Scenic Caves, Collingwood, Ontario
Maybe soaring like a bird along a half-mile long zip line above the beautiful Blue Mountain landscape at Scenic Caves in Collingwood, Ontario isn’t for everyone – especially those under 18. But, if you love to zip line, this is the one not to miss. It’s Ontario’s longest and can reach speeds up to 70 km per hour. (It’s highly controlled). First, though, you have to climb a 15 metre spiral staircase to get to the Thunderbird Nest.
Or keep your family on the ground and walk the self-guided well-marked trails through caves and cavernous rocks along the Niagara Escarpment’s highest point. Trails offer majestic views of Georgian Bay below. This is ski country, after all, so a walk through the foliage involves tackling some elevation.
Speaking of elevation, most visitors take an easy stroll along Southern Ontario’s longest suspension footbridge. Lined with a wire fence and handrail, this 128-metre walk provides a safe view 25-metres above the valley below. If you skip the zip lining, you can’t miss the bridge.
Don’t fret. Wee ones, even in strollers (admission is free for kids under 2), entertain themselves for hours at the children’s adventure playground, riding Rocky the mini electric train or gemstone mining at the man-made tower. Here, water flows through a wooden sluiceway and ‘miners’ pan for treasures after receiving a screen tray and a bag of sand guaranteed to include at least one arrowhead.
Finish the day with a picnic at the trout-stocked fishpond or a game of mini-golf. Summer activities start early May and end mid-November, 9 am to 8 pm. Park admission includes access to the grounds, but gem mining, mini golf and zip lining are extra. No pets allowed. Running or hiking shoes are mandatory.
Sherri Telenko is a freelance writer and blogger living in Southern Ontario. Sign up for travel ideas at www.dogtrotting.net or follow her on twitter @SherriTelenko.
