Caledon is a beautiful region of Ontario, just an hour’s drive from Toronto. This area is known for its mix of towns, villages, farmland, forests, and rolling hills.
Being part of the Niagara Escarpment, the nature around Caledon is gorgeous. The region is home to a significant portion of the Bruce Trail, one of Canada’s longest hiking trails. This means there are lots of opportunities to hike in Caledon!
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can also cycle the area, pop into local art galleries like the Alton Mill Art Centre, or visit a local farm like Rusty Jade Ranch. The best part? Caledon is just an hour's drive from Toronto, as well as other nearby cities like Barrie, Kitchener, and Hamilton.
Ready to plan your visit in winter? Let’s dive into what to do in Caledon, Ontario.
What to Do In Caledon, Ontario: 10 Caledon Activities
1. Spend the morning in Inglewood
Inglewood, Ontario, was first settled in the year 1883. The general store and the railway hotel, which are still standing, are depicted in the village's original plans!
Even though Inglewood is a small village, you could easily spend an hour or two exploring it. Look around Lost Bear Market first. You can buy fresh, local honey from this shop, which sells handicrafts and local goods. It's interesting to note that the store is housed in the same structure as the original general store in Inglewood.
Walk five minutes down the road after the market to Coywolf Coffee for coffee and breakfast. Local Caledon resident Ariel Somes opened the coffee shop to establish a gathering place where people could congregate, partake in food and drink, and converse.
Additionally located inside an 1881-era heritage building is Coywolf Coffee. Constructed by local clay-fired brick masons William Linfoot, the building was originally a railway hotel before being renamed the Inglewood Hotel.
These days, Coywolf Coffee offers a menu that includes sandwiches, coffee, and tea, as well as plenty of indoor seating and board games for patrons to use. There's a lovely garden with outside tables and seating behind the coffee shop in the spring, summer, and fall.
Helpful tip! To learn about the history of Inglewood, including the stories behind some of its 19th-century buildings.
2. Go for a walk on the Bruce Trail
The longest hiking trail in Canada is the Bruce Trail. It starts in Queenston, close to Niagara Falls, and spans 890 kilometres. From that point on, the trail follows the Niagara Escarpment up to the Bruce Peninsula's Tobermory.
There's an easy walkable section of the Bruce Trail ten minutes drive from Inglewood. Hiking the 7.1-kilometer out-and-back Chinguacousy Road trail takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
This trail is marked and passes through lovely woods. While there are some rocky and hilly sections of the trail, overall it's a peaceful, easy hike.
Drive north on Chinguacousy Road, just past Olde Base Line Road, to the starting point. A small parking lot can be found at the end of Chinguacousy Road. The trailhead is directly behind the Bruce Trail sign that you will see.
3. Go on a trail ride at Rusty Jade Ranch
At Rusty Jade Ranch, they will take the time to teach you the ropes whether you're a novice or an experienced rider. You can reserve a one-hour trail ride, during which a guide will pair you with a horse and take you along the Caledon trails.
Rusty Jade Ranch is a part of "Stable Relations," a group Kelly Swoloka started in 2000. Equipped with her passion for horses and her extensive riding background, Kelly wished to spread the happiness and positive effects that horses can have on people's lives.
4. Have lunch at Caledon Hills Brewing Co.
Located on a farm in Caledon, the family-run Caledon Hills Brewing Co. was established in 2016. Their brewmaster has been brewing for more than thirty years and is originally from Munich, Germany. Craft beer with a Caledon flair that blends German techniques is the result.
Caledon Hills Brewing Co. relocated to a new space inside a gorgeously restored church a few years ago. The church's interior is warm and inviting, featuring large communal tables, tall ceilings, and stained glass windows.
Additionally, the brewery features an outdoor beer garden where guests can eat at a communal picnic table and enjoy beer.
Helpful tip! Caledon Hills Brewing Co. is just a 5-minute drive away from Rusty Jade Ranch. If you plan to go on a trail ride, this brewery is a fantastic choice for lunch or dinner, before or after your ranch visit.
5. Stroll around the hamlet of Belfountain
Belfountain is a well-liked hamlet in the Caledon area, which explains why it appears on all the lists of "things to do in Caledon." It is well-known for its charming downtown neighbourhood, which is surrounded by old buildings. Belfountain is a beautiful place to take a stroll, especially in the fall.
Make sure to stop by The Belfountain Cafe or Higher Ground Cafe for a baked good, coffee, or ice cream. Situated in the West Credit River Valley on the Niagara Escarpment, the Belfountain Conservation Area is not far from the village centre. There is a suspension bridge in this park that crosses a lovely waterfall.
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To visit this conservation area, it’s recommended to purchase a parking pass at least 24 hours in advance – walk-ins aren’t accepted. Note that the Belfountain Conservation Area is typically closed during the winter months.
Helpful tip! Belfountain can be very busy, particularly on sunny autumn days. To avoid a crowded visit, get an early start and arrive in Belfountain right as the shops in the hamlet are opening up.
As you wrap up your winter escapade in Caledon, Ontario, the quaint charm of Inglewood, the brisk walks along the Bruce Trail, and the horseback rides at Rusty Jade Ranch will linger in your memories. Picture yourself sipping coffee at Coywolf Coffee, housed in a historic building, or indulging in a hearty lunch at Caledon Hills Brewing Co.'s church-turned-brewery.
Stroll through the delightful hamlet of Belfountain, where charming cafes beckon and the Belfountain Conservation Area adds a touch of nature's grandeur. Caledon isn't just a destination; it's a medley of moments that capture the essence of winter in Ontario. As you bid adieu to this winter wonderland, let the warmth of these experiences stay with you like the aftertaste of a good brew. Until next time, Caledon whispers tales of a winter well spent.
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