As any hiker or nature-lover will tell you, the benefits to hiking are almost innumerable. It’s a way to de-stress, to find peace, to connect with nature, to disconnect from screens, to escape the noise and concrete of the city, to move your body in a healthy way, etc. Fall hiking offers even further incentives, like less heat, less bugs, and of course, stunning, colourful views.
So where, in and around the city, should one go to take advantage of this beautiful season and hit the trails?
“The Orange Trail at the Cascades really lives up to its name,” says Maya Mounayer, an avid hiker and environmentalist who has travelled all over Northwestern Ontario seeking out new trails to try. “There are tons of orange and yellow leaves to see. The best time to go is the end of September and into early October.”
We are also very lucky to have Sleeping Giant Provincial Park only an hour drive out of the city. The park, with its intricate and plentiful trail system, is teeming with natural beauty and lakeside views.
“Both Tee Harbour and Top of the Giant will offer you great fall colours,” says Maya. “You will see reds, yellows, and oranges.”
Plus, since Top of the Giant is generally considered a challenging hike with a section of steep elevation, fall is a great time to go in order to hike in the comfort of more moderate temperatures.
The view from the top is also unbeatable.
On the opposite end of the city, off Highway 61 near Neebing, Mink Mountain also offers some spectacular views. The Mink Mountain Trail is 3.9km long and offers breathtaking sights of Michigan’s Isle Royale and Pie Island. This trail will follow along the cliff edge, opening up to new views and lookouts as you go.
The longer, but very accessible, Lakewalk Trail is also worth embarking on at Mink Mountain. It winds along the shore of Sturgeon Channel and opens up on many small beaches which offer picturesque places to rest or have a snack.
Maya also suggests a visit to the Kama Cliffs Trail, which is located 25km east of Nipigon. The loop is 7.3km and will bring you to the top of the Kama Cliffs which overlook Nipigon Bay and its many islands. For a shorter hike, you can skip the loop and head back down after reaching the lookout and checking out the gorgeous view.
The Top of Anemki Wajiw (Mt. McKay) trail is also a classic, and much celebrated for its connection and meaning to the Aninishaabek people of the area. The mountain has been a sacred gathering place and a place of ceremony for thousands of years. Pow Wows take place on the mountain bi-annually.
The trail up is short (15-20 minutes) but challenging as you climb toward the top of the mountain where an expansive lookout awaits you. There is some ruggedness as you near the summit. From the top, you can look out toward the lake, the city, or at the changing colours of the trees on the mountain. Expect a 4.7km round trip.
It probably isn’t news, but getting outdoors and surrounding yourself with nature has a direct correlation to a decrease in anxiety, depression, tension, and stress. Luckily, we in Northwestern Ontario are surrounded by some of the most amazing and diverse hiking trails you could ever endeavor to set out on.
