Scenic Drives

1. THE PURPLE HILLS TOUR Collingwood – Dunedin – Creemore: Take Hwy 124 (Hurontario Street) South from Collingwood through Singhampton to County Rd 9. Turn left on 9 and follow signs to Dunedin. At the stop sign at the bottom of the hill turn left and continue on this road to the village of Creemore on your right. Stop and tour through this beautiful historic village. Explore the shops, studios and cafés on the tree-lined main street. Take a tour at Creemore Springs Brewery. Hike down to the Mad River or explore North America’s smallest jail. To return to Collingwood follow the main street back out and cross country Rd 9 and head up the hill on the 4th line. This scenic road climbs then descends back towards Collingwood. Turn left at Hwy 91 and follow it until you reach Duntroon. Turn right at Duntroon and follow Hwy 124 back to Collingwood and a gorgeous view of Georgian Bay. The rural scenery on this trip is spectacular, with rolling hills, winding rivers and breathtaking views of the Mad River Valley. MAP
2. SCOTTISH HIGH COUNTRY TOUR Collingwood – Rob Roy – Feversham: Start at the Collingwood Terminals off First Street at Collingwood Harbour. Explore this historic shipbuilding site and the view across the water, before heading south via Hurontario Street (Hwy 124). South of Nottawa turn right at Local Airport Rd and follow it (33/34 S.R.) as it winds its way through the Pretty River Provincial Park up to the top of the Escarpment (there are several access points to the Bruce Trail off this road). Turn right at the T intersection where the road meets Grey Rd 31. The road ends at the small community named after the Scottish hero Rob Roy. Follow Grey Rd 2 to Feversham (be sure to check out the Feversham Gorge at the Madeline Graydon Park). Continue past Feversham and turn left at Hwy 4, then left again at Hwy 124 back to Collingwood. The Pretty River Valley is the most spectacular in fall. MAP
3. THE BLUE MOUNTAINS TOUR Blue Mountain Village – Banks – Ravenna: Start at the Village at Blue Mountain. Take time here to stroll through this pedestrian village’s variety of shops and cafés or take a gondola ride up the mountain. Once back in your car exit the village and turn right on Grey Rd 19, then go through the new traffic circle and take the Scenic Caves Road where it climbs the ski hill at the south end of Blue Mountain. At the top of this road is the Scenic Caves Nature Adventures and EcoAdventure Tours. Follow Scenic Caves road until it reaches Banks, turn right and drive past the Loree Forest (good place to stop and hike) to Grey Rd 2. Turn left on 2 travelling past Ravenna until Grey Rd 19. Turn left here and follow Grey Rd 19 back to Blue Mountain. Dramatic views of Georgian Bay highlights this route. MAP
4. BEAVER RIVER HEADWATERS Thornbury – Heathcote – Eugenia: Thornbury Harbour is the starting point of this well-known route. Explore the harbour area, wander along the Riverwalk Trail up to the fish ladder and visit the town’s fine shops and cafes. Once back to your car drive up Bruce Street and follow this road (road changes names several times) through Clarksburg, Heathcote, and Kimberley, climbing up through the Beaver Valley until reaching Eugenia. Eugenia is worth a visit. Stop for an ice cream cone at the famous Emporium then head down to the Falls Conservation Area across the street to view the 30-metre waterfall. Continue south on Grey Rd 13 to Hwy 4 and turn left until Grey Rd 2. Turn left on 2 and then right on Grey Rd 31 down the Pretty River valley (follow road left where Grey Rd 31 intersects Pretty River Rd) to the 10th line. Turn left here and follow the 10th line all the way to Mountain Rd and turn right to go back into Collingwood. This is a great fall colours drive with breathtaking views. MAP
5. BIG SKY TOUR Meaford – Kimberly – Eugenia: The starting point of this tour isMeaford Harbour at the foot of Trowbridge St off Hwy 26. Drive around to the scenic marina, with its lovely gardens and harbour-side benches, then on to the beautiful old harbour, past the Meaford Museum and down Lakeshore Rd W. to a unique waterfront park and magnificent views of Georgian Bay. Explore the historic and architecturally interesting Town of Meaford before heading east on Hwy 26 to Grey Rd 7. Follow 7 south, up the seven steps of the ancient glacial lake Algonquin and into theBeaver Valley, with a stop at the scenic Epping lookout—a good picnic site. Check out the historical plaque dedicated to John Muir, the famous American naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club. Drive on past Talisman Resort until you come to Grey Rd 13. Turn left on 13 to return to Thornbury or right to Eugenia and Hwy 4. MAP
6. BAYVIEW ESCARPMENT AND NATURE RESERVE Leith – Annan: Start at theBayview Escarpment Nature Reserve between Meaford and Owen Sound (off Hwy 26 W. drive north on the Townline to SR 27, turn left then right on the 2nd Concession N.). This rural area of the Georgian Triangle is especially beautiful in the fall. Follow the road to Lakeshore drive and turn left. The next sideroad is 18, turn right here along to Blackshaw’s Hill, with its lovely view of the Sound. Follow 18 until Bayshore Rd and turn left and follow this road along the shore to the hamlet of Leith (visit heritage sites here—the picturesque Leith United Church and Pioneer Cemetery, where Group of Seven painter Tom Thomson is buried). Follow Grey Rd 15 to Annan, turn right and return to Hwy 26.