Autumn in Ontario is a spectacular time: aspens and birch light up the forests with their golden hues, oak trees take on that distinctive reddish-brown and maples steal the show with their varying hues of yellow, orange and fiery red. The breathtaking colours are especially stunning in Ontario’s highlands, where acres of forests work together to produce nature’s grand show!
On this 5-day self-drive tour, you will follow the Ontario highland’s route to all the spectacular lookouts in the region. This scenic drive is an autumn dream, with meandering back roads, sweeping countryside views and forests aplenty. Everything is taken care of — the route, the accommodations and most meals — all you have to do is drive and enjoy the postcard-perfect fall views.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL, SCENIC BACKROADS & HIKE
Meet your guide at a designated meeting place and then follow along the Fall Colour Backroads route through the Haliburton Highlands. Visit the Historic Log Chute at Hawk Lake. Hike Crests of Kennisis Trail, enjoy the fall colours and spectacular viewpoints. Transfer east to the wilds of Hastings County. Arrive, check-in at the Algonquin Spectacle Lake Lodge or Madawaska Kanu Centre. Enjoy some free time before a la carte or pre-set dinner.
Alternatively, head to northwest Haliburton to a rustic cabin at Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve. Enjoy some free time prior to dinner at The Cookhouse Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve.
DAY 2: SCENIC BACKROADS, MAPLE EXPERIENCE
After breakfast this morning, hike a local trail or along the river for colour viewing. Enjoy a driving tour to Haliburton OR Eagle’s Nest Lookout, hike for a panoramic view OR participate in a Maple Experience. Return to Spectacle Lake Lodge or Madawaska Kanu Centre. Enjoy some free time before dinner.
DAY 3: DAILY ACTIVITIES & CAVES
After breakfast, drive east through rolling highlands to take in the fall colour beauty, stopping at designated viewpoints. Continue east on the meandering backroads of the Ottawa Valley. Visit the Bonnechere Caves for an underground tour of karst limestone caves whose walls are embedded with Ordovician pre-vertebrate marine life. Head to either the Best Western Pembroke Inn & Conference Centre or The Whitewater Inn for the night. Before dinner, head out on a short hike, cycle or walking tour of Pembroke to view over Ottawa River or the charming village of Beachburg.
DAY 4: DAILY ACTIVITIES & WALKING TOUR OF PERTH
Check-out and drive to Pakenham. Visit and shop at Ontario’s oldest General Store. Drive through pretty vistas to Almonte, visit Mill of Kintail or Textile Museum. Continue south-east to Perth and enjoy a walking tour of the heritage town. Check-into the BW Parkside Inn & Spa OR The White House for dinner and a good night's sleep.
DAY 5: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, head out for your last stop of the tour: either east to Smith Falls to visit Parks Canada Rideau Canal Visitor’s Centre OR west to The Canadian Canoe Museum’s watercraft collection.
Contact us for more information and pricing!
This is a pre-designed itinerary. At Landsby, we are specialists in creating unique experiences in Canada, due to a personal and direct relationship with our local partners.
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