Winterlit at Mountsberg: An Illuminated Forest Walk You'll Love

Mountsberg's Winterlit is a must visit attraction this winter that I'm certain you'll love. If you adore art installations, light displays or forest walks, you need to check out Winterlit at Mountsberg Conservation Area. It's a combination of all of the above!

If you're looking for things to do this winter in Ontario, look no further. Winterlit is an illuminated forest walk that's a magical experience. There are spectacular lights exhibits, inspiring art installations, and beautiful music playing along the way.

What is Winterlit at Mountsberg Conservation Area?

Mountsberg Conservation Area is hosting Winterlit, an event that offers 2km of illuminated trails that transforms the conservation area into a winter wonderland. While these forest trails are magical during the daytime hours, they're equally as brilliant in the nighttime now.

Strings of twinkling lights guide you through the forest, and the art installations make these forest paths even more special. Winterlit allows you to spend a memorable evening in the forest with your family, friends, or loved ones.

Illuminated Trails at Winterlit, Mountsberg Conservation Area

Winterlit at Mountsberg is divided into two sections on either side of the parking lot. At the gates, the friendly attendant will provide you with a map and details about how to visit. Essentially, you'll head to the Sugarbush Trail first (on the opposite side of the welcome centre) and the trail with the art installations second.

The Sugarbush Trail

First, you'll either walk around the welcome centre or you can walk through it if you'd like to warm up for a moment (or use the restroom!). You'll walk past the barn and a warming station with some bonfires (there's also a little concession stand with some food here, too). Walk through the fenced gate, across the railroad tracks, and through the gate on the other side. Someone will be here with a flashlight to guide the way.

Next, you'll walk alongside strings of twinkling, soft lights until you reach the Sugarbush Trail. If you've ever visited during maple syrup season, this is where Mountsberg's Maple Syrup Festival happens. There are buildings with demonstrations and pancake houses, and you can see the maple trees being tapped for maple sap.

The trail winds through these maple forests, which I'm sure will have buckets attached to the trees to collect maple sap soon enough. It's so peaceful walking through the woods beneath these sparkling lights. This forest path offers the opportunity for a wonderful evening stroll.

Art Installations Trail

Next up, you'll retrace your steps and enter the trail on the other side of the parking lot to see many art installations. Some of the art contains inspiring messages or words. You'll walk beneath more twinkling lights in various configurations. Some of the lights were even created out of upcycled maple sap buckets!

There are also many decorations created out of wood. Most of the wood elements on the trail are made from ash trees. These ash trees were removed from Conservation Halton parks due to the impact of the invasive insect, the Emerald Ash Borer. It's a great way of repurposing natural materials that had to be discarded.

There are even more eco-friendly and recycled materials on the way, including some vines that were collected at Crawford Lake Conservation Area and transformed into decorations. The signage is reusable and Mountsberg's Winterlit trail also uses LED lights for a lower energy footprint. I love how there's a big focus on sustainability at Winterlit.

As you wander through the forest, admire the art exhibits, and even take a few photos with the installations themselves, you'll quickly see why this is the perfect way to enjoy a winter evening outdoors.

Winterlit at Mountsberg is a truly enchanting experience. It's taken place two years in a row now, and I hope that it becomes an annual tradition for many years to come.

Plan Your Visit to Mountberg's Winterlit Festival

Winterlit happens at Mountsberg Conservation Area between December 26th and February 20th on Thursday to Sunday evenings. The hours of operation are between 5:30pm and 10:30pm. It costs $17 for adults to visit ($15 for members) and $13 for children ($11 if they are members).

You must purchase timed tickets in advance. Every timed ticket allows you to spend two hours at Winterlit (this is more than enough time!). Tickets sell out almost every night, so I advise that you buy your tickets as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.

On weekday evenings, there are uplifting soundtracks of music to guide you along the trails. On weekends, there will be local musicians performing live. There will always be one food vendor as you approach the Sugarbush Trail, and there's hot chocolate at a booth on the Sugarbush Trail.

There are several bonfires with Muskoka chairs that act as warming stations on both trails. Winterlit happens rain or shine, so be prepared to head out in snowy or chilly weather. There are restrooms at Mountsberg Conservation Area at multiple points. You can bring your dogs as long as you keep them on a leash.

Special Events at Winterlit, Mountsberg

Visiting Winterlit is even more magical on New Years Eve, Valentine's Day weekend, and Family Day weekend. There are even more attractions and events happening at Winterlit on these dates.

There's the Winterlit Marketplace with local artisans and vendors, local live musicians and performers, strolling entertainers, food vendors, and Karbon Brewery & Winery will be in attendance.

More Things to Do at Mountsberg Conservation Area

Mountsberg Conservation Area is a wonderful natural space in Campbellville, Ontario. It's located about an hour from Toronto, 30 minutes from Hamilton and Burlington, and 15 minutes from Milton.

More Things to Do in Ontario in the Winter

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