10 Ontario Sled Adventures for 2014-15

intrepid snowmobiler

Looking for a new Ontario sledding adventure this winter? The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is promoting ten district-endorsed Snow Tours for your enjoyment. Individually, each of them can be completed in a day or less as a stand alone ride, but they were also selected because most can be combined into multi day excursions from one staging destination or into multi destination saddlebag trips on #ontariosnowtrails. 

Each of these Ontario Snow Tours is a pre-planned, turnkey ride that is clearly identified and defined with finite distances. Accessible services on well-established and maintained trails take much of the guesswork out of your planning. So you don’t have to worry about getting lost, or finding fuel, food and lodging. Besides being marked on the snow with special signs, each Snow Tour is also highlighted on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide and on the trail guide and website of the district it’s in. Before leaving home, be sure to download a pdf file of services and amenities for each Snow Tour from its district website. Now all you have to do is follow their signs…

Bon Echo Loop

 

Located in Bancroft-Mazinaw Area, OFSC District 2

This 232-kilometre day ride is routed on an interesting mix of snowy local trails and anchored by TOP Trails E and E101 in the Ontario’s Highlands tourism region in eastern central Ontario. The Bon Echo Loop travels through the scenic forests and rugged terrain of the picturesque highlands and lakes near its namesake Bon Echo Provincial Park, located about an hour north of Belleville. It can be combined with the Hastings Highland Tour (below) for a two to four-day ride, depending on your style and preference—stage out of Bancroft and stay at the Bancroft Inn & Suites.

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Hastsings Highland Tour 640

 

Located in Bancroft-Apsley Area, OFSC District 2

This 240-kilometre day ride includes many old logging roads and rail lines through the snowbelt heart of the eastern Kawartha Lakes cottage country, located 30 minutes north of Peterborough in the Kawarthas Northumberland tourism region. The Hastings Highland Tour’s unique double loop configuration is anchored by TOP Trails E, E107 and E110. Can be combined with the Bon Echo Loop (above) for a two to four-day ride, depending on your style and preference—stage out of Bancroft and stay at the Bancroft Inn & Suites. 

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Cartier moose loop light blue

 

Located in Greater Sudbury Area, OFSC District 12

Positioned northwest of Sudbury and accessed just north of town from TOP Trail D, the Cartier Moose Loop is a 253-kilometre day ride that’s part of the Sudbury Trail Plan in the Northeastern Ontario tourism region. The loop delivers an awesome ride using primarily TOP Trails on old logging roads in the rugged wilderness of the Canadian Shield. For a multi day excursion to #rideneontario, combine the Cartier Loop with the Chiniguchi Wolf Loop and the Rainbow Elk Loop (below), staging for all three out of the Moonlight Inn & Suites, Sudbury.  

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chiniguchilooptoursignsmall

 

Located in Greater Sudbury Area, OFSC District 12

Positioned northeast of Sudbury and accessed from the east side of town via TOP Trail D, the Chiniguchi Wolf Loop is a 223-kilometre day ride that takes in the old growth forests of the Wolf Lake Forest Reserve in the Northeastern Ontario tourism region. This loop also includes a panoramic view from Wolf Lake Mountain, nearly the highest elevation in Ontario. For a multi day excursion to #rideneontario, combine the Chiniguchi Wolf Loop with the Cartier Moose Loop (above) and the Rainbow Elk Loop (below), staging for all three out of the Moonlight Inn & Suites, Sudbury.

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Rainbow Elk Loop

 

Located in Sudbury-Espanola Area, OFSC District 12

Positioned southwest of Sudbury near the La Cloche Mountains and accessed by Top Trail C, the 325-kilometre Rainbow Elk Loop makes a scenic day ride for long distance sledders or a comfortable two-day adventure for more leisurely riders with lodgings available in Espanola. For a multi day excursion to #rideneontario in the Northeastern Ontario tourism region, combine the Rainbow Elk Loop with the Cartier Moose Loop and the Chiniguchi Wolf Loop (above), staging for all three out of the Moonlight Inn & Suites, Sudbury.

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Abitibi Canyon Tour

 

Located in Cochrane-Smooth Rock Falls Area, OFSC District 15

Part of the Northern Corridor Adventure, the 303-kilometre Abitibi Canyon Loop runs north from Cochrane and Smooth Rock Falls, following TOP Trail A103 in the Northeastern Ontario tourism region. This day ride is mostly on old logging roads and utility corridors and takes in the massive dam at Fraserdale plus powder fun at the Abitibi Canyon itself. Lodgings are available at the Thriftlodge in Cochrane and the Moose Motel in Smooth Rock Falls. 

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bobcat loop

 

Located in Hornepayne Area, OFSC District 15

For those touring in the Hornepayne area of the Northeastern Ontario tourism region on the western end of the Northern Corridor Adventure, the 90-kilometre Bobcat Loop provides a great opportunity to explore some interesting local trail options instead of just passing through on the TOP Trail. Northeastern Ontario tourism region lodgings are available in Hornepayne and at the Companion Hotel, Hearst. 

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gateway to the north

 

Located in Cochrane-Smooth Rock Falls Area, OFSC District 15

Positioned south of Cochrane and Smooth Rock Falls as part of the Northern Corridor Adventure in the Northeastern Ontario tourism region, the 215-kilometre Gateway to the North Tour includes a scenic ride through Greenwater Provincial Park and some of the widest and most exhilarating trails in Ontario. Lodgings are available at the Triftlodge, Cochrane and the Moose Motel, Smooth Rock Falls.

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lumberjack loop

 

Located in Kapuskasing Area, OFSC District 15

From Moonbeam to Opasatika, the 145-kilometre Lumberjack Loop circles Kapuskasing in the Northeastern Ontario tourism region. It also provides an outstanding route alternative to TOP Trail A for snowmobilers riding the Northern Corridor Adventure. Lodgings are available at the Comfort Inn, Kapuskasing.

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MISSINAIBI expedition tour

 

Located in Hearst Area, OFSC District 15

Hearst is one traditional turn around point for your Northern Corridor Adventure, but the 165-kilometre Missinaibi Expedition Tour adds a new dimension to your Northeastern Ontario experience with a circle tour north of town through wilderness forests teeming with wildlife. Lodgings are available at the Companion Hotel, Hearst. 

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About Craig Nicholson—The Intrepid Snowmobiler

Popularly known as The Intrepid Snowmobiler, Craig Nicholson is an International Snowmobile Hall of Fame journalist who specializes in recreational snowmobiling activities. Craig has snowmobiled in every region of Canada and many states. His one-of-a-kind tour book, “Canada’s Best Snowmobiling – The Ultimate Ride Guide”, chronicles his adventures, as does his website and Facebook page.

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