Hastings County: Trails, Water and History

Hastings County lies between Toronto, Ottawa, the Bay of Quinte and Algonquin Park, and stretches from Prince Edward County to Algonquin Park. The region combines outdoor experiences with insights into its history: you can explore trails through old forests, spend time by lakes, or learn about mining and agriculture. When planning a stay, consider your direction of travel and the experiences that interest you most.

Getting There and Scenic Routes

From Ottawa, you can reach many of the county’s small towns by driving west along Highway 7 in under two hours. From Toronto, drive east on Highway 401 to Belleville, which is reachable in under two hours; from there, other highways lead to the communities of Hastings County by car. Actual driving times may vary depending on conditions.

One scenic route is Scenic Route #8 Weslemkoon Lake Trail. It runs from Gilmour to Weslemkoon Lake; along the way, you can stop for a swim at Wadsworth Lake. When planning your hotel stay, you can consider your route and the excursions that interest you together.

Forest Trails, River and Lakes

At Vanderwater Conservation Area, a 16-kilometre trail network winds through old forests to the Moira River. There, water flows over a series of limestone steps. The trails, forest and river come together in one outdoor experience: the route leads through the trees to the water, where the limestone formations add a distinctive touch.

Lake St. Peter Provincial Park has two sandy beaches. Day visitors can rent canoes or kayaks and explore Lake St. Peter. The lake is also the northern endpoint of the Hastings Heritage Trail. This brings a day on the water and a regional hiking trail into a clear local connection.

McGeachie Conservation Area offers hiking trails, a stream, beaver dams, wildlife and extensive wetlands. It is also home to an original house that is almost 150 years old. The area combines nature watching with a piece of architectural history, while Vanderwater is distinguished particularly by its trail network and the limestone steps on the Moira River.

Museums, Agriculture and Minerals

In Bancroft, the Bancroft North Hastings Heritage Museum is housed in the former headquarters of the Bronson-Weston Lumber Company. Ten galleries explore the community’s history. Another perspective on the region’s past awaits you at Eagles Nest Park: its interpretive trail covers the region’s early Indigenous presence, early European settlement, and the park’s geology, flora and fauna.

Farmtown Park in Stirling is home to the Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage, which showcases rural Ontario culture and the history of farming and farmers. Visitors can also learn more about how cheese and butter are made. The Heritage Village depicts a unique rural small town from the 1930s. Its different areas bring agriculture to life not only as the history of farms, but also as part of rural life.

Bancroft hosts the Rockhound Gemboree every summer, Canada’s largest annual gem and mineral show, featuring more than 100 vendors. At the Princess Sodalite Mine Rock Shop, visitors can also search for rocks and minerals and discover almost 100 different types of finds. The show and the hands-on search offer two different ways to explore gems and minerals.

Tyendinaga Cavern and Caves offers a guided tour of Ontario’s largest known cave. Availability is seasonal; check the dates offered before you travel. When planning, you can distinguish this cave tour from the nature and cultural experiences described as available year-round.

Discover more destinations: Belleville, Quinte West, Bancroft, Gilmour, Tweed, Coe Hill, Lake Saint Peter, Madoc, Marmora, Stirling, Maynooth.

View the main travel guide: Ontario.