Quintessential Northern Ontario Route
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Hike the Voyageur Trail from Blind River to Bruce Mines and discover some of the quintessential Northern Ontario culture along the way. Fishing, forestry, and mining are all a big part of Northern Ontario. You will have opportunities to see and experience these on the trail and during your stay at area lodges and B&Bs. Your hikes will be supported with shuttles and luggage transfers if you choose.
This trail route winds through the northern edge of the Great Lakes Forest, within mixed maple and conifer woods. The terrain is hilly with many rocky outcrops to view the landscape and the creeks that tumble through the area into the multitude of lakes found there.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Your first night will be in the lovely Sault Ste. Marie waterfront district. Local attractions, such as the Art Gallery of Algoma, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, and Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site Museums, are all within walking distance.
Day 2 The trip begins at 8am from Sault Ste. Marie. We will pick you up and drop you off at the start of your first hike. After orientation and some safety training you will begin your hiking excursion along the Voyageur Trail. At the end of your hike you will be picked and transported to your lodgings at the McKay Island Lighthouse where you will stay for the next 3 nights. Your luggage and groceries will be waiting for you.
Day 3 The next day your shuttle will drop you off at the trailhead for the next section of the Voyageur Trail which leads you through the Kirkwood Forest, an experimental forest which was planted over 50 years ago to study the effects of forestry management and harvesting methods.
Day 4 Check out the Nip and Tuck trail in the tiny community of Bruce Mines to explore several old mines before trying one of the restaurants in town.
Day 5 The next day your shuttle will drop you off at the trailhead for the next section of the Voyageur Trail. The trail follows the highlands above Basswood Lake, an excellent place for fishing. Your hike will take you to your destination for the night at another local fishing lodge or possibly an quaint B&B in the community of Iron Bridge(TBD). Fishing is a way of life in the north. Every lake has a fishing lodge, or at the very least, a powerboat or two.
Day 6 From Iron Bridge, the trail winds through Mississauga First Nation. Ontario has one of the largest First Nations populations in Canada. Although many of their communities are remotely located in the far north, many are located along the Highway 17 and 11 corridors. At the end of your day hiking, you will possibly stay at the lodge run by the Mississauga First Nation.
Day 7 Your final stay will be in Blind River, hiking the trail above Lake Duborne finishing at the falls or continuing along Granary Lake where you finish up your day by getting a boat ride back to your lodgings for the night.
Included: 7 nights accommodations, 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 suppers, shuttles and luggage transfer.
All transportation is provided, including airport transfer if needed. Trail descriptions, itineraries and safety devices are also provided. Devices are loaned for the duration of the trip and training will be provided on all loaned equipment. There is no additional cost for use of the trails. We will meet with you to go over your itinerary, the trail descriptions, and safety devices before you head out onto the route.
All departures are from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and can start with your first night in the lovely Sault waterfront district. This option includes local attractions such as the Art Gallery of Algoma, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, and Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site Museums, which are all within walking distance.
This trail route winds through the northern edge of the Great Lakes Forest, within mixed maple and conifer woods. The terrain is hilly with many rocky outcrops to view the landscape and the creeks that tumble through the area into the multitude of lakes found there.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Your first night will be in the lovely Sault Ste. Marie waterfront district. Local attractions, such as the Art Gallery of Algoma, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, and Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site Museums, are all within walking distance.
Day 2 The trip begins at 8am from Sault Ste. Marie. We will pick you up and drop you off at the start of your first hike. After orientation and some safety training you will begin your hiking excursion along the Voyageur Trail. At the end of your hike you will be picked and transported to your lodgings at the McKay Island Lighthouse where you will stay for the next 3 nights. Your luggage and groceries will be waiting for you.
Day 3 The next day your shuttle will drop you off at the trailhead for the next section of the Voyageur Trail which leads you through the Kirkwood Forest, an experimental forest which was planted over 50 years ago to study the effects of forestry management and harvesting methods.
Day 4 Check out the Nip and Tuck trail in the tiny community of Bruce Mines to explore several old mines before trying one of the restaurants in town.
Day 5 The next day your shuttle will drop you off at the trailhead for the next section of the Voyageur Trail. The trail follows the highlands above Basswood Lake, an excellent place for fishing. Your hike will take you to your destination for the night at another local fishing lodge or possibly an quaint B&B in the community of Iron Bridge(TBD). Fishing is a way of life in the north. Every lake has a fishing lodge, or at the very least, a powerboat or two.
Day 6 From Iron Bridge, the trail winds through Mississauga First Nation. Ontario has one of the largest First Nations populations in Canada. Although many of their communities are remotely located in the far north, many are located along the Highway 17 and 11 corridors. At the end of your day hiking, you will possibly stay at the lodge run by the Mississauga First Nation.
Day 7 Your final stay will be in Blind River, hiking the trail above Lake Duborne finishing at the falls or continuing along Granary Lake where you finish up your day by getting a boat ride back to your lodgings for the night.
Included: 7 nights accommodations, 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 suppers, shuttles and luggage transfer.
All transportation is provided, including airport transfer if needed. Trail descriptions, itineraries and safety devices are also provided. Devices are loaned for the duration of the trip and training will be provided on all loaned equipment. There is no additional cost for use of the trails. We will meet with you to go over your itinerary, the trail descriptions, and safety devices before you head out onto the route.
All departures are from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and can start with your first night in the lovely Sault waterfront district. This option includes local attractions such as the Art Gallery of Algoma, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, and Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site Museums, which are all within walking distance.
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Trip costs and availability will be determined prior to booking.
Quintessential Northern Ontario possible accommodations depending on availability.
Best months to do this route |
May • September • October |
