Pack your bags, it’s time for a fall road trip to York Durham Headwaters! Whether you go hazelnut picking (yup, it’s a thang), horseback riding, hiking or prefer a relaxing spa, cidery or winery you’re in for a real treat. This region is filled with gems. I had an incredible time exploring with my bestie and have included our favourite highlights below so you can check them out too!
8 Things You Must Do In York Durham Headwaters
1. Hazelnut Picking at Dixie Orchards
Get ready to shake shake shake! Dixie Orchards is the only place in Ontario where you can pick your own hazelnuts. You can also pick your own apples and pumpkins or check out their corn maze, but the hazelnuts are definitely a highlight. The season varies slightly every year, but we were hazelnut picking in late September and were told it runs until October 31st (ish).
2. Horseback Riding at Rusty Jade Ranch
Giddy-up! The Wrangler Trail Ride package at Rusty Jade Ranch is a MUST and includes a 90 min trail ride on some pretty special horses and a cute picnic lunch. We loved spending the day with the family who owns this ranch — they’re very knowledgeable and passionate about horses so you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience.
3. Spirit Tree Estate Cidery
You’re gonna wanna stop at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery for some wood-oven pizza and craft cider. Nestled between the rolling hills of Caledon, this award-winning cidery is the perfect spot for an outdoor picnic on a sunny day. It’s a cidery, bakery and bistro so you’ll have plenty to taste through and they also offer apple picking on Saturdays and Sundays!
4. Holland Marsh Wineries
This award-winning boutique winery is family-owned and has gorgeous grounds that we loved exploring with wine in hand. They’re third generation winemakers tracing their roots back to a small winemaking town in Armenia and are incredibly passionate about their hand-crafted wines. They have a tasting bar and offer a variety of tours so you can fully understand the growing and wine-making process. If you just want to relax, we recommend ordering a charcuterie board and taking your wine outside to enjoy the glorious views. Our wine pick: 2020 Select Fleur Des Marais.
5. Spa Day at Millcroft Inn & Spa
We’re spa girlies and love a good outdoor hydrotherapy sesh so we were super excited to check out Millcroft Inn & Spa. We started our wellness journey by exploring their beautiful trails, admiring their waterfall and taking in the crisp fall air (and colours).
Then it was time to experience their outdoor pools where we alternated between hot and cold temps which left us feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. The more times you do this cycle the better it feels so we recommend clearing your day, adding a signature spa treatment and immersing yourself in wellness here. Your mind and body will thank you…
6. Lunch at Hockley General Store
Hockley General Store was one of our favourite stops during our fall road trip! You can sense the community vibes as soon as you step inside. The food is top notch, the service is warm and the store is beautifully-curated so you’ll likely do a bit of shopping when you visit.
7. Hike In Boyne Valley Provincial Park
Ok this stop was a bit tricky to find (we may have circled a few times), buuuut it was lovely once we figured it out. We parked in a small lot on the north side of the park near Centre Road and Side Road 5 and started walking in hopes we’d find a sign. Luckily we spotted one after a few minutes and decided to veer right on the Bruce Trail which lead us to Murphy’s Pinnacle Side Trail. It’s an easy hike that ends at the top of a hill with panoramic views of Boyne Valley so we recommend giving it a go!
8. Explore Main Street Newmarket
Perhaps the most surprising part of our weekend adventure was discovering Main Street Newmarket. Neither of us had been before and found so many amazing spots dotting the road. Neon Flamingo Emporium was my personal fave because of their extensive vinyl collection…
But the baked goods at Nutmeg Bakeshop were a close second. Their Cinnamon and Nutella Cruffins are worth a drive to Newmarket IMO.
And the concept at Wayside Comics & Cocktails was so unique! I’ll have to return with my hubby and son — they’ll be obsessed…
Where To Stay
You’ve likely heard that Newmarket has a brand new boutique hotel and, trust me, it’s where you’re going to want to stay. The Postmark Hotel is stunning! Located in a building that dates back to 1914 (it used to be a post office) it oozes character, but has all the modern touches you’d expect from a brand new hotel.
The location is perfect for exploring and they also have two restaurants onsite so you’ll be fed well (The Lobby and Overlea which is their rooftop restaurant). Best part? All 55 rooms are unique so each stay will feel a bit different! We were booked in room 309 and LOVED it. Super spacious, filled with natural light (but don’t worry, there are blackout curtains), high ceilings and the comfiest bed. Highly recommend staying here!
Hope this post has inspired you to plan a road trip to York Durham Headwaters this fall/winter. The region truly surprised us so I know we’ll be back to explore more soon! If you’ve been/live in the area, please share your recos/faves and we’ll make sure to hit them up next time.
A huge thanks to York Durham Headwaters for hosting me on this trip and sponsoring this post. As always, opinions are my very own.
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