2-Day Fall Hiking Trip: Tobermory, Flowerpot Island and 2 Provincial Parks

This is an outdoorsy hiking trip with lots of walking through forests on gravel and unpaved paths, along shorelines and over rocky terrain. The ground may be wet and slippery. This tour is NOT recommended for those with mobility issues!
Picture
Photo courtesy Andrew Gaz/Unsplash
Embark on a captivating 2-day fall colors tour from Toronto to the Bruce Peninsula, where Ontario's natural beauty is at its most vibrant. On Day 1, we'll journey through the picturesque landscapes of Springwater and Earle Rowe Provincial Parks, where the trails are ablaze with the rich reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn. As you hike through these serene settings, you'll be surrounded by the vivid hues of fall foliage, offering a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in nature's stunning seasonal display. These parks are known for their tranquil beauty, and the crisp fall air makes the experience even more refreshing.

On Day 2, the adventure continues as we head to the charming town of Tobermory, where you'll board a flat-bottom glass-bottom boat with Blue Heron Cruises. As you glide across the clear waters of Georgian Bay, you'll have the chance to marvel at the brilliant colors of the surrounding forests, reflected in the pristine waters below. Your destination is the enchanting Flowerpot Island, where you'll have three hours to explore at your own pace. Wander along the island's trails, discover its iconic rock formations, and soak in the vibrant fall colors that make this time of year truly magical. This tour is the perfect escape for anyone looking to experience the splendor of Ontario's autumn scenery in one of its most scenic regions.

Tour Dates

2-Day Trip
​Oct 22-23, 2022

Prices

All prices are per person, in Canadian dollars. ​All taxes and tips are included!
  • Double $269
  • Triple $249
  • Quad $239
  • ​Single $349
For explanation of the words Double, Triple, Quad & Single click here

Pickup Locations

7:45 AM Mississauga Carpool Lot
8:00 AM Mississauga McDonalds
8:30 AM York Mills Station
9:00 AM Vaughan Carpool Lot
​10:15 AM Newmarket Carpool Lot
To book over the phone, 
​please call (866) 208-2950

Inclusions

  • Round trip transportation on a deluxe bus with washroom and WiFi included.
  • One night accommodation at the beautiful Inn On The Bay in Owen Sound included.
  • One breakfast and one boxed lunch included.
  • Admission to Springwater & Earl Rowe Provincial Parks included.
  • Cruise ticket to & from Flowerpot Island on the flat-bottom glass-bottom boat included.
  • Parks Canada licensing fee included.
  • 3-hours of free time on Flowerpot Island included.
  • Escorted tour with ShortTrips.ca tour director available during the tour.
  • All tips & taxes included.

Approximate Return Times

  • Newmarket 7:50 PM
  • Vaughan 8:20 PM
  • York Mills 9:00 PM
  • Mississauga McDonalds 9:40 PM
  • Mississauga Carpool 9:50 PM

Deposits, Payments, Cancellations & Refunds

  • Due to the short notice before the tour date, full payment is required at the time of booking. 
  • Sorry but no refunds if cancellation is received less then 5 days before trip departure date (Monday Oct 17, 11:59 PM)
  • You can transfer your seat to anyone else you know up to the time of departure without penalty. 

Travelling with Children

  • Children 10 & older are welcome on this tour. Price is the same as that for adults. 
All the parks are located approximately 2½ to 3 hours north of Toronto. They are known for their many kilometres of rugged, rocky shoreline mixed with numerous sand beaches, multiple hiking trails and beautiful views of windswept pines.
All park photos courtesy of Ontario Parks.

Killbear Provincial Park

At Killbear we will get a tour of the visitor centre followed by a guided hike along the Twin Points Trail.  A relatively easy trail (the first section is being developed as the park’s barrier-free trail),  with views of Kilcoursie Bay all along the first half of the hike, lots of scenic views of Georgian Bay’s blue waters, bedrock outcrops and fall colours. 

​The Twin Points Trail is one of the Georgian Bay Biosphere’s “Amazing Places”, which highlight the unique habitats, landscapes and heritage stories of Georgian Bay.

French River Provincial Park

The visit to French River will start with a tour of the visitor centre’s “Voices of the River” exhibit hall, which tells stories of the Indigenous people of the river, the river’s roll in exploration and the fur trade, and the river today. 

A walk down to the river will provide views of the French River Gorge, another one of the “Amazing Places” of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO world biosphere reserve). 

Grundy Lake Provincial Park

The park naturalist at Grundy Lake will talk about the important turtle monitoring that the park has being doing for many years to help manage its resident population.

This will be followed by a guided hike on the Swan Lake Trail, another one of the “Amazing Places of the Georgian Bay Biosphere. 

​On the hike, the park naturalist will take visitors through a wetland and forest landscape, exploring the habitats of the wildlife who call Grundy Lake home.