The Ultimate Bay of Quinte Fall Colour Guide
Looking for fall colours in Southeastern Ontario? The Bay of Quinte is a scenic region between Toronto and Ottawa, where five waterfront communities offer trails, conservation areas, parks and waterfront views that come alive with colour each fall. Explore Belleville, Brighton, Greater Napanee, Quinte West and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory to find some of the region’s best places to experience autumn.
Written by Jenn Lindsay
START WITH THE BIG VIEW!
Climb the 30-Foot Lookout Tower at Sager Conservation Area
30 Golf Course Rd, Quinte West
A short 1 km trail starts at the base of the hill and climbs steeply to a scenic 30-foot tall lookout tower, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Trent River valley and surrounding area. There’s a total of 97 steps on the trail plus another 48 steps on the tower; a bit of a hike but the view is worth it for the sea of fall colours.
GOOD TO KNOW
Trail: 1 km
Lookout: 30-foot tower
Steps: 97 on the trail + 48 on the tower
Difficulty: A bit of a climb
EXPLORE FALL COLOURS AROUND THE BAY
The Bay of Quinte puts on quite a show when the leaves start to turn. Wander waterfront trails, wander through forests and conservation areas, and keep your eyes peeled for those perfect pockets of red, orange and gold. Here are a few favourite places throughout the five communities to get out and enjoy the season at its colourful best.
BELLEVILLE — WATERFRONT VIEWS, SCENIC WOODLANDS & OPEN MEADOWS
WATERFRONT VIEWS
Kiwanis Bayshore Trail
South End of Herchimer Ave to S Front St, Belleville
Kiwanis Bayshore Trail follows 2.75 km of paved waterfront along the north shore of the Bay of Quinte, with plenty of places to pause and take in the view. The trail passes a turtle pond, gazebo lookout and scenic waterfront spots, making it an easy choice for a fall stroll. Keep an eye out for birds along the shoreline, or simply enjoy the changing colours with the Bay as your backdrop. t’s an easy, accessible way to get outside and see Belleville as the season changes.
GOOD TO KNOW
Trail: 2.75 km
Surface: Paved
Highlights: Views of the Bay, gazebo lookout and a Turtle Pond
Difficulty: Relatively flat
MARSH BOARDWALK
H.R. Frink Conservation Area
381 Thrasher Rd, Belleville
H.R. Frink Conservation Area has a short gravel path to the Wetland Ecology Boardwalk that opens up to a marvellous view of the marsh. The fall hues take over as it provides an important rest and feeding stop for birds as they migrate south for the winter. Extend your visit and explore up to 10 km of trails where the forest floor is blanketed in a mosaic of orange, yellow, red, and brown throughout the fall.
GOOD TO KNOW
Trail: 10 km total
Surface: Natural trails + boardwalk
Highlights: Wetland Ecology Boardwalk, Moira River and Cedar Creek lookout
Difficulty: Beginner to advanced; some steep and uneven sections
INTO THE WOODS
Potter's Creek Conservation Area
935 Moira St W, Belleville
Potter’s Creek Conservation Area brings a little bit of countryside to the edge of Belleville, with trails winding through old orchards, open meadows and scenic woodlands. Come fall, the trees put on their annual colour show, while birds and wildlife make the most of this varied landscape. Explore up to 7 km of trails through the changing landscape, with plenty of spots to slow down and soak up the season.
GOOD TO KNOW
Trail: 7 km total
Surface: Natural trails + paved loop
Highlights: Orchards, meadows, woodlands and Potter’s Creek
Difficulty: Beginner to advanced; some steep and uneven sections
BRIGHTON — MOODY FALL VIBES, DEEP FOREST CANOPY & TOTAL FALL DAZZLE
UNDER A HARDWOOD CANOPY
Proctor Park
96 Young St, Brighton
Proctor Park is the ultimate moody fall vibe, with a rustic wooden walking bridge passing over a creek and a deep forest canopy. The 3 km Hardwood Hill Trail is where the colours of fall dazzle, dipping into a valley and across the wooden bridge, where the squirrels are busy storing their winter harvest. The trail ends back at Proctor House, a scenic spot for fall photos and a picnic.
GOOD TO KNOW
Trail: 2.5 km
Surface: Natural forest trail
Highlights: Butler Creek, cedar lowlands and hardwood forest
Difficulty: Moderate; rolling terrain and some hills
GREATER NAPANEE — WATERFALLS, LOCAL HISTORY & EASY RIVERSIDE ESCAPES
RUSHING RIVER ADJACENT
Springside Park
8460 County Rd 2, Greater Napanee
Follow the 0.75 km accessible waterfront trail along the Napanee River from Springside Park to Conservation Park, with the river and waterfalls providing a scenic backdrop along the way. The route passes the site of the area’s first lumber mill, adding a little local history to your stroll. Take your time, grab a bench or pack a picnic and enjoy this easy riverside escape in the heart of Greater Napanee.
GOOD TO KNOW
Trail: 2.5 km
Surface: Natural forest trail
Highlights: Butler Creek, cedar lowlands and hardwood forest
Difficulty: Moderate; rolling terrain and some hills
INSIDER TIP: The best seat for fall colours might be on the water. Until October 11, hop aboard Napanee River Tours and see the shoreline dressed in its autumn best.
QUINTE WEST — PEACEFUL WOODLANDS, EASY HIKES & BIG ROCKS
2.3 BILLION YEAR OLD GLACIAL ERRATIC—AKA ENORMOUS ROCK
Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area
760 Trenton Frankford Rd, Quinte West
Meet one seriously old rock. The 1.5 km trail at Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area winds through peaceful woodland before arriving at a 2.3-billion-year-old glacial erratic—one of the largest known in North America. Along the way, keep an eye out for flora and fauna and fall colour filling in the forest. It’s a short, easy hike with a pretty impressive payoff.
GOOD TO KNOW
Trail: 1.5 km loop
Surface: Crushed stone/gravel
Highlights: 2.3-billion-year-old boulder, woodland and wetlands
Difficulty: Easy; wheelchair-friendly trail to the boulder
MORE FALL THINGS TO DO IN THE BoQ!
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