Small Town Natural: Where to hike in Haliburton Highlands, ON, Canada (Part 1): Dahl Forest
Can you find the stone walls of the Pioneer Homestead in this photo? At this time of the year you really have to look for it.
H.H.L.T. Haliburton Highlands Land Trust: https://www.haliburtonlandtrust.ca/
There are two properties protected by the H.H.L.T. that allow public trail use. Both are unique properties consisting of forests and fields and wetlands. These are great places for bird watchers, hikers and snowshoers to immerse themselves in the wilderness of Haliburton County. Enjoy a stroll down these trails and possibly get to see some wildlife too! Please make a donation or adopt an acre through the above website.
Dahl Forest:
https://www.haliburtonlandtrust.ca/our-properties/dahl-forest/
Location: Turn off of Gelert Rd. onto Geeza Road, Gelert, Township of Minden Hills, County of Haliburton (emergency address= 1307 Geeza Road, Gelert, Minden Hills, Ontario, Canada)
Parking: There is no real parking lot. It is more like a widened turn around at the end of Geeza Rd. So you will be parking along the road with no designated nor marked parking spots. We guesstimate there is parking for 5 or 6 cars. The trail head is less than 5 metres from the parking area.
5 km (7 hiking trails) by the Burnt River
Cell reception is very spotty here. We usually have 1 bar and occasionally 2 bars.
Washrooms (none)
Picnic tables and benches (none)
Garbage bins (none, pack in pack out! This includes doggy poo bags! Even if they are the biodegradable kind!)
No swimming access to the Burnt River. Water is very fast current and inaccessible.
We have hiked and snowshoed at Dahl Forest. Our Outdoorsy Miss Adventures has explored Dahl in all seasons. These are very easy trails to enjoy a relaxing walk. There seems to be a large pinery in this forest but there are also some areas of mixed forest. The above website is very informative and an interesting read. You will also find maps and forest management information on that website.
ALL of these great organizations are examples of small town natural fun filled active living at its best! There are many more organizations and clubs that are great providers of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in Haliburton Highlands! Small Town Natural will be writing blogs on these various ways to explore on a regular basis!
Small Town Natural has made dontating to H.H.L.T. super easy! For every purchase of a garment made by us that has "Naturally Haliburton Highlands" embroidered on it, we will donate $5 to H.H.L.T..
Sign up for e-mail to receive Small Town Natural blogs immediately when published (approx. 2 blogs per month) by visiting: www.smalltownnatural.ca
