couple sitting on a dock at sunset

An Insider’s Guide to Haliburton, Ontario

Nestled in the heart of cottage country, amid so many Ontario waterfront cottage rentals, you’ll find Haliburton Village. This is most often shortened and referred to as simply “Haliburton”.  It’s just off the beaten trail enough to feel secluded and less busy than Muskoka.  Haliburton Village in Ontario is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and vibrant community spirit. For more on this beautiful area of cottage country, here’s Haliburton in a Nutshell.  This is our insider’s guide to Haliburton, Ontario, with focus on Haliburton Village. 

CottageLINK Rental Management has many Haliburton cottage rentals to be your “home away from home” in the Haliburton Highlands.

Haliburton Village is one of the main towns in Haliburton Highlands, Ontario. It’s located geographically in the middle of the district.  Less than 300 kilometers from both Toronto and Ottawa, this quaint village makes the perfect escape from the bustling city life​​.

Insider’s Guide to Haliburton | Introduction

Haliburton Village was originally founded in 1864, as is proudly stated on the sign welcoming you into town.  

Haliburton Village boasts a rich history and a lively downtown, with businesses ranging from outdoor gear shops to antique stores​​. Picturesquely situated on Head Lake, surrounded by forested land, Haliburton is in an idyllic setting for both outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat​​.

The year-round population of the village is small, just over 1,100 year-round residents. While not as well known or busy as Muskoka, people are drawn to Haliburton for its quiet beauty. The village swells with so many summer visitors that it becomes quite bustling in the summer months.

Insider’s Guide to Haliburton | History

The history of Haliburton Village is deeply intertwined with the lumber industry. The first sawmill in the area opened in 1864. This followed the establishment of the Canadian Land and Emigration Company in the 1870s. The region’s economy blossomed around these mills, especially with the construction of a third mill in 1903​​.

This bustling industry set the foundation for the community that would become Haliburton County in 1983​​. For more information on Haliburton’s history, visit The Haliburton Highlands Museum, in Glebe Park, across Head Lake from the downtown.

Insider's Guide to Haliburton - historic view of Haliburton from an elevated location

Source: Ontario Genealogy

Insider’s Guide to Haliburton | How to Get There

Reaching Haliburton from Toronto or Ottawa is a scenic journey through some of Ontario’s most picturesque landscapes. From Toronto, it is a roughly 2.5-hour drive, spanning approximately 215 kilometers. There are several possible routes to take. The most direct is to head up Highway 400 and then Highway 11 to Bracebridge. Turn east on Highway 118 all the way through Carnarvon. Continue on 118 until you reach the intersection at the corner of Highland and Maple. Highway 118 becomes Maple Avenue once you hit the town limits.  

If you’re coming from Ottawa, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive, covering 284 kilometers​​​​. Also an incredibly scenic route, from Renfrew to Bancroft, passing through a number of small towns on Highway 132 and Highway 28.  You may want to pause here and enjoy a meal in Bancroft while you’re passing through, as it’s the largest town you’ll be going through until you reach Haliburton Village. 

From Bancroft, keep heading west on Highway 28 turning right onto Highway 118 at Paudash Lake, which will take you all the way to Skyline Hill, and into Haliburton Village that way.  There’s a great lookout at the top of Skyline Hill, just before getting into town, at the end of Skyline Park road, and you can see an overview of the whole village from there!

Insider’s Guide to Haliburton | Things to Do

Haliburton Village, with its lakefront setting, offers a selection of outdoor activities.  If you’re staying at a cottage along the 5 lake chain (Head, Grass, Kashagawigamog, Soyers, and Canning Lakes all connect), you can even boat right into town and dock at the town docks.  There’s a public boat launch there as well, so you can put your boat in there too, and cruise through the attached lakes almost all the way to Minden.  

Fishing and Boating

Insider's Guide to Haliburton - boat ramp into Head Lake in Haliburton Village

Source: The Highlander Newspaper

On the lake, fishing and boating are good, but swimming is not really recommended at the small public beach, as there is a large population of geese and not sufficient water flow to keep the bacterial counts down.  We would recommend that if you want to head to a public beach there are others better suited for swimming.

Head Lake Rotary Park

Insider's Guide to Haliburton - amphitheater at Head Lake Rotary Park, Haliburton Village, showing a performer with an audience on the grass.
Amphitheater at Head Lake Rotary Park – Source: Kawartha Now

Head Lake Rotary Park is a beautiful waterfront park, fronting on Head Lake and the Drag River, meandering along the shorelines of each with several walking paths, a brand new children’s playground, tennis courts, an amphitheater with amazing acoustics, the aforementioned public beach, and a bridge that’s technically off-limits for jumping, but it’s still a magnet for kids anyway.  Most days you’ll see a number of kids jumping into the deep water off the bridge.

Hiking and Biking

It’s possible to walk around the lake as well.  It takes 1 ½ hours to do this hike on the Head Lake Trail, which takes you through a few neighbourhoods, Glebe Park, and the Sculpture Forest before heading back to Head Lake Rotary Park via the high school’s entrance into town.  A trail that will take you along the eastern shore of Head Lake is being constructed now, and you’ll soon be able to walk around the lake.

Insider's Guide to Haliburton - stone sculpture of a huntress lying down at Haliburton Sculpture Forest
Sleep of the Huntress sculpture – Source: Haliburton Sculpture Forest

Also accessible from Head Lake Village, just off County Road 1 (at the lights by the train and airplane), is the Haliburton County Rail Trail, which runs right into Lindsay if you wish to take it that far!  This level, graveled pathway allows multi-use with walkers, hikers, bikers, ATVers and snowmobilers all using it.  

Insider’s Guide to Haliburton | Shopping and Restaurants

Haliburton Village’s downtown is compact, just a few blocks, and easily walkable, with a number of shops and restaurants that are worth exploring.  There is truly a small town feel to the village, and you may notice many other cottagers and “locals” waving hello or stopping to speak with each other everywhere you go!  Here are Haliburton’s top restaurants to enjoy during your stay.  

Insider's Guide to Haliburton - Haliburton's downtown, showing Algonquin Outfitters, the old Molou Theatre (now a discount store) and Jan Knit's Studio.
Source:  Yours Outdoors

Insider’s Guide to Haliburton | Skyline Park

For an amazing view of the entire village and surrounding area, head just outside of Haliburton, east on Highway 118 (at the intersection of Highland Street and Maple Avenue).  Highway 118 will take you past the post office and the arena, to Dover’s Hill.  Partway up Dover’s Hill on the right is Skyline Park Road.  The park can’t be missed, as the road ends there.  There you’ll find a lookout, as well as picnic tables, and some trails.  This view is especially magnificent during the fall when the leaves are at their peak, but is nice at any time of the year.

Insider's Guide to Haliburton - Fall view of Haliburton Village and Head Lake taken from Skyline Park
View from Skyline Park – Source: 1000 Towns of Canada

Insider’s Guide to Haliburton | Annual Events

Haliburton Village hosts a number of events too, including the Haliburton Studio Tour, a self-driving tour of selected local artists, the Haliburton International Film Festival, modeled after the Toronto International Film Festival, The Rails End Art and Craft Festival, the Highlands Summer Festival, and a weekly farmer’s market. 

Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, Haliburton Village is a destination that promises an unforgettable experience. Choose your preferred Haliburton cottage rental and start planning your stay in the Highlands today!

CottageLINK Rental Management
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