Fall hiking locations

October 29, 2009 8:57 AM

Where can I go hiking within 1000km of Toronto?

I've got a week off coming up (Nov 7-15) and I'd like to go hiking. I'm willing to drive up to an entire day, say 1000km or so, though I'd prefer something a bit closer. With winter arriving any day around here, I thought I might go south, but I'm open to other suggestions. How far south do I have to go before the weather starts to get better at this time of year?

Ideally, I want to base camp (or maybe even stay in a hotel if I'm feeling particularly wealthy) and have many day hikes to choose from. I'm not particularly interested in camping on the trail on this trip.

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker, but have no serious mountain experience, so nothing with too crazy an elevation change. I don't mind climbing hills, but I don't want to have to pack a parka for when I get to the top.

posted by MagicEightBall to sports, hobbies, & recreation (12 comments total)

The Bruce Peninsula is beautiful, though I've never been at this time of year. If I had a week off, I might do something like this.
posted by cider at 9:04 AM on October 29 [1 favorite]

Upstate New York if you're amenable to crossing the border.
posted by dfriedman at 9:22 AM on October 29

Algonquin Park. I haven't been myself, but I knew someone who grew up near there and spent every summer hiking, canoeing, etc. Loved it. Coincidentally, some English friends of mine went there on a bit of an Ontario road trip--they loved it too. Less than 300km from Toronto, with plenty of room to roam--look for it on Google Maps, it's massive.
posted by lapsangsouchong at 9:46 AM on October 29 [1 favorite]

New England... Southern New England is just about at the peak of foliage season.
posted by not_on_display at 9:47 AM on October 29

I was also going to recommend the Bruce Peninsula. Manitoulin Island is also nice, but to me is a clear second choice behind the Bruce.

I can't speak to the weather in either of those at this time of the year, but in general if I'm trying to figure out what the weather is likely to be somewhere at a given time of year, I go to wunderground.com, look up a nearby city or town, and use the "History & Almanac" section to look up weather conditions for the same dates in previous years (averages and record highs and lows for the specified date are also given if you do this).
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 10:03 AM on October 29

The Bruce Trail.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:46 AM on October 29

I also recommend the Cup and Saucer trail on Manitoulin but the Chi-cheemaun Ferry finished for the season on Oct. 18. so you'd have to go the longer way, past Sudbury. Seeing the dunes and the strolling shoreline at Carter Bay would be cool right about now. Seeing deer on a deserted, endless beach would be very cool right about now. When we were there a couple of years ago we saw a lot of coyote or dog tracks and some torn apart deer legs as well, so be watchful.
posted by bonobothegreat at 11:13 AM on October 29

The Adirondacks High Peaks Region in upstate New York not far from the border. It's absolutely beautiful and there are some nice places to stay. Check out Keene Valley. Everybody thinks Vermont, but the Adirondacks are just as nice.
posted by nnk at 3:04 PM on October 29

Another vote for The Bruce Trail.

caveat: I used to work for them. I might be biased, but I have traveled a lot of the trail.
posted by purephase at 3:17 PM on October 29

I grew up in the northern Adirondacks. You will not regret doing some hiking there at this time of year. Lake Placid and environs (Cranberry Lake, Saranac Lake) is a good base, as it still has a surfeit of presumably cheap and slightly surreal motels left over from the Winter Olympics back in the 80s and is within an easy drive of lots of smaller peaks suitable for day trips. There are also plenty of state-park campgrounds in the area, at least some of which should be open for camping in the off season.

Save Algonquin Park for when you feel like some serious paddling -- there is no better way to see it than by canoe.
posted by stuck on an island at 4:56 PM on October 29

Start looking to hike South of Toronto.

It's cold up north now, probably snowing to boot and the fall colours have come and gone. I do love Manitoulin and Algonquin and Killarney, but the last 2 are canoeing/tenting type trips.

I'd pack that parka camper, you'd best be prepared, summer is over! BooHoooHooo. Bring rain gear.
posted by alicesshoe at 6:08 PM on October 29

and it just so happens the New York Times comes through this morning with an article on "Scaling the Adirondacks Peaks" which includes an Adirondacks Travel Guide. Wherever you go, have a wonderful adventure!
posted by nnk at 7:11 AM on October 30