by Cora Kuehl | February 2026
As winter fades and the sap starts to flow, Waterloo Region transforms into a maple lover’s dream. The air smells like syrup, the trees work their springtime magic, and everyone heads out to taste, tour, and celebrate the season.
Looking for sugar bush tours in Waterloo Region? Maple season in this area runs from March to mid-April and includes guided tours, maple syrup tastings, and traditional pancake breakfasts across the region.
During Maple Weekend 2026 (April 4th and 5th), local maple syrup producers open the doors to their sugar shacks and welcome you in to see how maple syrup is produced. Many of them have put together additional experiences and will have lots of syrup and other maple treats on hand to purchase so you can enjoy all the sweetness at home.
From sugar bush tours to pancakes stacked high, here’s your go-to guide to make the most of maple season in Waterloo Region!
Pancake Breakfast in the Bush
Sand Hills Maple Products
Owners: John & Jeneve Wagler
📍1270 Manser Rd, Wellesley, ON N0B 2T0
sandhillsmaple.com
Pancakes, syrup, and eating in fresh air in the sugar bush – what more could you want? Sand Hills Maple Products offers a cozy maple breakfast on Saturdays throughout March from 8am-1pm, and into April for Maple Weekend where they will be serving pancakes from 8am-4pm.
Take in the beautiful surroundings,, good food, lots of outdoor space and fun activities.
Northwood Maple Farms
Owners: Paul & Vincent Martin
📍2161 Northfield Dr E, Elmira, ON, Canada
Only open to visitors during the Saturday of Maple Weekend, stop in for pancakes, homemade donuts (yum!), coffee and hot chocolate!
This seasonal destination is all about the real, rustic maple experience. See traditional syrup-making up close and take home a bottle (or two!) of their fresh maple syrup.
Winding Road Maple Products
Owners: Dale & Alex Martin
📍1431 Balsam Grove Rd Elmira ON N2B 2Z2
windingroadmaple.ca
Winding Road will be serving up pancakes and refreshments on Maple Weekend (Saturday only), so grab your fork and get ready to enjoy!
Since 1993, this family-run small-batch syrup producer has been nestled just outside Elmira. They have a cozy sugarbush store and welcome visitors during Maple Weekend for tastings and a peek at the syrup-making process at their sugar house.
Snyder Heritage Farms
Owners: Kevin & Anne Snyder
📍1445 Maple Bend Road, Breslau, ON N0B 1M0
snyderheritagefarms.com
A local favourite, Snyder Heritage Farms is open year-round and is also part of the Fields & Flavours Trail.
During Maple Weekend, they’ll be serving up their Pancake and Sausage breakfast all day long on Saturday and Sunday. You can also stroll through their sugar bush and sugar shack to watch syrup-making in action. Pick up some of their maple syrup, maple butter, and other sweet treats from their on-farm store so you can take it home to enjoy anytime!
More Sweet Experiences
The heart of maple season beats in the sugar bush, where dripping sap becomes golden syrup.!
Roth’s Maple Syrup
Owner: Ian Roth
📍1944 Bean Rd. New Hamburg ON N3A 2W9
rothsmaple.com
Roth’s Maple Syrup started as a small hobby for Ian Roth and has grown to 12,700 taps in their sugar bush in New Hamburg. During Maple Weekend, visitors can enjoy tours of the shack operation, fresh maple syrup and maple products for sale, and even some delicious samples.
Wagler Maple Products
Owners: David & Rosanna Wagler
📍2014 Perth County Line 56, Wellesley, ON N0B 2T0
waglermapleproducts.ca
It doesn’t get more authentic than this family-run operation in Wellesley. You can stop by their on-farm store Monday to Friday all year long for syrup, sugar, and maple candy, each batch made with love and precision. During Maple Weekend take a free horse drawn wagon ride to the bush.to see first-hand how the syrup is made and even sample fresh maple syrup and candies.
West Montrose Maple Products Inc.
Owners: Fred, Jared & Joel Martin
📍6194 Middlebrook Rd West Montrose ON N0B 2V0
These producers have grown their operation over 40 years and completed a modern-day sugar shack in 2023. Located near the iconic West Montrose Covered Bridge (a must-see in itself!), West Montrose Maple Products offers a sweet day trip full of flavour and photo ops. Their Maple Weekend open house is a can’t-miss local stop.
Schmidt’s Family Syrup
Owners: Wilfred & Paul Schmidt
📍4780 Road 104, Perth East, ON N3A 3W5
This family-run maple operation is the definition of “hidden gem.” They only open their doors to the public during Maple Weekend, so mark your calendar and discover how pure maple syrup is made. Enjoy fresh maple syrup, maple candy, sugar, butter, and floss, plus maple butter tarts and maple sausage.
Bonus Maple Adventures
Country Sugar Bush Tours
Board the bus for a scenic ride through Woolwich Township’s beautiful farming landscape and head into the sugar bush where you’ll meet your hosts Norman and Bernadine Horst and family. Elmira Wagon Rides offers these guided sugar bush tours on Saturdays throughout March and into April (check out dates and times on their website). Perfect for families and anyone looking for a scenic, educational maple experience.
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Maple Trail
Follow this sweet trail at St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. Discover vendors across the market showcasing all things maple, from syrup and maple butter to candies and treats. It’s a self-guided tasting adventure you’ll dream about for weeks!
The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival
It all boils down (pun very much intended!) to this: The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival is the biggest event of the season and has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest single day maple syrup festival! This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, April 11th. Enjoy pancakes hot off the griddle, shop local crafts, and watch syrup boil right before your eyes. It’s syrup, smiles, and small-town charm all rolled into one perfect day.
Pro Tip: Everyone’s favourite way to get the the festival is back! Hop aboard Waterloo Central Railway‘s vintage rail service for this year’s Elmira Maple Syrup Festival Shuttle! Enjoy maple syrup, scenic rails and a stress-free ride!
The Taste of Maple Trail
Once you’ve gone to the sugar bush to see how maple syrup is produced, head out on the Taste of Maple Trail to see how creative chefs and craft beverage makers across Waterloo Region are incorporating this liquid gold into their menu items!
Use the interactive map to discover maple-infused treats and drinks: you even get to vote for your favourite flavours on the trail and help decide who will take home the Top Taste award!
The Taste of Maple Trail runs from March 1st – April 15th (just like maple syrup, these special treats are only available for a limited time!)
