Wilderness at the door, a village down the road
Haliburton County is roughly a 2.5 to 3 hour drive from the Greater Toronto Area, close enough for a weekend, wild enough to feel like an escape. The cottage itself sits on about 5.5 acres of private, dynamic forested lot, with an additional 1,500 acres of private access just across the street if exploring wilderness is your thing. It also carries over 650 feet of private shoreline on Haliburton Lake — a lake of more than 2,500 acres with over 30 km of shoreline, depths past 180 feet, and crystal clear water to enjoy. Here's what fills the days between the dock and the porch.
Hike & paddle
Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve
Over 100,000 acres of trails, lakes, and backcountry, with hiking, canoeing, and mountain biking through some of the county's wildest ground.
Wildlife
Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre
Watch a wolf pack in a natural habitat through a one-way glass observatory, a rare, close look at the county's wild residents.
Scenic drive
Buttermilk Falls & the Hawk Lake Log Chute
A short drive brings you to a peaceful waterfall and a restored 1861 log chute, the only working one of its kind left in Ontario.
Eat & drink
Rhubarb Restaurant & Boshkung Brewing Co.
Lakeside dining on Mirror Lake with an on-site microbrewery, one of the Highlands' most-loved tables. Reservations recommended.
In town
Downtown Haliburton & Head Lake Park
Shops, cafés, and a waterfront park make an easy afternoon in the village, a short drive from the cottage.
Seasonal
Every season, a different reason
Swimming and paddling in summer, fall colour drives, and quiet snowshoeing or cross-country skiing once the lake freezes over.
Lazy river
Minden River Run
A lazy river experience down the Gull River. Your float will last between 1 and 2 1/2 hours depending on the water flow.
Boating & amenities
Fort Irwin Marina
Rent a motorized boat or stock up on supplies at Fort Irwin Marina, located right on the lake. They feature a general store, gourmet frozen foods, ice cream, and an LCBO Convenience Outlet.
Eco-farming
Abbey Gardens
Stop by Abbey Gardens to browse local food stalls, hike their farm trails, and sample local craft beer at Haliburton Highlands Brewing.
Mountain biking & hiking
Sir Sam's Ski Hike & Bike
Hit the summer trails at Sir Sam's Ski Hike & Bike. The ski hill converts its terrain for hikers and downhill cyclists from May through the warm months.
Art & culture
Haliburton Sculpture Forest
Walk or bike through this unique, free outdoor art gallery. Located in Head Lake Park, it features over 40 distinct sculptures tucked away along a kid-friendly forest trail.
Fishing
Haliburton Lake angling
Haliburton Lake spans 957 hectares within Ontario's Fisheries Management Zone 15 and features a varied underwater landscape with deep basins and rocky shoals. It is highly regarded by anglers for its thriving summer populations of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and deep-dwelling lake trout.
See it all from The Crag
Book your stay and use the cottage as your base for the whole Highlands.
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