RELEASE: Walk along the Moira river and learn

The Moira River runs through the heart of the City of Belleville and is the reason behind settlement of the area. The river powered the 19th century mills that were the basis of economic growth. Now you can learn about the history of the bridges, buildings and sites along the banks of the Moira with a new self-guided walking tour.

Stroll of Discovery: Riverfront Trail was developed by the Hastings County Historical Society in partnership with Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County.

Illustrated by contemporary and historic photos, the Stroll of Discovery takes you along the Riverfront Trail – from Meyers Pier,  through downtown Belleville and up into Riverside Park near Highway 401. The Moira River is rich in history – from the Anishinaabe people to United Empire Loyalist settlement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, to the present day.

Historical Society President Richard Hughes comments, “It adds a whole new dimension to walking the trail when you can learn about the history of our city.” Discover some of the colourful characters who shaped the City of Belleville. Places that we have always taken for granted come alive with photos and a brief description.

The multi-platform Stroll of Discovery is available as a 12-page full colour booklet, a PDF you can view on a computer or tablet, and an interactive PocketSights app that you can download to your smartphone. And it’s all free!

The walking tour is 5 km and takes about an hour to complete or break it into shorter segments.
It’s also fully accessible by bicycle, stroller and wheelchair. Have a coffee and pastry at a Downtown Belleville café while you plan your route. After completing the stroll, reward yourself with a great meal at one of the many fine restaurants.

The Stroll of Discovery booklet is available at the Belleville Chamber of Commerce log cabin, the Belleville Public Library, the Community Archives and other locations.

Download the Stroll of Discovery on the PocketSights app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
View the tour on the PocketSights website: https://pocketsights.com/tours/tour/Belleville-Stroll-of-Discovery%3A-Riverfront-Trail-Belleville-5775
Download the Walking Tour PDF from Community Archives: https://www.cabhc.ca/en/publications/publications.aspx