By LIZ BRUCKNER
Photo: Theodore Smith
Contrary to popular belief, you need not board a plane to score your next adventure fix. Head two-and-a-half hours north of Toronto to the Haliburton Highlands for a hearty dose of the Ontario outdoors.
- 54051
- No one-trick pony, <a href="http://www.sirsams.com/events/index.php">Sir Sam’s Ski & Bike</a> is busy year-round. The many outdoor activities include the Spring Splash event, where skiers and snowboarders attempt to glide, slide and stay dry through a massive water puddle; summer mountain biking; a BMX track; and the Everest Challenge, where riders scale Sir Sam’s 325-foot hill 96 times to assimilate the nearly 30,000-foot Everest climb.<br /> <br /> <small>WHEN TO GO:</small> Late March for Spring Splash, May to October for biking
- Photo: Chris Bishop
- Mountain Biking and More
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cycling-Sir-Sams-88x88.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cycling-Sir-Sams.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cycling-Sir-Sams.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://where.ca/blog/getaway/haliburton-county-ontario%e2%80%99s-little-known-adventure-gem/slide/cycling-sir-sams/
- cycling-sir-sams
- 0
- 0
- Photo: Chris Bishop
- 54066
- Not your average walk through the woods, this four-hour tour in the <a href="http://haliburtonforest.com/">Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve</a> takes you from river base to tree top, and includes a ½-km trek, a guided canoe ride and the <a href="http://haliburtonforest.com/canopy.html">Canopy Tour</a>, which takes place on boardwalk bridges perched 10 to 20 metres above the forest floor.<br /> <br /> <small>WHEN TO GO:</small> May to late October
- Photo: Opiola/Ontario Tourism
- Canopy Tour
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Canopy-Tour-88x88.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Canopy-Tour.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Canopy-Tour.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://where.ca/blog/getaway/haliburton-county-ontario%e2%80%99s-little-known-adventure-gem/slide/canopy-tour/
- canopy-tour
- 0
- 0
- Photo: Opiola/Ontario Tourism
- 54047
- Just outside of the town of Haliburton, Minden’s Wild Water Preserve has Class IV rapids and navigable stretches that measure roughly 800 metres in length. Though you’re likely to see at least a few seasoned pros cutting through the waves, <a href="http://www.boatwerks.net/about/paddling-school">Algonquin Operators Boatwerks Paddling School</a> offers workshops that cater to educating even the most novice kayaker.<br /> <small>WHEN TO GO:</small> April to November
- Whitewater Kayaking
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kayaking-88x88.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kayaking.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kayaking.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://where.ca/blog/getaway/haliburton-county-ontario%e2%80%99s-little-known-adventure-gem/slide/kayaking-2/
- kayaking-2
- 0
- 0
- 54076
- Even if <a href="http://www.haliburtoncounty.ca">trolling for fish</a> doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think adventure, it should. The deep caverns and clean lakes, rivers and brooks in this area attract sport anglers from all over North America, and many leave having hauled in some of the biggest walleye, northern pike and legendary muskie Ontario waters have to offer.<br /> <br /> <small>WHEN TO GO:</small> Year-round, but sport fishing is best in late May and early June
- Photo: Tofflemire Photography
- Fishing
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fishing-Haliburton-88x88.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fishing-Haliburton.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fishing-Haliburton.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://where.ca/blog/getaway/haliburton-county-ontario%e2%80%99s-little-known-adventure-gem/slide/fishing-haliburton/
- fishing-haliburton
- 0
- 0
- Photo: Tofflemire Photography
- 54057
- Depending on your affinity for sweat, trails of all difficulties and distances abound. Easy-to-moderate weekend warrior-type paths are most plentiful. The <a href="http://www.trailsandtours.com/trail/52">Circuit of 5 Viewpoints</a> is a favourite that offers hikers a 5-km trek through the Canadian Shield oak ridge with dramatic cliffs and vistas. Technical trails with hills, rocks and rugged terrain include the 19-km <a href="http://www.trailsandtours.com/trail/64">Ganaraska Hiking Trail</a>, one of the region's most challenging wilderness treks.<br /> <br /> <small>WHEN TO GO:</small> April to October
- Hiking the Ganaraska Trail (Photo: Alex Indigo)
- Hiking
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Ganaraska-Trail-1-88x88.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Ganaraska-Trail-1.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Ganaraska-Trail-1.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://where.ca/blog/getaway/haliburton-county-ontario%e2%80%99s-little-known-adventure-gem/slide/ganaraska-trail-1/
- ganaraska-trail-1
- 0
- 0
- Hiking the Ganaraska Trail (Photo: Alex Indigo)
- 54035
- If you’re looking a challenging bike tour, consider this the ideal. This region is deemed by many as Ontario’s version of the Tour de France: hill after hill awaits in every corner of the county, and depending on how brave you’re feeling, there are hundreds of kilometres of trails and roads to explore. <a href="http://www.haliburtonholidays.com/summer/cycling.asp">Take on the trails yourself</a> or opt for a guided tour with <a href="http://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/">Yours Outdoors</a> for a history lesson of the Highlands, visits to local artisans and drive-bys of many of the county’s quaintest villages and hamlets.<br /> <br /> <small>WHEN TO GO:</small> April to October
- Photo: Theodore Smith
- Road Cycling
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cycling-Haliburton-88x88.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cycling-Haliburton.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cycling-Haliburton.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://where.ca/blog/getaway/haliburton-county-ontario%e2%80%99s-little-known-adventure-gem/slide/cycling-haliburton/
- cycling-haliburton
- 0
- 0
- Photo: Theodore Smith
- 54075
- Prepare to get messy at <a href="http://www.backcountrytours.ca/">Back Country Tours</a>, where 5,000 acres of forest awaits exploration on your choice of a 4x4 all-terrain vehicle. Plan on encountering rugged trails, deep woods, mud bogs, river crossings, granite cliff facings, hidden lakes and plenty of wildlife during your hours-long escapade.<br /> <br /> <small>WHEN TO GO:</small> April to October
- Photo: Back Country Tours
- ATV, Argo and Hummer Tours
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ATV-tours-88x88.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ATV-tours.jpg
- https://where.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ATV-tours.jpg
- 600
- 400
- https://where.ca/blog/getaway/haliburton-county-ontario%e2%80%99s-little-known-adventure-gem/slide/atv-tours/
- atv-tours
- 0
- 0
- Photo: Back Country Tours
Stay, Dine, Do