If you’re planning a trip to Bancroft and are looking for some great hiking trails to explore, you’re in luck! Bancroft is known for its beautiful scenery and there are great hiking trails in the vicinity, making this a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk in the woods during your Bancroft cottage rental, you are sure to find a trail that’s perfect for you!
Here are some of the best hiking trails around Bancroft that are perfect for anyone staying at one of our Bancroft cottage rentals or our broader Haliburton cottage rentals.
Top Hiking Trails in Bancroft
Eagle’s Nest Lookout Trail
Climb atop the Eagle’s Nest Bancroft for a breath-taking view of the York River Valley. Located above downtown Bancroft, off Hastings Street North, it’s the best lookout in the area, and is not something you’ll want to miss. The parking area is at the end of a steep and winding road, and is closed during the winter season. Once at the top, you can then admire the amazing view, and enjoy a hike on the trails surrounding it.
Lake St. Peter Provincial Park
Half an hour north of Bancroft is this beautiful park, with two sandy beaches and a strenuous hiking trail leading to a lookout with a spectacular view of the lake. You can turn back here, or continue on the Cabin Trail, a further two hours, if you still have energy to spare. Stop and cool down at one of the sandy beaches when you’re finished!
Hastings Heritage Trail
While visiting Bancroft’s downtown, perhaps enjoying a meal at The Granite or shopping at The Old Tin Shed, why not enjoy an easy hike along this portion of the Hastings Heritage Trail? The trail runs behind downtown Bancroft, on the other side of the York River. Park at the Bancroft Mineral Museum, off Station Street, and head North or South along the river. The Hastings Heritage Trail is open year-round and is built as a multi-use trail which follows an old set of railway tracks linking Hastings County. The Trail has ample parking and access points across different points along the trail.
Egan Chutes Trail – Egan Chutes Provincial Park
Egan Chutes Provincial Park is located just under 15 minutes of Bancroft (East of Bancroft). This 8 km out trail is considered moderate and takes about 2 hours to fully walk. It’s a popular trail and is perfect for birders and hikers. If you’re in the mood for a shorter hike, a scenic waterfall is only 10 minutes along the trail making it a perfect spot to check out if you’re in the area!
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Silent Lake Provincial Park is just 20 minutes South of Bancroft and is a perfect spot to spend a day given the number of hiking and biking trails as well as public beaches to enjoy on a summer day. With 19 km of hiking trails and 17 km of mountain biking trails, a lookout point over Silent Lake, and 2 sandy beaches, this park is a great year-round destination! In the winter, enjoy 34 km of cross country ski trails.
Vance Farm
This 37 acre property was donated to the Town of Bancroft in 1998 by a local couple, in order to allow public access to the land. The Park is a natural environmental setting consisting of walking and hiking trails. During the winter months a snowmobile trail crosses the property, and snowshoeing is possible.
Prospector Trail Loop
With almost 90% of all types of minerals found on earth located in North Hastings, Bancroft is known as the “Mineral Capital of Canada”, and is a major destination for recreational rockhounding enthusiasts, many of whom come to attend the annual Rockhound Gemboree.
For a peek into the rockhounding history of this beautiful area, take the Prospector Trail Loop. From the 1920’s to the 1950’s prospectors and miners scoured this mineral rich area and discovered uraninite; the richest ore of radium. The trail encompasses long abandoned mine sites including the Harcourt Graphite mine, the Dwyer, Schickler, Tripp and Clark mines; long since reclaimed by nature. Be sure to stop and explore the rock cuts on the Old Burleigh Road and the I.B.&O. To see if you can spot any black Tourmaline, blue Apatite or deep purple Flourite. Be sure to check out The Bancroft Mineral Museum while you’re in the area!
Algonquin Provincial Park
The Eastern entrance of Algonquin Park, the largest Provincial Park in Ontario, is just 50 minutes from Bancroft, making an easy day trip. There are so many trails within the park you could spend weeks trying them all, but we recommend the Barron Canyon Trail, just 10 km inside the park entrance. It’s a short 1.5 km hike, rated moderate, but it leads to and runs along the north rim of the spectacular 100 metre deep Barron Canyon, and the views are amazing! Please note that the trail travels by an unfenced cliff; keep children close by and pets on a leash at all times.
Explore All of These Great Hikings Trails at One of Our Bancroft Cottage Rentals
Bancroft is a beautiful place, full of lakes, trees, rivers, and parks, and with many trails that are well worth exploring while you’re staying at one of our Haliburton cottage rentals. There are, of course, many more things to do in Bancroft, something for everyone, and enough to keep you busy while you’re away from the cottage!
