Fall in Northumberland: Colourful Trails of Northumberland County

Autumn turns Northumberland County into a patchwork of gold, orange, and crimson — and the county’s trails, waterfronts, and forests are perfect for soaking it all in. Whether you are a photographer chasing light through the trees, a family looking for a weekend adventure, or simply someone who needs an afternoon to breathe and reconnect with nature, these trails capture the very essence of autumn.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park

If you’re looking for a walk that captures everything autumn has to offer in one place: golden forest canopies, sweeping lake vistas, migrating birds, and serene boardwalks winding through rustling marshes. Presqu’ile Provincial Park in Brighton is a must-visit.

Fall transforms Presqu’ile into a painter’s palette. The changing leaves add a warm contrast to the blue of Lake Ontario. The air carries a crisp freshness, and on calm days, the lake mirrors the changing trees. A scene that never fails to take your breath away. Autumn also brings the annual bird migration, making the park a hotspot for birdwatchers. Bring binoculars — the marsh boardwalk and the Lighthouse Point area are particularly rewarding for sightings.

What to Do

1. Walk the Main Beachfront and Recreational Trail

Start your day with a stroll along Presqu’ile’s expansive beach — one of the longest in Ontario. The soft sands are lined with gentle dunes and framed by the brilliant tones of fall foliage. From there, continue onto the Recreational Trail, a wide, easy path that hugs the shoreline for about 8 km. This trail is perfect for a relaxed walk or bike ride, with flat terrain that suits families and casual strollers. In autumn, it’s especially beautiful in the golden hour when the sun sets over the lake, casting warm light across the water.

2. Explore the Marsh Boardwalk Trail

No trip to Presqu’ile is complete without visiting the Marsh Boardwalk Trail, a 1.2 km loop that immerses you in the park’s vibrant wetland ecosystem. Wooden walkways wind through open water, offering stunning reflections of fall colours and glimpses of wildlife — turtles basking on logs, great blue herons fishing in the shallows, and dragonflies darting over the surface.

3. Combine a Shoreline Walk with an Inland Loop

For a more varied experience, link the Newcastle Trail or Jobes Woods Trail with your shoreline walk.

• Jobes Woods Trail (1 km): This trail takes you through the forest where sugar maples and red oaks arch overhead, their leaves forming a golden canopy. In autumn, the forest floor becomes a carpet of rust and gold, and the air is fragrant with the scent of leaves and damp earth

• Newcastle Trail (4.3 km): This inland route connects forested sections with glimpses of the marsh, offering a well-rounded view of Presqu’ile’s diverse landscapes

Presqu’ile’s magic lies in its perfect balance of opposites — the restless energy of Lake Ontario meeting the stillness of marsh and forest. It’s more than a walk — it’s a moment to stand between worlds: water and woods, motion and calm, summer’s end and winter’s approach. That harmony is what makes Presqu’ile not just beautiful, but unforgettable.

Ganaraska Forest

The Ganaraska Forest is one of southern Ontario’s hidden gems — and in autumn, it’s nothing short of breathtaking. Whether you are after a quiet afternoon stroll or a full-day hike through the backcountry, Ganaraska delivers a true wilderness experience just an hour east of Toronto. Ganaraska is where the word immersive takes on new meaning. This forest feels wild — the kind of place where the crunch of leaves and the distant call of a woodpecker are the only sounds, you will hear for miles.

What to Do

1. Choose a Trail Loop

The forest offers an extensive network of trails, from short, family-friendly loops to multi-hour treks for the more adventurous.

• Shorter loops (2–6 km): Perfect for a brisk afternoon walk, these loops weave through mixed forests of maple, beech, and oak

• Longer hikes (8–15 km+): Combine multiple loops for a full-day adventure. These routes take you over rolling hills, ridge tops, and forest glades, with several lookout points where you can pause to take in sweeping views of the Ganaraska Valley

The Ganaraska Forest is more than just a place to walk — it’s an experience of immersion. It captures what autumn in Northumberland County is all about: colour, quiet, and connection to nature. For those who love the forest in fall — the scent of pine and damp leaves, the crunch of your boots on the trail, and the feeling of calm that only deep woods can give — Ganaraska is pure magic.

Cobourg Waterfront & Lucas Point Park Trail

Cobourg offers one of the most picturesque fall walks in Northumberland County. Its waterfront trails and Lucas Point Park loop combine serene lakeside scenery, walking paths, and vibrant fall foliage. In autumn, the waterfront transforms into a blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. Maple trees lining the pathways turn to brilliant shades of gold and red, their reflections shimmering on the lake’s calm surface. The scent of crisp air mixed with lake breeze makes it the perfect place for a peaceful stroll, a family outing, or an afternoon spent watching the waves.

The Cobourg Waterfront Trail offers a balance of accessibility and beauty. The trail stretches along the shoreline from the west pier through Victoria Park, continuing eastward toward Lucas Point. Along the way, you can pass sandy beaches, landscaped gardens, boardwalks, and quiet lookouts ideal for fall photography.

What to Do

1. Stroll the Victoria Park Boardwalk & Waterfront Trail

Start your walk at Victoria Park, the heart of Cobourg’s waterfront. In fall, this park is particularly lovely — mature maples and oaks turn fiery red, framing the beach in brilliant colour. Follow the boardwalk eastward along the sandy shoreline, where the gentle sound of waves and the scent of lake air create an instant sense of calm. The Cobourg Marina and pier are just a few minutes’ walk away.

2. Explore the Lucas Point Park Loop

For a slightly wilder and more natural experience, make your way to Lucas Point Park, a short drive (or extended walk) east of downtown. The 2 km loop trail circles through open meadows and forest patches perched above Lake Ontario. The trail is home to a variety of bird species, including gulls, cormorants, and songbirds.

The Cobourg Waterfront is a place where you can walk from a bustling main street straight onto a lakeside path lined with trees in full autumn glory. Whether you’re watching sailboats from the pier or sipping coffee while leaves drift across the boardwalk, Cobourg offers one of Northumberland’s most effortlessly beautiful fall experiences.

Rice Lake Trail & Rice Lake Shoreline Views

If you’re searching for a walk that embodies the calm, reflective side of autumn, Rice Lake delivers that perfect blend of water, countryside, and serenity. This is a quieter kind of fall beauty — one that invites you to slow down, breathe, and take in the stillness.

Rice Lake offers a completely different fall experience from other Northumberland trails. It is more about soaking in the open landscape — watching the interplay between land, water, and sky. The surrounding farmland and rural roads add to the area’s charm, with pumpkin patches, historic barns, and quiet villages dotting the drive.

What to Do

1. Walk the Rice Lake Conservation Area Trail

Start your visit at the Rice Lake Conservation Area, just south of Bewdley. This 2.2 km double loop trail is gentle, scenic, and perfectly suited for a relaxing fall stroll. The path meanders through open meadows, clusters of maple and birch, and along stretches of shoreline where you can stop to admire panoramic lake views. In autumn, the colours here are particularly soft — more amber and gold than fiery red — giving the landscape a warm glow.

 2. Follow the Rice Lake Ramble Scenic Route

If you want to take in even more of the area’s beauty, consider extending your visit with a drive along the Rice Lake Ramble — a self-guided scenic route that loops around the northern and southern shores of the lake.

What makes Rice Lake stand out is its tranquil beauty — a place where time seems to slow down. In autumn, this harmony between land and lake becomes pure poetry. Whether you are walking the loop trail, picnicking by the water, or simply pulling over to admire the view, Rice Lake invites you to pause — to see not just fall colours, but the calm rhythm of the season itself.

Northumberland County Forest & Beagle Club Trails

For those who crave a deeper forest experience — the crunch of leaves, the smell of pine needles, and the golden light filtering through tall maples — the Northumberland County Forest is a fall essential. The Beagle Club Trails, one of the most popular access points to the forest, provide a perfect balance between accessibility and adventure.

The Northumberland County Forest is ideal for those who want to feel immersed in nature. This forest wraps you in a deep, tranquil stillness. The air feels cooler and cleaner, carrying the scent of pine and damp leaves. Whether you are seeking a long reflective walk or simply an authentic taste of the Ontario wilderness, Northumberland County Forest offers it in its purest form and stunningly beautiful in the fall.

What to Do

1. Choose Your Loop

The Beagle Club Trailhead is the best starting point.

• The Blue Trail (3 km): A moderate, gently undulating route through mixed forest — ideal for a 45-minute to 1-hour walk

• The Red Trail (5.5 km): More varied terrain with gradual climbs and rewarding ridge views through hardwood stands — perfect for those wanting a bit more challenge

• The Green Trail (short loop): Great for a brisk family walk or first-time visitors who want a quick taste of the forest’s atmosphere

2. Explore the Heritage Trail (Accessible Route)

For visitors looking for an accessible or shorter walk, the 1 km Heritage Trail at Beagle Club is a gem. Despite its short distance, the Heritage Trail still captures the essence of the forest — peaceful stands of red pine and glimpses of wildlife.

In autumn, that legacy is at its most visible: vibrant maples mix with evergreens, the trails are carpeted in colour, and the air smells faintly of pine and earth. Whether you come for a peaceful stroll or a longer hike, the Northumberland County Forest offers that rare feeling of connection — to the land, the season, and the quiet rhythm of nature itself.

Embrace the Season: Fall’s Finest Trails in Northumberland

Autumn in Northumberland County is more than a season — it’s a feeling. It’s the hush that falls over a forest trail after a gust of wind and the glow of maples turning fire-red against a cool blue sky. Each path here — from Presqu’ile’s shoreline loops to the deep woods of the Ganaraska and the quiet reflections of Rice Lake — offers its own window into that fleeting beauty.

What makes these walks special is the sense of presence they inspire. Surrounded by colour and calm, you start to slow your pace, breathe deeper, and notice the details: the crunch of leaves, the call of distant geese, the soft warmth of light on your skin.

So as the air turns crisp, take the time to wander. Let the landscape remind you how grounding it can be to step outside, follow the curve of a path, and simply be part of the season’s quiet transformation.

Ready to learn more? 

Please feel welcome to email or call Bethany (Sales Manager, mistral Communities):

• communities@mistralgroup.ca

• (905) 373-3130