The lush forests that cover the Explorers’ Edge region of Ontario burst into their world-famous exhibit of colour in fall, and one of the best ways to view the annual show is from above—by aircraft.

View the pristine waters and vivid colour during a sight-seeing flight of Loring-Restoule with Tornado’s Canadian Resorts. You can also enjoy the rare opportunity to stay at a fly-in-only remote island location at their Smoky Lake Lodge at Noganash Lake Provincial Park.

Based a little north of Parry Sound, Rainbow Airways offers a stunning Magnetawan River Tour that carries passengers over Gooseneck and Wahwashkesh Lakes to the beautiful Magnetawan, with its spectacular gorges and rapids that are renowned in the Almaguin Highlands. The Georgian Bay and Magnetawan River Tour follows the historic lumberjack trail along the river, then turns south for a spectacular view of the 30,000 Islands and all the reds, yellow and oranges below–not to mention the pristine blue of the waters of Georgian Bay.

Chart your own fall foliage course with Central Helicopters in Parry Sound, which offers longer helicopter tours by pre-arrangement, taking you wherever you want to go on request. Flying out of Parry Sound Airport, they provide tours for up to six people at a time. The area around the “Big Three” lakes of Muskoka (Lakes Joseph, Rosseau and Muskoka) is a particularly popular route when the leaves change. Heli Muskoka also incredible scenic tours of cottage country from their base in Gravenhurst, Ontario.

Also in Parry Sound, Georgian Bay Airways offers a wide range of aerial tours year-round, but a flight with their crew in fall is something really special.

On their 35-minute Fall Colour Tour, adventurers take off from Parry Sound harbour, fly over Mill Lake and Lake Manitouwabing, and from there head to the island-spangled coast of Georgian Bay, over Snug Harbour plus Franklin, Bateau, Sandy and Parry Islands. The best time to view the brilliant foliage is the last week in September and first two weeks of October, though optimal viewing times can vary depending on temperatures. (Keep track of the colour changing in the region with this handy Fall Colours Report from Ontario Parks.)

Adrenaline fanatics will want to experience Georgian Bay Airways’ Fly and Ride ATV adventure – excellent in the fall not only for awesome foliage but a distinct lack of bugs, and while you’re ATVing, rich mud and puddles to explore.  Fly from Parry Sound harbour to Haines Lake for a half-day guided ride led by Bear Claw Tours – a.k.a. “Georgian Bay’s Ultimate Adventure.”

Fall Fly & Dine in Explorers’ Edge

Couple the fall foliage with fine food this autumn in Explorers’ Edge.  There are several fly-and-dine packages available from Georgian Bay Airways, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Click here to see their tour eclectic tour options.

Rainbow Airways in Parry Sound also offers spectacular Fly & Dine Tours.

Come to Explorers’ Edge this fall and view the iconic Canadian colour from above. It’s an adventure you’ll never forget.

To plan your stay, click here.

And click on the video below for a taste of flying with Georgian Bay Airways – courtesy of Tyler Morrison from the Cottage Country Comedy Festival a couple of years ago. Fall colour from up high – you can’t beat it.

Guest Blogger: Karen Wehrstein

A resident of Muskoka, Karen Wehrstein is a freelance writer and published novelist whose work has appeared in the National Post, Montreal Gazette, as well as Muskoka Magazine, What’s Up Muskoka and other regional publications. She lives on thirty acres of beautiful forest near Lake of Bays.