What began more than 20 years ago by a grassroots organization committed to helping visitors explore Haliburton Highlands has turned into Canada’s largest free hiking festivals — and this year’s festival has lots to offer everyone, whether you’re looking for an easy walk with the family or a more challenging adventure.
When it returns from Thursday, September 18 to Sunday, September 21, Hike Haliburton will be hosting more than 40 free guided hikes led by knowledgeable and passionate local volunteers. The festival also provides locals and visitors with the opportunity to explore the region through self-guided hikes, paid excursions, and cultural experiences.
Registration for individual hikes is now open at myhaliburtonhighlands.com/hike-haliburton/.
“Haliburton Highlands has a really great mix of Canadian Shield with over 500 lakes and more than 2,000 kilometres of developed trails — it’s a nature-lover’s paradise,” says Haliburton County Manager of Tourism Angelica Ingram. “This area has become known for adventure and outdoor tourism because there’s so much to see and do outdoors.”
Consistently selected as one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario by Festival & Events Ontario, the festival returns each year just as the region’s fall colours are peaking, ensuring that every photo snapped during the weekend has a stunning backdrop.
“Fall is my favourite time of the year in Haliburton: it’s bug-free, you get comfortable temperatures where you’re not typically dealing with heat advisories, and you get cooler evenings,” says Ingram. “It’s a really great time of year to enjoy not just the climate and the weather, but the colours and the scenery. Hike Haliburton is a great outing that’s not cost prohibitive and there’s something for everyone.”
This year, the county received a tourism grant through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to grow the festival for its 22nd year. The funding has allowed the county to upgrade its registration system for the hikes, as well as grow the festival’s offerings and tie in more regional events and activities.
“It’s going to be a really big, fun festival weekend across the Haliburton Highlands this year,” promises Ingram.
Part of this growth involves scheduling even more guided hikes than usual, with excursions ranging from beginner-friendly hikes to hours-long adventures on a kayak or paddleboard. Throughout the festival, participants will discover hidden waterfalls, climb rocky ledges, paddle glassy waters, and, ultimately, be immersed in nature.
A unique aspect of the festival is that all guided hikes are led by local, knowledgeable volunteers and experts who will share what they love most about the Haliburton Highlands.
“The volunteers have a wide range of backgrounds and histories, from amateur athletes to foragers with plant knowledge to people who have wellness, healing, or meditative approaches to the hike,” Ingram says.
“These volunteers are doing it because they know a lot about the area — whether it’s the history, geography, wildlife — and really want to share this experience with somebody.”
One of several new hikes featured this year, “Steps and Stories” will take hikers to explore the history of the region through the lens of the Dominion Hotel, which is currently celebrating its 160th anniversary.
Owners Shawn and Elli Chamberlin will take hikers on a fun and humourous stroll along the Minden Riverwalk Trail, where they will talk about the weather, water levels, local history, and entertain with some stories. Being held on Sunday, September 21, the two-kilometre hike is suitable for beginners and children.
“It will be a lot of fun because Elli and Shawn Chamberlin are just really vibrant and animated people, and nobody can tell a story like Shawn Chamberlin,” Ingram says. “It’s good for families because it’s just around Minden and talking about the history, talking about the hotel and the town itself, but it’s not a strenuous hike by any means.”
For those feeling more adventurous, you’ll also find hikes that are meant to be a bit more challenging like the “Bear Mountain Adventure” hike and canoe trip.
Join Melissa Tong and Cameron Ferguson across the remote Livingstone Lake to a portage leading into Bear Lake where, after a short paddle to the base of Bear Mountain, the group will hike to a 200-metre rock face. Enjoy panoramic views of the Algonquin Dome while enjoying a trail lunch before returning to Bear Lake and exploring a waterfall and Hinterland Marsh.
Moderate canoeing skills and a good level of fitness are required for this six-to-eight-hour excursion which will take place on Thursday, September 21.
Prefer more of a relaxed hike that helps you reconnect with nature and yourself? “Fall in Love with the Forest” on a hike at The Frost Centre led by certified Forest Therapy Guide Donna Raetsen.
The “gentle guided wander,” which is designed to slow you down and awaken your senses, will include stopping often to breathe, reflect, and notice the beauty of the surroundings.
“A lot of these hikes are going to not just be a walk, as they will offer stories and tales and expertise and knowledge sharing,” says Ingram. “Some of these private areas, private land, and private properties get opened up for Hike Haliburton specifically. You get to see someone’s back 40 or hidden gems, areas, trails, or lakes that you normally wouldn’t get to see.”
Throughout the weekend, local tour operators will be offering paid excursions that will help visitors explore the region in all new ways. Get on a stand-up paddleboard by booking experiences with Wolf Flow SUP Yoga & Fitness, or explore from the treetops with a canopy tour at Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve.
There is a lot more than hiking on the lineup during Hike Haliburton. Before or after you’ve finished your outdoor adventure, take the chance to explore the range of cultural and heritage experiences happening throughout the weekend in the Haliburton Highlands.
Bringing some colour to Head Lake Park in the village of Haliburton, Colourfest is being held on Saturday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held by the Municipality of Dysart et al, the festival features a range of activities for the whole family from bouncy castles to crafts, and plenty of sweet treats and games.
Also during Hike Haliburton, the Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre in Haliburton will have just launched En Plein Air Haliburton 2025, a juried exhibition and “friendly competition” of paintings that were created outdoors across the county. The exhibition is being held from Friday, September 19 to Saturday, November 8, 2025.
“It partners so well with Hike Haliburton, with artists taking their easels out to a river stream and painting, and it’s a mini hike on their own,” says Ingram, noting it’s one of the many cultural events happening in the area over the weekend.
“Hike Haliburton is a great time to go out to a local or family festival, go to a concert, go to a gallery, and then grab an ice cream on your way home.”
With so much to see and do across the Haliburton Highlands, you might be inclined to turn Hike Haliburton into a full weekend getaway. Fortunately, the region offers a wide range of accommodations to suit all needs, whether you’re travelling with your family — pet included — or seeking an intimate escape with a partner.
You can sleep under the stars by booking a backcountry campsite off the Kingscote Access Point in the southern corridor of Algonquin Provincial Park, or opt for the rustic, sustainable-minded Algonquin Eco-Lodge to continue to be immersed in all the natural glory the Haliburton Highlands has to offer. For a more elevated experience, check into Nomi Resort Club, where high-end cuisine and luxury residences await on 850 acres abundant with shoreline and views of the pines.
To learn more about all the places you can stay while in the Haliburton Highlands, visit myhaliburtonhighlands.com/where-to-stay/.
For more information on the Hike Haliburton Festival and to register for the free guided hikes and paid experiences, visit myhaliburtonhighlands.com/hike-haliburton/, and follow Hike Haliburton on Facebook and Instagram for more hiking inspiration.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the County of Haliburton. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
