Photo courtesy of Ontario Tourism

By Merle Rosenstein

Fall evokes images of warm woolen sweaters, steaming hot chocolate and fresh apple crumble. In Ontario the end of summer is heralded by an eruption of colour—oranges, reds and yellows painted across treetops—and the gabble and squawk of birds as they migrate south. Autumn is a time of agricultural bounty in the province, displayed in farmers’ markets and at roadside stands: MacIntosh, Royal Gala and other tempting apple varieties are ripe for picking.  The drama of the season and the cool weather makes this a perfect time for a vigorous hike in the country. In the cities and towns, calendars are bursting with events from film and literary festivals to ghost walks and fall country fairs

This slideshow highlights some of the best leaf-peeping destinations, but it’s far from comprehensive. In the Owen Sound area, for instance, Inglis Falls and Harrison Park offer outstanding views of the hues of fall. South of the Meaford and Thornbury area, the Beaver Valley region showcases fall’s magnificent colourful panoramic vistas. The Hockley Valley region is an excellent destination to capture the changing leaves. In the Algoma region, the Agawa Canyon tour train provides a spectacular show of fall colour. And the Granite Ridge hiking trail in Killarney Park makes an excellent spot to catch the colours of the season.

Still wondering where to go? Consult the handy, interactive Ontario fall colour report tool created by Ontario Parks.

All photos are courtesy of Ontario Tourism.