Happy fall everyone! Today is a beautiful, sunny day in Guelph. I personally love autumn – the beautiful changing leaves, scarves, pumpkin everything and the cool, crisp air.
Here are the top places in or around Guelph to admire autumn leaves:
1. Guelph Lake. Guelph Lake offers some nice hiking trails with gorgeous views of the changing foliage. Hurry quick because Guelph Lake is only open until October 16th this year.
2. Starkey Hill Conservation Area. Starkey Hill is just outside of Guelph in Arkell. The lookout point is well worth the hike up to see the beautiful view for miles around. It is a four kilometre loop trail suitable for walking (no cycling is allowed). I recently went on a hike there with my toddler and mum – it was a great morning outing. Many people like to walk their leashed dogs here. This conservation area is free.
3. Guelph Arboretum. What better place to enjoy trees in fall than at the University of Guelph Arboretum! Enjoy a walk along the trails or play frisbee golf while taking in the red, yellow and orange leaves. This Guelph gem is free and open to the public.
4.Eramosa River Trail. I like to grab a coffee or tea and then walk along the pathway beside the Eramosa River. You can start downtown at the wooden covered bridge and head east towards Victoria Road. This trail is well-maintained, pretty and stroller-friendly.
5. Exhibition Park‘s trees come alive and full of fall colours each year. I’ve taken some of my favourite fall photos of my son in Exhibition Park.
6. Riverside Park, especially along the river is another top Guelph spot to admire the changing leaves. The city also maintains beautiful gardens near the giant clock. The Riverside Park carousel and train is open weekends until October 10th this year.
7. Halton County Radial Railway is located just outside of Guelph on the way to Milton. They have special Autumn Colours Weekend events just for people to go and admire the leaves. You can ride their streetcars and trains while seeing the fall colours in the surrounding forests. This year the special weekends are September 17 to 18th and 24 to 25th. (GKG’s blog for train enthusiasts).
8. Hilton Falls in Milton. Highlights here include the bike trails, dog-friendly hiking trails through the woods and a 10-metre waterfall. The daily entrance fee is $6.75 for adults, $5.75 for seniors, $5.00 for children 5-14 and children 4 and under are free. My family plans on going mid-October so we might see you there.
9. Cheltenham Badlands. This striking spot is located about a fifty minute drive outside of Guelph in Caledon. As of May 4, 2015 the Badlands were temporarily closed to the public to ensure the long-term conservation of this site. Hopefully it re-opens soon since this is a beautiful place to see autumn leaves.
10. Forks of the Credit Provincial Park in Alliston. My friend claims that this is the best place in Ontario to see the changing leaves. It is part of the famous Bruce Trail. The day use fee per vehicle is $11.25. It is about an hour and twenty minutes drive from Guelph.
11. Tobermory. I realize that Tobermory is a three hour drive from Guelph so it doesn’t exactly qualify for in or around Guelph, BUT it is too gorgeous up there not to list. The entire drive there on highway 6 will make you want to stop the car every ten minutes to take another photo of the beautiful fall foliage. I like to stay overlooking the harbour at the Tobermory Princess Hotel. Some gorgeous spots to enjoy nature up there are the Bruce Peninsula National Park and taking a ferry to Flowerpot Island.
I hope that you enjoy this beautiful autumn in or around Guelph!