This dreamy Ontario park has a boardwalk trail and a swing bridge with a magical waterfall
It's a scenic hidden gem.
Fall is one of the most magical seasons in Ontario, with crisp leaves blanketing the ground, vibrant trees, and the smell of cinnamon wafting through the air.
It's the perfect time to get outdoors and soak up the scenery, and if you're looking for an especially enchanting spot to visit, keep this place in mind.
Belfountain Conservation Area is a stunning gem nestled in Caledon, about an hour from Toronto.
With colourful foliage, winding trails and beautiful river views, this park is a gorgeous place to soak up the magic of fall.
You'll find limestone cliffs, historic landmarks and wooden boardwalks that follow the river through the scenic landscape.
One highlight is the suspension bridge, which hangs beside a cascading waterfall. As you cross, you can admire the vibrant autumn leaves surrounding the gorge while listening to the water rushing below.
To reach the falls, take either the Gorge Trail or the Riverside Trail, a boardwalk path with scenic lookouts, from the parking lot. Keep in mind that the Gorge Trail is rated difficult, so be sure to wear sturdy footwear and come prepared for a more challenging hike.
There's more to discover around the conservation area, including a historic fountain, the Yellowstone Cave, and the Lucky the Fox statue.
After exploring the park, you can make your way into the nearby hamlet, where heritage buildings, little shops and quiet streets make for a cozy autumn day.
With roots dating back to the early 19th century, Belfountain has lots of small-town charm, and the surrounding fall foliage adds an extra layer of beauty. It's a quaint place to spend an afternoon taking in the scenery and browsing the local shops.
It just isn't fall without a cozy drink, and there are several cute cafes that will have you feeling like you're in an episode of Gilmore Girls. Higher Ground Café and The Belfountain Café are worth popping into if you're after a sweet treat and warm drink.
You can also enjoy a self-guided heritage walking tour, which takes you past old-world buildings and hidden gems that will whisk you away to another era.
For more fall hikes, you can head to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, where you'll find stunning trails and another picturesque waterfall. Don't forget to make a reservation in advance.
Reservations for Belfountain Conservation Area are available online until October 25, so start planning that magical fall outing.
Belfountain Conservation Area
Price: $8.50 per adult
When: Until October 25, 2026
Address: 819 Forks of the Credit Rd., Caledon, ON
OSAP pause leads career college to suspend classes
An Ontario career college has suspended its academic operations as a result of a province-wide pause on student financial assistance to all private post-secondary institutions.
Trillium College, with campuses in St. Catharines, Kingston, Oshawa, Sudbury and Cobourg, says in a notice to students that as of Friday it paused classroom and online instruction.
It comes after Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn announced earlier this month that Ontario Student Assistance Program payments to career colleges and other private post-secondary institutions are paused while an audit is underway.
Career Colleges Ontario has warned the government repeatedly about potentially suspicious OSAP usage at a few colleges, while Quinn's office says evidence has emerged of "systemic issues."
Quinn has not named any specific colleges that may be under suspicion, but Trillium College campuses were not among six where Quinn denied OSAP eligibility earlier this year.
Trillium says its temporary academic pause is necessary because "continuing normal classroom operations without a viable funding solution would place the orderly completion of student programs at greater risk."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2026.
By Allison Jones | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
2 RCMP officers charged after N.W.T. man died in police custody in 2025
The RCMP says it has laid charges against two of its own officers after a man from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, died in their custody last year.
The Alberta RCMP, which led the investigation into the man's death, says the two Yellowknife officers face charges of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life.
The charges stem from an incident in March 2025, police say, when the two officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a Yellowknife business.
When the officers arrived, the RCMP says they detained a man who was showing signs of intoxication and left him inside a police vehicle while they gathered more information at the scene.
Police say the officers returned to the car and found the man, 56-year-old Lawrence Blackduck, unresponsive.
He was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, the RCMP says, after life-saving measures were attempted and paramedics were called.
The RCMP did not give further details about the officers' alleged conduct which gave rise to the charges.
The national police service says it conducted an internal review in the aftermath of the incident and it has since made changes to police policy and training related to in-vehicle detentions.
Chief Superintendent Dyson Smith of the Northwest Territories RCMP extended his condolences to Blackduck's family and community and called the incident "deeply troubling."
"“This is a difficult day for our organization and the communities we serve. We recognize the seriousness of this incident and remain committed to transparency, accountability and maintaining public trust and confidence," Smith wrote in a statement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

A TikToker Called Out The Big Ice Cube In Her $18 Cocktail & It Backfired On Her So Fast
"This was highway robbery!"
If you’ve gone out for drinks recently, you know that dropping $18 on a cocktail that’s mostly made of ice is pretty standard.
However, that’s not how TikToker Mabel Martinez felt when her server dropped off her drink with a king ice cube in it, so she turned to social media and put the restaurant on blast.
“This restaurant expected me to pay $18 for a block of ice,” wrote Martinez over top of her video.
“The waiter was super nice, and he ended up giving us a full glass,” Martinez continued in her video caption. “But this was highway robbery! Not okay! Full review coming soon!”
Martinez regularly reviews New York City restaurants on her TikTok, but her cocktail review of Hidden Leaf didn't turn out the way she expected.
TikTok users absolutely dragged her in the comments, with many refusing to give her any room for her big ice cube issue.
One commenter asked: “Damn… you never been out before, huh?”
"Tell us its your 21st birthday without telling us its your 21st birthday," said a second person.
“Sweetie, you’re paying for the 1.5 oz of liquor,” wrote another.
“Yes, that’s how a cocktail is made,” added yet another critic.
Yikes.
Most of the comments called Martinez out for not knowing the basics of how a cocktail is made, which includes putting a big ice cube in the glass to fill it up.
“Comment section isn’t going the way you thought it would,” reads one comment.
One helpful person explained that “you get the same amount of alcohol regardless of the ice” and that other drinks have extra ingredients, making them look fuller.
“I feel like every month; people are discovering cocktails are only 1.5 or 2oz of liquor. The norm across the industry,” wrote another comment.
So the next time your drink comes with a giant ice cube in it, just remember: you're getting the alcohol you paid for, and the ice is just for show!