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.
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.
THE DETAILS
Where | Find Somewhere Inn Calabogie here on google map.
Price | 290$ a night
Reservations | Book your room here
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.
THE DETAILS
Where | Find it here on google map.
Parking | There is a parking lot at the trail head. The fee is 10$ + Tax. Pay with your phone (no cash).
Difficulty | The trail is easy to moderate depending on your fitness level.
Trail | You can find the trail details here.
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.
THE DETAILS
Where | Find it here on Google Map.
Parking | The parking is free but a bit hard to find. Please read the Adventure Report Blog to find all the details on how to get there.
Difficulty | The trail is easy to moderate depending on your fitness level.
Trail | You can find the trail details for the 18km loop here and for the shortcut here.
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!
THE DETAILS
Where | Find it here on Google Map.
Price| $20 per person (free for kiddos under 6!), and you can ride up and down as many times as your heart desires!
When| The chairlift runs on weekends only (weather permitting) until 14 October. So don’t wait too long for your visit!
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!”
Travel Photo Tip!
Why a wide-angle lense is your best friend for landscape photography!
- The wide field of view is ideal for showcasing expansive landscapes, fitting more of the scenery into the frame and giving a sense of the scale and beauty of the environment.
- Wide-angle lenses exaggerate the distance between the foreground and background, adding a sense of depth that makes the photo feel more immersive and three-dimensional.
- Getting close to foreground elements while keeping the background in view helps add layers and guides the viewer’s eye through the image, creating a more engaging and dynamic composition.
Check out my Instagram page for more photography tips and don’t forget tag me if you try these tips on your own photos!
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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Everyone visits Banff, but just an hour away, there’s also this. 👀
Grassi Lake in Kananaskis might just be one of the most underrated hikes in Alberta.
It’s short, it’s scenic, and the turquoise water? Totally unreal.
💦 Take the interpretive trail for waterfalls and forest views
⛰️ End at a lake so vibrant it looks photoshopped
So if you’re heading to the Rockies this summer, don’t sleep on Kananaskis.
Some of the best views are just off the radar.
💬 Been to Kananaskis or still on your list?
💾 Save this if you’re planning an Alberta trip!
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires! ⬇️
#GrassiLake #KananaskisCountry #AlbertaRoadTrip #HiddenGemsAlberta #ExploreKananaskis #HikingAlberta #BanffVsKananaskis #CanadianRockies #SummerInAlberta
Did you know you can tour Prince Edward County’s wineries in a vintage hippy van? 🚐🍷
Yep, it’s just as fun as it sounds.
Westy Wine Tours lets you customize your dream wine day in the cutest retro vans (yellow, blue, or pink, your pick!). I stopped at:
🍷 Traynor Vineyard for their famous wine slushy
🌸 Rosehall Run for a glass of their Pixie Rosé
🍹 Old Salt Cocktails for craft drinks, hot dogs, and a round of mini games
It’s the ultimate summer vibe : good wine, good company, and very aesthetic transportation.
💬 Which van are you choosing: yellow, blue, or pink?
💾 Save this for your next PEC weekend!
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires.
*invited*
#PrinceEdwardCounty #PECwine #WestyWineTour #OntarioWineries #WineTourOntario #RetroVanTour #ExploreOntario #GirlsWeekendVibes #PECgetaway #OntarioAdventures #WeekendInTheCounty #summerinpec
Planning a summer weekend in Bruce Peninsula? 🏕️🌊
Here’s your guide to make it iconic: turquoise waters, epic hikes, quiet beaches, and the cutest glamping stay.
Start in Tobermory with coffee and a boat tour, spend the night in a luxe tent at the Grotto Getaway, then hike to Lion’s Head Lookout (one of my fave views in all of Ontario). Finish with a beach day on the quieter side of the peninsula. — And a reminder that yes, Ontario can absolutely deliver on those summer getaway dreams. 💫
💾 Save this itinerary for your next long weekend in Bruce County!
👇 Been to the Bruce? What’s your must-do?
👇 Never been? What’s holding you back?
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires.
#BrucePeninsula #TobermoryOntario #LionsHead #OntarioHikes #GrottoGetaway #ExploreOntario #WeekendGetawayOntario
This might just be the most beautiful stay in Ontario, and trust me, I’ve stayed in a lot of beautiful places. ✨
Aux Box in Muskoka is a dreamy off-grid cabin tucked in the forest… and it just got even better.
They’ve added a brand new Nordic spa setup: a cedar sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge, all surrounded by trees and birdsong.
It’s peaceful, cozy, and ridiculously aesthetic.
Perfect for a solo reset, a couples retreat, or a weekend escape where your only plan is to do nothing (in style). 🛁🔥❄️
💾 Save this for your next Ontario getaway idea. This one’s so worth the drive.
👇 Would you try the cold plunge or just stick to the hot tub? Be honest.
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
*collab*
#MuskokaGetaway #OntarioStaycation #UniqueStaysOntario #OntarioCabins #TinyCabinLife #glampingontario
Everyone knows Algonquin, but did you know that just 30 minutes away, there’s a quieter park that’s still totally worth a visit? 🌲✨
Arrowhead Provincial Park might not have the same dramatic views as Algonquin, but it makes up for it with peaceful trails, cozy campsites, and way fewer crowds.
In the summer, you can see the Big Bend lookout, paddle on calm lakes, or unwind at your campsite surrounded by trees. In the fall, the colors are next-level. And in the winter? That forest ice skating trail is straight out of a movie. ❄️⛸️
💾 Save this mini guide for your next Ontario park day. Arrowhead deserves a spot on your list.
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
👇 Been here already? Tell me your favorite Ontario park that flies under the radar!
#ArrowheadProvincialPark #OntarioParks #ExploreOntario #HiddenGemsOntario #SummerInOntario #OntarioHiking #DiscoverON
