Sugar Maple Trail in the Highlands

Head towards the beautiful farm country in Kawartha Lakes. First stop en route should be in Pontypool, where you can enjoy an old-fashioned picnic along one of the many trails at Hollowbrook Highlands.

Spend the night in Keene, at a cottage at Elmhirst’s Resort. Here you can pamper yourself at the spa, wander the trails or participate in one of the several activities the resort has to offer.

After a leisurely morning, head north through the towns and villages of Hastings County, then continue east and stop to explore Sharbot Lake Provincial Park or Silver Lake Provincial Park. We’d recommend bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy in your spectacular surroundings.

Head towards Lanark County, Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario!

Visit Wheelers Maple Heritage Museum in McDonalds Corners before heading towards the heritage town of Perth.

Perth is a picturesque heritage town to wander through—we suggest starting with a walking tour of Stewart Park to get your bearings.

Afterwards, continue heading northeast to Almonte. Here you can tour a local distillery, a chocolate factory tour or visit the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum.

Continue heading north into the rural Ottawa Valley, where you’ll begin to see the sugar maples dotting the countryside. Stop in the village of Pakenham and discover Ontario’s oldest operating general store.

From Pembroke, meander towards home while taking in the blazing red maples along your route. Be sure to plan a return trip in the late winter or early spring to taste the nectars of the maples along the trail.