Hello Fall Colours: Dorset Hike & Lookout Tower

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Not every good trail makes it into a guidebook, and this hidden gem sure hasn't.

Tucked just southwest of Algonquin, it's a route we keep close for our members: rolling rock outcrops, quiet beaver ponds, and wide ridges that open into sweeping views when you least expect them. In September, the whole forest turns to a radiant display of red, orange, and gold; the kind of colours that makes you stop mid-stride. Welcome to fall in Ontario.

We'll cover 7.5 km at a comfortable pace, with plenty of time to take it in before stopping for lunch at one of the best views on the route. It's a moderate hike, and a solid choice if this is your first time out on trail.

From the trailhead, it's a short drive to Dorset. The tower was first built in 1922 as a fire lookout and rebuilt in 1967 into the structure that stands today. Climbing to the top puts you level with the treetops and gives you a panorama of the hills and lakes around Lake of Bays, all dressed in their fall colours. It's one of Ontario's most recognizable lookouts, offering a totally different perspective after a morning spent within the tree canopy.

Please note that anyone not taking the WU transportation will need to purchase their own tower access pass.
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Accessibility
Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to [info@wildernessunion.com](mailto:info@wildernessunion.com)

Highlights
The Lookout Tower Climb: The observation deck sits 142 metres above Lake of Bays, with a 360 degree view over the surrounding hills and lakes.
A Trail Off the Map: A quiet, little-known route kept for Wilderness Union members, far from the lineups that build up around Dorset in the fall.
Fall Colours: Red, orange, and gold scattered across the Canadian Shield.

Event cost: $75+HST (for explorer members) + $60 optional transport available.
Register here.

About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people.

Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad.

Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming!

Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com