Mark your calendars and prepare your winter toques, warm gloves, and thermal layers, because the winter edition of the Hike Haliburton Festival is returning in February.
Established in 2020 to complement Canada’s largest free fall hiking festival, the winter edition celebrates the coldest month of the year in the Haliburton Highlands regardless of the weather.
“We have a lot of winter activities in the Highlands that are dependent on snow — whether that’s snowmobiling, downhill skiing, or cross-country skiing — but we’ve modelled Hike Haliburton so it can be done no matter what Mother Nature brings,” says Haliburton County Manager of Tourism Angelica Ingram. “You just have to dress for the weather and prepare for whatever we might get, and hopefully it’s a crystal-clear blue day with lots of sun and lots of snow and lots of smiles.”
This year’s winter edition runs on Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8 and, as always, offers a selection of free guided and self-guided hikes, paid excursions through local outfitters, and arts and culture events across the Haliburton Highlands.
“We always strive to make sure the hikes offer a good variety in the level of difficulty, and we do make sure there’s something for everyone,” Ingram says. “It’s very important to us to have that good mix and then we also do really want to have ones that are educational and offer more than just the physical component and adventure and exercise.”
The festival gives residents and visitors alike the chance to head outside, connect with nature, and experience everything the Haliburton Highlands has to offer during winter.
“We hope people come out and have a good time because winter in the Highlands is always a really great time of year,” Ingram says. “It really is a beautiful place to be in the winter and we’re really hoping for another successful winter edition.”
Learn from knowledgeable and passionate local guides
As with the fall festival, the winter edition’s free guided hikes are led by knowledgeable and passionate local guides who are volunteering their time to invite locals and visitors to explore and learn about their favourite corners of the Haliburton Highlands. Some will use their love for outdoor adventure to lead advanced excursions, while others will be educating participants on the region by exploring the ecology or history of the land.
“One of the best things about Hike Haliburton is that we have these volunteers who want to share their knowledge or share their passions and interests,” says Ingram. “We (Haliburton County) don’t put these hikes together; we extend the invitation to locals to do so, so it’s all coming from a grassroots place.”
Katie Cox is a local resident who has been leading a hike through her property, Bethel Heights Farm, for both the fall and winter editions of the Hike Haliburton Festival for a number of years. She invites families to join her on a half-kilometre accessible trail before having the opportunity to interact with and feed the chickens, ducks, turkeys, bunnies, and goats on her farm.
“I love sharing the outdoors with people who maybe would never get the chance to do something like this,” she says. “Some people, especially people who come from the city, are very intrigued by how we run our little homestead and how the animals live.”
Adding that it’s “important for people to learn how other people live,” Cox believes winter is an often-overlooked time to get out and explore what the Haliburton Highlands has to offer.
“Haliburton County is a beautiful place to be and there’s lots on offer, including a ski hill, snowmobile trails, and Nordic ski trails,” she says. “I think it’s important to get out and enjoy winter — if you stay cooped up all the time, you’re not going to enjoy it. Hike Haliburton is a lovely and affordable way to get out and enjoy what nature has to offer.”
Register for free guided hikes
Registration for the winter edition of Hike Haliburton opens at 8 a.m. on January 7 at myhaliburtonhighlands.com/winter-hike-haliburton/. Registration is required to join the free guided hikes listed below.
Through the Winter Woods to High Falls (February 7, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Join hike leader John Mumford for a four-kilometre hike through a mixed forest and by a few small rapids to a main waterfall. Snowshoes, cleats, or winter hiking poles might be needed.
Ice Races (February 7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and February 8, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
While it’s not a guided hike, ice racing is an adrenaline-packed outdoor adventure of its own. Come to the Minden Fairgrounds to watch as cars race wheel to wheel on a frozen track. Spectator admission is free.
Killara Station (February 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Join Susan Peel at Killara Station for a four to five kilometre hike exploring one of the oldest farms made new in the county. Tour through the organic gardens, meet the animals, hike the hills of the sugar shack, take in the view over Pocket Lake, and then return to the farm to collect eggs, give the animals a treat and meet Edward the Emu.
Chickadee Feeling (February 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and February 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
On this self-guided family-friendly tour of the new 0.25-kilometre Chickadee Trail at Abbey Gardens, you can enjoy a charming children’s story at the trailhead and interpretive signage about the birds along the trail. For $3.50, purchase some sunflower seeds with a colouring page so you can try handfeeding yourself.
Lapine Lap Mural Tour (February 7, 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.)
Join Minden Hills Cultural Centre program coordinator Robert Wong for a guided mural walk through downtown Minden to explore large-scale reproductions of André Lapine’s paintings of local farms, forests, and rural life.
Icicle Alley (February 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Head to the Frost Centre for a seven-kilometre hike guided by Irv Handler, beginning on the Acclimatization Trail. It then takes adventurers along the Steep Rock Trail to visit Icicle Alley, before returning on the Fire Tower Trail. The advanced hike includes steep climbs, physical obstacles, streams, and possible flooded trails. Poles are recommended, while snowshoes could be used if there is sufficient snow cover. No dogs allowed.
A Walk into Winters Past (February 7, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
Learn about life during the winter months for the settlers in Haliburton in the 1870s. Adventurers will join Kate Butler, director of the Haliburton Highlands Museum, to take the Glebe Park snowshoe trails for lumber camp tales and an exploration of the historic farmstead. Snowshoes may be needed, though will be available to borrow at the Haliburton Highlands Museum.
Name That Tree – Snowshoe Hike (February 7, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Join Reiner Arnold and Barbara Kraus at Tamarack Lodge for a snowshoe through a mixed forest and learn to identify trees in the winter when summer markers like leaves are missing. End the one-kilometre hike with cocoa in a yurt. Bring your own snowshoes. Hike is not suitable for novices.
Bethel Heights Farm (February 7, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Join Katie Cox at Bethel Heights Farm for a fun and easy family-friendly snowshoe, before ending the adventure by visiting with the farm animals. Adventurers will get a full interactive experience and have the opportunity to feed the chickens, ducks, turkeys, bunnies, and goats. No dogs allowed.
Deep Snow Moon Hike (February 7, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
Join Cara Oleksuik at the Dharma Centre of Canada in Kinmount for a moonlight hike along a 2.5-kilometre narrow road. Hikers will learn about the property and the Centre which is the oldest meditation retreat centre in North America, offering a range of programs in spiritual traditions. Hikers must be comfortable walking in low light, and have boots or cleats (a limited supply is available to borrow from the Dharma Centre). Bring a headlamp or flashlight, though they will not be used on the hike.
Echoes of the Cox Farm (February 8, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Join Eric Casper at the Cox Farm Trailhead to step back in time and explore a property steeped in history and natural transformation. The one-kilometre guided hike will take you past the remnants of the farm and bring you to traverse areas where over 1,000 trees have been planted to create a peaceful winter forest.
Ice & Rapids at the Gull River (February 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Join Rick Whitteker at Harrington Park for a two-kilometre trail that will bring you to enjoy views of the unique ice formations and roaring energy of the Gull River. It’s also a great trail to spot and learn about wildlife prints and gaits, and to see winter signs like chews, nests, escape routes, and droppings.
Around the Pond – Chessel’s Pond Snowshoe Hike (February 8, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Join Cameron Ferguson for a relatively level five-kilometre snowshoe hike around Chessel’s Pond in Haliburton Forest. With a floating observation deck on the wetland and a viewpoint looking across the pond, the hike offers opportunity for winter nature interpretation and wildlife track identification. Snowshoes, walking poles, winter footwear, layered clothing, snacks, and water are required.
Crane Lake Cleanse (February 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Marcia Mandel will lead a moderate meditative processional to Crane Lake, using sound and forest bathing techniques to deepen a sense of belonging. At Crane Lake, a ceremony will help you open up to the experience. No dogs allowed.
Back Forty Stomp (February 8, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.)
Join Barrie and Pat Martin for a snowshoe stomp in their backyard where you can access several hundred acres of woodlands. On this two-kilometre hike, adventurers will follow forest trails, walk a cottage road, cross a lake, and do some bushwacking before returning to some campfire hospitality.
Ice Climbing @ Haliburton Forest (February 8, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
Join Cameron Ferguson to gear up with climbing boots, crampons, helmets, harnesses, and ice tools, before heading on the short walk to the ice wall. There, you’ll be given a safety demonstration and have your ropes set up before you start climbing.
Book paid excursions led by local outfitters
Along with the free guided hikes, the winter edition of Hike Haliburton also offers visitors the opportunity to book paid excursions led by local outfitters. These include:
- Dogsled Tours: The Winterdance Dogsled Tours are run on 2200 acres of private wilderness located between Haliburton Lake and Algonquin Park. This is a unique opportunity to experience the solitude, remoteness, and picturesque beauty of a part of Ontario that few people will ever see.
- Try It – Ice Climbing: On this half-day adventure, Yours Outdoors is giving you a taste of ice climbing and all the fun it has to offer. This is suitable for beginners to learn the basics and get started with lots of climbing.
- Guided Snowshoe Hikes: Join Deep Roots Adventure for a guided snowshoe hike to uncover the secrets of winter travel. Experienced guides will teach you the techniques for snowshoeing and share stories of the natural world around you. Snowshoes are provided.
- Guided Snowmobile Tours: At Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, book a guided snowmobile trip on groomed trails within 100,000 acres of private forest.
Go Skijoring: Join world-class instructors at Yours Outdoors to explore this wildly popular Scandinavian pastimes where you can strap on your cross-country skis, harness up your dog, and glide across the fresh snow with your furry friend. - Guided Ice Fishing in Haliburton Forest: Join Yours Outdoors to plan an ice fishing adventure with guidance on species to target, what lakes to visit, and what routes to take. Half- and full-day outings are available.
- Winter Camping and More: Join Algonquin Yeti Paddling to comfortably camp out this winter in a canvas hot tent, or explore bushcraft workshops and guided snowshoe hikes in South Algonquin.
For more information and links to book an outdoor adventure, visit myhaliburtonhighlands.com/cool-things-this-winter/.
Enjoy local arts and culture events including the February Folk Festival
This year, thanks to a 2025 grant that has helped grow both the fall and winter festivals, Hike Haliburton has partnered with the Haliburton County Folk Society to host the February Folk Festival. The celebration of music and community spirit will see live music of all genres at venues across the Haliburton Highlands.
“It’s taking place over the whole month of February, but there are some really cool events happening right on the same weekend as Hike Haliburton,” says Ingram. “The idea is you go for a hike, grab a meal, and then go relax at this really neat evening event.”
On February 7 at 7 p.m. at the Haliburton Legion, Dance Happens Here Haliburton (DH3) will be presenting an Old Time Winter Square Dance, featuring square dance caller Hannah Shira Naiman, live bluegrass musicians, and a performance by the Haliburton Scottish Country Dancers. For more information including tickets, visit www.dancehappenshere.com.
You can also head to Boshkung Smokehouse in Haliburton from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on February 7 for the Slopes & Jokes Dinner Show. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring Boshkung Smokehouse’s signature dishes and live entertainment including music by Jan Hillert followed by comedians Ryan Hillis, Luke Lynndale, and headliner Ian Sirota. Ticket are $75 (which includes your first drink) and can be purchased at www.boshkungsmokehouse.com/events/slopes-jokes-comedy-show.
Other February Folk Festival taking place during the Hike Haliburton weekend include a free performance by guitarist Nicholas Russell at 6 p.m. on February 8 at Rhubarb Restaurant in Minden and the Haliburton Songwriter’s Circle at 7 p.m. on February 8 at The Music Exchange in the Haliburton United Church. Outside of the weekend, there are open jam nights, taco dinners, music bingo, and live music by local musicians including Melodi, Terra Lightfoot, and more. Visit myhaliburtonhighlands.com/february-folk-fest/ to find out more.
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.
