

Glassblowing and Mineral History

Tory Hill is also home to Artech Glassblowing Studios, a traditional glassblowing studio. It produces tableware from recycled glass and handcrafted barware. Artech offers tours and glassblowing classes; visits to the studio can be arranged by appointment. This craft adds a distinct theme alongside the trails and paddling route.

Mineral history is also part of Tory Hill’s story. Over the past hundred years, mineral deposits in the area have been worked for phosphate (apatite) for use as fertilizer and for mineral specimens. Using the mineral as fertilizer and working mineral specimens are distinct aspects of this history. In this way, the history of resources and minerals adds to the area’s railway and pioneer history.

Discover more destinations: Minden, Cardiff, Highland Grove, Oxtongue Lake, Harcourt, Carnarvon, Haliburton

Go to the main travel overview: Haliburton County.