This route with vibrant fall colour goes by villages & one of Ontario’s best kept secrets

It’s almost that time of the year when the air begins to feel a little cooler, and the trees begin to transform into shades of red, orange and yellow. That only means it’s time to get ready for some fall adventures. So gather your friends and plan your next fall drive. May we suggest heading to Thornbury, Ontario and embarking along the Beaver Valley fall drive? Here’s what to know.

Visit Grey has shared a very adventure-filled scenic fall drive along the southern shores of Georgian Bay. You’ll come across “quaint downtowns lined with unique stores, coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants.”

Thornbury or Meaford?

As the driver, you can decide whether to start the Beaver Valley fall drive in Thornbury or Meaford, Ontario. Either way, you’ll get to explore each town and embrace its fall environment.

Per South Georgian Bay Tourism, it’ll take you about an hour and a half to complete the route, plus any other time you spend exploring the region.

The route

Whether this is your first time checking out the area or you’re familiar with the regions back roads, Visit Grey shares that the Beaver Valley fall drive is “a great introduction to the region’s autumn beauty.”

For the sake of the tour, Visit Grey suggests starting in Thornbury. Grab a bite to fuel up on your journey at the Mill Cafe. It also has a patio that overlooks a dam for spotting fish!

Considering you would be in the heart of apple country, make sure to check out the local fruit stands or markets along the way for some deliciously fresh produce.

Head south on Grey Road 13 and you’ll pass through the village of Clarksburg, aka “Artsburg”.

Since an artist’s haven, home art galleries and studios, and stores like the Honey House which is shaped like a beehive.

As you continue on your journey, you will also find several of our wine, beer and cider producers too. You’ll also find yourself right in the core of the Beaver Valley. Here’s where you’ll find some of the prettiest fall views in Ontario.

The journey will have you come across other villages and towns like Heathcote, Kimberley and Eugenia.

Before you continue to head down to Eugenia, and up to Grey Road 30, you need to stop by one of Grey County’s best-kept secrets – Hogg’s Falls.

Though you’ll be heading up Line Rd 7, make a little detour towards Epping-John Muir Lookout. According to South Georgian Bay Tourism, it offers a wonderful view of the Beaver Valley fall colours. Either way, the 7th Line offers views of beautiful rolling hills and scenery.

Once you arrive in Meaford, your driving journey is complete. If you visit before the beginning of October, you may notice a ton of scarecrows “invading” the town.

Well, that’s cause it is! The annual Meaford scarecrow invasion will see “hundreds of scarecrows hanging from lamp posts, posing in windows, and gathering outside Market Square & Meaford Hall,” shares its official site. It’s not one to miss.

But there you have it! To be honest, whether you start your journey in Meaford or Thornbury, there’s no doubt you’ll come across some of the most wonderful sights Ontario is known to offer.

And with the warm fall colours, you can’t go wrong.

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