Where the Five-Points Trails Connect
The Five-Points trail system is often described as a connector, but that can make planning confusing: a line on a map does not always mean a legal, open route continues into the next trail area. This guide explains how Five Points fits into the Haliburton network, what to check before heading toward Bancroft, and how to avoid mistaking nearby trail systems for one continuous ride.
How Five Points fits into the Haliburton trail network
Think of Five Points as a local trail area, not a guaranteed through-route
Five Points is associated with the Haliburton ATV Association, often shortened to HATVA, and sits in the broader Haliburton riding area near Harcourt. Riders may see it discussed alongside other HATVA trails because it is part of the same regional trail network. That relationship is useful, but it does not mean every route out of Five Points provides an uninterrupted ride to every other HATVA area.
Trail systems are made up of individual routes, junctions, access points, and sometimes gaps where there is no legal or maintained trail connection. A trail map may show nearby routes that look as if they meet, while the actual connection depends on the marked route, current access, and the trail permit rules for the area. Before setting out, check [HATVA and Ontario's Haliburton Network] and the specific information for [Riding the Five-Points Trail System in Haliburton].
It helps to picture Five Points as one useful part of a larger riding plan, rather than a single doorway into every destination nearby. If you are staying around Harcourt, you may be able to plan a ride that uses the local trails and links to other routes shown as open on the current club map. If your goal is a much longer ride toward Bancroft, treat that as a separate route-planning question: confirm the exact trail connection, not just the general direction.
Know the difference between a nearby trail and a connected trail
On a map, two trail areas can look close without having a continuous, permitted route between them. A lake, private property, a closed trail, an unassumed road, or a section managed by another organization can break what appears to be a simple connection. Even a route that was usable on a previous trip may be affected by seasonal closures or changed access.
That distinction matters when you are planning fuel, daylight, and a safe return. A rider who expects to turn around at a familiar junction may be comfortable carrying less fuel or riding later in the day. A rider who assumes a route continues and then discovers a gap may have to backtrack, take an unfamiliar trail, or cut the ride short. For broader planning, compare the route against [Connecting HATVA to Bancroft and EOTA] rather than relying on a regional overview alone.
| What the map appears to show | What to confirm before you ride |
|---|---|
| Two routes meet at a junction | The junction is open and marked on the current club map |
| A route points toward another trail area | The connecting section is legal, open, and covered by the right permit |
| A road appears to bridge a gap | ORV use is allowed on that specific road and under the applicable rules |
| A line continues across a boundary | The next trail area accepts your permit or requires a separate one |
| A route forms a loop | The loop is complete and suitable for your machine and riding group |
The safest way to read a connection is to confirm it at both ends. Check the club information for Five Points, then check the organization responsible for the next section. If you cannot identify who maintains or manages a link, do not assume that the line represents an approved trail.
Where riders should check for connections
Start with the HATVA trail map and local club information
For a ride that begins at Five Points, start with the HATVA trail information and identify the exact route you intend to follow. Look for named junctions, trail markings, access points, and notes about restrictions. Then check that the map you are using is current enough for your trip. A screenshot saved months ago can be useful for orientation but may not reflect a closure or reroute.
A club map is more than a picture of where trails run. It helps you understand which routes the club recognizes, where a ride can branch, and whether a route reaches a boundary with another managed area. If you are new to the region, take time to learn how the map labels junctions and trail segments. [Reading a Club Trail Map] offers a useful way to approach that task, while [Ontario ATV Trail Maps] can help you think about map choices across the province.
Do not plan solely from the distance between Harcourt and your destination. A route that looks short in a straight line may require a much longer trail journey, and some roads between communities may not be open to ATVs. Before leaving, mark your intended turnaround point and at least one alternate plan. If the connecting section is closed or unclear, you should be able to enjoy a shorter local ride instead of improvising.
Check who manages the next section
The Haliburton network and the routes toward Bancroft are associated with different trail organizations and local systems. A connection shown in one area’s materials should be checked against the organization responsible for the next section. This is especially important when the planned ride crosses a club or permit boundary.
A trail permit is not automatically permission to ride every trail in the region. Verify that your permit applies to the route and any adjoining area you intend to use. If you are unsure whether your permit covers the next section, review [Does Your Permit Cover the Next Club's District?] and confirm directly with the relevant club or permit provider. It is much easier to settle that question before unloading your machine than at a trail junction.
Also check whether the proposed connector is actually an ATV trail or a road. Road access may have its own local rules, and one municipality’s open-road policy does not necessarily extend into another municipality. A line on an app or map is not, on its own, proof that riding is permitted. When route details are uncertain, ask the local club for clarification rather than treating a nearby road as a convenient substitute.
Planning a Five Points ride toward Bancroft
Confirm the route in both directions
If your goal is to ride from Five Points toward Bancroft or another Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance area, verify the whole trip in segments. First, identify the trail from your starting point to the edge of the HATVA area. Next, confirm that the connecting section is open and legal. Finally, check the route within the next trail district and make sure your permit arrangements cover it.
This two-sided check catches a common planning mistake: one map shows a route leaving its area, but the destination-side information does not show a usable trail arriving there. The route may have changed, may require a different permit, or may depend on a specific connector that is not available on your planned date. The overview in [Connecting HATVA to Bancroft and EOTA] is a useful starting point, but use the responsible clubs’ current trail information to make the final decision.
Think through the return ride as carefully as the outbound route. A connector that works in one direction should still be open and navigable on the way back, but fatigue, weather, trail conditions, and daylight can change the practical risk. Do not assume that a long-distance ride will be easy to reverse if the group is behind schedule. Agree on a turnaround time before departure, and make sure everyone knows where to regroup if riders become separated.
Use digital maps as a backup, not as permission
A mapping app can be handy when you want to see your position, compare nearby route lines, or orient yourself after a turn. Some riders use onX Offroad as an additional planning reference alongside club maps. That can help with general awareness, but an app’s display should not replace confirmation from the organization that manages the trail or road.
Before the ride, check what map information is available offline and make sure your phone is charged. If you use onX Offroad, treat it as one layer of your preparation, not the final word on whether a route is open or permitted. Keep the official club map or directions accessible as well. Cell coverage can be unreliable in rural and wooded areas, and a phone that loses signal should not leave the group without a clear idea of its route.
It is also worth comparing the app’s route lines with on-the-ground signage. If an app suggests a turn that conflicts with a closure sign, a club marker, or a posted restriction, follow the posted restriction and stop to reassess. Do not ride around a barrier because a digital line continues beyond it. For more on navigation problems at boundaries, see [Getting Lost Between Two Club Areas].
A practical pre-ride checklist
Before leaving your staging area
A little preparation can prevent a frustrating ride built around a connection that is not there. Confirm the route using the latest information available from the trail organizations, check the status of the connector, and make sure the group knows whether the plan is a local Five Points ride or a longer trip toward another trail district.
Use this checklist before unloading:
- Choose a specific route. Identify the trails and junctions, not just the destination.
- Confirm each connection. Check the route from the Five Points side and from the adjoining trail area.
- Verify permit coverage. Confirm requirements for every organization or district on the route.
- Check closures and conditions. Review [Ontario Trail Conditions Before You Ride] and relevant club updates.
- Plan fuel and daylight. Include time for stops, navigation, and backtracking.
- Save navigation information. Carry an offline map or another reliable reference in case cell service drops.
- Set a turnaround point. Agree on a time or location to head back if conditions or timing change.
If you are riding with people who have different machines or experience levels, make sure the route suits the least experienced rider and the least capable machine in the group. A route that feels manageable to a familiar local rider can be stressful for a visitor who is unsure how the local trails are marked. Build in time to stop at junctions, check directions, and regroup without feeling rushed.
Before the trip, it can also help to ask the local club a focused question: “Is this specific route from Five Points to the next trail area open and permitted for our planned ride?” That is more useful than asking whether Five Points “connects to Bancroft,” because it gives the club a route and a date to discuss. The guide [Planning a Week on the Haliburton Network] can also help if you are turning a single ride into a multi-day itinerary.
If the connection is unclear, keep the ride local
There is no need to force a long-distance plan when a trail link is uncertain. Five Points can still be a worthwhile riding area on its own, and a local loop may be the better choice if the group is unfamiliar with the network, the weather is poor, or trail information is incomplete. A shorter ride with a clear return route is usually more enjoyable than a long outing that depends on guesswork.
Have a backup plan before you start. That might mean riding confirmed HATVA trails and saving the Bancroft connection for another day, or staging closer to the district you most want to explore. If a connector is closed, unclear, or outside the coverage of your permit, turn around rather than attempting an unofficial detour.
The simple rule is to treat a trail connection as confirmed only when the current information from the responsible trail organizations supports it. Maps and apps can help you see the region, but signs, club updates, permit rules, and local guidance determine whether the ride you have planned is actually available. That small check can save hours of backtracking and leave more time for the part of the trip you came for: riding the trails.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
