Hike Haliburton Highlands: 15 Glorious Fall Colour Hikes & Lookouts

Hike Haliburton Highlands to experience the stunning colours of the autumn season in Ontario.

Sir Sam’s Ski & Bike

Popularly known as Haliburton Highlands, the county of Haliburton, comprised of Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills, is an extremely popular destination to enjoy the fall season with tree canopy ranging from deep green to soft hues of yellow and gold to bright reds depending on the time and place (type of trees present) of your visit.

While hot, warm summers will lead to fall colours appearing later in the season (well into October), cooler summers will see fall colours peaking much before Thanksgiving weekend.

The fall colours that you see will also vary depending on the tree. Maple trees turn auburn because their leaves are rich in anthocyanins, a compound responsible for the glorious hues of red colour. Poplar, Birch and Tamarack (larch) trees have carotenoids and xanthophylls, resulting in yellow, gold and orange leaf colour hues.

Around the fourth weekend of September, Haliburton Tourism organizes a hiking festival (2025 – September 18 to 21). Hike Haliburton Festival is Canada’s largest hiking festival, and it includes guided hikes and various Fall-themed experiences.

While you have to register for the guided hikes, you can always head to Haliburton anytime from mid-September to late October/early November to enjoy nature during the Fall season.

Here are some of the most popular hikes in the region:

Credit: Algonquin Highlands

Dorset Scenic Tower Trail in Algonquin Highlands is a challenging 1.5 km loop that can be hiked from the top of Dorset Mountain down to the museum. Enjoy scenic views from the Dorset lookout tower. It also has a picnic area, an information centre and a gift shop.
Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is a fantastic visit in the fall with its impressive short waterfall hike.

Explore Canadian Shield and hardwood forest awash with hues of gold and auburn after a ride up the carpet lift at Sir Sam’s Ski & Ride.
Haliburton Forest has over 300 km of trails, including easy-to-moderate trails with a wolf centre, restaurant, logging museum and a canopy tour.
Barnum Creek Nature Reserve has varying landscapes, including hardwood and mixed wood forests, grasslands, marshes, swamps and Barnum Creek.
Appreciate stunning masterpieces surrounded by brilliant colours of Fall at Haliburton Sculpture Forest.
High Falls Hiking Trail is 2 km long and offers views of the rapids upstream of High Falls and downstream towards the Falls. The trail is in Algonquin Park.
The 5 km Beetle Lake Trail overlooks Oxtongue Lake and traverses active beaver ponds, bogs, hardwood hills, wildlife, birds and forests.
The 1.9 km return James Cooper Lookout Trail takes you to the spectacular lookout with views of Maple Lake, Beech Lake, Boshkung and Twelve Mile Lakes.
Frost Centre has various trails ranging from 0.8 km to 3 km. You will find geological formations, bogs, cliffs, forests, and beautiful lookouts.
The 500 m Buttermilk Falls trail, with its concrete sluiceway, makes for a short walk to enjoy water falling into Boshkung Lake from Halls Lake.
The Farr Road Walking Trail has a massive beaver dam and offers a venue for a great stroll with kids.
Dahl Forest’s 5.1 km hiking loop is a great woodland walk in the fall.
Panorama Park and the lookout offer a perfect view of the village, which is washed in fall colours. It is also a great location for a picnic.

Minden Boardwalk and Minden Riverwalk are excellent for short walks for people of all abilities. The 0.4 km boardwalk takes you through a natural grass marsh to the 1 km Riverwalk around the Gull River.
Minden Wild Water Preserve in Harrington Park is another excellent location for the whole family with the rapids and kayakers braving the cold waters surrounded by autumn-hued trees.
The Silent Lake Provincial Park‘s 15 km trail around the lake is a must-do in the fall season for those who like a serious challenge and combines views of the lake backdropped by stunning forests and a woodland walk.