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The Haliburton Highlands is a rural region of hills, forest, and hundreds of lakes in central Ontario, sitting between Muskoka and the Kawarthas. Logging shaped its early settlement, and today summer cottages, small villages, and an active arts community define its character. It feels quieter and less developed than neighboring cottage regions.
In the village of Haliburton, Skyline Park offers a lookout over Head Lake, and the Haliburton Sculpture Forest places contemporary sculpture along woodland paths beside the Haliburton School of Art and Design. The Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre, in a former train station, shows regional art, while the Haliburton Highlands Museum interprets pioneer life. A fish hatchery offers a look at fish-stocking work. Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve is a large privately owned forest with trails, canoeing, and a canopy walk. To the north, the Dorset Lookout Tower rises above a sea of trees, especially striking in autumn. The Stanhope Heritage Museum and the Hawk Lake Log Chute recall logging days, and Ritchie Falls lies along the Haliburton Rail Trail. The Minden Wild Water Preserve hosts whitewater paddling on the Gull River.
The Highlands suit paddlers, hikers, and artists. Summer centers on lake life, fall color is spectacular, and winter brings snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
WiserMap travel guideHaliburton Highlands Ontario Lakes and Sculpture ForestPlan the Haliburton Highlands in Ontario: lakes, lookouts, the Sculpture Forest, canopy walks, rail trail, waterfalls, maple syrup and cottage country stays.Read the guide
On the hill above Haliburton village, Skyline Park has a lookout platform with a sweeping view over Head Lake and the surrounding forests, especially striking in autumn colour. Short trails wind through the woods. It is a quick drive or a steep walk from the village centre.
Near the village of Dorset, a 30-metre fire tower rises above the hills, with views over Lake of Bays and endless forest. It is one of the best places in Ontario to see the fall colours. A small parking fee applies, and crowds are heavy on peak colour weekends in early October.
Set in Glebe Park behind the Fleming College campus in Haliburton village, the Sculpture Forest has dozens of works by Canadian and international artists placed along easy woodland trails. It is free and open year-round. Pick up a map at the entrance and allow an hour or so for a walk.
Housed in the restored 1878 railway station in Haliburton village, the Rails End Gallery shows rotating exhibitions of regional and Canadian art and runs workshops and events. It sits at the end of the former rail line, now a trail. Admission is usually free, so it is an easy stop.
This community museum in Haliburton village covers the region's history with exhibits on Indigenous peoples, settlers, logging and early tourism, plus a pioneer homestead with log buildings on its grounds. Opening days vary by season, so check before visiting.
In the Algonquin Highlands, the Hawk Lake Log Chute is a restored timber slide once used to move logs past rapids during the logging era. Interpretive signs explain how it worked, and the site is a scenic spot by the water. It is a short drive off Highway 35 north of Carnarvon.
A huge privately owned forest with over 50 lakes, the reserve offers hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and a canopy tour on a suspended boardwalk high in the trees. Its Wolf Centre has a large enclosure with a resident pack. Day passes are required, and some activities need booking.
In the southern Highlands near Bancroft, Silent Lake is a peaceful park where motorboats are not allowed. It has quiet campsites, yurts, a 15-kilometre hiking loop around the lake, and canoe and kayak rentals. In winter it is groomed for cross-country skiing.
On the Gull River near Minden, the Wild Water Preserve has a controlled whitewater course used for national and international kayak and canoe competitions. Visitors can walk the trails along the rapids and watch paddlers train. It is free to visit and best when water is released in spring and summer.
South of Dorset on Highway 35, this former government education centre has a network of trails through mixed forest, along lakes and over rocky ridges, used for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. It is quiet and well signposted. Check access rules and trail status before you go.
This multi-use trail follows the former railway line from Haliburton village south through Lochlin and Gelert to Kinmount, about 35 kilometres of forest, lakes and rivers. It is popular for cycling, walking and snowmobiling in winter. The surface is gravel, so wider tyres work best.
Just outside Haliburton village, Abbey Gardens is a community project transforming a former gravel pit into gardens, trails and a local food hub, with a farm store and events. It is a pleasant short stop with walking paths and views. Opening times for the store and events vary by season.
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