Maple Syrup & Brewery Tour with Rural Route in Toronto
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7.5 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should be able to walk on snowy, uneven forest trails at a gentle pace
Overview
Experience Canada’s maple syrup tradition like never before on Rural Route Tour Co.’s immersive Sugar Bush Tour paired with craft brewery tastings. Start your day with pancakes, walk snowy maple trails, and finish fireside with local brews.
Taste of Maple: Sugar Bush Tour & Beer Tasting
Ages 13+ • 7.5 Hours • Up to 12 People
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About This Adventure
Immerse yourself in a quintessential Canadian experience with the Taste of Maple tour! Enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast, explore a traditional sugar bush, and learn about maple syrup's rich history. Cap off your day with a cozy tasting flight at a local brewery, all while connecting with passionate producers.
Experience the Canadian Tradition of Maple Syrup Season!
Duration
- 7.5 - 8 Hours
About
- Taste your way through maple tradition. Enjoy a morning at Elliott Tree Farm where you’ll be welcomed to a delicious pancake breakfast with all the fixings. We’ll take a guided tour through the sugar bush trail, visit the sugar shack, learn how maple syrup is made, check sap buckets and taste raw sap (weather dependent), and have traditional maple taffy over snow. Warm up in the Heritage Barn and Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario where we’ll taste award-winning Maple Syrup grades. From the sugar bush we’ll head to a local brewery or cidery to finish the day with a beverage tasting and snacks.
Departs From
Downtown Toronto, 44 York Street, by the west entrance of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel across from Union Station.
Stops Include
- Elliott Tree Farm, Goodlot Farmstead Brewing or Heartwood Farm Cidery. (Brewery and cidery stops may vary or be substituted with another amazing craft beverage producer based on availability.)
What’s Included
- Premium transportation
- Fully guided experience with your host and local experts
- All-you-can-eat pancakes with pure maple syrup, sausage, bacon, and beverage
- Admission to the Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario
- Maple syrup production demonstrations
- Flight of beer or cider with snacks
- Gratuities for tours and tastings
- On-board non-alcoholic beverages and snacks
- Opportunity to learn about the region, maple syrup production and the local craft beverage scene
- A SWEET day out!
Gratuities for your Driver/Host are NOT included in the tour cost.
Please Note
During this tour we will be visiting shops located on working farms. Guests may be in close proximity to domestic and farm animals. We also ask that you dress warm for the snowy Canadian winter (boots, winter coat, toque, mittens/gloves, scarf).
We require at least 6 guests to run our Public Tours. If the tour is unable to run for any reason including poor weather/road conditions, you will be notified as early as possible prior to the booking and receive a refund or be offered a new tour date.
Private Tours can be arranged for groups of 8 or more and include one custom pickup at a predetermined location. Please contact us for information on booking your group tour.
Adventure Tips
Dress Warmly for Outdoor Snow
Winter boots, warm coat, gloves, and a hat are essential for comfort on snowy trails and farm stops.
Arrive Early for Check-In
Be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes before departure at 44 York Street in Toronto for timely pick-up.
Prepare for Uneven Terrain
Walking on forest trails and around farm areas may involve snow and uneven ground; sturdy footwear is recommended.
Bring Photo ID for Tastings
ID is required for alcohol tastings at the farmstead brewery to comply with regulations.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- White-tailed deer grazing near the sugar bush edges
- Red squirrels darting among the maple trees
History
Maple syrup production in Ontario traces back to Indigenous peoples, who developed early tapping and boiling methods centuries before European settlers arrived.
Conservation
The touring farms practice sustainable tapping techniques to protect tree health, and the local brewery embraces eco-friendly production methods to minimize environmental impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Toronto
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Winter Boots
Keeps your feet dry and warm while navigating snowy sugar bush trails.
winter specific
Layered Clothing
Allows you to adjust insulation as you move between outdoor and indoor locations.
winter specific
Warm Hat (Toque)
Protects your head and ears from cold during time spent outdoors.
winter specific
Camera or Smartphone
Capture rustic farm scenes, snowy landscapes, and cozy tasting moments.