Underrated trail has some of the 'best natural views' of fall colours in Ontario

If you're thinking of packing the car and taking a road trip through the province to get a glimpse of gorgeous fall colours in Ontario, then here's your cue to check out Landons Bay at Thousand Islands National Park.

A scenic spot with a mix of trails, wetlands, rocky terrain, and views of the St. Lawrence River, Landons Bay is just under four hours east of downtown Toronto. Don't let the travel time discourage you from exploring this recreational area because there's plenty to do once you get there.

With a total of five trails to explore, you can easily spend the entire day hiking along the St. Lawrence River before settling down for a meal in a picturesque setting.

Landons Bay's Lookout Trail is by far the most popular of the mix, often visited by locals, but it completely flies under the radar for those visiting Thousand Islands National Park from out of town.

It's a simple — and short — 500-metre hike from the base of the Landons Bay recreation area to the top of the lookout. Once you get there, you'll see why nature enthusiasts rave about the view: a panoramic look over the St. Lawrence River and Landons Bay. It's a sprawling landscape that Parks Canada calls "the best natural view in the Thousand Islands Area." 

Of course, if you're headed there this time of year, there's probably only one thing on your mind: fall colours.

So, imagine the cliff-top lookout ablaze with fall foliage from the surrounding deciduous and coniferous trees, teeming with vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow, set against the St. Lawrence River. Doesn't that sound dreamy?

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Nick Swance (@nickswance)

Trust me when I say this will make for quite the photo op for the 'gram.

Beyond the Lookout Trail, Landons Bay is also known for the 4.3-kilometre-long Donevan Trail and the 2.4-kilometre-long Halstead Creek Trail, both of which wind through forests and wetlands. And, depending on the route, hikers may encounter beavers, osprey nests, and other wildlife specific to the region.

The trails also range in elevation, from 23 metres to 63 metres, so visitors can choose how strenuous they want their expedition to be and set the pace for the day.

Beyond hiking, Landons Bay is also a great destination for outdoor activities like birdwatching and paddling in summer, as well as snowshoeing once the snow officially covers the ground.

For a relatively compact outing with trails and expansive river scenery featuring Ontario in all of its fall colour glory, Landons Bay gives you the chance to explore a quieter corner of Thousand Islands National Park.