When looking for accommodation in Haliburton County, first plan around the focus of your trip: seasonal trails and nature areas sit alongside museums, art and local history. Use of some trails depends on the season and trail conditions; each cultural attraction has its own focus.
Trails and Nature Areas
The Haliburton County Rail Trail is a multi-use trail maintained by the County’s Public Works Department. From April 1 to May 1, it is open to all non-motorized activities, provided trail conditions allow. From May 1 to November 30, non-motorized activities and permit-required ATVs are allowed under the same condition. From December 1 to March 31, the trail is reserved exclusively for permit-required snowmobiles, provided conditions allow. Side-by-sides are not allowed. Check current trail conditions and use rules before setting out.
Glebe Park is on the north shore of Head Lake in the town of Haliburton and covers 175 acres of woodland and rolling hills. Its trail network is designed for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Haliburton Sculpture Forest, an outdoor collection of sculptures by Canadian and international artists, is located in the park. The Sculpture Forest trails offer opportunities for hiking and cycling in spring, summer and fall; in winter, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing are also available. Check trail operating conditions before a winter outing.
The Barnum Creek Nature Reserve connects three hiking trails totaling seven kilometres through forests, open fields, wetlands and along Barnum Creek. Habitats include hardwood and mixed forests, young successional forests, grasslands, marshes and swamps. Activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, plein air painting, photography and birdwatching; cycling is restricted to the Heritage Hike. For a different kind of trail experience, Abbey Gardens offers about five kilometres of marked trails through 140 acres of mature forest. You can explore them year-round for free.
Museums, Art and Local History
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre comprises the Minden Hills Museum and Heritage Village, the Agnes Jamieson Gallery and Nature’s Place Interpretive Centre. Nature’s Place was built in 2007 and originally designed to minimize its environmental impact.
The Minden Hills Museum & Heritage Village consists of five historic buildings that were moved here to preserve and celebrate Minden’s history. They include Bowron House, an 1860s log cabin with a working wood stove; the Stanhope Schoolhouse; and the Stirling Bank building, which houses exhibits. Self-guided tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from the Victoria Day long weekend through the Thanksgiving weekend. Hands-on activities are available daily in June, July and August. As the visiting season and activities may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit.
The Agnes Jamieson Gallery preserves and presents the life, work and artistic legacy of André Lapine, ARCA (1866–1952), and also exhibits works by local and regional visual artists. The year-round main gallery at the Haliburton Highlands Museum offers a different historical focus, with exhibits on early local businesses, sports history and the local logging industry.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Minden, Haliburton, Carnarvon, Cardiff, Highland Grove, Tory Hill, Harcourt, Oxtongue Lake.
For the broader travel overview: Ontario.
