Fall Colour / Outstanding Scenic Drives
Jun 5th, 2012, 07:48 AM
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Fall Colour / Outstanding Scenic Drives
Just need to take in the above if at all possible with some Canadian culture would be great. Coming form UK. More than happy to self-drive if necessary. 2 weeks +
Suggestions Please ? Thank you.
Suggestions Please ? Thank you.
Jun 5th, 2012, 08:58 PM
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If fall colour is essential to your holiday then British Columbia is out of the picture.
We have gorgeous drives galore but because of all the coniferous trees little of the reds/golds of eastern vistas.
We have gorgeous drives galore but because of all the coniferous trees little of the reds/golds of eastern vistas.
Jun 6th, 2012, 09:44 AM
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As noted, for the best colour you need forests with lots of Sugar Maple Trees (for the bright oranges and reds), mixed with Oaks and Poplar species (for the deep burgandies and bright yellows) and some coniferous trees scattered around for spots of green. This for the most part means the eastern half of Canada. Hilly terrain offers the best viewing.
Living in Ontario, most of my Fall Colour tours have been in this province. One of my favourites is Algonquin Provincial Park, can be very gorgeous with its undulating main road through rugged forested hills dotted with lakes. (about 2 1/2 hour drive north of Toronto).
South of Algonquin, the Haliburton Highlands and Bancroft regions offer nice drives and can be combined in the tour.
The area around Collingwood can also be beautiful - Beaver Valley and Blue Mountain (both associated with the Niagara Escarpment that stretches through much of southern Ontario). About 2 hour drive northwest of Toronto.
Way up north, the Agaway Canyon Train Tour near Sault Ste Marie is very popular but a long drive. However with 2+ weeks, this may not be an issue. Book well in advance.
Later in the season, the Niagara Peninsula can also be quite nice, especially drives around the Wine Region which mostly straddles the southern portion of the Niagara Escarpment.
Timing can be a challenge. The peak colours are variable year to year in both timing and intensity depending on weather conditions. Typically the northern areas turn earlier e.g. Algonquin as early as late September while Niagara typically would be mid October but this can vary by a week or 2 which always makes planning a colour tour a challenge unfortunately.
There are popular colour drives in Quebec that others might be able to elaborate on, as well as Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia (which holds an annual Fall Colour festival).
Living in Ontario, most of my Fall Colour tours have been in this province. One of my favourites is Algonquin Provincial Park, can be very gorgeous with its undulating main road through rugged forested hills dotted with lakes. (about 2 1/2 hour drive north of Toronto).
South of Algonquin, the Haliburton Highlands and Bancroft regions offer nice drives and can be combined in the tour.
The area around Collingwood can also be beautiful - Beaver Valley and Blue Mountain (both associated with the Niagara Escarpment that stretches through much of southern Ontario). About 2 hour drive northwest of Toronto.
Way up north, the Agaway Canyon Train Tour near Sault Ste Marie is very popular but a long drive. However with 2+ weeks, this may not be an issue. Book well in advance.
Later in the season, the Niagara Peninsula can also be quite nice, especially drives around the Wine Region which mostly straddles the southern portion of the Niagara Escarpment.
Timing can be a challenge. The peak colours are variable year to year in both timing and intensity depending on weather conditions. Typically the northern areas turn earlier e.g. Algonquin as early as late September while Niagara typically would be mid October but this can vary by a week or 2 which always makes planning a colour tour a challenge unfortunately.
There are popular colour drives in Quebec that others might be able to elaborate on, as well as Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia (which holds an annual Fall Colour festival).
Jun 6th, 2012, 12:07 PM
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Quebec has some spectacular fall colors, and a unique French Canadian culture. The countryside just north of Vermont known as the Eastern Townships is dotted with wineries, apple orchards, dairy farms and ski mountains. Go to the bounjourquebec website for lots of info. You might even consider a few nights in Montreal and or Quebec City, two great cities in their own right.
Jun 7th, 2012, 03:19 AM
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Keep in mind that the second Monday in October is Canadian Thanksgiving. You will need to book early for some spots, and if the weather is good the highways around Toronto will be jam packed and best to avoid.
A lodge in the Muskoka or Haliburtan areas (north and north east of Toronto) would be great, or could rent a cottage privately, which might be a little more rustic, but a true Canadian experience.
Pretty much all of the Ontario provincial parks are quite lovely, as are our national parks, so well worth a look-see. Some of them are quite close to main highways.
I agree with Matt54 that Quebec is a good choice, too.
Two weeks gives a good window of opportunity so if you stay somewhat flexible you ought to find some great colour somewhere. If you are flying into or out of Toronto, you might as well take a day to see Niagara Falls. The commercial area is a huge tacky tourist trap but the area around the falls is beautiful parkland.
Self drive is certainly the way to go if you want to get to where the forest colours are. Viarail is an option between Montreal or Quebec city and Toronto if you want to try that option, but it certainly doesn't match the Agawa Canyon ride for scenery.
Enjoy your planning, and let us know if you want more specific information.
A lodge in the Muskoka or Haliburtan areas (north and north east of Toronto) would be great, or could rent a cottage privately, which might be a little more rustic, but a true Canadian experience.
Pretty much all of the Ontario provincial parks are quite lovely, as are our national parks, so well worth a look-see. Some of them are quite close to main highways.
I agree with Matt54 that Quebec is a good choice, too.
Two weeks gives a good window of opportunity so if you stay somewhat flexible you ought to find some great colour somewhere. If you are flying into or out of Toronto, you might as well take a day to see Niagara Falls. The commercial area is a huge tacky tourist trap but the area around the falls is beautiful parkland.
Self drive is certainly the way to go if you want to get to where the forest colours are. Viarail is an option between Montreal or Quebec city and Toronto if you want to try that option, but it certainly doesn't match the Agawa Canyon ride for scenery.
Enjoy your planning, and let us know if you want more specific information.
Jun 7th, 2012, 04:53 AM
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The fall colours are spectacular in the areas around Montréal and Ottawa. It's my favourite time of year in this part of the country.
North of Montréal are the Laurentians with many picturesque villages and south-east are the Eastern townships with many historic towns and villages and beautiful fall colours. You can find driving routes and much more information in the official Québec tourism site: http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/accueil0.html
Ottawa itself is very colourful in fall and Gatineau Park is famed for its fall colours and is just 30 minutes from downtown. South of Ottawa towns such as Perth and Merrickville are well worth visiting too. Here's some further information: http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/
http://www.ottawatourism.ca/
North of Montréal are the Laurentians with many picturesque villages and south-east are the Eastern townships with many historic towns and villages and beautiful fall colours. You can find driving routes and much more information in the official Québec tourism site: http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/accueil0.html
Ottawa itself is very colourful in fall and Gatineau Park is famed for its fall colours and is just 30 minutes from downtown. South of Ottawa towns such as Perth and Merrickville are well worth visiting too. Here's some further information: http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/
http://www.ottawatourism.ca/
