Visit orchards, go birdwatching, and take time to stop and smell the flowers this spring
Shake off your winter hibernation with a tour of fresh, sunny springtime attractions. This itinerary is best enjoyed from late March to late May; be aware that some recommendations are seasonal. Where applicable, please confirm dates and availability with the destination itself before setting off on your trip.
If you’re arriving in Kawarthas Northumberland via the 401, we recommend adding a stop in Port Hope. This picturesque town has a range of shopping and dining options, in addition to just being a great place to get out for a stretch.
Your first stop is The Big Apple in Colborne. Spring is apple blossom time, and you may have noticed orchards in full bloom while en route. The Big Apple is a bakery, restaurant and roadside attraction that offers dining, a store, mini golf, and train rides for the kids.
For overnight accommodation we recommend one of these options in nearby villages:
You can also camp at Presqu’ile Provincial Park starting April 28th.
The Warkworth’s Millennium Trail is always a pleasant walk—but if you’re in town during the Lilac Festival you’ll see it in its prime, with 83 varieties of lilac blooming over the course of the fest.
Festivities take place during the last weekend of May, and are designed to appeal to gardening enthusiasts as well as family groups. Over a thirty to forty-day period you’re certain to catch lilacs in bloom, whether you visit in the early, mid, or late season. Guided tours are available by appointment.
Connect with rescued pigs at The Pearly Acre.
Here you’ll not only get a chance to go directly into a pig pen and commune with the animals, you’ll also learn facts about the species and hear the individual pigs’ rescue stories.
The 60-minute is also a chance to learn about what it takes to run an animal sanctuary, and includes lots of fun photo ops.
After Pearly Acres you’ll take a 40-minute scenic drive through cottage country skirting along Stony Lake and Lower Buckhorn Lake. We recommend stopping in Buckhorn for a photo with the local buck statue. If you’re feeling peckish, Mainstreet Bar and Grill in Buckhorn affords a lovely view of the Trent-Severn Waterway.
After lunch, continue the country drive to Bobcaygeon. There are cottage resorts nearby, or you may choose to soak up the charm of the village at the centrally located Bobcaygeon Inn or New Rockland Motel.
Either way, you’ll enjoy strolling and shopping in the village of Bobcaygeon. Try Grâz for dinner. In late spring when the weather is warmer, El Patio is a great place to hang out.
You’ll find plenty of spring blossoms at the Bobcaygeon Wilderness Park. The park offers more than eight acres of trail through mature forest, as well as a polinator patch where you can learn more about native plants. Interpretive signs along the way underscore the importance of pollinators to our ecosystems.
There’s always more to see and do—browse the itineraries below for more daytrip and overnight suggestions around Kawarthas Northumberland.
BIKEPACKING THE TRAIL TOWNS Extend your stay with a scenic tour across Kawarthas Northumberland Bikepacking is a fantastic way to get to know a region, whether you’re planning a epic ride that can’t be completed in a single day, or just taking in a shorter ride at a leisurely space. Regardless of which approach best
Motorcycle Routes Hit the open road in Kawarthas Northumberland River Road. Rice Lake Drive. Buckhorn Road. Every corner of Kawarthas Northumberland has a route prized by motorcyclists for its combination of colourful landscapes and nearby amenities. Classy Chassis & Cycles (1399 8th Line Smith) is a popular hub for riders. In addition to sales and
Day Paddling Put in, take out, and drive to the next spot on a tour of Kawarthas Northumberland’s paddling highlights This itinerary offers the best of both worlds: you’ll see some of the region’s most appealing paddling destinations over the course of several days, without the need to trek deep into the backcountry. Sling these