If you’re like me, autumn is bittersweet. The turning of the leaves signifies the end of a long, hot summer (my favourite time of the year) and the start of the long, cold winter (meh).

With my outdoor days numbered as they are, I find it’s best to take advantage of the decent weather conditions as long as possible. If you look at things with a glass is half-full mentality, the colourful fall views and variety of activities available this time of year really are quite remarkable.

With that, let’s take a quick look at some of the fun fall outings you can partake in here in Lennox & Addington County.

Apple Picking

For many of us, spending an afternoon picking apples is a longstanding family tradition. But picking a bushel or two is just half the fun. Our local orchards continue to add to their offerings to make visits to the orchards a memorable experience.

Spring Meadow Orchards in Adolphustown offers many varieties of apples, freshly pressed cider, and lots of other seasonal produce. They also offer their world famous Apple Cider Donuts. If you haven’t tried these addictive treats, you haven’t yet lived.

In addition to apples, Wynn Farms Apple Orchard in Conway has a very cool corn maze (including moonlight maze walks), a pumpkin patch, and they also have their popular Haunted HalloWYNN Maze at the end of October. Not for the faint of heart!

It’s easy to fill a bag with apples at Wynn Farms Apple Orchard.

Hiking

Spending a day out on the trail is one of my most enjoyable outdoor activities. Lennox & Addington offers some spectacular hiking opportunities, and when you’re surrounded by colourful autumn leaves it makes the experience all the more memorable.

I frequently visit Sheffield Conservation Area near Erinsville, Parrott’s Bay Conservation Area near Amherstview, Springside Park Trail in Napanee and one of the many trails at Bon Echo Provincial Park near Cloyne. Bon Echo is still open for day-use and overnight camping, so there’s still some of time to get out and enjoy the trails and accompanying scenery.

Nice view from Bon Echo Provincial Park

Paddling

As long as you don’t tip your vessel and take an unexpected dip in the cold water, padding a canoe or kayak is great this time of year. Unlike summer, the deer flies aren’t taking bites out of you, and the colours (a recurring theme here) make for an enjoyable adventure out on the water.

I quite enjoy paddling my kayak along the Napanee River, the Salmon River, Skootamatta River and Big Mellon Lake. Being out on the water offers a peaceful feeling that I don’t find anywhere else.

Coloured leaves reflecting in the Napanee River makes autumn paddling even more enjoyable.

Road Touring

The best time to tour the open road is right now. Spectacular views surround us at every turn. Lennox & Addington has developed some great self-guided touring loops that take you throughout the county.

Whether you’re in your car or on a motorcycle, these themed routes — The Rural Drive, The Shoreline Drive, The Empire Loyalist Drive, the Farming Drive and the Shield Drive — give you a real sense of what L&A is all about.

Like bikes of the pedal variety? It’s great cycling in the fall too. Similar to above, L&A has a series of twelve looping road routes that are among the best in Ontario.

Enjoying the ride in Addington Highlands is easy.

Golfing

I’m not a golfer. Far from it. But those that love to golf can really enjoy a fun day at one of our four courses. They’re each in great shape, and the lush green fairways contrasting with the colourful treed background will make for an enjoyable round, even if your scorecard suggests otherwise.

A view from the 1st/10th tee box at Napanee Golf & Country Club

More to see and do

This is just a snippet of what there is to do here in Lennox & Addington. Please be sure to check out our website for more fun autumn activities.