Outstanding Views/Fall Drive

Season:  Last week of September. The views are permanent!

Length of this tour: 1 1/2 hrs (50 km)

Download the free map that accompanies this text.

Hilltop views have been incorporated into this side-road trip.

Exit Hwy 401 at County Rd 28 and head north past the 4th line to Bethel Grove Road and turn right. You'll have a lovely view as you keep heading east past Rowe Road on your right and then make your first right hand turn after that on Williamson Road to capture yet another view of Lake Ontario in the distance.

South on Williamson until you reach Bickle Hill Road. If you want to take a lovely hike at this point turn left at Bickle Hill to a dead end. You'll see the remnants of an old house and at this point you can begin your hike which will take you up and down valleys (incredible view of Lake Ontario through a grove of sumach) about 3km until you reach County Rd 18 where the trail ends.

Continue your drive south on Williamson to County Rd 74 and turn left until you reach County Rd 45. Turn right on 45 a short jog to Community Centre Rd. You're on a road that will take you on a nice fall drive the rest of the way.

Take Community Centre Road east 4.8km until the road splits off to O'Grady on your right and Community Centre Road on your left. Keep on Community Centre 2.8km passing Gilliland Cemetery (1832) to the top sign. Right turn on Speechley for 1km for a view of farm fields and Lake Ontario. Left turn on Scots Line 3km which winds into Grills Rd (unsigned). Right turn on Clouston (which if you keep heading straight on this road will take you to the world-famous Ste. Anne's Country Inn and Spa) and left on Boomerang Road.

Turn right on County Rd 23 for a short jog to Pipeline Rd to Broomfield then right on Broomfield to Shelter Valley Rd for more great views then through a tunnel bridge under Hwy 401 to County Rd 2 which taking a left or a right turn will land you on the Apple Route east of Grafton.

If you're looking to extend your journey into a luncheon treat, when you get off of Broomfield onto Shelter Valley drive south on Shelter Valley 3km to Telephone Rd and turn left. Travel 1.2km to Vernonville Rd where you'll turn left just a short jog and then Telephone continues on your right. At Hofer Rd keep right on Telephone as the arrow indicates. Continue .5km through a large stand of cedars and make a left which takes you further on Telephone Rd. At 12789 Telephone Rd, you'll see animal skulls lining a fence.

Go through the four-way intersection which is Cty Rd 25. Honey Road on your right will be a warning that Lake Rd is coming up on your right. Right turn on Lake to Little Lake Rd then proceed farther along Little Lake Rd to Trenear Rd on your right. When you take Trenear south, the vista incorporating the islands around Presqu'ile Provincial Park is really incredible. It's probably the most panoramic view of land and water in the County.

Left on County Rd 2 will take you into Brighton for a host of eateries.  Two in particular overlook Presqu'ile Bay:  Dougall's and Harbourview Restaurant.