12 Breathtaking Places To View The Fall Colours In Ontario
If there's any one season to visit Ontario, it's autumn. With hundreds of natural parks in the province, there are plenty of opportunities to see the fall colours in all their glory.
READ ALSO: 10 Ontario Provincial Parks That Are Worth Visiting In The Fall
But there are a few places in particular that are especially worth visiting for the changing foliage. Here are 12 of those places:
Balsam Lake
Kawarthas
Balsam Lake has a 2.6 km lookout trail that was formed by glacier activities from over 10,000 years ago. The trail, which takes 1.5 hours to walk, leads you through eskers and kames and provides a panoramic view of the fall colours in the area.
Big Bend
Arrowhead
The Big Bend lookout trail is a short walk from the Roe Campground in Arrowhead Provincial Park. The hike is relatively easy to do, and terminates at a lookout that offers a beautiful view of the fall colours as they surround the Big East River in the Muskoka area.
Centennial Ridges
Algonquin
Centennial Ridges is a 10 km trail that meanders on rolling hills. Though the hike is a little bit challenging, it's definitely worth it as there are two viewpoints along the way that look out to the beautiful fall colours of the Algonquin.
Clifftop
Bon Echo
The Clifftop trail is begins at the base of Bon Echo rock, which is accessible via the Mugwump Ferry. It is suitable for more experienced hikers as there are several steep climbs and uphill sections. The trail leads to a beautiful view of Lake Mazinaw and the surrounding forests from the top of Bon Echo rock.
The Crack
Killarney
The trail to the Crack is a challenging undertaking for any hiker - steep hills, wood bridges and boulders can be found at multiple points along the trail. But it's all worth it for the view you'll get at the top - you'll see the beautiful pink quartzite rocks and blue lakes surrounded by the gorgeous autumn foliage of the Killarney forests.
Dorset Lookout Tower
Dorset
The Dorset Lookout Tower stands 25-metres tall and features an observation deck that offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Algonquin Highlands. Apart from viewing the fall colours, one can also enjoy picnic sites, hiking trails and a gift shop in the vicinity.
Dundas Peak
Dundas
Dundas Peak provides perhaps the best views of the Dundas and Hamilton areas, so it's a perfect place to take in the changing fall colours. Nearby the peak are also Tews Falls and Webster's Falls, which are accessible via hiking trails.
Huckleberry Rock
Milford Bay
Huckleberry Rock is a lookout trail that has been known by the locals for over 100 years. The trail rounds a bowl-shaped area that has developed into a black spruce bog ecosystem. While some towering trees limit the view from the lookout, it is still a beautiful spot to see the autumn colours.
Mount Nemo
Burlington
Mount Nemo is one of the best cliff ecosystems in the Niagara Escarpment. The thousand-year-old forests in the surrounding area are known for their rich colours during the fall, and they can be viewed from a trail that lines the edge of the cliff.
Tower Hill
Parry Sound
The Tower Hill lookout is a 30-m high observation tower that gives 360-degree views of the Georgian Bay. With the proper timing, you might see Canadian Pacific train make its way through the tinted forests of the surrounding area.
Rattlesnake Point
Milton
Rattlesnake Point is a popular travel destination in Ontario especially in the fall. Several trails of differing levels of difficulty are available in the surrounding area, and each provide a great view of the Milton landscape.
Scenic Caves
Collingwood
Scenic Caves offers everything from outdoor adventures, ziplining, eco tours, hiking and cave exploration. Perhaps one of the best things to do in this area is the suspension bridge, which puts you right above the forest.
For the most updated informationon fall colours, make sure to check out Ontario Parks' fall colour report for this year.
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