It’s one of the last things many of us look forward to before hunkering down to the reality of the upcoming winter: Autumn. The crisp air, the sweaters we wrap ourselves in, and the colours that surround us make this time of year a favourite.
“Autumn…the year’s last loveliest smile.” William Cullen Bryant
We think these 4 beautiful areas are great places to see fabulous fall foliage:
Muskoka
Muskoka in the fall is simply spectacular. You can take in the colourful trees just driving from Bracebridge to Huntsville, of course, but if you really want to envelope yourself in nature at its finest, then a hike through Algonquin Park is what you need. Lookout and Centennial trails offer great views, and the Barron Canyon Trail’s 1.5 km loop leads to a cliff-side lookout over the fiery trees and the awe-inspiring 100-metre canyon below. Algonquin Park even has a Fall Colour Report found at www.algonquinpark.on.ca
Caledon
Forty-five minutes northwest of Toronto, running west from Highway 10 is a winding, undulating road that twists for 7 km of breathtaking scenery. With the credit river as its guide, the Forks of the Credit Road hugs every curve and turn and the foliage on display will leave you mesmerized. The fall colours are gorgeous here as you pass under the tracks of the Credit Valley Explorer train and twist by the falls at Cataract.
Southern Georgian Bay
The Niagara Escarpment is one of 16 UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada, and when you see the slopes filled with the endless array of colourful trees and limestone cliffs you will know why this area is so special. The views from Rattlesnake Point are not to be missed, and if you meander onto the Bruce Trail from here, you can enjoy walking on Canada’s oldest and longest footpath that runs along the edge of the Escarpment.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus
Prince Edward County & 1000 Islands
Just off the 401 to the west of Trenton you will find The Loyalist Parkway (Highway 33), a road that traverses the island that is Prince Edward County, taking you past working farms, sweet country villages, and Lake Ontario’s sparking shore. The Glenora Ferry will carry you across the Bay of Quinte to the mainland, where you will be set to enjoy the drive towards the 1000 Islands on the other side of Kingston. Join the 1000 Islands Historical Land Trust for a hike on the Macsherry Trail in Hammond’s Crooked Creek Preserve on Hill Island, October 4th. Visit www.visit1000islands.com for more information.
Article by Ellen Webster of Webster Ink.
Cover photo: Adventure Seekers