“I believe the world needs more Canada,”–Bono
What’s Not to Love about Northeastern Ontario?❤️
If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, especially hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing/kayaking, cycling, motorcycling, camping, or even just traveling/visiting places with beautiful scenery, then Northeastern Ontario, the area north of Lake Huron and east of Lake Superior, is an area to consider visiting. My husband, John, and I recently traveled to the area and discovered an abundance of remarkable surroundings filled with frosted quartzite mountains, carefully managed hiking trails, pristine lakes and rivers for fishing and/or canoeing/kayaking, and a variety of accommodations. Not only that, this area is rich in art, natural history, varied attractions and cultural interests, as well as historic sites. Which is why we decided we need to return next year to further explore the wonders of this area.
Charming Charlton Lake Camp🏕️
As mentioned in a previous piece, John and I stayed at Charlton Lake Camp–a camp we highly recommend–which prides itself on being a “housekeeping cottage resort for families, fisherman, artists, and adventurers.” It is located in the heart of the La Cloche Mountains, with its stunning scenery, nearby hiking trails, charming nearby towns–such as nearby Espanola and Whitefish–and welcoming people. In addition to being able to walk out the door of our cottage and head directly to the water for fishing, boating (including kayaking/canoeing), and swimming, we were also a short driving distance to historic hiking trails, cultural centers, and landscapes that have inspired scores of great art, made particularly famous by a group known as the Group of Seven.
Ring the Bells🗻
The La Cloche Mountains rose up out of the earth like glistening castles of white and offered a wondrous backdrop to everything we did while visiting this area of Ontario. These mountains are believed to be over 3.5 billion years of age and consist of glistening quartzite and granite. Once higher in elevation than the Himalayas before the glacier destruction but now rounded with age and erosion, the mountains were named “La Cloche,” which means “the bell” in French, because of the ringing sound that could be heard from a distance when struck. It is said that First Nations used this sound as a warning signal. Now these mountains are a source of inspiration for artists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
With all of its mountainous topography, Northeastern Ontario is full of hiking trails. In the area in which we were staying were ten highly recommended trails; however, as you fan outward, there is a countless array of trails for all fitness levels. Two trails John and I hiked within the local area of camp were Willisville Mountain Fire Tower Trail & Whitefish Falls. Additionally, we also visited Manitoulin Island and hiked the Cup and Saucer Trail.
Willisville Mountain Firetower Trail🥾
Part of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (an Ontario-focused charitable land trust), Willisville Mountain Fire Tower Trail was first brought to our attention by Charlton Lake Camp owners, Dan and Lisa McGuire. They recommended it for its panoramic views of the La Cloche range and the surrounding area. According to Dan and Lisa, it was a hidden gem of trail. The trail, once you realize where it is, (They did say ‘hidden’ after all.) is marked with red dots and arrows that are repainted every year. Unlike many of the U.S. trails for which John and I are accustomed to hiking, this trail mostly consists of white quartzite, and it is steep–heading straight up the rock face of the mountain. We definitely recommend hiking shoes or boots for this route, but the views are nothing short of spectacular, momentarily allowing hikers to experience the soaring eye view of the local golden and bald eagles.
Whitefish Falls Trail🌊
In contrast, Whitefish Falls trail does not rise straight up a mountain, but it too is a bit of a hidden gem. Finding where the trail starts took John and I a second time driving by it before we figured out where it was located. This out and back trail was partly an earthen/dirt path and, once more, partly quartzite, which can be slippery alongside the water’s edge. Once you arrive, the view (and sounds) of the falls is stellar! However, I did find the juxtaposition of the falls’ wondrous beauty, and clamorous traffic passing overhead on the highway bridge above, a startling contrast. Nonetheless, Whitefish Falls trail was a worthwhile experience.
Cup and Saucer Trail☕️
One other EBC trail John and I explored was the Cup and Saucer Trail located on Manitoulin Island. This out and back trail is 8 km (4.97 miles) long and is not for the faint of heart! Winding around a mountain with a wide variety of footing challenges (At one point, the trail has a rope for hikers to use to hoist themselves uphill!), this trail offers heavenly views from its cliffs. Made of 400 million year old silurian deposits, the cliffs earned their name because higher, cup-shaped cliffs appear perched on top of the lower saucer-shaped cliffs. While this trail kicked our, shall I say, boots, the views were outstanding, and the drive to and from the trail across Manitoulin Island was scenic, making the overall experience quite rewarding.
Manitoulin Island🏞️
Another stop we made while visiting Manitoulin Island was to visit the town of Little Current. In order to explore the town, John and I walked part of the town’s official recreational walking trail which is approximately 7 km (about 4.3 miles) long. We walked along the walks of the pleasant downtown area and on to its attractive waterfront/marina area and continued on up a hill to an area known as Low Island Park. The trail continued, but we headed back towards the downtown in order to have adequate time to hike the Cup and Saucer trail. Nonetheless, we could feel the vibrancy of the town, its businesses, and its people. We definitely hope to return for another visit.
Group of Seven🎨
A piece about Northeastern Ontario would not be complete without a nod to the infamous Group of Seven Artists. According to Canadian Encyclopedia, this was a group of landscape painters, often known as the Algonquin School. These self-proclaimed modern artists were officially established in 1920, but sadly disbanded by 1933. They were part of Canada’s first internationally recognized art movements. While the styles of the seven artists greatly varied, the artists were united in their exploration of Canada’s rugged, windblown landscapes, spending a good deal of time painting and illustrating Northeastern, Ontario, as well as establishing a credible art school. Due to the enduring work of these world renowned artists, travelers can embrace the Group of Seven Artists’ spirit by embarking upon road trips, much like John I did, in order to experience an immersive, 3D exploration of their indelible canvases.
Nature’s Playground🌄
In the end, Northeastern Ontario, Canada is a playground for all types of adventure seekers. With its glistening lakes, windswept woods, majestic milky mountains, rushing waterfalls, charming cities and towns, and a wide array of accommodations, it offers individuals, families, and groups multiple opportunities for exploration and great escapes. Sure, the drive, or flight, may take a bit more time, but that’s all part of the great experience of traveling!
Wishing you safe and happy travels!
Steph Simply 