Haliburton Highlands, Ontario

story and photos by Jack Bush, formerly of Trailside House Bed and Breakfast

The Haliburton Highlands (Haliburton County) is a year-round playland. With 600 lakes, summer boating pleasures are unlimited. So many of these lakes are connected that canoeists can paddle for hours and even days. Most of the lakes, too, have public access beaches. You will also never be far from a river or stream or fascinating wetland.

Autumn is a time of glory. Across the rolling hills the trees change colour by the hour! Fall touring is a specialty of the Highlands and numerous printed guides are available.
In winter, you wake to hills and trees draped with sparkling pure white snow. And along frozen lakeshores you may spot skaters gliding gracefully. On hills and trails, skiers take advantage of the hundreds of trails available.

Many of the same trails, including the famous Haliburton-Kinmount rail trail, provide hours of pleasure to walkers and cyclists, young and old.

Throughout the year there are colourful and exciting events and attractions. There’s a wide variety of good places to eat. And two award-winning newspapers –Minden Times and Haliburton Echo – to keep you informed on things to do and see throughout the Highlands.

Getting there:

Haliburton County is immediately south of Algonquin Park: about 3 hrs NE of the Greater Toronto Area, 3½ hours W of Ottawa.

From east Toronto, Don Valley Pkwy/404, east along Davis Drive, north on Hwy 48 which meets Hwy 35 and takes you to Minden. For Haliburton Village, take 121 (just after Minden).

From west Toronto, Hwy 400 north to Barrie where it becomes Hwy 11, east on Hwy 118 (near Bracebridge) to Carnarvon and then your choice of Hwy 35 south to Minden, or continue on 118 through West Guilford to Haliburton Village

From North Bay, Hwy 11 south to Huntsville, east on Hwy 60 to Dwight, south on Hwy 35 to Minden. Turn left on 118 at Carnarvon for Haliburton Village.

From Ottawa, Hwy 417 west towards Pembroke (now Hwy 17) to Renfrew, Hwy 132 until it ends at Hwy 41. South on 41 to Denbigh and take Hwy 28 through Bancroft to Paudash, then Hwy 118 (formerly 121) to Haliburton Village.

Both Haliburton Village and Minden have information centres where you will find an abundance of local maps, guides, and information.

Where to stay:

Haliburton Highlands has an excellent variety of accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets. CanadaBBHosts recommends three B&Bs. Each is FOBBA approved and a member of the Chamber of Commerce so you are assured a high level of quality.

Chalet-by-the-Lake on beautiful Maple Lake. An upscale, adult-oriented B&B features a spacious loft suite and two cosy bedrooms. Enjoy the jacuzzi tub, go for a dip in the crystal clean lake, or relax in the guest lounge with its sweeping view of the lake. Full country breakfast each morning.

Sunny Rock B&B is a cosy estate and the perfect adult getaway: a pleasant paradise hidden away at the end of a country road on the picturesque shores of the Drag River, Canning Lake and the flowing waters of The Scott's Dam. Six comfortable guest bedrooms including a suite with double bed, sitting area and private bathroom with jacuzzi.

Another great option in the area is Whispering Pine B&B and Retreat.

What to do:

For a complete listing of the many events, attractions, and activities, visit the County’s Web site . In the meantime, here are a few of our favourites.

Museums: Haliburton Highlands Museum, Minden Museum, Stanhope Heritage Discovery Museum, Dorset Heritage Museum, and Wilberforce Red Cross Outpost Museum – each with permanent and seasonal displays taking visitors into the distant and recent pasts of each community.

Art: Agnes Jamieson Gallery in Minden and the Rails End Gallery in Haliburton, and the Haliburton Sculpture Forest, featuring sculptures placed along a delightful walking trail. Numerous commercial galleries and arts and crafts studios throughout the County.

Outdoors: Two exceptional attractions among many: the vast network of trails for walking, hiking, biking, canoeing. Go to www.trailsandtours.com; and the Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve, over 50,000 acres maintained in its pristine natural state and featuring the renowned Wolf Centre and the “Walk in the Clouds.”

Festivals & Fairs: Haliburton Highland Games in July with massed bands, bagpipes, Scottish country dancing, caber toss, hammer throw, border collie shepherding demonstrations, live falconry demonstrations. Haliburton County Fair in August features livestock and horse shows, horse pull, riding competitions, bands, midway. Many more attractions throughout the County (see the Web site).

Golf: A good variety of challenging courses to choose from: Lakeside Golf Club, Delta Pinestone, Haliburton Highlands Golf Club, Beaverbrook Golf Course, Blairhampton Golf Club.

Eating well:

There are dozens and dozens of dining spots throughout the County – little roadside drop-ins, town restaurants, and resort dining rooms. Following are just a few that come highly recommended by people we trust or from our own experience. The Wild Orchid Bistro (Thai food) in Minden has received raves, The Pepper Mill north of Minden comes well recommended for steak and pasta, The Corner Café in West Guilford features Italian specialties.

In Haliburton Village, we consistently recommend the Old Country House for fine cuisine, the Bonnie View Inn for its excellent food and view of sparkling Lake Kashagawigamog (we celebrate our anniversary and birthdays there), and McKeck’s, a good, reliable family-style restaurant owned and operated by ex-NHLer Walt McKechnie (mostly of the Detroit Red Wings) who, when there in person, can be counted on for an autograph.