Summer is officially here to stay in the peaceful Haliburton Highlands, a particularly beautiful slice of Central Ontario located less than 200 kilometres from Toronto. There’s a seemingly endless pristine wilderness that fully encircles Sandy Lane Resort, one of the top-rated Central Ontario resorts. Guests escape Toronto several times a year to visit our four-season getaway to unplug, unwind, and rejuvenate in the Haliburton Highlands’ serene natural beauty. Whether you’re hoping to backpack through lush forestry, rumble along muddy trails on an ATV, or gallop on horseback near rushing rapids, you’ll quickly discover what makes the Haliburton Highlands so uniquely alluring, especially during summer’s golden haze. To ensure that your midsummer vacation to Sandy Lane Resort is nothing short of flawless, we’ve compiled three of our favourite ways to explore this pristine land.
Haliburton Forest Canopy Tour
The best way to explore the Haliburton Highlands’ diverse landscape is with a four-hour canopy tour inside the Haliburton Forest near tranquil Kennisis Lake. The Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Preserve’s staff guides lucky adventurers into the deep woods where you’ll embark on a scenic shuttle, canoe trip, guided walk, and a zip line tour approximately 20 meters above the Earth. Admission ($95) also includes entry to the on-site Wolf Centre! One of the main highlights of this journey (besides the jaw-dropping canopy tour high above the lush forestry) is the hike alongside the Pelaw River rapids.
ATV Adventures
Our good friends at Back Country Tours deliver ATVs right to our Haliburton cottage rentals, which is a massive perk for those who don’t own a four-wheeler! While most of our guests prefer to explore the Haliburton Highlands on their own with nothing but a map, compass, and instinct, we highly recommend enrolling in the four-hour Back Country ATV tour. These knowledgeable, charismatic guides will lead you to the area’s best mud bogging, river splashes, and dense forestry. Most of their clients have never been ATVing before, so don’t worry if you have no prior experience. And guests at Sandy Lane Resort receive special rental prices!
Horseback Riding
Along the southern edge of Algonquin Park rests a peaceful ranch north of Harcourt. South Algonquin Trails, the Haliburton Highlands’ best horseback tour guides, has been leading outdoor enthusiasts into Algonquin Park for decades. They know the best places to spot wildlife as well as the most tranquil overlooks. Their beautiful, well-trained horses couldn’t be more friendly. If you’re planning on driving 70 minutes to the ranch, we recommend reserving the half-day riding tour which roams past rapids, waterfalls, and streams.
A Lakeside Haliburton Highlands Resort
Sandy Lane Resort is not only centrally located to a plethora of outdoor adventures, but our getaway rests on the north end of peaceful Halls Lake, Ontario. Guests have easy access to trout and bass fishing, tubing, water skiing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, beach volleyball, and so much more! And for those who wish to stay out of the kitchen, we provide cost-effective, pre-made meals that are always available for purchase, including ten-ounce New York strip steaks, fresh-made sandwiches, and jumbo hot dogs! Make Sandy Lane Resort your summertime headquarters for fun, exploration, and relaxation by giving us a call today at 1-705-489-2020. You can also book online by visiting us at SandyLaneResort.com. Don’t forget to browse through our rustic Haliburton accommodations to get a “taste” of what we offer!