Trent Canal Hastings to Campbellford

My first experiences on the Trent Canal were when I visited cousins in Hastings and the lock keepers would let us help turn the arms which opened and closed the lock gates. Recently friends invited me to join them on their boat for the trip from Hastings to Campbellford. These communities are also connected by the Trans Canada trail which gave me the opportunity to cycle to Hastings without worrying about traffic.

 

Trans Canada Trail

The trail itself is beautiful: it starts just behind the Canadian Tire and travels on the old rail bed to the bridge in Hastings. The surface is stony with some packed earth areas, small bridges extend over creeks and it passes through a huge culvert under Highway #35. I saw a lot of birds as while transiting fields, woods and at one spot a barnyard. The day was warm but a lot of the trial is shaded. Mountain bike tires are necessary: there is loose gravel and road tires are ineffective.

Lock 15 - Healey Falls

Going down the canal was a blast. Hastings is at Lock 18 while Campbellford is located below Lock 13 and the drop varies at the different locations. Our most significant descent were the double locks at Healey Falls with a drop of twenty four feet: it was bizarre to see the base of the canal appear as we dropped below the eight foot depth. Staff at each lock were good about taking the lines to secure our boat and often would stop their routine to chat. En route we saw lakes and farmland: most of the route is secluded and you only find shops and restaurants in the larger towns of Campbellford and Hastings.