The Golden Hike

Where can you find a flat trail which is easy to access and surrounded by pristine habitats? The multi-use Haliburton County Rail Trail checks all the boxes. Running from Kinmount to Haliburton, this public green space brings together history and nature for everyone to enjoy. 

Originally constructed in 1874, this railway was a side route of the main line from Port Hope to Midland via Lindsay. Eventually becoming part of the vast Canadian National Railway network, during its heyday in the early 20th century, the Victoria Railway was a busy line. Northbound cars carried goods and guests to summer resorts and southbound cargo included agricultural goods or lumber or logs from the forests of Haliburton. Eventually deemed unprofitable, the line was officially abandoned by the CNR in 1981 and remained vacant and unused until the County of Haliburton purchased it in 1988.

The section of trail between Geeza Road and Howland Junction Road is where the trail swings away from County Road 1 and deep into the bush south of Gelert. A large parking area on Geeza Road is a great spot to access this beautiful section of trail.

Heading south towards Kinmount, the trail starts off like walking in a dark green tunnel- the trail edge is crowded with balsam fir growing thickly in this wet section. A tree viewed with mild disdain by the forestry industry, there is also much to like about this shade tolerant softwood.

To start, it has a sweet aroma which burst out just by rubbing its waxy needles between your thumb and index finger. For some, this rich resin odour represents the quintessential smell of nature. The balsam’s thick sticky resin flows just under the bark, oozing from nicks in the bark or stored in bulbous bark blisters. This thick, sticky resin makes a great fire starter and is useful as an antiseptic seal for cuts and wounds.

The shady start to the stroll changes to open meadows and wetlands dominated by willow, cattail and open sky. If weather is fortunate, fair weather cumulous clouds add to the colour palette of blue sky and colour changing maples and birches in late September and early October. 

Twisted strands of wolf or coyote scat along the trail are a reminder that this trail is more than just a travel corridor for ATVs. snowmobiles, horses, hikers and bikers. The Rail Trail is also a wildlife corridor providing a conduit of easy travel for highly mobile wildlife populations like canines and ungulates and countless other species. Bent grasses and shrubs to the side of the trail also indicate the presence of beavers. Indeed, this section of the rail trail was built through wetlands and the beavers here are not willing to cede any more territory!

The golden part of this walk comes from the proliferation of tamarack trees growing throughout the open meadows and wetlands. Thriving when their feet are wet, tamaracks are deciduous tree wannabes and unlike other cone bearing trees, they drop their needles every year. Before they do, their needles turn an impressive shade ranging from bright yellow to golden brown. 

Peaking in mid to late October, tamaracks are tolerated in the sun loving wetland habitats as their willowy branches allow plenty of light to pass through to the plants below. Their needles are soft; they do not need to be tough and waxy like other conifers whose needles need to survive the rigours of winter.

About 3.5 kilometers from the access, a lovely wetland provides a rest stop garnished with an impressive granite stone bench. This open pond is fringed with mostly spruce and white pine; a lone sugar maple glows red on the east shore. Colourful floating hummocks of sphagnum moss grace the open water near the elevated rail bed. This is a good turn around point for an in and back hike. 

Hiking further south towards Howland Junction Road, lichen encrusted outcrops and massive white pines dominate the drier upland forests here. Glimpses of the Burnt River can be seen from the ridge on this section of the trail.

As a linear trail, either a shuttle needs to be arranged or you will need to hike out and back.  A great social trail, the Rail Trail allows for easy side by side walking. With a variety of habitats to enjoy, including different forest types, open meadows and wetlands, fall colours and the golden glow of tamaracks, the Rail Trial is a wonderful fall hiking option in cottage country.

Submitted by Rick Whitteker. You can find Rick at home in the forest, as a seasoned trail guide, nature writer and passionate wildlife enthusiast in the Haliburton Highlands.