Joel Varty
A golden autumn trail winding through colorful fall foliage in Ontario

A Solo Week in Ontario's Autumn Trails Around Northumberland

3rd Spacesphotography

Last fall I took a week off to explore some of Ontario's most beautiful trails—Northumberland Forest, Lakefield, Warsaw Caves, and more. Armed with my Sony a6700 and a Peak Design camera clip, I captured the season at its peak.

Last fall I took a week off and did some hiking on my own. I grabbed my camera (the Sony a6700) and took advantage of the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens as best I could. I really tried to use custom settings, but if I'm being honest, the default "Landscape" and "Macro" settings were quicker to switch between.

I explored several trails throughout the week—Northumberland Forest, Lakefield, Warsaw Caves, and a few others. Each had its own character, but they all shared that unmistakable autumn palette of oranges, yellows, and reds.

The Gear That Made a Difference

I picked up the Peak Design Capture clip before this trip, and it was a game-changer. Having my camera at hand all the time meant I never missed a shot—whether it was a blue jay taking flight or sunlight breaking through the canopy at just the right angle.

Peak Design Capture Clip

When I was shooting over cliffs, rocks, or leaning out over water, I used the Peak Design Cuff wrist strap that came with my Peak Design phone case as an extra safety measure. Great products, both of them.

The Trails

The variety was what made the week special. Some trails were carpeted in fallen maple leaves so thick you could hear them crunch with every step. Others cut through dense forest where ferns still held on despite the cooling temperatures.

I spotted a few blue jays along the way—managed to catch one in flight, which felt like a small victory. The macro setting came in handy for the details: a single maple leaf resting beside an acorn, oak leaves backlit by afternoon sun.

A sun-dappled trail winds through golden autumn foliage at its peak
A sun-dappled trail winds through golden autumn foliage at its peak
Sunlight filters through the trees onto a quiet forest path
Sunlight filters through the trees onto a quiet forest path
A carpet of fallen leaves blankets the trail through the autumn woods
A carpet of fallen leaves blankets the trail through the autumn woods
Ferns and fall foliage create layers of green and gold in the forest
Ferns and fall foliage create layers of green and gold in the forest
A sea of maple leaves covers the ground in warm autumn hues
A sea of maple leaves covers the ground in warm autumn hues
A weathered maple leaf rests beside an acorn on the forest floor
A weathered maple leaf rests beside an acorn on the forest floor
A blue jay perches among the autumn leaves
A blue jay perches among the autumn leaves
A blue jay takes flight through a frame of golden leaves
A blue jay takes flight through a frame of golden leaves
Oak leaves catch the afternoon light with a soft bokeh background
Oak leaves catch the afternoon light with a soft bokeh background

Taking the Time

There's something about hiking alone that changes how you see things. No schedule, no one else's pace to match. Just you, the trail, and whatever catches your eye. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs to reset.

Also, a note to self - I exported these images in too small a format - I promise next time a post photography stuff I'll use higher-quality images.

Gear Used