As you walk along the sandy trail from the parking area, the calm York River gives no preview to what’s ahead. But the closer you get to the chutes, the more the sound of rushing water grows, assaulting your ears with its volume. Egan Chutes is a non-operating Ontario Park and unless you know where you are heading, it’s quite easy to miss this gem – the signage on the west side of the river is not even visible from the highway. But the potholed road leading to the parking area is found 15 kilometres east of Bancroft on Highway 28. From here, a relatively flat trail, about a kilometre in length, leads along the west side of the river to the biggest and main chute. Here the water wraps its way through two channels around a central island, cascading in a number of stages about 4 metres into a short gorge. Photo credits: photography.ca As there are no fences, viewing platforms or signs, visitors have the opportunity to get quite close to the main chute and continue along the trail, which drops down to the base of the falls where the water calms and continues on its route. Another trail runs along the east side of the York River, also accessed from Highway 28, but the views are not as impressive. However, hikers can continue past the Egan Chutes along the east trail to Farm Chute, a pair of low falls further along the river. Photo credits: Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook If you’re heading this way, plan to leave early and enjoy this scenic detour on your route, and be sure to bring your Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook to help you find your way – you can find the Egan Chutes on page 55. Want to check more locations in this area? Look below for more! No other map product gives you the breadth of road coverage that ours do, helping you find that secluded, unobstructed viewing area with ease. Have you been here yet? Let us know in the comments below or share your best hiking photos with us on Instagram using #brmblife for a chance to be featured on our feed and win prizes.
