With the latest round of tariffs in the renewed CanadaU.S. trade war hitting people in their pockets, the County’s tourism manager, Angelica Ingram, said this week’s Hike Haliburton festival is a no-cost option for those looking to make memories on a budget.
Now in its 23rd year, the event runs Thursday-Sunday (Sept. 17-20) with 42 guided hikes and experiences. Hike Haliburton is Canada’s largest multi-day hiking festival, Ingram noted.
“In these uncertain economic times, Hike Haliburton continues to offer visitors a free experience throughout the Highlands. Guests can enjoy a variety of experiences and outdoor adventure at no cost to them, which is why people return year over year,” Ingram said.
Eric Casper, a longtime organizer, said the fall edition of the festival usually attracts around 500 participants – with about half coming from outside the County.
He noted many of the hikes still have spots available, with registration online at myhaliburtonhighlands.com/hikehaliburton.
One of Saturday’s sessions will take people on a tour of the ‘Geocaching Capital of Canada’. Michele Little is leading a 90-minute, roughly two-and-a-half-kilometre guided hike around Wilberforce, starting at the RC Legion Branch 624 on Burleigh Road at 4 p.m.
She’ll be teaching the basics of navigating, with people able to utilize their smartphones to help locate hidden caches in spots around Dark Lake. Little, who has helped run tours since 2019, said it’s a great hike for people of all ages.
“It will be a nice stroll along the water’s edge. This will be a great time of conversation on what geocaching is all about,” Little said, noting if you’ve seen the signs along Hwy. 118, 503 and 648 “and always wondered what ‘geocaching’ is, now is the time to find out.”
On Sunday, Marci Mandel is leading a full group on her annual ‘Crane Lake Cleanse’. Starting at the Devil’s Lake Trailhead at QEII Wildlands Provincial Park, Mandel said she’ll teach sound bathing and forest bathing techniques to help people feel more at one with nature.
“I love leading it because I love seeing people relax and connect in a deep and caring way,” Mandel said.
Also on Sunday, from 10:30-11:45 a.m., Dominion Hotel owners Shawn and Elli Chamberlin will take people on a stroll along the Riverwalk for their ‘Steps and Stories, Downtown Minden’ hike.
Running a little over an hour, Chamberlin said he’ll be chatting about the weather, water levels, local history and more.
“This walk will put a smile on your face and fresh dew on your shoes… we love meeting new people and sharing stories about our town with them. And it feels so good to get out for a nice morning walk,” Chamberlin said, noting there are spots still available.
Popular offerings
After scooping a prestigious Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) ‘impact award’ last year for expanded Indigenousbased programming, led by Jared Big Canoe, Casper confirmed the Coldwater Ojibwe artist, entrepreneur and healer will be back again this week.
On Friday, Big Canoe is hosting a campfire at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve where he will share Indigenous stories, song, drumming and demonstrations. On Saturday, he and Cameron Ferguson, Haliburton Forest’s operations manager, will host a medicine walk on the Chessel’s Pond Trail to discover sacred medicines and how they’re used for healing.
“We’re very excited to have Jared Big Canoe returning. The Indigenous experiences have been extremely wellreceived by participants,” Casper said.
There are two new experiences at Sir Sam’s, including a ‘Haliburton Highlands: Photography Hike’ on Thursday, led by Dave Bishop. There’s also a fresh offering giving people the chance to explore the Twin Lake Ski Trails. Led by Joleen Thomas, the ‘Ski Fit’ hike runs Friday 10 a.m. to noon, giving people an opportunity to do some early scouting ahead of the 2026-27 ski season.
Casper noted the Minden Hills Cultural Centre has also expanded its programming for the festival, with Robert Wong running an artifact showcase featuring items from Minden’s past on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and Andrea Coysh hosting live weaving demonstrations Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
With fall and winter editions, Casper said Hike Haliburton has become more than a weekend festival.
“Over the past two decades, the Hike Haliburton brand has helped establish the Highlands as one of Ontario’s premier hiking destinations,” he said. “It continues to introduce people to places they often return to throughout the year, supporting local businesses, accommodations, restaurants and outdoor recreation providers.”
There are two new experiences at Sir Sam’s, including a ‘Haliburton Highlands: Photography Hike’ on Thursday, led by Dave Bishop. There’s also a fresh offering giving people the chance to explore the Twin Lake Ski Trails. Led by Joleen Thomas, the ‘Ski Fit’ hike runs Friday 10 a.m. to noon, giving people an opportunity to do some early scouting ahead of the 2026-27 ski season.
Casper noted the Minden Hills Cultural Centre has also expanded its programming for the festival, with Robert Wong running an artifact showcase featuring items from Minden’s past on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and Andrea Coysh hosting live weaving demonstrations Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
With fall and winter editions, Casper said Hike Haliburton has become more than a weekend festival.
“Over the past two decades, the Hike Haliburton brand has helped establish the Highlands as one of Ontario’s premier hiking destinations,” he said. “It continues to introduce people to places they often return to throughout the year, supporting local businesses, accommodations, restaurants and outdoor recreation providers.”
