BIG Hikes - Bridal Veil Falls' Salmon Run

So when we drove to the parking lot at the top of the site and looked down at the waterfall, the first thing that struck me after the pretty view of the falls themselves was that it felt like I was looking at a glorified fish pond. Hundreds of huge salmon were circling in the water below the falls, like some kind of giant fishing arcade game.

Then suddenly, there was a violent thrashing in the river where the water from the falls spills over a shallow lip, and three huge fish, more than half their bodies out of the water, and using their tails as powerful rudders, fought and muscled their way up and over this final barrier into the pool. Here they rested, exhausted after their herculean effort.

Moments later, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of another fish actually leaping up the 35-foot tall cascade of water, in a futile attempt to leap past the falls. Excited by what I had just witnessed, I couldn’t help but squeal ‘Did you see that!!?” to anyone who happened to hear me.

After all, a salmon run was something I had watched TV documentaries, but I had never actually seen this phenomenon for myself until now. And to be honest, it completely overshadowed the falls and the trail that I had originally come here to see.

Fortunately for me, the location of that trail made it easy to watch all of this incredible activity up close: a staircase right off the parking lot gives visitors easy access to the base of Bridal Veil falls and to the trail that runs alongside the Kagawong river that feeds it.

I must’ve spent an hour watching this spectacle play out in front of me, trying to capture that split-second leap of a fish in my camera, or waiting for the exact moment when a resting salmon would make an attempt to reach the pool by powering his way over the last barrier.  

Eventually, I left the falls to follow the trail that runs alongside the river, where hundreds of yards downstream I could see more fish still making their way upriver to join the others. I also saw the scavengers; opportunistic seagulls who were waiting for the salmon to float downstream after spawning where they would die – and once again become part of Mother Nature’s food chain.

In sharp contrast to the struggle going on in the river alongside it, the trail itself presented the gentler side of nature; sloping downstream from the falls, with the sound of the river bubbling along beside it, the well-groomed path provided a peaceful place to walk and admire the trees that were just beginning to show their autumn colours. Regardless of the season, with its picturesque location and easy access, it’s no wonder Bridal Veil Falls is one of Manitoulin Island’s most popular places to visit at any time of the year.

But in my particular case, October proved to be perfect timing for seeing the Falls – and my first ever salmon run.

(TIP: The salmon run occurs in late September/early October)

Access

To access the riverside trail, there are two parking lots off Hwy 540; one is right beside the falls where there is a metal staircase that takes you to the bottom; the other lot is closer to the hamlet of Kagawong. Here, a wide sloping path takes you to the trail.

Difficulty: 1

The riverside trail is an easy walking path, well groomed, with an easy, gradual  incline to the Falls. BE AWARE that there are signs that warn you to stay on the path because of poison ivy near the trails.

Once at the falls, the shallow pool allows for wading/swimming with rock ledges that swimmers can even climb to get behind the falls.

Amenities

There are washrooms at the parking lot near the falls end, and a variety store opposite. At the opposite end of the trail near Mudge Bay is the tiny village of Kagawong, where there are a few shoppes and galleries, including a Chocolate Factory.

Where to Stay

Only a few minutes’ drive from the Falls is Solitudes Bed & Breakfast, a beautiful modern home located on the shores of Lake Kagawong and surrounded by acres of countryside. The home’s elegantly furnished great room not only has a fireplace and large-screen TV, but offered us expansive views of the lake. With almost zero light pollution, the skies are ideal for stargazing and it’s not unusual to see deer on the property in the mornings. Gracious hosts John and Carolyn provide top-notch accommodations and a delicious gourmet breakfast.

Trail Difficulty Legend