The Home Almanac

Vol. I, MMXXVIThe Canadian home, in season655 stations, every province and territory

The Date Almanac

A Beaver Valley falls and cider day

Eugenia Falls, the Beaver Valley view from Old Baldy, and cider at Thornbury Craft Co.

A half-day loop south of Thornbury through the Beaver Valley. See the 30-metre drop at Eugenia Falls, drive on to the short climb up Old Baldy for the big view over the valley, then come back into Thornbury for cider and a bite at Thornbury Craft Co. Three stops on an easy Grey Road 13 loop, about 30 minutes from Collingwood.

3 stops Season: Summer Around: Beaver Valley
Directions for the whole day
  1. 1

    See the falls

    Eugenia Falls

    The tallest waterfall in the area, a 30-metre drop into a rocky gorge on the edge of the Beaver Valley. A short paved path reaches the railed viewpoint; access to the base and top is closed off, and the flow can run thin by midsummer. Grey Sauble parking is paid.

    Landmark via OpenStreetMap Directions ›

  2. 2

    The valley view

    Old Baldy Conservation Area

    A 152-metre cliff over the Beaver Valley near Kimberley, reached by a 15-minute climb to an open, unfenced lookout with one of the best valley views around. A tiny lot, no facilities, and a Grey Sauble parking fee; mind the edge.

    Official site · Landmark via OpenStreetMap Directions ›

  3. 3

    Cider and a bite · Thornbury

    Thornbury Craft Co.

    A taproom, cidery, and kitchen in Thornbury on the site of the old Thornbury Village cider house. It pours its own beer and cider with food alongside, seating first-come, and a patio in summer. An easy refuel after the Beaver Valley falls.

    Thornbury Craft Co. Directions ›

Before you go

  • Eugenia Falls and Old Baldy are Grey Sauble conservation areas with $10-a-day cashless parking; an annual pass pays off if you visit often.
  • Stay behind the railings at Eugenia. Access to the base and top of the falls is prohibited, and flow can run thin in midsummer.
  • Old Baldy is about a 15-minute climb to an unfenced cliff edge over the valley, so wear real shoes and keep children close.
  • Thornbury Craft Co. pours cider and beer and seats first-come, so settle a driver before the tasting.
  • The conservation-area lots are small and fill on hot weekends, so go earlier in the day.

A free day out from the Home Almanac. Every stop is a verified place; days change with the season, so print it the week you go. Data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, openstreetmap.org/copyright.

Questions, answered plainly

Is this good for kids?

Older kids who can handle a short climb and a cliff edge, yes. For little ones it is better as a falls-and-snack outing; keep them close at Old Baldy, which is unfenced.

What does it cost?

Low. Parking is $10 a day at each conservation area (one Grey Sauble pass covers both), the falls are free to view, and you pay as you go at Thornbury Craft Co.

Is there a lot of walking?

Not much. Eugenia Falls is a short paved viewpoint, and Old Baldy is about 15 minutes up to the lookout. It is a drive-and-short-walk day, not a long hike.

When is the waterfall best?

Spring and after rain, when the flow is strongest. In a dry midsummer stretch Eugenia can run thin, so the view from Old Baldy is the more reliable highlight.

Do we need to book anything?

No. The conservation areas and Thornbury Craft Co. are all walk-in. Bring a card for parking and go early on a hot weekend.

More day trips around Collingwood · All Ontario day trips