The winter edition of the Hike Haliburton Festival is returning in 2025 to give residents and visitors alike the chance to connect with nature and experience everything the Haliburton Highlands has to offer, even during the coldest months of the year.
“Coming here in the winter is like coming to a completely new place,” says Thom Lambert, content creator for Haliburton County Economic Development & Tourism. “Everything that was familiar — even trails that you’ve hiked before — just feel completely different in the wintertime. It’s like falling in love with the place all over again.”
Accessible for both beginners and outdoor enthusiasts, Hike Haliburton is taking place on Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2, offering a selection of free guided and self-guided hikes as well as paid excursions through local outfitters. Registration is now open at winter.hikehaliburton.com.
“Haliburton County is known for our recreational trails in general, but we have an amazing network of winter trails,” Lambert says. “We have snowshoe trails all over the county — everything from really easy, well-packed-down trails to really challenging trails — and we have over 200 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, along with over 700 kilometres of snowmobile trails.”
While the winter edition of the Hike Haliburton Festival does not have the same decades of history as the award-winning fall edition, it is rooted in the same promise of having local, experienced, and knowledgeable volunteers leading hikes in a region they are most passionate about. The guided hikes offer ample opportunity to learn about the geology, wildlife, and history of the region.
“You get to go out with somebody that knows the trail,” Lambert explains. “For a lot of folks, it gives them the opportunity to get out somewhere where they wouldn’t go on their own. Some hikes have a bit more of a natural history theme and a little more discovery-oriented than they are hiking-oriented, but they are focused on what the volunteer guide is most excited to share.”
One such hike is the Echoes of the Cox Farm, at noon on February 1. This one-kilometre journey lets hikers step back in time to explore the history and natural transformation of a property that was once a thriving farm. With a tour of the old well and family garden to the enduring apples trees, the hike will help both history and nature lovers connect with the land.
For those seeking a new type of adventure, Algonquin Outfitters will be in Glebe Park from 12 to 4 p.m. on February 2 giving out free rentals and leading participants on a demo hike using Altai skishoes (also called sliding skis or Hok skis). Gaining in popularity, the short and wide skis combine the fun and efficiency of a cross-country ski with the ease and mobility of a snowshoe.
“Skishoes are really beautiful because they allow you to go places you’d normally not go on snowshoes,” Lambert says. “It’s a great opportunity for somebody to come out and give them a try with the help of an expert.”
Other guided hikes are less about the outdoor excursion itself and more about creating a connection with the natural world. Such is the case with the Crane Lake Cleanse, a 3.5-kilometre hike guided by Marcia Mandel, a local enthusiast who has been leading the meditative hike for both the winter and fall festivals for years.
“I love the land and I have a real connection with it,” Mandel says. “I notice sometimes when you do hikes, you’re doing it to get to a certain place. You’re exploring, but you’re mostly there for physical exercise. When I go wandering in nature by myself, I like to slow down and feel more of a connection to nature, and I thought other people might enjoy that too.”
Beginning at 10 a.m. on February 2, Mandel will take hikers from the Devil’s Lake Trail Head in the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park along an ATV trail to the lake, stopping along the ways for immersion in forest and sound bathing practices to deepen their sense of belonging. When the group reaches the lake, Mandel will often do tai chi, qigong, or play a flute to help the participants really connect to the moment.
“I think now there’s a real affinity towards this slower way of life,” Mandel says. “Everyone has their own interpretation of meditation but, for me, it is opening your heart and feeling a sense of belonging wherever you are, and whatever’s happening in your life. I think what we all want is to feel like we belong and are integral to our environment.”
Throughout the hike, Mandel encourages participants to move slowly and observe what’s around them. Such gentleness has even resulted in the group seeing an owl in past years, but there’s also much to be learned even from a single tree.
“We just think a tree’s a tree but on a little closer look, you can see the tree had trauma to it or you can see some infection that’s growing over,” she points out. “A tree has a living life and sometimes we forget that. I just try to slow people down, to be in a different place of connecting with nature and life in a richer way, and get people thinking in ways they’re not used to thinking.”
Cleats or snowshoes may be required on the hike depending on the weather. No matter what it brings, however, Mandel is certain it will be stunning.
“It’s just so spectacular in the winter because of the Canadian Shield and there’s a lot of open area, so the terrain is fun because one minute you’re going through dense forest and other times you open up into lakes and streams. This high-calibre area is what people imagine when they think of Canada and hiking.”
In addition to the guided and self-guided hikes during the Hike Haliburton Festival, local businesses will be hosting paid experiences that allow participants to learn while immersing themselves in the Haliburton Highlands.
From learning to ice climb or build — and potentially sleep in — an igloo with Yours Outdoors to winter camping with Algonquin Yeti Paddling, the excursions provide a safe and enjoyable way to try something entirely new.
Paid excursions must be booked directly with the organizer — the Hike Haliburton website provides descriptions of the available experiences and links to contact the organizers.
“We are very fortunate to have these dedicated providers who are always excited to share the area while helping people feel confident in trying something new,” says Lambert.
Hike Haliburton is more than just hiking and snowshoeing. Throughout the festival weekend, there are a number of opportunities to experience the Haliburton Highlands beyond what can be found outdoors.
For a taste of music found in the region, participants can enjoy live performances from Peterborough-based singer-songwriter Lizeh at Hook, Line, & Sinker (126 Highland St., Haliburton) on Friday, January 31. Juno-nominated singer-songwriter and guitarist Terra Lightfoot — a Hamilton native who moved to the Haliburton Highlands in 2020 — will be performing at the Haliburton Legion (719 Mountain St. Haliburton) on Saturday, February 1.
For a taste of the arts community in the region, Agnes Jamieson Gallery at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre (176 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden) will be displaying a selection of artwork from André Lapine alongside several new acquisitions in an exhibit that will be on display until Saturday, February 8.
“There are so many artists of different backgrounds and talents in Haliburton,” Mandel says. “If you’re here for Hike Haliburton, there are many studios that are open for drop-ins and to participate.”
For more information about where to stay and where to eat during your visit to the Haliburton Highlands, as well as events that are happening during the Hike Haliburton weekend, visit myhaliburtonhighlands.com.
“It’s a very welcoming community,” Mandel notes. “Hike Haliburton is a nice experience for a weekend to come up and try something new with your friends, and get out to enjoy the winter.”
To register for free guided hikes or to find out more about paid experiences, visit winter.hikehaliburton.com.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Hike Haliburton. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
