10 ULTIMATE ONTARIO FALL COLOUR LOOKOUTS
Active, fresh air enthusiasts don’t need an excuse to get outdoors and enjoy a brisk walk or challenging hike. But for some of us, a little incentive is required to embark on a nature outing, and Ontario’s fall season delivers just that.
From climbing old fire towers to hiking rocky mountain cliffs, you’ll be rewarded with 100% Instagrammably breathtaking views lit up by a colourful medley of greens, ambers, golds and reds. No filters needed.
EaglesNestLookout@lazmelescImage credit: @lazmelesc
1. EAGLE’S NEST LOOKOUT
The hike begins at Calabogie Peaks Resort with an easy 1.5 km (just under a mile) walk up a slow incline to the 120 m (394 ft) high cliff-top for a spectacular bird’s eye view of the wilderness below. Or opt for the longer 9 km (5.6 mi) Manitou Mountain trail that passes three other mountain vistas before leading up to the money shot at Eagle’s Nest Lookout.
Note: not to be confused with Eagle’s Nest Bancroft that provides a stunning view of the York River Valley.
Where to stay: Choose from boutique hotel rooms or mountainside condos at Calabogie Peaks Resort.
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2. THE CRACK
Located in Killarney Provincial Park, one of Ontario’s most treasured parks, The Crack rewards determined hikers with a panoramic view of La Cloche’s white quartz mountain peaks on the horizon, shimmering lakes and streams below, surrounded by spectacular fall forest foliage stretching out towards the Georgian Bay shoreline. Catch the start of the trail at the parking lot off Highway 637. It follows an old logging road into the park and joins the La Cloche Silhouette Trail up to The Crack (which is literally a crack – a deep crevasse in the rock you need to pass through to get to the lookout).
Where to stay: Killarney Mountain Lodge is a waterfront resort in the village of Killarney that offers a variety of accommodations styles and meal plan options.
DorsetTower@benjaminjohnImage credit: @benjaminjohn
3. DORSET SCENIC TOWER
Built in 1922 as a lookout for potential forest fires, this historic structure is strictly a tourist attraction today with an awesome 360-degree view 142 m (465 ft) above Muskoka’s Lake of Bays. The Dorset Lookout Tower Trail begins behind the Dorset Heritage Museum on Main Street and continues for 2.3 km (1.4 mi) uphill through mixed forest to the base of the 30 m (100 ft) tall tower. Catch your breath and climb up. The scene from the top is well worth the effort.
Where to stay: From upscale lakeside Deerhurst Resort to lodges, cottages and inns, Muskoka has a great selection of accommodation options.
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4. RATTLESNAKE POINT
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton is beautiful in every season, but in fall, it is nothing short of breathtaking. With sheer cliffs, cave systems and rock crevices, this spot is a mecca for rock climbers. The park features several trails of varying levels of ease, including the Buffalo Crag Trail. It begins at the parking lot and follows along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment cliffs to stellar lookout points of the Nassagaweya Canyon below and countryside beyond.
Tip: Nearby, lesser known Mount Nemo Conservation Area also features a ribbon of exposed rock face with equally amazing views from the top. In fact, you can see the Toronto skyline on a clear day. Keep an eye out for mighty turkey vultures soaring by.
Where to stay: Treat yourself to the height of luxury, elegance and hospitality at Langdon Hall Country Hotel & Spa in Cambridge.
CupSaucer@nickjakelskiImage credit: @nickjakelski
5. EAST LOOKOUT
There are several trails along the Manitoulin Extension of the Niagara Escarpment, including the awesome Cup and Saucer Trail that leads you up the 350 m (1148 ft) climb to the highest point on Manitoulin Island just past the East Lookout. The trail begins at the parking lot on Bidwell Road and Highway 540 and involves a few ladder and rope climbs on the way to the top of the imposing 70 m (230 ft) tall cliffs.
Where to stay: The design for The Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre was inspired by the beauty of the region and the culture of the Indigenous people of Manitoulin.
SkinnersBluff@trail_boundImage credit: @trail_bound
6. SKINNERS BLUFF SCENIC LOOKOUT
Just northeast of Wiarton in Grey County, on an extension of the Bruce Trail, you’ll find a massive rock jutting out of the landscape that looks a lot like Pride Rock in the Lion King. The full Skinner’s Bluff Trail system is 19 km (12 mi), but you can beeline from the parking lot to the lookout spot in just 15 minutes. Take care over the rocky terrain and steep drops along the way. The best views are from the east and north sides of the escarpment overlooking the forest below and the shinning waters and islands dotting Colpoy’s Bay, a scenic inlet of Georgian Bay. Enjoy, little Simba!
Where to stay: Waterview Resort is the closest waterfront accommodation, just outside nearby Wiarton (home of Canada’s most famous groundhog).
TheOuimetCanyon@wonderinhereyesImage credit: @wonderinhereyes
7. OUIMET CANYON
About an hour’s drive northeast of Thunder Bay, off the Trans Canada Hwy, lies Ouimet Canyon, one of Ontario’s most dramatic vistas. Located within Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park, the vast 150 m (492 ft) wide gorge is flanked by 100 m (328 ft) deep sheer cliff face and extends over 2,000 m (6562 ft) long. Follow the groomed trail and boardwalk connecting two observation platforms for the ultimate viewing spot. Or join local thrill chasers, Eagle Canyon Adventures, who invite you to cross Canada’s longest suspension footbridge and ride Canada’s longest, highest and fastest zip line.
Where to stay: Both the Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites and The Courthouse Hotel are great downtown Thunder Bay options that afford great views of Lake Superior.
Spy-Rock-Lookout@jechewImage credit: @jechew
8. SPY ROCK LOOKOUT
Head to Foley Mountain Conservation Area in the Rideau Valley for a fantastic viewpoint atop a protruding granite ridge. The showstopping view includes the Upper Rideau Lake and the village of Westport just 50 km (31 mi) south of Perth in eastern Ontario. There are five marked trails, including the wide, crushed stone, low grade Mobility Trail that allows for wheelchair access to the lookout point. The conservation area lies within the Frontenac Arch, one of four UNESCO designated World Biosphere Reserves in Ontario and part of Ontario’s Amazing Places program. About an hour’s drive south is another highlight within the biosphere. A remarkable view of the 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence River awaits from the 122 m (400 ft) high observation deck at the top of the 1000 Island Tower. Note: this attraction includes an elevator.
Where to stay: Soak up small town hospitality at The Cove Country Inn overlooking the lake in Westport.
ScarboroughBluffs@smikemarkovImage credit: @mikemarkov
9. SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS
The Scarborough Bluffs is a natural geological lakeside landmark in Toronto’s east end, the result of sedimentary deposits over 12,000 years ago, as well as wind and water erosion. The 15 km (9.3 mi) escarpment features dramatic cliffs that plunge down into Lake Ontario below. There are eleven designated park areas along the escarpment with extensive trails, recreation facilities and mythic views. Bluffers Park provides access to the beach below, another great vantage point from which to admire the splendid fall colour.
Where to stay: There’s an accommodation option to suit every style and budget in Canada’s most cosmopolitan city. But if it’s views you’re after, check out the vista from Hotel X, Toronto’s waterfront oasis.
TheBadlands@tammyw06Image credit: @tammyw06
10. CHELTENHAM BADLANDS
West of Caledon on Olde Base Line Road, and only an hour’s drive from Toronto, lies an amazing geological site so alien looking it could be the set for a Star Trek episode. The undulating rust and red coloured rocks marked by ribbons of white veins is a result of exposed and eroded shale, and the striking colour is due to iron oxide deposits. This sensitive landscape has recently been reopened to the public with new accessible boardwalk and trails. Though not technically a hike up, the scene from the viewing platform in the fall is a spectacle you don’t want to miss – waves of rolling red rock framed by blazing autumn colour.
Where to stay: Rejuvenate weary muscles at the Millcroft Inn & Spa, a member of the elegant Vintage Hotels group of properties.
Ontario is spectacular during the fall season, the colourful foliage transforms fields, forests and parks into magical places. Follow the changing autumn colour across the province with our weekly Fall Colour Report, and take extra precaution on all trails, stay on marked paths and keep your pups on a leash.
https://www.ontariotravel.net/en/social/blog/article/11601
