Autumn days, though short, are always the sweetest, both for the mellow temperatures and nature’s grand spectacle of colour! When the birds start to congregating for their escape to warmer climates and the trees look as if they have saved all of summer’s sun in their leaves of gold, scarlet and bronze, it’s time to plan a trip to South Georgian Bay!
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The colourful panorama of glorious maples, sumacs, oaks and aspens bounding the slopes of the Blue Mountains, the beautiful Beaver Valley and the nearby Pretty River Valley are all breathtaking! And Georgian Bay with its deep, blue waters, the Beaver, Pretty & Bighead rivers are almost always in view. The fall colours are particularly exquisite in the Beaver Valley, where both sides of this gorgeous valley displace amazing views of the Niagara Escarpment, Lake Eugenia, Eugenia Falls and the Beaver River.
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Scenic Fall Driving Routes
Beaver Valley Fall Driving Route:
Distance: 91km. Drive time: 1 hour and 27 minutes (plus time spent exploring)
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Begin your journey in Thornbury at the Fishway where you can watch the salmon run upstream, stop at Grandma Lambe’s where the apple harvest is in full swing, pick up a famous apple pie and then tour the main street of Meaford during the Scarecrow Invasion. Stop for a photo at one of Meaford’s Big Red Chairs and drive by the town’s beautiful harbourfront. From Meaford, you’ll head south to the Epping Lookout for a great view of the Beaver Valley fall colours. Then it’s off the asphalt to one of Grey County’s best kept secrets – Hogg’s Falls. A short hike on the Bruce Trail will take you to this hidden gem and then a short drive will have you back on the main roads and headed to the village of Eugenia. Next, stop at your second Grey County waterfall, Eugenia Falls, and take in the stunning views. Afterwards, head north back to Clarksburg to tour the galleries and indulge in the art scene, then continue north to Thornbury. Finish your route where you started at the Thornbury Fishway and Town of the Blue Mountains municipal building.
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Blue Mountain Fall Driving Route:
Distance: 42 km. Drive time: 40 minutes (plus time spent exploring)
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Whether you’d like to make this a relaxing scenic drive or an action-packed tour complete with zip lining, hiking and swimming, the Blue Mountain and Scenic Caves route has it all. Start your journey at Blue Mountain Resort– choose from their impressive lineup of seasonal attractions or just stroll through the village and take in the sights. From Blue Mountain you’ll head up Scenic Caves Road to Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. Again, this stop can be as extreme or as relaxing as you wish. Choose from a short hike to the suspension bridge or the thrill of the Thunderbird Twin Zip. After leaving Scenic Caves, make a quick stop at the top of Blue Mountain’s Bruce Trail Lookout for amazingly colourful view of Georgian Bay and the valley below. Your next stop is the Ravenna Country Market where you can fuel up for your Bruce Trail hike at Loree Forest. Download the Bruce Trail App or bring your Bruce Trail guidebook and head to the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. Beautiful views from the top of the Georgian Peaks Ski Club are your reward. With a hike in the books, head to Georgian Hills Vineyard and enjoy a wine sampling and a cheese platter on their patio. Your route then takes you to Craigleith Provincial Park and the shale rock beach. Take a dip in the still warm waters of Georgian Bay or just relax on the shore. Grab a coffee at the Shale Rock Coffee House and then make the drive back to Blue Mountain Village. To find activities, live music and more during your visit click here and then get out and explore Ontario’s largest pedestrian village in all its fall glory! For more Grey County fall activities click here.
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Fall Events
- Beaver Valley Fall Fair
- Great Northern Exhibition
- Scarecrow Invasion & Family Festival & Parade
- Apple Harvest Craft Show
- Small Halls Festival
- Apple Harvest Weekend
Make sure to keep up to-date on everything that’s happening in the area by visiting our events page!
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We hope you have a fun and safe time exploring South Georgian Bay! Share your memories with us by tagging @SGeorgianBay on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
Planning to visit South Georgian Bay in the near future? Please contact individual businesses to confirm method and hours of operation and plan ahead by making reservations when possible. Visit our “Know Before You Go” page by clicking here.
