Plan the Perfect Spring Getaway in Ontario

Discover culinary delights, some of the province’s best birdwatching and other seasonal highlights in Kawarthas Northumberland

By  Matt Snell

Posted: February 05, 2020 03:54 PM ET

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Spring is the perfect time to escape to the Kawarthas Northumberland region and see the natural landscape bursting into life. Here are some highlights of the season in this uniquely beautiful part of Ontario.

Sample fresh maple syrup

One of the earliest signs of spring is the arrival of maple syrup, and Kawarthas Northumberland delivers in a big way. Sugar bushes throughout the region play host to festivals, tours and demonstrations. To start, try the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival, Buckhorn Maplefest at McLean Berry Farm or maple tours at The Roost in Dalrymple. Connoisseurs may want to make a few different stops to see if it’s true that “terroir” affects maple syrup like it does wine.

Go for a spring drive

There’s just something fundamentally optimistic about a spring drive. Take in the roadside wildflowers, budding trees and pastoral fields along Kawarthas Northumberland’s quiet roads, where you’ll often be lucky enough to be the only vehicle. Consider the Northumberland Rolling Hills and Central Arts Loop, which will take you past the sole surviving old growth forest along the Oak Ridges Moraine. Or choose from Kawartha Lakes’ roster of recommended scenic routes that will take you past stands of beautiful hardwoods and along beautiful lakesides. Just leave time to stop for a bite or to stretch your legs in the charming communities along the way.

Try birdwatching

Spring is a birdwatching bonanza, especially at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Waterfowl, warblers, shorebirds and more turn out in huge numbers to rest in Presqu’ile’s diverse habitats, after a tiring flight across Lake Ontario. North of Peterborough a striking shift in geography supports an entirely different ecosystem, and to the northwest you’ll find the officially designated Important Bird & Biodiversity Area, Carden Alvar. This globally rare type of grassland is a fascinating walk and a hotspot for birders looking for a glimpse of elusive species like the loggerhead shrike and upland sandpiper.

Enjoy outdoor activities

Put the skis in storage and gear up for a new season—Kawarthas Northumberland offers hiking, cycling and spelunking for the spring visitor. Trails in provincial parks and conservation areas are open and blissfully bug-free (check out this list of recommendations). If you’re feeling adventurous, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area reopens in May and offers a network of interconnected explorable caves. Also in May, Petroglyphs Provincial Park opens its interpretive centre, where you’ll find the largest collection of ancient indigenous rock carvings in Ontario. It’s an unparalleled historical and artistic experience, nestled in the lush forests near Stony Lake.

Check out special local events

Spring is also a time for unique cultural events, such as Port Hope’s Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny. Organized to commemorate a 1980 flood that nearly swamped the city’s downtown, Float Your Fanny is a 10 kilometre race down the Ganaraska River in all manner of improvised watercraft. Expect homemade costumes, homemade boats and a great turnout for the 40th anniversary event in 2020. Elsewhere in the region, Hiawatha First Nation celebrates the return of spring with the Annual Traditional Pow Wow, featuring colourful crafts, dancing, singing, drumming and traditional cuisine. Just outside Keene, living museum Lang Pioneer Village reopens in May and invites guests into an immersive 19th-century experience. Or take a look at the Canadian Canoe Museum’s lineup of special workshops, which include paddle carving, leatherworking, felting and embroidering workshops.

Need more ideas?

Kawarthas Northumberland has a wealth of options to shake off the chill of winter and welcome spring. Find out more at kawarthasnorthumberland.ca/spring.

Image credits:Courtesy of Kawarthas Northumerland