Start your adventure at King’s Mill Conservation Area. Parking is free and it also makes for a nice spot to bring back your picnic supplies after the ride.
The back roads surrounding King’s Mill Conservation Area are quiet (when we tried this route, we didn’t see a single vehicle until Stirling-Marmora Road) and the landscape is varied. There are options to switch up my short, 14-kilometre base to include portions of the Hastings Heritage Trail or to link additional back roads for a longer tour. You’re never far from civilization, and if you plan right, you can stock up on freshly harvested apples from the Cooney Farms' Apple Store part-way through the ride (don’t forget bike bags!)
Take your time ambling around the backroads, and with a perfect opportunity to stop at Nine Hand Hill Farm for a farm to fork lunch. Take a break and enjoy the view at their picnic tables or grab-and-go for a picturesque meal along the river back at King's Mill Conservation Area. Either way, their home-grown food is sure to impress.
