Discover Belleville: Trails, Market and Culture

Belleville can be explored from many different perspectives: trails run through waterfront areas, parks, downtown and rural landscapes. The city has more than 45 km of trails in total. There is also a year-round outdoor market and striking reminders of the city’s history. You can shape your trip around whether you want to spend time outdoors, discover local products, or focus on architecture and culture.

Trails by the water and through the parks

For a shorter walk along the north shore of the Bay of Quinte, consider the Kiwanis Bayshore Trail: it is about 2.75 km long, paved and lit. At about 1 km, the Shirley Langer Trail is shorter and also paved; as a multi-use trail, it connects to the eastern end of the Kiwanis Bayshore Trail. In winter, the Shirley Langer Trail is also groomed for cross-country skiing. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by their length and the kind of outing you have in mind.

Two more trails with their own distinct character follow the Moira River. Near downtown, the Parrott Riverfront Trail follows the river for about 1.6 km and is paved and lit. If you would rather plan a loop along the Bay of Quinte, Zwick’s Park Trail offers a paved, well-lit circuit of about 3.25 km. At about 5.25 km, the Riverside Park Trail is longer, partly paved and runs through Riverside Park alongside the Moira River. These details about length and surface can help you decide in advance which trail best suits your planned outing.

The trails offer different ways to include the water, green spaces and urban areas in your trip. If you choose Belleville as your vacation destination, you can plan your vacation rental and daily schedule around the landscapes and activities that interest you most. You don’t have to let any one trail or park define your entire stay.

Market and city history

The Belleville Farmers’ Market operates year-round as an outdoor market on Market Square, behind City Hall in downtown. Local farmers, food producers and craftspeople sell fresh and locally made products there. The market brings together regional foods and handmade goods, offering a different perspective on Belleville than the trails along the river and bay. If you enjoy discovering local products, you can make a visit to the market a focus of your trip.

Belleville’s architecture also tells the story of its past. Glanmore National Historic Site is in the historic Old East Hill neighbourhood. The house was built in 1882–1883 for banker John. Phillips and his wife, Harriet Dougall Phillips. Its exceptional Victorian Second Empire architecture and artistic design led to its designation as a National Historic Site of Canada. The formal interior has been restored to its 1880s appearance and includes hand-painted ceilings, elaborate woodwork and reproductions.

City Hall was built in 1872 and was formerly known as the Town Market Building. Stained-glass windows, original brickwork and wooden roof trusses are among its distinctive features. Four self-guided heritage tours focus on City Hall, designated historic sites, places of worship and historic plaques. If you enjoy getting to know Belleville through its architectural history and commemorative sites, these tours can provide a cultural counterpoint to the outdoor trails.

Cultural programming and planning your trip

The Empire Theatre has 700 seats and opened in September 2003. It presents national and international musicians and comedians. This gives Belleville a clear focus for visitors seeking live entertainment during their trip, alongside walking trails, the market and historic buildings. These different interests can help you choose the right mix for your stay: more time on trails by the water, a visit to the market, or a cultural focus on architecture and theatre.

More local pages: Marmora, Tweed, Coe Hill, Madoc, Maynooth, Stirling, Bancroft and Gilmour.

For the broader travel overview: Hastings County.