Discover Our Gardens
Patterson Garden
Explore our 2-acre garden, transformed from a former gravel pit into a thriving green space. Wander through vegetable gardens, pollinator areas, and demonstration hoop houses while learning about sustainable growing methods. All produce is sold fresh at our Food Hub or crafted into delicious products in our kitchen.
Open Daily
Monday - Sunday
10am - 6pm
Open Year-Round
1012 Garden Gate Dr.
Haliburton, Ont
(705) 754-4769
Free Admission To Grounds
300 Acres To Explore!
What To Expect
Local Food Hub with fresh produce, meats, and prepared foods
5km of hiking trails through 140 acres of mature forest
Gardens featuring sustainable agriculture
Horses & Chantecler chickens
Wood-fired pizza truck (seasonal)
Picnic areas and event spaces
What To Bring
-
Comfortable walking shoes
-
Reusable water bottle
(to refill at the Food Hub)
-
Camera for photos
-
Sun & Insect protection
-
Reusable bags for shopping
-
A leash (If you're bringing your dog)
-
Small backpack for personal items
Heading 2
Four Seasons of Family-Friendly Fun in Haliburton
Discover family-friendly outdoor activities year-round at Abbey Gardens' 300-acre sustainable hub in Haliburton. Enjoy hiking trails, guided nature walks, garden tours, and bird watching. Experience our seasonal offerings from Spring planting workshops to Summer camps, Fall festivals to Winter snowshoeing adventures—the perfect eco-tourism destination for memorable family day trips in Ontario.
Spring
Garden tours & seed starting
Shoreline planting workshops
EcoExplorers homeschool program
March Break Camp
Summer
-
Wood-fired pizza truck
-
Summer concert series
-
Outdoor Kids camps
-
Disc Golf
Fall
-
Fall Festival
-
Pumpkin patch in the Big Pit
-
Tall Grass Prairie seed collection
-
Honey Week celebration
Winter
-
Snowshoeing on groomed trails
-
Winter Scramble activity
-
Chickadee Trail bird feeding
-
Fat biking adventures
Meet Our Rare
Ojibwe Spirit Horses
Home to two of only 200 remaining Ojibwe Spirit Horses in the world, Abbey Gardens proudly introduces you to brothers Maple (Akoozi) and Sammy (Wawasum). These small, friendly horses represent a vital piece of Canadian heritage and our commitment to preservation.
Children and adults alike can visit these special creatures and their companion, Flapjack the miniature Appaloosa, during regular hours or through our educational programs. Look for all three "Paddock Pals" in their 5-acre paddock—they love visitors and create unforgettable experiences for everyone who meets them!
Sammy
Maple
Flapjack
Chantecler Chickens
Visit our rare Chantecler chickens in the Patterson Garden. This Canadian heritage breed is specially adapted to harsh winters with their small combs and tight plumage. Children love watching the flock, and you can purchase their colorful eggs "farmgate style" in the garden.
-
Versatile design with dual layouts at each hole
-
Beautiful natural setting with historic log chute
-
Open year-round (snowshoes advised for winter)
-
Disc golf discs available at our Food Hub
Course Features
Try our Disc Golf 101 instruction package with Yours Outdoors - includes equipment, instruction, and refreshments!
Learn the Game
-
Suitable for all skill levels
-
Starts in "The Pit" (a former quarry), includes technical shots through forest, and returns to "The Pit" for power throws
-
Features open meadows, wooded holes with tight fairways, and water hazards
Player Experience
-
Pay-to-play activity
-
Day passes and season passes available
-
Can be purchased online or at the Food Hub
-
Youth under 16 are free with a paying adult
Access and Fees
The Disc-overy Trail
Experience one of the best disc golf courses in Canada right here in the Haliburton Highlands! Our 18-hole course winds through reclaimed quarry, hardwood forest, and open meadows, offering a unique challenge for all skill levels.
Explore Our Trails
Home to some of the best hiking trails Haliburton offers with 5 km of nature walks through Abbey Gardens. Our Haliburton trails are free to explore year-round, with guided nature hikes available. Whether wondering where to go hiking in Haliburton or seeking family-friendly Haliburton hiking and biking trails, our network welcomes all skill levels.
Trail Highlights:
Transitions Trail (1.2 km) - Experience the transformation from gravel pit to thriving ecosystem
Chickadee Trail - Feed friendly birds along this family-favorite winter path (seeds $2 at Food Hub)
Forest Network - Scenic woodland trails perfect for hiking and biking adventures
Family Fun Activities
-
Explore the Enchanted Forest, a favorite spot for family day trips in Ontario
-
Enjoy snowshoeing and fat biking on groomed trails (equipment rentals available for $10)
-
Experience guided nature hikes with our knowledgeable staff (groups of 10+)
Visitor Information
-
Trails accessible during Food Hub hours (10am-6pm daily)
-
Dogs welcome when leashed
-
Perfect destination for Haliburton family vacations and weekend outdoor activities
