seniortraveler

Where and when are the best places to see fall foliage in Canada? We will be there in early October. Has anyone taken the train to see foliage?

Morningglory47

Where in Canada do you plan to visit?

I did the Agawa Canyon trip years ago - http://www.agawatrain.com/

Ontario Northland trains - http://www.ontarionorthland.ca/en/in...ains-and-buses - you could take this train from Toronto north; the route should be very colourful; stay overnight somewhere.

The Ontario government reports on the fall colours - here's the link from last year - it's too early to be updated yet - http://www.ontariotravel.net/publica...lourreport.pdf

Algonquin Park report http://www.ontariotravel.net/publica...lourreport.pdf

Even in the cities, the trees are beautiful.

mat54

Yes, what part of Canada will you visit? Forests with lots of Sugar Maple trees combined with hilly terrain are typically what you want for the most spectacular colours and views. If Ontario, Algonquin Park with its vast forests, lakes and hills can be spectacular as can the nearby Haliburton Highlands. The Niagara Escarpment area around Collingwood/Blue Mountain/Beaver Valley is also nice. Later in the fall colour season, the portion of the Niagara Peninsula bordering the southern section of the Niagara Escarpment can also be nice (which is also one of Ontario's main wine regions). I have not done the Agawa Canyon train recommended by Morningglory although it is a very popular attraction (and I believe should be booked well ahead). Which of these will be offering the best colour at the time of your visit is unpredictable as the peak is rather variable year to year. In general, the farther north, the earlier the colours (although other factors including regional weather, elevation and proximity to Great Lakes also play a role). However at this point it's too early to predict timing.

seniortraveler

Thanks for your suggestions. Do you see much fall foliage on the VIA train from Toronado to Montreal and then on to Quebec City?

mat54

You may see colour in trees and small woodlots along the way. But this Via Rail route is designed for efficiency, not scenery. Its goal is to link the major industrial and commercial cities and towns and rural communities along this generally flat southern corridor of our country.

It might be better to investigate specifically "Scenic" train tours. I haven't done one, but here's a couple of suggestions:
http://www.creditvalleyexplorer.com/ - This is less than an hour from downtown Toronto.
http://www.agawatrain.com/?utm_sourc...FQGFQAod2X_8wg This was recommended already by Morningglory and is quite popular but is a good 8 to 9 hour drive from Toronto. But if you want to take a few days to do this, you could design a driving tour which would allow you to see quite a bit of fall foliage and the natural wilderness scenery of the Canadian Shield on the way there and back. If you only have a day or two and you're starting off from Toronto, I would suggest investigating either the Haliburton Highlands and Algonquin Park area - about a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive away (book accommodation ahead as the fall colour season here is very popular), or you could do an overnight, or even just a daytrip to the Collingwood/Blue Mountain/Beaver Valley area (about 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive each way).

Morningglory47

Further to taking the train in Ontario http://www.thestar.com/travel/ontari...rthern-ontario

And where did 'seniortraveller' get to. Did he/she/they ever read answers?

tdmort

Has anyone taken the train in Orangeville? I am going to be in Toronto the 14-18 of October. Would it be a pretty drive from Toronto to Orangeville? What about other things to do in the area? I really want to take some pictures, so maybe a train isn't the best idea?

UTour

Hi tdmort,

If time's on your side, the nicest drive from Toronto to Orangeville would be by way of Mississauga Road driving straight north from the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way). This brings you up on the west side of town and takes you through a number of small towns like Huttonville (mind your speed) and Belfountain by Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. Belfountain's a pretty little town but if the trees are in colour and the weather's nice, it'll be chockablock with people on the weekend.

Also Morningglory47's link went live as of the 20th http://www.ontariotravel.net/publica...lourreport.pdf

HTH
U

UTour

If you're travelling between Toronto and Niagara Falls or Niagara on the Lake (either direction), I'd recommend Regional Highway 81 between Stoney Creek (where it's known as Queenston Road) and St. Catharines (where it's called St. Paul St. West). It hugs the Niagara Escarpment much of the way and is a lovely drive when the trees are in colour

U

UTour

Just as an addendum to the above, the other advantage is that you pass a number of great wineries either directly along this route or just a short drive off it.

cantw82go

To tdmort, the drive to Orangeville can be quite beautiful at this time of year. Be sure to check out the Cheltenham Badlands, stop in at Spirit Tree Cidery for some wonderful eats and drinks http://spirittreecider.com/, go for a short hike at the Belfountain Conservation Park or the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park http://www.thehillsofheadwaters.com/...em-welcome.php, and there are many interesting shops and restaurants in Orangeville, Erin and many of the small hamlets. Be sure to also check out the artist studios and galleries at the Alton Mill in the town of Alton.

The train ride is quite beautiful and they do slow down or come to a complete stop at the most scenic areas so there is plenty of time to take pictures.

Hope this helps.

jill_h

We just returned from Jasper and Lake Louise. When in LL, the larches started to turn in patches on the mountainside. It happened overnight! The poplars are also changing and it is just beautiful up against the various colors of green.