County of Haliburton receives award for Hike Haliburton Festival

The County of Haliburton has once again been recognized for creating an award-winning Hike Haliburton Festival.

On Feb. 26^th, 2025, Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) announced the annual hiking event held in the Haliburton Highlands was one of the top 100 festivals in the province.

The provincial organization recognized Hike Haliburton as one of the top 100 Festivals in Ontario at an awards gala held in Kitchener. Hike Haliburton was included in a list of outstanding events that excel within the industry.

“Submissions from FEO members were received for consideration in the fall of 2024 and were judged by an independent panel of judges. Festivals and events of all kinds from every corner of Ontario were represented in the submissions – from community festivals to internationally recognized events,” read a press release issued by Festival and Events Ontario.

Hike Haliburton is a free, bi-annual event held in Winter and Fall, across Haliburton County. The fall edition was established more than 20 years ago, as a way to promote the vast network of hiking trails across the county. The event is currently organized by the County’s Tourism department, and hikes are guided by local volunteers. The multi-day event attracts visitors from across Ontario, as well as local residents, who can participate in various levels of hikes, either on foot or snowshoes.

Haliburton County Warden Dave Burton was thrilled with the recognition and extended his gratitude to all of the volunteers who help execute the festival year over year.

"Hike Haliburton is a shining example of what makes our region so special—stunning natural beauty, community spirit, and a passion for the outdoors,” said the Warden. “Winning this provincial award is a well-deserved recognition of the dedication and hard work that goes into making this event such a success year after year. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing Hike Haliburton to life and thank you for showcasing the incredible experiences our region has to offer."

The award was presented to the County of Haliburton during the SYNERGY 2025 Festivals & Events Ontario Conference. 

-30-

For more information please contact:

Dave Burton

Warden, County of Haliburton

dburton@highlandseast.ca