Introduction

It's that time of year when the days start with crisp morning air and then slowly warm throughout the day. When the geese start to gather, and the leaves begin to colour the countryside! A favourite pastime of many Ontarians is to hop in the car and take a drive to see the fall colours. While the possibilities are plentiful and the destinations endless, there are a few prime routes that are crowd-pleasers.

Algonquin Park

For many, the place to see the colours is in Algonquin Park. The Highway 60 corridor offers access to some of the most breathtaking vistas in the area. With diversity in settings of rock outcroppings, lakes, bridges, and, of course, trees, this is a popular place for many locals and visitors alike. Unfortunately, in recent years, the park has been overrun, and long lines and overcrowding have diminished from the experience. To get the most from a visit to Algonquin Park, here is a very informative Park Blog to help you navigate planning and permits needed.

Highway 28 - Lakefield to Maynooth

For visitors to the area, a popular village destination is Lakefield. This quaint village offers a wonderful starting point for a day trek to see the fall colours. To enjoy this route, start on Highway 28 and continue on this highway until you reach the town of Bancroft. Along the way, you will pass through Young’s Point, Burleigh Falls, and Apsley before reaching the Town of Bancroft. As you pass through Bancroft, you will want to stay on Highway 28 until you reach the lights. Turn left onto Hastings St N (turns into Hwy 62N), passing through the Town of Bancroft and continuing onwards on Highway 62 towards Maynooth. From here, you can continue on towards Barry’s Bay or turn left and venture towards Whitney and further towards Algonquin Park. *It should be noted that this is one of the main highways to access cottage country.*

Highway 118

Another popular route is Highway 118, with access points in various towns and villages. By exiting off Highway 11 just south of Bracebridge, you begin a scenic route visiting destinations like Carnarvon, Haliburton, Tory Hill, and Cardiff, before reaching Paudash and Highway 28, just south of Bancroft. You can also turn off at Dyno Rd and head to Highway 28 to take in the sights along Highway 28. You can turn south towards the villages of Apsley and Lakefield or turn north towards the Town of Bancroft, passing Silent Lake Provincial Park along the way.

Scenic Routes in Hastings

There are 14 different scenic routes in North Hastings. Routes vary in length and starting point. However, each route has points of interest to keep an eye out for. The routes are easily identified by the signage found along the route. One route that I am going to revisit soon is Route 10. With four scenic view areas, it is sure not to disappoint when looking for fall foliage. Another more interactive map is the Painted Quilt Route #14. As you reach each of the markers on the map, you can click on the spool to learn more about the quilt square and its history. You can access the map with markers online as you explore the countryside Maps.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the popular routes. However, for those more adventurous souls, hop in your vehicle and hit the open road. There are so many hidden gems found here in cottage country if you take the time to look out the window. Happy driving!

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