
Haliburton County has hundreds of kilometers of trails for a variety of sports.
You can spend weeks hiking and exploring the trails in the area, and still not see
half of what the Highlands have to offer. The most popular trails in the area for
non-power sports, such as hiking or biking, are in the Haliburton Forest. There
are over one hundred miles of natural worn trails to explore, allowing you to take
a different path every time you go. In the summer people can be seen on the trails
every day on their bikes or with back packs on hiking through with friends and family.
Throughout the summer months there are various races and events held on the trails
for competitive bikers and runners. The Haliburton Forest Festival is one of the
largest music festivals in Ontario. It brings in world renowned artists, and people
from all over the country to Haliburton County. It is held in mid-August at the
Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve. The spectacular venue and event are enjoyed
every year by locals and tourists, so be sure not to miss it! During the winter
months, the trails are used primarily for snowmobiling, dogsledding, cross country
skiing and snowshoeing. These trails are a huge tourist attraction in the area,
bringing vacationers from across the county. If you are in the area on an Ontario
holiday or even just a weekend getaway, be sure to look into the trails at Haliburton
Forest for excellent outdoor activities.
Something different to try in Haliburton County is the horseback riding at South
Algonquin Trails. Horseback riding can be a terrific addition for vacationers and
tourists looking to add something new into their Ontario vacation. South Algonquin
Trails has offered wilderness trail rides to visitors for years, providing a unique
experience for all ages. They are located between Haliburton and Bancroft, just
at the southern point of the Algonquin Park. The horseback trail riding offers a
wonderful new adventure along the trails through the forestry and wilderness for
all guests. So next time you're up on a Haliburton family vacation, come out for
a half day ride at the South Algonquin Trails.
For those who are looking to trail ride with some power, Haliburton County offers
miles of interwoven trails throughout the forests for snowmobiles and ATVs. Many
years ago, there was a railway going through Haliburton County. The railway itself
has long been removed, but its path through the area has become a main vein for
snowmobile and ATV trails. There are near endless possibilities for trail riding
ATV getaways. The trails are monitored and maintained by the Haliburton ATV Association,
with trail wardens on duty to ensure proper safety and emergency services in the
summer time. During the winter, the snowmobiles take over the rail trails.
The Haliburton ATV Association is the largest ATV associations in the World, and
they provide complete care for the trails in the spring, summer and fall. They are
in charge of all of the maintenance work that goes into keeping the trails accessible
and safe. The trails total over 1700km. It is very important for all tourists and
locals when you use the trails to abide by their rules, which can be found at their
website, www.haliburtonatv.com. The rules are set in place so that you can enjoy
the trails safely, while respecting local land owners and without being destructive
to the environment.
Practicing safety is absolutely crucial when trail riding. If you are out on a Haliburton
County ATV trip with some friends and you end up lost or in trouble, being prepared
could save a life. Always pack extra food and water, clothing, and a cell phone.
If you have an ATV get stuck or if you are lost, do not hesitate to call for emergency
assistance, local police and HATVA search and resue are prepared for these matters.
A local trail warden can come out to provide any help you need, be it a winch to
unstuck an ATV, or guide you back through the trails. Although the local authorities
are prepared for this scenario it is always best that you try to avoid it. By sticking
to well-marked trails that are within your skill range you should be able to have
both a safe and fun Ontario ATV trail ride. Trail passes can be purchased online
on the HATVA website.
When the snow comes in and blankets the trails, the Haliburton County Snowmobile
Association take over trail grooming and monitoring. They are out every day with
groomers keeping the trails safe for everyone. There are 580km of snowmobile trails
throughout Haliburton County which they maintain. Similar rules apply for the trials
in the winter as the do for summer. It is always important to respect the environment
and not litter when out on a snowmobile trail ride through Haliburton. Also, many
of the trials run through private property to access the railway and some lake chain
trails, so always make sure you stay on the marked trail. Keep in mind that snowmobile
trail riding involves a different license than driving an ATV or car, so it is imperative
that before going out on a trail ride that you have your snowmobile licence on hand,
as police and wardens do monitor the trails.
In the winter, it is always important to pay attention to the ice thickness across
the lakes. The ice is often only thick enough for snowmobiles to cross from January
through to mid-March. The HCSA pays close attention to the ice thickness in the
winter months and keeps updates on their website for snowmobilers. Although many
of the locals may be familiar with how the ice behaves on the lakes in the winter,
it is important for all vacationing tourists to consult with the local associations
to make sure the trails are safe before a day of snowmobile trail riding. If you
are unsure of the conditions, and don't have access to the HCSA website, you can
always check the ice conditions for yourself. Use an ice auger to test the thickness
of the ice, and if you find it is more than 5” thick, then you will be safe to bring
your sled out on to the ice. Always remember to stay on the marked trails when travel
across frozen lakes. The thickness of the ice may vary due to currents and pressure
cracks, which can be disastrous for sledders. If you make sure to keep on the trails,
and not stop on the ice, you will be able to safely enjoy you snowmobile trail ride
through the Haliburton Highlands lake chains. For more information on Haliburton
snowmobile trails and safety, visit the HCSA website at www.hcsa.on.ca.
Snowmobile trail riding can be one of the most exciting activities for the winter
time in Haliburton County, but it is important to plan your trips ahead, and always
err to the side of caution. Always pack things like extra clothes and safety equipment
for a trail ride. In winter, night can creep up on you, and with the winter night
comes drastic drops in temperature and visibility, so prepare for these sorts of
things.
The trails through Haliburton Highlands are there for everyone to enjoy. Whether
you are powering your way through on an ATV or snowmobile, or taking your time to
enjoy the wilderness and wildlife by hiking or snowshoeing, there is something there
for everyone. Your outdoor family vacation in Haliburton awaits. Just be sure that
when you are up visiting the trail while on a Haliburton vacation, you respect the
environment. Do not harm the wildlife or litter, and always be respectful of private
property owners.