Explore the Great Outdoors in Bay of Quinte, Lennox & Addington, and Hastings County

The Bay of Quinte region, Lennox and Addington and Hastings County, offer plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors. Scenic waterfronts, quiet country roads, forest trails, conservation areas and winding waterways create endless opportunities for exploration.

The landscapes that support the region's farms and rural communities also provide exceptional opportunities for hiking, cycling, paddling, birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Follow a trail through a conservation area, cycle along the shores of Lake Ontario, paddle a peaceful river, or discover a hidden lookout with sweeping views of the countryside.

From leisurely walks and family-friendly cycling routes to backcountry adventures and multi-day paddling trips, outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of places to explore throughout the region.

Leave the rush of the city behind by exploring the Lennox and Addington, the Bay of Quinte region, and Hastings County on foot, or by bike, kayak or canoe.

• Bay of Quinte Adventure Cycling Club: Check this site for local cycling routes and outings.
• Bay of Quinte cycling: Discover suggested cycling routes and information. 
• Bay of Quinte paddling: Here’s some inspiration for local kayaking and canoeing.
• Bay of Quinte trails: Get out your hiking boots!

• Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area: At this Quinte West conservation area, you can take a short walk to a boulder estimated to be 2.3 billion years old and connect to the 17km Lower Trent Trail.
• Camden Lake Provincial Wildlife Area: Hike or paddle in this preserve in Stone Mills Township, set aside to protect migratory waterfowl.
• Cataraqui Trail: A section of this 104km rail-to-trail conversion cuts through Stone Mills Township, near Napanee. Largely flat, it’s great for easy hiking and cycling.

• Great Lakes Waterfront Trail: This Ontario-wide cycling and walking trail hugs the waterfront along Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte.
• Hastings.bike: This site outlines a variety of cycling routes in Tyendinaga Township and Deseronto. The Lilac Loop is especially pretty in May and June.
• H.R. Frink Conservation Area: This outdoor site in Belleville on the Moira River has 10km of hiking trails, including the Wetland Ecology Boardwalk.
• Lennox & Addington Gravel Road Cycling: Take a scenic backroad cycling adventure through L&A’s charming villages and hamlets, which offer many places to take a break.
• Lennox & Addington Paved Road Cycling: Explore 12 looping paved-road routes, many featuring paved shoulders.
• Lennox & Addington Hiking Routes: Lennox and Addington offers over 20 distinct conservation areas and parks, where the crowds disappear and the scenery remains authentic.
• Lennox & Addington Paddle Routes: Lennox and Addington features dozens of zero- and low-portage paddle routes that are perfect for canoers, kayakers and paddleboarders of all skill levels.
• Melrose Gravel Tour: This annual cycling event takes riders through the countryside of Tyendinaga Township.
• Menzel Centennial Provincial Park: This 627ha nature reserve in Roblin, northwest of Napanee, has no visitor facilities but does offer lots of hiking and birdwatching opportunities.

• Parrotts Bay Conservation Area: This 117ha conservation area near Bath offers 6km of woodland and wetlands trails.
• Potter’s Creek North Conservation Area: On the edge of Belleville, this conservation area draws hikers and cross-country skiers to 7km of trails through woods and past orchards.
• Puzzle Lake Provincial Park: This protected area in Stone Mills Township is a secluded spot for backcountry hiking, paddling and camping.
• Sager Conservation Area: The high point—literally and figuratively—here is a 9m-high observation tower offering views of Quinte West and the Trent River Valley.
• Sheffield Conservation Area: Hike a 4.5km loop trail across the granite of the Canadian Shield or paddle quiet waterways near Erinsville. 
• Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site: The locks, dams and canals of the Trent-Severn Waterway are a historical and engineering marvel. Quinte West is home to several locks along this waterway, including Frankford Lock 6.

Time spent outdoors offers a deeper appreciation for the landscapes that shape this region. As you cycle country roads, paddle quiet waterways or hike through forests and conservation areas, you'll gain a new perspective on the farms, orchards and rural communities that make this corner of South Eastern Ontario so distinctive. Leave time to pause along the way, you'll often find that the most memorable experiences happen when fresh air, local flavours and genuine hospitality come together.