Colborne / Cramahe

Colborne and the Township of Cramahe are noted for their prime position along Ontario’s Apple Route. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see The Big Apple (a giant, red apple with a huge smile) – a bright beacon for family fun – along Highway 401 at exit 497. It’s a memorable roadside attraction between Toronto and Kingston, but you’ll find more than a generous helping of all things apple in Colborne and the Cramahe area. You’ll find a great Ontario getaway waiting for you – from Colborne’s peaceful Victoria Square Park with cute shops nearby, to a great farm escape, and some of Northumberland County’s most incredible views.

Here are a few places to explore if you come this way for a day trip or relaxing Ontario vacation:

Alpacas, Farms & Apple Orchards

• Start your fun at The Big Apple, the largest apple structure in the world (so big, it could reportedly hold 650,000 apples). Take a selfie in front of the 12 m-tall (35 ft) “Mr. Applehead”, or climb the stairs inside to the observation deck. Satisfy your cravings at the restaurant next door, stock up on pies – or pick up some hard cider at the 401 Cider Brewery (must be 19). Just want to stretch your legs and recharge? Try a round of mini-golf. There’s also a dog run park here, and an EV charger hub. 
• Take a short drive to enjoy great Lake Ontario breezes. Drive along County Road 2 (sometimes called “old Highway 2”) just south of the 401 and head towards Salem. 
• Visit Old Mill Alpacas for a farm escape to see a herd of more than 80 majestic alpacas (often at their “floofiest” in winter/early spring) roaming on rolling farmland. Call ahead first for a tour or Alpaca Trek. Learn how alpaca wool is gently processed in the woolen mill here to make yarn and fibres. You’ll find alpaca wool hand-knits, felted handcrafts and warm insoles in the store.
• Stay at Fells Meadows Farms in Castleton for a healthy dose of nature and quiet accommodations. A comfy and spacious farmhouse, plus tiny cabins and a walled tent can be found on this 40-ha (100-acre) property – along with one the best views of the Northumberland hills when hiking the marked trails.
• Craving some local, farm fresh food? Follow our Google Map of farm fresh destinations. Many are located along County Road 2, which runs alongside Lake Ontario. In the fall, you can also check out apples, pumpkins and corn mazes in our fresh fall harvest listings.
• Apple picking tip: Whether you feel like a “Pick Your Own” adventure or picking from farm bins of apples just picked, you can find more than 30 varieties of apples produced between these three Ontario apple orchards: Deleeuw Orchards Farm Market, Rutherford’s Farm, and Pieter’s Appleyard. You can even pick up a jug of fresh apple cider made from fresh-pressed apples. 
• Head to Little Lake Beach for a quick dip or a picnic. With the rocky bottom, water shoes are recommended. Dry off and enjoy a picnic on the small, grassy, sloped beach.
• Are you a history buff? Discover a bit of rural Ontario history from the farming families who settled here. Drive north into the hills on County Road 25 towards Castleton and you’ll see lots of interesting rural architecture (fine stonework and still-sturdy barns) around Dundonald and Morganston, too.
• Fun fact: The Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre is located in Colborne. It’s not open to the public, but serves as a launchpad for food entrepreneurs. There’s a strong focus here on sustainable plant-based products and new dietary innovation.

Small Town & Rural Adventures

• Stop into The Colborne Art Gallery. The modern sculpture out front of its main street location will let you know you’ve arrived. Inside, you’ll find an arts co-operative with works from photographers, painters, sculptors and printmakers, fibre and mixed media artists, and makers of fine craft.
• Cross one of the widest main streets in Ontario to pop into Vintage Café & Gifts for a fresh-brewed coffee (or a pound of roasted beans), a thirst-quenching iced tea, breakfast sandwich, lunch special, or a decadent bakery treat to go. Place your order and browse through some antique finds or look for a unique gift.
• Head next door to Retro Rewind for vinyl records and collectibles. This fun store has vintage comics and hero figures, plus rows of albums, macrame pot hangers and local artisan jewelry.
• Picnic in the park at Victoria Square, where there’s a pretty gazebo and some mature trees for a bit of welcome shade. Settle in on a park bench or at a picnic table. Visit the historically significant Colborne Cenotaph nearby, in memory of fallen soldiers from the Second World War.
• Explore rural history at your own pace. Follow the walking tour maps of the Village of Colborne and the Hamlet of Castleton to spot early settlement highlights, and see why the Keeler family is so famous here. 

Ontario Cycling at its Best

• Try the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail for a bike ride with amazing views of Lake Ontario. Enjoy a peaceful part of the Waterfront Trail by cycling east from Colborne, passing through Salem and heading into Brighton. Or from Colborne, cycle west along the route through Lakeport until you reach Grafton.
• For a longer, looped cycling adventure, try the Presquile Promise Route. It’s about 69 km (43 mi) in total. Colborne is an easy starting point. Offload your bikes at street parking near Victoria Square on Percy St. From there, follow signed routes east along the Apple Route and into Presqu’ile Provincial Park where you can explore the marsh boardwalk or beach. Then head to Little Lake Beach for a rest or swim before getting back on the looped route to head to The Big Apple. Grab a fresh loaf of apple bread at the bakery or visit the old-fashioned candy store.Grab your bike and head out on County Road 25 to cycle northwest (up through Vernonville) for spectacular views (and pics) of the hills and lakeshore. Then head south into Grafton, and northeast along the relatively flat lakeshore to return to Colborne.   

Accommodations

There are lots of places to stay when it comes to an Ontario getaway in the Colborne and Cramahe area. Take a look at our Accommodation Directory for Northumberland County.