There’s something about hiking in Simcoe County in the fall that’s hard to beat. The mosquitoes are finally disappearing, the air is cool enough for a sweater, and the forests around Barrie, Orillia, Midland and Collingwood turn red, orange and gold.

You also don’t need to drive hours north to find a great fall hike. Simcoe County has everything from stroller-friendly forest walks to boardwalks through wetlands and rugged Niagara Escarpment trails with impressive lookouts.

Here are some of our favourite fall hikes in the Simcoe County area, including several that work particularly well with kids.

Best for: Big views and adventurous kids
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Trail: Approximately 3.5 km, with longer options
Location: 8861 Nottawasaga 15/16 Sideroad, Clearview

If you're looking for a hike that actually feels like an adventure, start here.

Nottawasaga Bluffs sits along the Niagara Escarpment and combines hardwood forest, limestone cliffs, caves and some excellent views over the surrounding countryside. The Bruce Trail passes through the property, along with several side trails.

The highlight is the Keyhole Side Trail, which winds between huge rock faces and narrow crevices before reaching the "keyhole." There is an alternate route around the tightest section.

This one is better for confident walkers than toddlers. Roots, rocks and wet fall leaves can make sections slippery, and the side trails aren't considered accessible.

Mom Scoop tip: Save this one for a crisp, dry fall day and wear proper shoes. The combination of escarpment views and fall colour makes it one of the most impressive hikes on this list.

Best for: A classic walk through the fall forest
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on your route
Location: Oro-Medonte

Copeland Forest might be one of the best places near Barrie to simply wander through the woods.

The trail network travels through forests filled with maples, oaks, beeches, birches and towering pines, making it particularly impressive once the leaves begin changing. The broader trail system offers plenty of flexibility, so families can make the outing as short or long as they want.

Unlike a conservation area with one obvious loop, Copeland has a large network of intersecting trails. Downloading a trail map before you head out is a smart move.

Mom Scoop tip: If your kids like exploring rather than marching toward a destination, this is a great choice. Bring snacks, pick a manageable loop and let them hunt for the biggest maple leaves they can find.

Best for: Younger kids, wildlife and boardwalks
Difficulty: Easy
Location: 16160 Highway 12 East, Midland

Wye Marsh offers a completely different fall hike.

Instead of just walking through forest, trails move between woodland and a provincially significant wetland, including sections of boardwalk over the marsh.

There are more than 25 km of trails, and most are hard-packed and suitable for strollers, wagons and a variety of mobility devices.

For kids, there is also a lot more to watch for than colourful leaves. Keep an eye out for birds, turtles and other wetland wildlife while exploring.

Mom Scoop tip: This is one of our top picks if you want your "hike" to feel like a family outing rather than a serious hike.

Best for: An easy family forest walk
Difficulty: Easy
Trails: Approximately 4 km total
Location: 1485 Division Road West, Orillia

Just outside Orillia, Grant's Woods is a beautiful mixed old-growth forest with relatively little elevation change.

There are about 4 km of interconnected trails, and the outer loop can be completed in roughly 30 minutes. Fall is specifically recommended as one of the best times to visit because of the colourful forest canopy.

There is also a 230-metre wheelchair-accessible section of trail, along with an accessible gazebo.

This is a particularly nice choice for younger kids because you can get the full fall-forest experience without committing to a long hike.

Mom Scoop tip: Pair it with lunch or another stop in Orillia and you've got an easy half-day family outing.

Best for: Creek exploring and a quick hike
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Location: 15th Line North, Orillia

Scout Valley is another underrated Orillia-area option.

The 228-acre property has three main loops — Algonquin Trail, Sugarbush Trail and Homestead Trail — winding through forests and alongside streams. Tourism Simcoe County highlights Scout Valley alongside Grant's Woods as one of the area's particularly good fall hiking destinations.

Kids who get bored walking down a straight rail trail tend to appreciate places like this because the landscape changes regularly.

Mom Scoop tip: After rain, expect mud. Waterproof boots can make the difference between a fun adventure and carrying a muddy five-year-old back to the car.

Best for: Wildlife-loving kids
Difficulty: Easy
Main loop: Approximately 1.7 km
Location: 500 Tiny Flos Townline, Elmvale

Tiny Marsh is another excellent option when you want something easy but interesting.

The property includes 600 hectares of marsh and 300 hectares of field and forest, with approximately 15 km of trails overall. The short main loop is about 1.7 km and includes a lookout tower, boardwalk and several wildlife-viewing features.

Because you move between marsh, field and forest, the colours and scenery are noticeably different from a traditional woodland hike.

Mom Scoop tip: Bring binoculars. Turning the walk into a wildlife-spotting mission can keep kids engaged for much longer than simply announcing that you're "going for a hike."

Best for: South Simcoe families
Difficulty: Moderate
Popular route: Approximately 3.5 km
Location: 2450 9th Line, Bradford West Gwillimbury

For families in Bradford, Innisfil and southern Simcoe County, Scanlon Creek is one of the strongest fall options.

The nearly 300-hectare conservation area includes mixed forests, marshland, rolling terrain, glacial boulders and scenic viewpoints. Fall colour is one of the activities specifically highlighted by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

There are also accessible washrooms, picnic facilities and a Discovery Play Garden, making this particularly convenient for families.

Mom Scoop tip: Pack lunch. Having a playground and picnic area available makes it easy to turn the hike into a longer outing.

Best for: Families close to Barrie
Difficulty: Easy
Loop: Approximately 5 km
Location: 8195 8th Line, Utopia

Tiffin is one of the easiest options on this list for Barrie families.

Located just west of the city, the conservation area has approximately 11 km of trails, with its main loop running about 5 km. The route includes forest, Bear Creek, wetland areas and a boardwalk around Baby Bear Pond.

NVCA says the trails at Tiffin have been assessed as accessible to all users.

It doesn't have the dramatic escarpment scenery of Nottawasaga Bluffs, but it's a very easy option when you want to get outside without spending half the day driving.

Mom Scoop tip: This is the one we'd keep in our back pocket for a spontaneous Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

For the biggest fall views, head to Nottawasaga Bluffs.

For classic colourful forest, try Copeland Forest.

For toddlers and younger kids, we'd start with Wye Marsh, Grant's Woods or Tiny Marsh.

For a quick hike close to Barrie, Tiffin Conservation Area is hard to beat.

Peak fall colour around Simcoe County varies from year to year, but late September through October is typically when these trails really start putting on a show.

Before heading out, always check the property's current trail conditions, hours, parking requirements and closures. And on the more rugged trails, remember that a layer of wet leaves can make rocks and roots surprisingly slippery.

Looking for more things to do with the kids around Barrie and Simcoe County? Subscribe to Mom Scoop for our Friday roundup of the best family events and activities happening around the region each weekend.