Submitted by Stephan Petar,
Proof Strategies Inc.
This fall, we’ve put together a curated list of Ontario Heritage Trust conservation areas, gardens and trails Ontarians can visit in-person or virtually to take in the stunning fall foliage all while learning about the history of our province. Including an in-person or virtual hike of Devil’s Monument.
Visit www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/en//events to learn how Ontarians can connect with Ontario’s natural heritage this fall wherever they are and the importance of conserving these sites.
Whether you are looking to get your steps in or travel to distant and protected natural sites across the province, the Ontario Heritage Trust and its partners have sites for Canadians to explore in-person or online.
Get your 10,000 steps in at:
• Devil’s Monument: Take an in-person or virtual hike to see one of the Northern Bruce Peninsula largest and only complete flowerpot that is accessible by foot. This unique formation, caused by wave action, is a few steps away from the Bruce Trail. If you want to get a sense of the trail before or even revisit your adventure, then take a virtual hike to the flowerpot here.
• Scotsdale Farm: Located in Halton Hills, this working farm has over 215 hectares of pastoral countryside with trails running through the farm’s rolling hills and woodlands with access points to the Bruce Trail and Bennett Heritage Trails. The farm is an internationally renowned breeding farm for Arabian horses and shorthorn beef cattle. After your walk, head online to get a birds eye view of the property in the fall.
• Brampton Green and Fall Colour Self-Guided Tour: Brampton is home to many forested trails and now you can experience the autumnal landscape with a self-guided tour that you can hike or cycle. Some locations include: Chinguacousy Recreational Trail, White Spruce Park.
Explore the fall colours online:
• Great Manitou Island: The largest island (84 hectares) in the Manitou Islands Provincial Nature Reserve, take virtual hike on Great Manitou Island in the middle of Lake Nipissing and explore the island home to over 50 bird species and other creatures.
• Appleton Swamp: This site is off limits to the public to maintain the nature features and biodiversity, but now you can take virtual boat ride of this natural heritage site. Managed by the Ontario Heritage Trust and Mississippi Valley Conservation, this site is known for its unique representation of riverine marsh, swamp and upland forests on clay plain.
• Sleeping Giant Provincial Park: Distant isn’t a barrier to check out the stunning views of this natural heritage site. Digital Doors Open Ontario takes you through trails with Jazzy Climbs as well as overtop the lakeside park and through its steep cliffsides.
