by Jonathan van Bilsen
Autumn is always a beautiful time of year; the leaves begin to display a stunning panorama of colours, the weather turns a little crisp, and all the farm stores offer great harvest goodies.
The North Durham area is a favourite with residents and visitors alike. There are, of course, picturesque foliage, great walking trails and small towns, but also an abundance of unique locations where visitors can enjoy a fantastic outing. Whether you enjoy wineries or farm markets, apple orchards or cideries, North Durham has it all.
The Township of Scugog has collaborated with several tourism-related entities to create Sideroads of Scugog, an interactive way to view many of the highlights of our area in autumn. The Sideroads of Scugog were created to help visitors explore local destinations, as they drive or cycle down the scenic sideroads surrounding the area.
A number of local businesses and tourism boards have come together to create a self-guided tour, highlighting some unique destinations worth visiting. Whether you are looking for a destination to sit back and enjoy a drink, shop for local goods, or simply take in the beautiful scenery, the Sideroads of Scugog has something for everyone.
Some of the areas highlighted include: Applewood Farm & Winery, offering a fantastic corn maze and a great selection of fruit wines; the Forsythe Family Farm, where you can explore a 50-acre working farm; Lavender Blu, featuring a beautiful lavender garden and related artisan shop, Nature’s Bounty Farm, a place to pick over 20 varieties of apples, Ocala Winery, featuring numerous fruit wines from local orchards, Two Blokes Cider, where you can taste, relax and enjoy live music and Willowtree Farm, complete with butcher shop, farm fresh products and a great farm animal experience.
Regardless of your interest, Sideroads of Scugog has unique and interesting places, all of which will certainly bring you a day of entertainment and fun.
Visit sideroadsofscugog.ca for more information and to download a self-guided map.
Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award-winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. Watch his show, ‘Jonathan van Bilsen’s photosNtravel’, on RogersTV, the Standard Website or YouTube.