You don’t always need an excuse to hit the open road, but the fall season offers a plethora of scenic excursions and destinations worth travelling for. Whether you’re seeking breathtaking vistas or simply want to get closer to nature, here are some of our favourite autumn adventures. Just be sure your ride is ready to navigate rugged country roads with Sailun’s TerraMax RT tires, available at major tire retailers across the country.
EXPERIENCE THE FALL COLOURS
With the right timing, a leaf-peeping road trip is sure to be a fall season highlight. Whether you have just an afternoon or multiple days for the drive, look for a quieter route that encompasses winding roads, rolling hills and scenic lookouts for memorable autumn foliage views. Just an hour and a half northwest of Toronto, a drive to the otherworldly Cheltenham Badlands will take you past lush farmlands and parts of the Bruce Trail, and towards vibrant fall colours set against red and white, 450-million-year-old geological formations.
VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH
Celebrate the autumn harvest and spend a day in the sun with an excursion to find the perfect pumpkins for both carving and pie. The best farms, like the family-owned Howells Adventure Farm in the Niagara Region, also offer plenty of lively entertainment outside of homegrown pumpkins and other fresh produce. From corn mazes to wagon rides and spooky, Halloween-themed attractions, there are fun, seasonal activities for the whole family at your local pumpkin patch.
HIKE TO A WATERFALL
Inglis Falls is a 18-metre-high waterfall that is surprisingly accessible but also set within a tranquil, 200-hectare conservation area in Ontario’s Grey County, where the Sydenham River meets the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. Visitors to the conservation area will find an old growth cedar forest, over 20 species of ferns and, during the peak fall months, a view of the region’s most beautiful waterfall framed with the bright colours of fall foliage. You can go for a hike through the 7.42 kilometres of tree-lined trails, or simply enjoy impressive views just steps away from the parking lot.
EXPLORE A FALL FAIR
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about visiting a small-town fall fair, complete with tractor pulls, vintage midway rides, and novelty foods. One that’s worth the drive is the Erin Fall Fair, which takes place over Thanksgiving weekend each year. At this popular, community-oriented fair, there are competitions for everything from growing root vegetables to truck and tractor pulls, and you’ll also find a kid-friendly petting zoo, musical performances and even a demolition derby.