Their buds are barely visible right now, but by the time the last Saturday of September rolls around, the maples in North Hastings will be turning. The long summer days will have given way to crisp mornings and golden afternoons made for long rides. And the stunning vistas of the Hastings Highlands Hilly Hundred (HHHH) will be waiting for you.
Set in and around Bancroft on September 26, 2026, the HHHH is one of Ontario’s classic fall cycling events, returning this year with a couple of fresh additions to the lineup and a renewed focus on what makes this long-standing event worth the drive. As always, you can expect incredible gravel riding, stunning fall colour, and a finish-line spread that makes you want to stick around long after the ride is done.
What’s New for 2026
The classic 100 mile and 100 kilometre courses are back for riders chasing the full HHHH experience. New this year are two additional routes designed to open the event up to more riders:
The Try-a-Hilly is a roughly 34km course for those who want a real taste of Hastings Highlands terrain without the commitment of a full century. It’s an approachable adventure that leaves plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and a long Saturday afternoon.
The pedal-assist route is another first for the HHHH, designed for riders whose bikes give them a little extra boost on the climbs. If you’ve ever looked at a hundred kilometres of Hastings Highlands hills and wished you could enjoy the scenery instead of grinding it out, this one’s your invitation. The route is planned with battery range in mind, so you can spend the day soaking in fall colours instead of watching your power bar.
Check in with the HHHH later this season for notes on the new Try-a-Hilly and pedal assist routes.
The Routes
The classic HHHH courses wind through the best of North Hastings: remote lakes, deep woods, cottage country gravel roads, and panoramic fall vistas that make every climb worth the effort.
Gravel riders will tackle a section of the Hastings Heritage Trail, the aptly-named “Hillsview Road” and a climb up Eagle’s Nest itself. The road century crosses east-west through the hills north of Bancroft, up to Maynooth via the rolling Graphite Road grind, along the beautiful Peterson Road past Elephant Lake, and back into town via fresh pavement on Baptiste Lake Road. Both courses have several built-in escape routes back to the starting point, so you can start with ambition and adjust as the day unfolds.
Whichever route you choose, the famous aid station functions as the heart of the event. Where other races might offer an energy gel handoff, the HHHH provides a trailside potluck vibe with local cooks serving up food like chili, soups, fresh-baked cookies and brownies, and even cucumber-infused water to refresh your hydration supply. Another spread waits for you at the finish line, where you’re invited to linger with a plate and swap stories with other riders.
Every course is fully supported. On-course mechanics and sweeps with bike racks mean you can ride your own ride without packing for every worst-case scenario.
Where to Stay
Bancroft sits about two and a half hours from both Toronto and Ottawa, which makes Friday evening an easy arrival for Saturday’s ride. Build your weekend plans from your home base and be sure to book in advance for ride weekend.
- For cyclists, bed & breakfasts, Airbnb and Vrbo rentals are often ideal. You can ask your host about bike storage in advance, and setups tend to be more spacious and secure than a typical hotel room. Bancroft has a network of both, in town and tucked into the surrounding countryside like the Cedarhaus B&B. Pro tip: lots of spots offer amenities like saunas and hot tubs, but you’ll want to do your research and lock in your booking well in advance if you have pre- or post-ride relaxation on your agenda.
- Motels like Sword Inn and Bancroft Inn & Suites offer convenience for riders who just want a clean, cozy room and an easy morning commute to breakfast and the start line.
- Don’t overlook cottage country lodges and cabin rentals. Locally-owned spots like Limerick Lake Lodge, Somerset Lakeside Resort, and Baptiste Lake Lodge deliver a classic Ontario shoulder-season experience. Many rural accommodations are a short drive from Bancroft on ride morning, but the lakeside views and opportunities to build in a paddle session more than earn it.
- And for campers: late September in North Hastings can deliver some of the best weather of the year, with the appeal of far fewer insects than in spring and summer. Nearby provincial parks and private camping and glamping spots like West Pines Campground and Maynooth Station Lodge are worth checking early, since shoulder-season availability tightens up as the season winds down.
Where to Eat
Before the ride: A proper breakfast in Bancroft sets the tone. Cafe BC and Dave’s Place are both early-morning favourites that know how to handle a hungry pre-ride crowd.
After the ride: Once you’ve burned off your aid station meal and worked your way through the finish-line spread, The Granite in downtown Bancroft is the classic landing spot for a proper dinner. It’s the local favourite for a reason: expect a full patio if the weather cooperates, and plan to linger. Nearby, Bancroft Brew Pub offers everything you need to refuel your legs after cresting the climbs, with both patio and indoor ambiance (if you’ve had your fill of fresh air on the ride). Pro tip: check in with Bancroft Brewing Co. on social media to find out about new seasonal brews and live music to cap off your big ride.
Make a Weekend of It
If you arrive Friday afternoon, the Eagle’s Nest Park and Hawkwatch Lookout just outside town is a perfect warm-up. A short hike up the rock face gives you a sweeping view of the York River valley and a preview of the kind of terrain and fall colour you’ll be riding through the next day.
For Sunday recovery, you’ll find easy hiking trails through mixed forest and wetlands at Nellie Lunn Park near Coe Hill, a perfect leg-stretcher to take on with a thermos of coffee or tea before the drive home.
And if the ride leaves you wanting more time on two wheels, the surrounding area has no shortage of options. Hastings.bike is the local hub for route inspiration, trip ideas, and cyclist-friendly itineraries around the county, whether you’re building out your HHHH weekend or planning your next trip north.
How to Register
Registration details, the full event schedule, and start-line logistics will all be published on the HHHH’s website in spring 2026. In the meantime, sign up for event updates here.
Whether you’re going for the full hundred, testing the waters with the Try-a-Hilly, or showing up with your pedal-assist and a plan to enjoy every hill, the 2026 Hastings Highlands Hilly Hundred has a lane for you. Come for the food. Go for a ride. Stay for the weekend.
Find more Hastings County cycling routes, local perspective, and trip inspiration at hastings.bike
Plan Your Cycling Trip in Hastings County
- Hastings County – Adventures – Find more adventures and things to do in Hastings, on or off the bike
- Hastings County – Where to Stay – Find local accommodations around the county, from bed & breakfasts to cozy cottages to luxury retreats and picturesque campsites
- Hastings County – Where to Eat – Find the best places to eat around Hastings County
- Hastings County – Ride with GPS Cycling Route Collection – Find routes created by local cyclists
- Ontario By Bike – Great Places to Cycle – Hastings County – Find certified bicycle friendly businesses and more route and ride ideas
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Article written by Laura Voskamp. All photos c/o Hastings Highlands Hilly Hundred
The post Come for the Food, Go for a Ride: Your 2026 Hastings Highlands Hilly Hundred Weekend appeared first on Ontario By Bike.
