Scenic Drives

Mulmur's network of county roads, concession roads, and quiet sideroads offers some of the finest driving in southern Ontario. The terrain here — shaped by the Niagara Escarpment, glacial moraines, and the Nottawasaga River valley — delivers a constantly changing landscape of forests, open farmland, and elevated viewpoints that most visitors don't expect to find so close to the GTA.

The Hockley Valley Road

No scenic drive in Mulmur is more celebrated than the route through Hockley Valley. Beginning at the hamlet of Hockley, the road climbs westward through a corridor of mature hardwood forest, rising along the flanks of the Niagara Escarpment to some of the highest points in southern Ontario.

In autumn, this stretch becomes one of the most photographed roads in the province, as sugar maples, oaks, and beeches transform the valley into an unbroken canopy of red, orange, and gold. In winter, the bare branches frame views of snow-covered hills that feel almost alpine. Spring brings trilliums to the forest floor and the rushing sound of snowmelt in the creeks. Summer offers dappled shade and the deep green of full canopy.

The road is winding and hilly — take your time, pull over at the viewpoints, and resist the urge to rush through. This is a drive meant to be savoured.

The Airport Road Corridor

Airport Road (County Road 18) runs north-south through the heart of Mulmur and serves as the township's primary artery. But it is far more than a functional route. As it climbs from the south, the road passes through some of the most varied terrain in Dufferin County — crossing the Nottawasaga River near Terra Nova, rising through rolling farmland, and arriving at Mansfield before continuing north toward Honeywood and the Mulmur Highlands.

The stretch between Mansfield and Honeywood is particularly rewarding, with long views over open fields punctuated by woodlots and old farmsteads. In late afternoon, when the light goes golden and the shadows stretch across the fields, this road offers the kind of beauty that makes you pull over just to look.

The Escarpment Ridge Drive

For those willing to navigate a few gravel roads, the route along the Niagara Escarpment's crest offers the most dramatic views in the township. Following the sideroads that run along the western edge of Mulmur, this informal route traces the escarpment's highest elevations and opens onto views that stretch east across the Nottawasaga River valley and beyond.

Several of these roads pass through sections of the Mulmur Hills — terrain that was heavily forested by conservation authorities decades ago and now supports mature pine and spruce plantations interspersed with native hardwoods. The contrast between the dark conifers and the bright deciduous forest is striking in every season.

The Honeywood Loop

Starting and ending in Honeywood, this roughly 40-kilometre loop follows a circuit of county and concession roads through the agricultural heart of northern Mulmur. The terrain is gentler here — broad, open fields of potatoes, grain, and hay, bordered by mature hedgerows and punctuated by the weathered beauty of old barns and stone farmhouses.

This is driving for those who appreciate the quieter beauty of working farmland. The roads are lightly travelled, the views are long and open, and the rhythm of the landscape — field, hedgerow, farmstead, field — creates a meditative quality that is increasingly hard to find.

Seasonal Recommendations

Spring (April - May)

The roads are quiet, the fields are being worked, and the emerging greens of new growth create a palette of almost impossible freshness. Watch for wild turkeys crossing the sideroads and red-tailed hawks riding the thermals above the escarpment.

Summer (June - August)

Long evenings and full canopy make summer drives a pleasure, particularly in the two hours before sunset when the light turns warm and the fields glow. Stop at farm gates for fresh produce and take advantage of the extended daylight.

Autumn (September - October)

This is when Mulmur's scenic drives draw the most visitors, and with good reason. The colour display along the escarpment rivals anything in Ontario. Peak colour typically arrives in the first two weeks of October, but the entire period from mid-September to late October offers remarkable beauty. Come on a weekday if you can — the roads are quieter, and the experience is more intimate.

Winter (December - March)

Snow transforms the landscape into something elemental. The bare trees reveal the shape of the land in ways that summer foliage conceals, and the contrast of dark forest against white fields creates a stark, beautiful geometry. Roads are well-maintained, but allow extra time and drive with care on gravel sections.