There's nothing like putting on a comfy sweater and heading outside to get some fresh air. The beauty surrounding the following hikes will make you forget you're exercising. For a complete list of outdoor experiences in Sunset Country, visit this page. For the best fall hikes, read on!
Hike Sioux Mountain
Hike up to the top of Sioux Mountain for a spectacular view of Sioux Lookout and Pelican Lake. Drive along the Hudson Highway 664 and park near the decommissioned Radar Base site then walk the road and hike the trail up Sioux Mountain. It’s just over 2 km each way—well worth it to get a glimpse of the scenery. Please do not take the CN tracks, as you may get a fine.
See the gorgeous view from the top of Sioux Mountain in the video by Cheryl Russell. It's well worth the hike!
Ghost Lake Trails in Dryden
The Ghost Lake Trail System is great for hikers and skilled cyclists. It is located near Mavis and Ghost Lake just east of Dryden and north of Thunder Lake. There are ten trails over 22 km ranging from easy to difficult. A popular loop is the Ghost Hollow Loop 2, where you’ll navigate the elevated ridge separating Ghost and Mavis Lakes. Keep your eye out for gnomes that line the path amongst the trees, rocks, and brush. (Bring your own to add to the collection if you wish.)
The crown jewel of this trail system is the Ferguson Trail (2.5 km) which was first cut and maintained by Mr. John "Jock" Ferguson and his son, Murray Ferguson, many years ago. Below is Mr. Ferguson’s great-grandchildren enjoying the trail. View the Ghost Lake Trail Map or visit the Ghost Lake Riders Facebook page for more information.
Urban Trail in Atikokan
Start this urban trail at Little Falls in Atikokan. After viewing the main waterfalls, take the small bridge that will take you to the other side of the water where you can get a view of the second waterfalls. After admiring the falls, head east and cross the Atikokan River where the trail will take you alongside the river, past the Bunnell Park Campground, and through town, then make a loop back to the waterfalls. It’s the perfect mix of wilderness beauty and urban trails. Here’s a map to follow.
Lake of the Woods Trails
Kenora has several hiking trails in the area. Walk the Rat Portage Urban Trail, Tunnel Island Trail, Rabbit Lake Trail and Mink Bay Trail. There is a self-guided booklet that describes some of the historical and natural features of the trails.
There are several other trails in the area that are described in this Trail Guide. They include the Minaki Trails, Rushing River Trails, Vernon Nature Area, and the Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Trails.
Pine Tree Pathways
Commencing along the shoreline of beautiful Eagle Lake at Pine Tree Park, the trail system, Pine Tree Pathways makes for a great hike. The trail leads you to Fort Vermilion, which has a beautiful 2-km loop around the Fort.
Ontario Parks
While many of the parks are closed to camping, a lot of them welcome hikers throughout the year. Rushing River Park has four trails ranging from 0.5 km to 2.7 km.
Sandbar Lake Park, just north of Ignace on Highway 599, also has beautiful trails ranging from 0.5 km to 4 km.
Kakabeka Falls Park, just 20 minutes from Thunder Bay, also has many hiking and walking trails ranging from 0.75 km to 4 km. In Autumn, the colours of the aspen forest are a special treat.
So what are you waiting for? The outdoors awaits you.
