Road Trip Toronto to Bancroft – Canada's Mineral Capital
Toronto
Bancroft
250
km
3h
drive
All seasons
season
The Itinerary
Bancroft sits in the Ontario highlands where the Canadian Shield surfaces in a jumble of ancient, heavily metamorphosed rock, and that geology has made it the mineral capital of Canada. More than 1,600 mineral species and varieties have been recorded in the surrounding townships, an extraordinary concentration produced by the intrusions and pegmatites that run through the area. Collectors have been coming here for a century, and several old workings remain open for hobby collecting.
The drive from Toronto is about 250 km and is half the point: Highway 401 east to Highway 115, then Highway 28 north through Peterborough and Apsley, or Highway 62 north from Belleville. Either way the road leaves farmland behind and climbs into mixed hardwood, lakes and granite outcrop, and the autumn colour through here is among the best in the province because of the sheer proportion of sugar maple.
The Rockhound Gemboree, held each August, is the oldest gem and mineral show in Canada and fills the town with dealers, displays and field trips. The Bancroft Mineral Museum keeps a permanent collection of more than a thousand local specimens, and the Princess Sodalite Mine on Highway 28 lets visitors dig through rock piles for a fee. Eagles Nest Lookout, a short walk from town, gives a wide view over the York River valley and is the standard photograph. Algonquin Park's eastern side is about an hour north if you want to extend the trip.
The drive from Toronto is about 250 km and is half the point: Highway 401 east to Highway 115, then Highway 28 north through Peterborough and Apsley, or Highway 62 north from Belleville. Either way the road leaves farmland behind and climbs into mixed hardwood, lakes and granite outcrop, and the autumn colour through here is among the best in the province because of the sheer proportion of sugar maple.
The Rockhound Gemboree, held each August, is the oldest gem and mineral show in Canada and fills the town with dealers, displays and field trips. The Bancroft Mineral Museum keeps a permanent collection of more than a thousand local specimens, and the Princess Sodalite Mine on Highway 28 lets visitors dig through rock piles for a fee. Eagles Nest Lookout, a short walk from town, gives a wide view over the York River valley and is the standard photograph. Algonquin Park's eastern side is about an hour north if you want to extend the trip.
Points of Interest
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✦
Rockhound GemboreeCanada's oldest gem and mineral show, held each August.
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✦
Eagles Nest LookoutLookout over the York River valley.
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✦
Princess Sodalite MineA working mine open to visitors for mineral collecting.
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✦
Bancroft Mineral MuseumMore than 1,000 local specimens on display.
Fishing Spots Along the Route
Protected areas along the route
🌿
SPRINGWATER PROVINCIAL PARK (RECREATIONAL CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
EGAN CHUTES PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
Minesing Swamp (Minesing Conservation Wetlands)
General Use Area
🌿
EGAN CHUTES PROVINCIAL PARK ADDITION (WATERWAY CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
Copeland Forest
General Use Area
🌿
SILENT LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURAL ENVIRONMENT CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
BASS LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK (RECREATIONAL CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
Holland Marsh
Provincial Wildlife Area
🌿
SIBBALD POINT PROVINCIAL PARK (RECREATIONAL CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
LITTLE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CONSERVATION RESERVE
Conservation Reserve
🌿
CROWE RIVER SWAMP CONSERVATION RESERVE
Conservation Reserve
🌿
Tiny Marsh
Provincial Wildlife Area
Take this route offline
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Try PDF Export How geo-referenced PDF maps workPractical info
- Departure Toronto
- Destination Bancroft
- Distance 250 km
- Duration 3h
- Category Medium (100–250 km)
- Best season All seasons
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