Fall in Calabogie: Top Activities to Experience This Autumn

This is you ultimate guide to enjoy Fall in Calabogie. Located just an hour from Ottawa, Calabogie is the ultimate Fall getaway with stunning hikes, tasty eats, and the coziest boutique hotel! If you’re looking for recommendations of what to do in Calabogie this Fall,  look no further: this curated itinerary features my top picks for what to do and where to stay to make the best of your visit.


When I posted about Calabogie on my Instagram page I was surprised by how many people said they had never heard of it before. If you have, it is most likely because you like skiing or because you’ve hiked the famous Eagle’s Nest Lookout. But let me tell you, Calabogie is so much more than a day-trip from Ottawa.

Let me convince you to book your next Fall weekend getaway here! Why is Calabogie worth a visit? It is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and offers a perfect nature gateway in all seasons. With a ski hill in the Winter and numerous hiking trails in the summer, it is definitely going to please the outdoors lovers out there.

I’ve put together this itinerary to help you hit all the highlights, taste the best food, and make the most of your time here.

Read More //  Don’t forget to check out my review of Calabogie Peaks Resort in the Winter.

Fall in Calabogie

YOUR ULTIMATE WEEKEND GUIDE TO FALL IN CALABOGIE

What to know before visiting Calabogie?

  • Calabogie is located in eastern Ontario, specifically in Renfrew County. It is about 90 kilometers west of Ottawa, along the Calabogie Lake.
  • Calabogie has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was initially settled for timber and agriculture.
  • It’s located 5 hours from Toronto, and 2.5h from Montreal.
  • Calabogie Lake spans about 10 kilometers in length and has a maximum depth of approximately 33 meters, making it a sizable body of water in the region.
  • In the Winter, it is home to the Calabogie Peaks Ski Resort.

Where to Stay?

If you’ve been following my social media for a while, you’ll know that I’m a sucker for renovated motel. And I owe that love to Somewhere Inn in Calabogie which was my very first experience in a boutique motel.

This 1970s motel was completely renovated and reopened its door in 2021 with the goal of creating a basecamp for adventures and exploration. The 11 rooms and commun spaces are the perfect mix between a cozy cabin in the wood and a modern nordic inspired hotel. In their design, they’ve prioritized local artist and producers. All the fourniture was custom made by Toronto woodworker Jeremy Kehoe and their wine bar is filled with local wines and beers for you to taste.

Their cabin-inspired guest rooms feature some of the must comfy bed I’ve ever slept in and their signature fire places. If you want to spoil yourself a bit I highly recommend getting the Calabogie King with soaker tub room. You’ll be able to enjoy a bath next to the fire place. How perfect right? And during your stay here, forget about watching TV; they’ve purposefully decided not to put any TVs in the rooms to encourage connecting with nature instead of the screen.

On site, you also have access to the Wine Bar in the Lobby building, the lounge and the lawn filled with games, long chairs, fire pits and hammocks. Since my visit, they even added a thermal cycle with a Sauna at 80C and a Cold Plunge at 4C.

Travel Tip // Somewhere Inn just opened their second boutique-hotel – this time in a historic house – in the heart of Collingwood. I can’t wait to check it out and I’m sure you will to.


What to do during Fall in Calabogie

Hike to the Eagle’s Nest Lookout

Located just 5 minutes from the Motel, Eagle’s Nest is an absolute must do if you love hiking. The lookout is absolutely stunning! It quickly took a top spot in my favorite Ontario lookouts. It’s also definitely one of the busiest lookouts on this list so make sure you either go during the week or arrive early (the parking often gets full in the afternoon).

Read More // Top 11 Best Lookouts in Ontario

There are many different way to get to the lookout (8 to be precise), but the easiest is straight across the parking lot. That trail is a 2km trail straight to the lookout – so expect some heavy climbing at the beginning. On the way back, you can retrace your steps or choose one of the other many trails if you want to keep hiking. You might also be interested to know that he site is considered sacred by the Anishinaabe and got its name because it used to be a nesting area for bald eagles.


Hike to the Wabun Lake and Sugar Mountain Loop

Lesser known then the Eagle’s Nest Lookout is the Wabun Lake and Sugar Mountain Loop. This one also has a gorgeous lookout, although maybe not as spectacular as Eagle’s Nest. If you’re up for a challenge, you can opt for the 16km loop which will bring you along the Madawaska River. But if like me you are a bit short on time, you can also take the 3km shortcut to the lookout – just be ready for a climb!

Finding the trail head and park here can be a bit tricky. Luckily the Adventure Report Blog has all the info and I used their coordinate to find my way there.

Travel Tip // Do not hike here during hunting season which usually starts in early November.


Take the chairlift at Calabogie Peaks

For my non-hiker friends, the chairlift at Calabogie Peaks is the perfect way to soak in the scenery with zero effort! Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! Pro tip : the best views are on the way down—trust me, you won’t want to miss it!

And if you want to stretch your legs? There are trails to explore all around the resort if you feel like adding a hike to the mix!


Where to Eat?

Believe it or not, Calabogie is also a great foodie destination! Here are some of my favorites:

Oh-El-La Café | Perfect for a cozy coffee break!

Calabogie Brewing Company | Grab a local brew to unwind and try one of their delicious pizza.

On the Rocks | If you are looking for something a bit more upscale, try On the Rocks. The food is delicious and the views are even better.

* P.S. This adventure was part of a collab with Ontario Tourism but all opinions (and obsessions) are 100% mine!

READ THESE BEFORE VISITING MORE OF ONTARIO

ONTARIO GUIDES | The Ultimate Weekend in Beaver Valley ; The Best In and Around Niagara Falls : A Complete Guide; How to spend the Perfect Weekend in Bracebridge

ONTARIO TOP 10 | Top 11 Best Lookouts in Ontario

WHERE TO STAY IN ONTARIO | Tiny Stays: A Unique Stay in Prince Edward County; Spend the night with Alpacas at Haute Goat Farm

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Quebec City is this close to flipping the switch on full Christmas magic… and you cannot convince me there’s a more magical holiday getaway in Canada. 🎄✨

The cobblestone streets, the twinkling lights, the old stone buildings covered in snow, it feels like stepping straight into a European Christmas village without leaving the country.

So when someone says, “Let’s go on a Christmas getaway”… this is exactly where my brain goes.

➡️ Save this if Québec City is on your holiday list

 What’s YOUR pick for Canada’s most magical Christmas city? Or is Quebec City the winner for you too? 👇

#quebeccity #visitthequebeccity #canadianchristmas #christmasincanada #travelquebec #explorecanada
I just had one of the most unexpectedly wholesome getaways in Ontario… and it involved sleeping inside an alpaca enclosure. 🦙✨

Haute Goat Farm has this tiny bunkie tucked right into their alpaca pasture, and staying there felt like stepping into the softest, coziest little world. Between the morning farm chores, the baby goats, the views, and the alpaca chaos (the cute kind), it honestly might be one of my favourite fall stays yet.

If you’re looking for something unique, charming, and a little bit quirky,  add this to your list immediately.

📍 Save this for your next Ontario escape

 Would you try an alpaca sleepover… or is that a hard no for you? 👀👇

🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.

 

#haitegoatfarm #ontariostays #uniquegetaways #exploreontario
It’s that time of year when most people start slowing down… but instead of hibernating, I headed back on the road🍂

Haliburton is one of those places I used to just drive through, until I finally realized how much I was missing.

Think wolves, waterfalls, good coffee, and a cabin stay that’ll make you forget your phone exists.

It’s quiet, it’s calm, and it’s peak stick-season energy in the best possible way.

📍 Add Haliburton to your fall bucket list, before winter fully moves in.

Have you ever visited Haliburton? Do you agree with me? 

#haliburton #haliburtonhighlands #fallinontario
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