Hooray For Hiking

A lively fall festival in Ontario celebrates sport, food and the arts

- Lauren Bauman, Kitchener

Every late September, I look forward to the unique Hike Haliburton Festival, having participated in the 13th and 14th annual ones in 2015 and 2016, respectively. My husband and I were among the 1,500 people of all ages and abilities who joined the festivities during this four-day event throughout the lovely Haliburton Highlands in northern Ontario.

In addition to traditional hikes (which are awesome, especially the many dog-friendly ones), the festival showcases the arts, culture, food, drink and heritage of the area. While we use our nearby family cottage as our base, many visitors come from all parts of Ontario and across Canada. Local lodging, from quaint B&Bs to fancy resorts, is posted on the festival’s well-organized website. More than 80 guided tours are available from Thursday to Sunday, throughout the day and evening, spread out among four neighbouring regions, including Minden Hills, Dysart et al, Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East.