Fall Delights: Hike, Ride, Dine & Stay in Hastings County This Fall

The air is crisp and the leaves are finally turning deep red, yellow, and orange across Hastings County. It’s the perfect time to get out there and explore the region, but with so many great hiking trails and driving routes here, it can be tough to narrow down exactly where to go and what to do in the fall. Keep reading for some ideas, as well as options for fuelling up on fall comfort foods, sleeping surrounded by nature, and getting spooked by a few Halloween-themed events.

Where to hike

Erika Norris/Shutterstock

From Deseronto to Maynooth, there are hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails across Hastings County that will get you up close and personal to all of those fall colours. Check out these classic hiking areas to get started. Here are two other great autumn options:

O’Hara Mill Homestead and Conservation Area
O’Hara MiIl is known for having one of the most well-preserved 19th-century homesteads in Ontario, but there are also seven interweaving hiking trails here. They’ll give you a good sense of the terrain that pioneer families like the O’Haras had to tame. The longest is 1.75 kilometres, the shortest is 250 metres. Most will take you through mature forests, across creeks, and around marshes and old stone fences.

Vanderwater Conservation Area
The 16 kilometres of trails here vary in length from 1 km to 7 km, but they all take you deep into the property’s 635 acres of mature forest. Some traverse steep ridges and hardwoods. Others cut through flat terrain and thick cedars. But almost all of them pass alongside Vanderwater’s big draw: the peaceful Moira River, where the water cascades over a series of limestone steps.

Lake St. Peter Provincial Park
Two hiking trails available, the Lookout Trail is a strenuous hike at 1.5 hours over a 2.5km trail and the Cabin Trail is a strenuous hike over at 2 hours over a 4km trail. Both are rugged terrain and take you up to a spectacular lookout over the lake. Continuing on the Cabin Trail, you'll follow as it branches out from the Lookout trail after the lookout.  
 

Where to ride

Laura Voskamp/bayofquinte.bike

Whether you’re on two wheels or four, Hastings has always been a prime fall destination for hitting the backroads. For tailored options, cyclists should head to our route library, motorcyclists to Ride the Highlands, and all motorists to the North Hastings interactive map. Here are three of our favourite paths:

Cyclists: Have a Nice Day
This 43 kilometre route is mostly unpaved, but the quiet and serenity of being off asphalt definitely makes it worth it. Starting in Tweed, you'll head to the backroads to travel south to Thomasburg, with options to stop at Nat's Place for a quick meal or eat your packed lunch in the Vanderwater Conservation Area. You'll follow the Moira River back up, catching glimpses of the water over several bridges and loop around Stoco Lake before arriving back in Tweed. We recommend visiting Cube Coffee Bar or Mo's Diner for a break. Try our other 2 new routes that launched this year on our hastings.bike page. 

Motorcyclists: The Fall Loop
The Fall Loop is the ultimate fall ride. It's recommended to loop counter clockwise on this route to avoid traffic and drive through Algonquin Park from east to west. Stop in at JC Smokehouse for lunch/dinner or The Scooped Moose for ice cream and sweet treats. If you are looking for a rest stop, Lake St. Peter Provincial Park is a quieter spot to see the changing trees while stretching your legs. Other great routes for the fall include the Timber Trail Loop and Call My Mom extension for expert/advanced riders only.  

Motorists: Treasures of Tyendinaga
The Hastings County Historical Society has created several tailored road trips structured around stops at historical plaques. “Treasures of Tyendinaga” features five plaques, including one describing the founding of Deseronto by a group of Mohawk supporters of the British during the American Revolution.
 

Where to eat

Image: Hidden Goldmine Bakery

No doubt you’ll be hungry by the time you finish a hike or a ride through all of that fall foliage. If you’re craving something hearty and rich, go for one or a few of these 9 fall comfort foods you’ll only find in Hastings County. Hastings is especially famous for its cafés and bakeries, including these seven:

Hidden Goldmine Bakery
59 Durham Street South, Madoc

Café BC
29670 Highway 62, Bancroft  

The Muse Gallery and Café 
23 Bridge Street West, Bancroft

Wattle & Daub Café 
26b Station Street, Bancroft

Sun Run Café and Bakery
33021 Highway 62, Maynooth

Farm Girl Café
18 Mill Street, Stirling

Firehall Café
39 Mill St, Stirling

Cube Coffee Bar
301 Victoria St. N, Tweed
 

Where to sleep

Image: Huntigdon House B&B

A daytrip will only give you a taste of all the wild Hastings County has to offer in the fall. Better stay for a night — or more. If you’ll be cozying up with someone special, try one of these 9 romantic fall getaways. If you’ve always wanted to stay in an A-frame, book one of these four cottages. And if you really want to get close to nature, go glamping here. Here are four other options:

Huntingdon House Bed & Breakfast
10323 ON-62, Stirling
Experience the charming magic of Huntingdon House Boutique B&B. This stunning 150+ year-old church has been transformed into a truly unique and picturesque place to stay. Guests have access to incredible in-house experiences such as spa treatments, hot tub bliss or fireside chats. The Huntingdon House B&B sleeps up to six people, breakfast is included and served to guests each morning.
 

Jewel on the Hill Bed & Breakfast
2295 Old Hastings Road, Coe Hill
Sitting on a knoll on 100 acres of forested property, the Jewel is a 4,200-square-foot log home with three guest rooms. Two rooms share a bathroom, while the third has its own bathroom and jacuzzi, but all come with a queen bed. The panoramic view from the multi-level outdoor deck is one of the biggest draws here, but it’s hard to beat a quiet stroll in the woods of this sprawling property on a crisp fall day.

Grail Springs Retreat for Wellbeing
2004 Bay Lake Road, Bancroft
This award-winning property’s 100 acres of old-growth forest and spring-fed lake are at the heart of the offerings here, which include massage, energy work, yoga, meditation, guided hikes, plant-based meals, and beyond. For accommodations, take your pick from about a dozen rooms, but if it’s available, go for the Lakeview Luxe Room for a spacious corner suite with lake views, balcony, and fireplace.    

Moira Lake Motel
104888 Highway 7, Madoc
What was once a somewhat tired motel along Highway 7 was recently brought back to life with a full renovation to the entire property. Each of the 12 rooms here has been updated with a clean and contemporary design, a new bathroom with sliding barn door, and a kitchenette with stainless steel appliances. Thankfully, though, the beautiful gardens and views are still here.

Where to get spooked

Image: Pexels/Monstera Productions

Tis the season for all things spine-tingling, and if you want to get your spook on, you definitely have lots of options. Start with this list of spooktacular events happening this year. Watch this page as more events are announced!  You can also stay tuned to our events page for the most up-to-date listings. Here are a few ghoulish happenings we’re getting scared for:

Tyendinaga Terror Trail
October 4- - 31
266 York Road, Shannonville

Rocky Horror Picture Show
October 22nd - 26th, Village Playhouse in Bancroft
October 29th - November 2nd, Marble Arts Centre in Tweed

For even more fall experiences in Hastings County, check out the special fall section on our website.