This is Where You’ll Find Ontario’s Best Apple Pies
Nothing quite evokes fall like a warm-from-the-oven slice of apple pie. You'll find the best of the best on a road trip along Ontario's Apple Pie Trail.
Autumn in Ontario is a time to check off a hefty seasonal to-do list: admire the fall colours in a scenic country atmosphere, sample some cider, visit an apple orchard and gobble up all the apple-based desserts possible. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a one-stop-shop to enjoy all your favourite fall activities? Well, the Apple Pie Trail proposes a set path where you can achieve all your autumnal activity goals.
Following Ontario’s Apple Pie Trail
The 40-kilometre route known as the Apple Pie Trail is located in Ontario’s South Georgian Bay, which is the highest point of the Niagara Escarpment. The large bodies of water surrounding the region regulate temperatures and create the ideal microclimate for growing apples. Don’t let the name deceive you, though; the Apple Pie Trail is not only home to fruitful orchards, but also bakeries, restaurants, wineries and cideries, hiking and biking paths, and art galleries.
To kick off my Apple Pie Trail adventure, I headed two hours north of Toronto towards the Blue Mountains, where the promise of fall fun awaited via baked goods, adorable farm animals and cider tastings—and it sure didn’t disappoint. Although I only hit a few of the Apple Pie Trail’s 26 stops, I experienced a wide range of stunning sights and delightful bites along the way. A vehicle is a must when exploring the route, as stops are spread out on the country roads and it can take approximately 10-15 minutes to get from one place to another. To plan your itinerary, I’d recommend starting with the trail’s map, and basing your stops on your particular interests and the amount of time you’ve got available. I only had a day, so I wanted a general overview of what the trail has to offer—and the tourism office helpfully provided an assortment of the trail’s most popular stops. Next time, I would love to focus on one particular region or even try one of the curated experiences. With autumn officially here, perhaps you can choose your own adventure (and there’s even a trail app to help you plan it out).
Good Family Farms
My day on the Apple Pie Trail began on a sprawling, beautiful farm in Meaford, Ontario. Good Family Farms is over 400 acres and filled with cattle, pigs, and chickens, all raised with the utmost attention and care. It’s a lot of ground to cover, but luckily my tour guide showed me some of the key spots of the farm on an educational tour, in which I was shown around via tractor (a feature of the paid, bookable tour). In 90 minutes, I learned about the inner workings of the farm, from how the animals are raised, bred and fed to how the land is maintained. It was lovely to see how the farmers, animals and land work together in a sustainable way. Of course, there was also plenty of time to admire the adorable piglets and calves, and even pet some donkeys. On the way out, visitors can purchase organic meats and farm fresh eggs.
Looking for more fall fun? Here are 10 Ontario corn mazes worth getting lost in.
Blackbird Pie Company
The Apple Pie Trail’s namesake can be found at a few different points along the way, but Heathcote, Ontario’s Blackbird Pie Company is perhaps the best-known outpost for this fall dessert staple. Upon arrival, the smell of baked apples and butter tarts wafted out of the family-owned bakery’s doors before I even entered, and I knew I was in for a treat. They sell both fresh and frozen sweet and savoury pies, along with freshly baked tarts and pastries. I was told that, unsurprisingly, the classic apple pie and apple crumble muffins are some of their bestsellers, and after tasting a slice of the former, I understood why. The pastry crust is light and flaky, while the Northern Spy (known for its versatility in baking) apple filling is gooey and just the right amount of sweet. Warm it up and pair it with some vanilla ice cream for a heavenly apple pie experience. If you want to stray away from tradition, try one of their other fruit pies (wild blueberry, peach, and raspberry are all on the menu) or even a sandwich for lunch on their small but charming patio.
Georgian Hills Vineyards
Nestled in Clarksburg, Ontario, this peaceful and pretty vineyard offers so much more than just wine. Georgian Hills Vineyards marries offerings from their local grapes and apples to provide delightful wines and ciders (and literally marries couples, as a wedding and event venue). I was able to try five different wines from their substantial but manageable list, ranging from cider and sparkling wines to white, red, rose and dessert wines. As someone who prefers light and/or dry wines, I was extremely impressed by their Notty Bay line, which blends local, cold temperature grapes from Nottawasaga Bay/Georgian Bay into lovely easy drinkers. Post-tasting, I tried out a delicious vegetable and ricotta flatbread from their evolving patio lunch menu—they of course have wines and ciders listed on the menu, along with dessert options including a cheesecake trio and mousse. Personally, the flatbread sustained me but the temptation was there. Tastings and restaurant seatings can only be booked by reservation, so make sure you plan accordingly.
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T&K Ferri Orchards
The next stop on the trail was just an apple’s throw away from Georgian Hills Winery. T&K Ferri Orchards is part of a legacy of apple growers spanning three generations and a few different locations, originating in Huttonville, Ontario. Karen Ferri, the co-owner of the orchard with husband Tom, tells me that the orchard, formerly in Brampton, Ontario, withstood a tornado and development pressures several years ago, before moving to Clarksburg. Ever the resilient growers, the Ferri grandchildren now grow an assortment of hand-picked apples in their vast orchard—we’re talking nearly 58,000 trees and 22 acres—ranging from Honeycrisp (their most popular) and Galas to Macs and Mutsus. Pick-your-own is not available at T&K, but visitors are able to purchase their apples of choice (along with non-alcoholic cider and cereal) and admire the carefully maintained orchard from afar.
Grey & Gold Cider
Grey & Gold Cider might be a relative newcomer on the Ontario cider scene, having established themselves in Clarksburg five years ago, but they are no rookies when it comes to crafting boozy goodness using local apples. Owner David Baker is a Toronto expat with a passion for creating unique ciders and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Grey and Gold’s cidery and bottle shop boasts a tasting menu of nine eclectic ciders, including medal winners Heritage Dry (gold) and Modern Girl (silver). My personal favourite? Probably a tie between the Wildflower, a chamomile-infused dry cider, and Spruce of the Bruce, a pine-forward dry cider that is surely a Christmas crowd pleaser. The surprises only continued after the cider tasting when I noticed a sign for “Goat Yoga.” Naturally, I had to meet the adorable baby goats kept on the premises. No downward dogs this time, but I may just have to make a trip out to greet the animals and have another glass of tasty cider.
Looking for another culinary road trip after you’ve tackled the Apple Pie Trail? Check out our guide to Ontario’s Butter Tart Trail.
