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
Start your hiking excursion along the Voyageur Trail, where you will be picked up at the end of the day and transported to your lodgings for the night in the tiny community of Bruce Mines where mining is part of the history. Check out the Nip and Tuck trail to explore several old mines and finish with a visit to the mining museum before retiring for the evening in your lighthouse accommodations.
Day 2 and 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 as well as harvesting methods. Forestry still employs many people in the north and managing the forests is an important part of ensuring a sustainable industry for now and the future. At the end of the day, your shuttle will take you to a fishing lodge for the next 2 nights. You can try out some fishing on the lake or you can climb the lookout on your itinerary free day.
Day 4
Travel along the Voyageur Trail exploring the forests and hills along the way. The trail follows the highlands above Basswood Lake, another 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. 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 5
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 stay at the lodge run by the Mississauga First Nation and possibly take part in a cultural activity.
Day 6 and 7
Depending on the length of your stay, you could end your trip in the community of 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.
This route is self-guided, can be reached with or without a vehicle, and can range in length from three to eight nights.
Included: accommodations, breakfast, lunch, most suppers, shuttles and transfers of luggage. All transportation is provided if you prefer not to provide your own vehicle, 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
Start your hiking excursion along the Voyageur Trail, where you will be picked up at the end of the day and transported to your lodgings for the night in the tiny community of Bruce Mines where mining is part of the history. Check out the Nip and Tuck trail to explore several old mines and finish with a visit to the mining museum before retiring for the evening in your lighthouse accommodations.
Day 2 and 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 as well as harvesting methods. Forestry still employs many people in the north and managing the forests is an important part of ensuring a sustainable industry for now and the future. At the end of the day, your shuttle will take you to a fishing lodge for the next 2 nights. You can try out some fishing on the lake or you can climb the lookout on your itinerary free day.
Day 4
Travel along the Voyageur Trail exploring the forests and hills along the way. The trail follows the highlands above Basswood Lake, another 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. 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 5
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 stay at the lodge run by the Mississauga First Nation and possibly take part in a cultural activity.
Day 6 and 7
Depending on the length of your stay, you could end your trip in the community of 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.
This route is self-guided, can be reached with or without a vehicle, and can range in length from three to eight nights.
Included: accommodations, breakfast, lunch, most suppers, shuttles and transfers of luggage. All transportation is provided if you prefer not to provide your own vehicle, 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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*Additional $250 security/damage deposit for loaned equipment
**Total price includes all taxes and service charges except for Harmonized Sales Tax.
***There will be options for clients to purchase their meals when not included.
**Total price includes all taxes and service charges except for Harmonized Sales Tax.
***There will be options for clients to purchase their meals when not included.
Quintessential Northern Ontario possible accommodations depending on availability.
Best months to do this route |
May • September • October |
