5 Guided Experiences to Reconnect with Nature this Fall
Most of us living and working in the modern world spend a great deal of time indoors and in front of a screen. Climate control and constant interconnectedness via the internet, while great for productivity, inevitably take a toll on our bodies and minds throughout the year.
This prospect can seem a little daunting when it comes to making plans, so here are five ideas for guided experiences to inspire you to harmonize with nature in Ontario’s Highlands this fall!
Go Forest Bathing
The forest is an amazing natural mood lifter to plug into. Studies have shown that simply looking at trees can regulate the nervous system and increase mental resilience to life’s stressors. Shinrin-yoku is a concept originating in Japan, translated into English as “forest bathing.” In practice, it means being in a natural environment without any intention beyond simply experiencing nature. It’s not about exercising or accomplishing a goal. Instead, it’s about letting the forest in through your senses and allowing your body to reset to its natural baseline, both mentally and physically. Very Zen!
Insider's Tip:
Taking in the forest can be made even easier if you have a guide experienced in helping others restore balance, and Finding Your Way Adventure Company, based in Petawawa, Ontario, offers exactly that. Run by Jen Wills, the company provides everything you need to experience nature, from guided forest bathing experiences to birding canoe trips and backcountry camping treks.
Take a Whitewater River Trip
The lifeline of Indigenous communities in Ontario’s Highlands has been the many rivers cutting across the landscape for thousands of years. Much like our own lives, a river can be calm or torrential, tranquil or busy. Sometimes, the best way to gain perspective (and learn something about yourself along the way) is to experience the power of nature’s currents with others and grow stronger and more resilient in the process.
Insider's Tip:
Braiding Rivers, a woman-owned and operated business based in Palmer Rapids, is run by Keira, Ashley, and Rachel, the three women offer whitewater canoeing trips in the heart of Anishinaabe territory. Braiding Rivers’ mission is to provide an environment where women can come together and experience the rivers that have kept this part of Ontario nourished for generations. Book with them to experience anything from a weekend introductory whitewater course to a four-day trip down the Madawaska River.
Canoe Birding? What?
If whitewater isn’t your style, you can still experience calmer waters with a birding- and photography-focused trip on the Ottawa River. The river watershed is home to more than 300 species of birds throughout the year, all participating in the ecosystem to which we as humans belong. Birdsong has been shown to reduce anxiety and mental fatigue, two problems that are abundant in modern life. What better way to reconnect with birds and their natural world than to take it all in from the water that brings it to life?
Insider's Tip:
That’s exactly what Happy Little Canoe Rides, based in the historic village of La Passe, ON, is offering. Whether you’re looking for a short sunrise reset or a half-day out on the water, Matt Blasky will make sure you experience the best of the Ottawa River and its feathered inhabitants.
Medicinal Plant Walk
When it comes to the flora and fauna of Ontario’s Highlands, there is perhaps no subject more fascinating than the myriad medicinal plants that grow wild in the forest. These plants have been utilized by the Algonquin people for thousands of years to encourage health and ward off disease. These connections have never been more crucial than they are today, when we find ourselves cut off from the ecosystem so much of the time.
Insider's Tip:
If this strikes a chord with you, consider participating in a Waaseyaa Cultural Tours workshop. Algonquin guide Christine Luckasavitch will lead you on a nature walk, providing insights into the medicinal plants that grow across unceded Algonquin territory, while also offering perspectives on Indigenous food systems and ecological harmony.
Hikes in the Highlands
If you find yourself eager to cover more ground through the Highlands, consider taking a hike and exploring some of the thousands of kilometres of free-to-use trails criss-crossing the region. There’s everything from accessible, flat rail trails to hilly singletrack that winds over ridges in the Canadian Shield.
Insider's Tip:
Sometimes, the best way to get in touch with the wilderness is to get a little lost. But with guided hikes from Upland Nature, you can have the best of both worlds: forget about navigation and drop the stress while still making it back to the trailhead on time. Owner and operator Jeff Priest has hiked and paddled thousands of kilometres throughout the Highlands and offers weekly hikes all season, with a little something for everyone.
It’s comforting to know that no matter how stressful and chaotic our lives get, there’s always an opportunity to reconnect with nature and the wilderness that is our constant companion on this planet. It only takes a small break - a mindful reset - to bring us back to centre and rejuvenate our energy and vitality. From forest bathing to learning about wild medicinal plants, you’re never as far from nature as you think.
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