Dufferin County: Trails, Forests and Rural Culture

Dufferin County offers a variety of ways to discover the region’s landscape and rural heritage. Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is located within the Township of Mono in Dufferin County and has numerous hiking trails. The Dufferin Rail Trail has a different character: its 38.1-kilometre section follows a former railway corridor from Orangeville through Amaranth, Shelburne and Melancthon to Dundalk. Together, the trails in a provincial park and the long historic corridor offer different points of emphasis when planning your trip.

Hiking Trails and a Former Railway Line

If you include Mono Cliffs Provincial Park in your trip, its numerous hiking trails are a natural focus. The Dufferin Rail Trail offers a different connection to the region: its route passes through several of the named communities, making the corridor’s former use as a railway line part of the area’s landscape history. When planning, you can consider whether the park’s hiking trails or the communities along the Rail Trail better suit your interests.

There is also a specific rule to keep in mind when travelling with a dog: dogs may be walked on the Dufferin Rail Trail as long as they are leashed or under control. Recreational use of the trail is governed by the consolidated bylaw for the County Forest and Rail Trail. This is a helpful distinction when putting together different nature and landscape activities for your days in Dufferin County.

Forest, Conservation Areas and Birdlife

Dufferin County Forest covers 1,066 hectares and consists of several separate properties. The forest is owned and managed by the county. Island Lake Conservation Area is located among the rolling hills of Dufferin County in the Towns of Orangeville and Mono and offers year-round recreational opportunities. One access point to the Bruce Trail is from Dufferin County Road 19. These details point to different landscape attractions without combining them into a single destination.

The wider travel area also includes Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, part of which lies in Dufferin County. Two marked trails are noted in the area. The East Launch Trail offers an easy six-kilometre bike ride or hike. More than 263 bird species have also been recorded at Luther Marsh. Visitors interested in birdlife and nature will find a different focus here than at the trails of Mono Cliffs or along the former railway corridor.

Rural Heritage and Seasonal Experiences

The Museum of Dufferin is located in the hills of the Township of Mulmur. Its building was purpose-built as a museum in the style of an Ontario bank barn and reflects the region’s rural and agricultural heritage. Each year, the museum offers exhibitions, events, programs and tours. It adds a cultural perspective on the region to the outdoor activities.

In Shelburne, the self-guided Back Lane Walking Tour highlights the historic heritage of the town’s back lanes. The Dufferin Town & Country Farm Tour, held every fall, offers a seasonal connection to agriculture. Each can serve as a separate planning consideration: the tour in Shelburne focuses on the historic townscape, while the Farm Tour is a recurring fall event.

Choose a Vacation Rental to Match Your Priorities

When choosing a vacation rental in Dufferin County, it helps to first identify the places and experiences that matter for your trip. Mono Cliffs, the communities along the Dufferin Rail Trail, Island Lake Conservation Area and the other nature and culture attractions each offer a different focus. Factor these priorities into your choice of location rather than treating the different destinations as a single area.

For further ideas, explore these destinations: Shelburne, Orangeville and Mansfield.

Discover more destinations: Manitoulin District, Huron County, Prince Edward Division, Muskoka District Municipality, Peterborough County.

For the broader travel overview: Ontario.