Sault Ste. Marie is a hiker’s paradise and home to some of the best hiking trails in Ontario.
Explore breathtaking lookouts, cascading waterfalls, the rugged Canadian Shield, and rich historical sites. Breathe in the fresh air as you take in the sounds of wind through the trees or waves along the shoreline.
Find family-friendly hikes to challenging multi-day adventures, there’s a trail for everyone. Here are 12 incredible hikes in and around Sault Ste. Marie to explore.
If you are looking to stay within the city limits then check out these three great trails, perfect for a family hike or if you are looking for a less strenuous trail.
If you are looking for a family-friendly hike in Sault Ste. Marie, then the Hub Trail is perfect for you. The trail as a whole is 22.5km of paved path and wooden boardwalk that circles the city.
You can, of course, choose the section you want to hike, and the Fort Creek section is a popular choice for many. The trail takes hikers over three picturesque bridges, where there are lots of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the creek below, as well as many chances to spot interesting wildlife like hawks, great blue herons, and monarch butterflies.
For a complete guide on making the most of your hiking adventure, check out How to Spend a Day Hiking in Sault Ste. Marie.
Visit this Hub Trail page for more information, or find the exact hike route on AllTrails.
Choose the Attikamek trail and Whitefish Island trail, part of Batchewana First Nation, for a beautiful and well-paced hike within the city limits. Parking and the trailhead is located at Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site and you can access the island across the locks themselves.
Whitefish Island is a National Historic Site for Canada. It’s also a traditional territory and meeting ground of the Anishinaabe peoples of the Great Lakes due to the abundance of natural resources and fish in the St. Mary’s River.
This site is complete with an easy-to-follow trail system marked with informational plaques explaining the importance and historical relevance of the island. These trails will lead you through nature preserves right to the historic fishery of the St. Marys River Rapids.
For more ways to explore the city, check out Mini Urban Adventures in Sault Ste. Marie.
And if you want to see the exact trail route, visit AllTrails.
The Voyageur Trail is a public hiking trail consisting of almost 600km of wilderness style trails in Northern Ontario. The Hiawatha Loop (which goes past the stunning Crystal Falls), Odena Loop, Beaver Loop and Mabel Lake Loop make up around 20km of trails in this area. This trail is a great spot to take in the vibrant autumn colors. If you’re looking for more scenic spots, check out the best places to see fall colors in Sault Ste. Marie.
Lots of information is available on the Voyageur Trail Association website here. With maps of the trails at Hiawatha here. In addition, all the maps are available via the Ondago App.
Just outside the city limits, but only a 15-minute drive from Sault Ste. Marie, is the Ojibway Park Nature Trail, situated in Garden River First Nation. This short but beautiful trail offers visitors an opportunity to explore the natural beauty and cultural significance of the region.
This trail combines a gravel footpath and wooden boardwalk, winding through lush forests and wetlands before reaching a scenic lookout. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of chances to spot wildlife. Interpretive signs and markers share insights into the region’s history, making it both a scenic and educational experience. You can find the Ojibway Park Nature Trail route on AllTrails to help plan your hike.
These hikes are perfect for a day or half day of hiking and are within one hour’s drive of Sault Ste. Marie.
This there-and-back trail through the beautiful maple forests of the Algoma Highlands takes you to one of the best lookout hikes in Ontario. The trail begins at Robertson Cliffs Road and takes you to three incredible south- and west-facing lookouts. From there you can continue along and do the Robertson Cliffs Loop, passing a beautiful waterfall loop hike, or head back the way you came.
The trails are owned and cared for by Algoma Highlands Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization that is run by local volunteers. To access maps of the trail system, click here.
A 30-minute drive north of Sault Ste. Marie takes you to Harmony Beach, where you hike to a spectacular lookout, Eagle Ridge Lookout, overlooking Lake Superior.
This moderate trail is part of the Voyageur Trail System. Additionally, you can find the Harmony Beach Trail map at AllTrails or as hard copies. Forest The Canoe run guided tours to the lookout—click here for more info!
Chippewa Falls are a 35-minutes drive north of Sault Ste. Marie, parking and trailhead is right along the Trans Canada Hwy. The falls, which are visible from the highway itself, stand 25 feet high.
The hiking trail offers an easy 2.5km hike to the upper falls, which starts in the parking area and follows the river upstream to the top of the main falls. The path continues alongside the river past the upper falls if you want to explore further, check out the Chippewa Falls route map at Alltrails for more information.
The Chippewa Falls are a stop on the Group of Seven driving tour – the falls and rapids inspired A.Y Jackson’s sketch ‘Stream Bed.’ Look out for a ‘Moments of Algoma’ art easel at the trailhead with more information about the falls and the famous group of artists!
A beautifully scenic drive east of the city through the Sylvan Valley, and just north of Bruce Mines, takes you to the Rock Lake trailhead. The Rock Lake trail is a offshoot from the Voyageur Trail system, and end up at a unique, smooth rock-top that feels like it should be inspiration for a Group of Seven painting.
Theses smooth rocks face north and lookout over Rock Lake, with an array of maple forests beautifully surrounding it. If you love scenic views, explore the Rock Lake Lookout route map at Alltrails for the best experience in fall or summer season.
The Edmund Fitzgerald lookout trail is another trail with a spectacular lookout. This one overlooks Pancake Bay Provincial Park (in which the trail is situated), Lake Superior, and even as far as the place where the Edmund Fitzgerald ship tragically sank in 1975.
The trail system has 3 hikes available: 6km, 10.5 km, and 13.5km, with the latter hikes taking you to waterfalls and the inland Tower Lakes. For further information on how to experience the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout, click here.
If you are looking further afield and want to take in all that the Lake Superior coast has to offer, then consider these beautiful hikes.
At the south end of Lake Superior Provincial Park are the Agawa Rock Pictographs. A clearly marked sign on Highway 17 directs visitors to a parking area at the trailhead—AP coordinates here.
The Agawa Rock Pictographs is one of the most famous pictograph sites in Canada and is one of the most visited indigenous archaeological sites too. It is a sacred site where generations of Ojibwe have come to record dreams, visions, and events.
Please respect and preserve the pictographs by not touching the paintings. Read the Indigenous Tourism article to learn more.
The Coastal Trail runs 65 km through Lake Superior Provincial Park, from Agawa Bay Visitor Centre to Chalfant Cove. There are various spots for beach camping along the trail; the route follows rocky headlands, cobble beaches, and boreal-transition forests along the largest and least developed Great Lake.
Expect technical terrain, including steep climbs to lookouts and sites of cultural significance. Experts recommend 5-6 days to complete the trek. Secluded beach campsites offer coastal views, and the Dark Sky Preserve status makes for prime stargazing and potential northern lights viewing opportunities.
For further reading, click here.
The Nokomis Trail is a 3.8 km round-trip hike leading to a stunning lookout over Old Woman Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park. The trailhead is located across the road from the Old Woman Bay Beach parking lot. The hike takes about two hours, including breaks to soak in the incredible views.
For more details on this moderate hike, check out the Nokomis Trail route map on AllTrails and get ready for an adventure!
Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District has countless hiking trails. Others include Gros Cap, Wishart Park and Odena Lookout, all within the Sault Ste. Marie city limits. King Mountain is a great hike and can be reached by continuing your route past Robertson Cliffs. The Orphan Lake trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park is popular in the summer and fall. The ‘Park’ also has many side trails as well as the larger coastal trail mentioned above.
For beginners, the Hub Trail in Sault Ste. Marie offers a paved path that’s easy to follow and perfect for a leisurely hike. Whitefish Island’s Attikamek Trail is another great option for easy hikes in Sault Ste. Marie, offering beautiful views of the St. Mary’s River.
To learn more about beginner hikes, check out this guide on hiking in Sault Ste. Marie
Hiking trails in Ontario vary in length, and in Sault Ste. Marie, you can find short 1-2 km hikes like the Ojibway Park Nature Trail, or longer, more scenic trails like the Voyageur Trail at Hiawatha Highlands, which spans 20 km. There’s a trail for every level of hiker.
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For more experienced hikers, the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail offers a challenging hike with stunning views of Pancake Bay. The Lake Superior Coastal Trail is another rugged option in Ontario, offering a 65 km stretch of challenging terrain along the coast.
The Ojibway Park Nature Trail is a beautiful, easily-accessible, hiking trail located in Garden River, just east of Sault Ste. Marie. This trail offers visitors an opportunity to explore the natural beauty and cultural significance of the region.
The trail, which is a mixture of gravel footpath and wooden boardwalk, leading to a scenic lookout, winds through lush forest and wetland ecosystem, creating plenty of opportunities for getting close to wildlife. There are also interpretive signs and markers that share the knowledge and history of the region, offering a unique educational experience. Keep reading to learn more about this nature trail.
Ojibway Park Nature Trail is located 20km east of Sault Ste. Marie, in Garden River, on highway 17b.
The parking lot is located just south of highway 17b, on the right as you approach from Sault Ste. Marie and Garden River.
The hike is 2.5km if you do the full loop, so leave around 1 hour for it from start to finish. You will be on flat paths and boardwalks the whole way, so it is suitable for hikers of all fitness levels!
A large map of the trail system is located at the trailhead, near the parking lot. Shortly after the sign you’ll see a fork in the path to give you the choice of which direction around the loop you want to take. To get to the scenic lookout gazebo, you’ll need to be aware of second T-junction in the trail.
Along the trail you will come across a number of information signs that speak of the history and cultural significance of the area as well as what wildlife you may see along the way.
The trail ultimately leads to a scenic lookout gazebo, with views over the grassland, beach, the most northerly part of Lake Huron, and with views all the way to Sugar Island in the US.
The trail, built in 2016, is part of the Trans Canada Trail. Get more information, including a link to the map here.
Two local tour guides can help enhance your experience by giving you cultural teachings, indigenous storytelling, culinary delights and information during the hike.
Check out Thrive Tours, and Walk Among The Trees‘ websites.
Climb about the Miss Marie Sault Lock Tours Boat a take a beautiful 90 minute cruise up and down the picturesque St Marys River.
Enjoy the downtown sights of both Canadian and US Sault Ste. Marie, then pass through both set of historic locks and underneath the spectacular International bridge. Wave to Lake Superior ‘lakers’ as well as pleasure boat riders on this famous waterway, or just can sit back and relax and take in the many sights of this beautiful boat ride.
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is one of North America’s iconic train rides. See the boreal forests, rivers, and waterfalls that inspired Canada’s most iconic artists – the Group of Seven. If traveling in latter part of summer, witness some of the most incredible colours as the maple forests create a stunning palette of reds, oranges and yellows.
This year’s tour season will be from Aug. 1 through Oct. 19. More details on pricing and purchasing tickets can be found on the Agawa train website.
Sault Ste. Marie is the best destination for mountain biking in Ontario. Discover trails for every age, ability or style from jump and flow trails to enduro-style trails carved out of the Canadian Shield.
Hiawatha Highlands, with over 65km of trails, is just a short ride from downtown. Visit in July and take part in the Salty Marie Trails Fest, happening July 25-27.
Visit out Mountain Bike page for more info or check our out post on spending a weekend mountain biking in the city.
Sault Ste. Marie has some of the best sandy beaches in Ontario. Our beaches are incredible! All around our city you’ll find perfectly beautiful, long sandy beaches with crystal clear water that are perfect for a swim, a play in the sand or just to relax and soak up the sun. Great beaches are just one reason Sault Ste. Marie is the perfect place for a summer vacation.
Click here to check out 6 of the best sandy beaches in Ontario, all just a short drive from Sault Ste. Marie.
Sault Ste. Marie has so many fun events happening all through the summer. From the three mountain biking races to Rotary Fest and the much-loved Queen Street Cruise. Looking for a show or musical performance? Check out all the events listed at the Sault Community Theatre website.
As well as three biking races, we also have a number of running events happening in June; Run The Great Lakes as well as the Community Strong Festival – a series of races over a weekend in June, including a Boston Marathon qualifier!
We also have the Fringe North Festival and an Italian Festival, which are very popular with locals and visitors alike. Stay up to date by visiting our Events page here!
Lake Superior is wild, rugged and beautiful. It can be angry and violent, it can be calm with glassy water reflecting a perfectly clear blue sky. The sunsets can be some of most beautiful anywhere, and the maple forests that hug the coastline put on a fall colour display of bright reds, oranges and yellows so spectacular you’ll be telling your friends for years.
A drive along the coastline from Sault Ste. Marie will let you experience all of this. Get out of your car, RV or motorbike at any of the many stops along the way. Fill your camera up with countless shots of this beautiful coast. Visit in spring, summer, fall or winter for a different experience each season. Be inspired by the incredible Lake Superior coastal drive from Sault Ste. Marie.
The Bushplane Museum, or the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre to give its full name, is one of Sault Ste. Marie’s top attractions. Perfect for kids to learn about bushplanes, women in aviation, forest fire prevention, plus, kids can run around, climb into planes and have fun exploring. For adults, it’s a museum full of beautiful and fascinating aircraft that shows the important history of bushplanes in Ontario.
Check out Entomica while inside the museum; a wonderful Insectarium where you can meet and hold some pretty interesting creatures!
Other cultural attractions include: Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, The Sault Ste. Marie Museum, Art Gallery of Algoma and Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site
Traditionally known as Bawating (“the place of the rapids”), Sault Ste. Marie is a place of cultural importance. Follow this long weekend itinerary to experience and learn about Anishinaabe culture in our city.
Thrive Tours offer interpretive eco-tours offering a guided experience of vibrant celebrations of Indigenous life. Metis Tours offer walking and paddling tours that connects historic and community points of interest between the Sault Ste. Marie and and the St. Marys River. Walk Among The Trees specializes in simple, 3 hour walking tours Through an Anishinaabe cultural lens, participants will learn about the natural and cultural history, experience ceremony, storytelling, teachings and cuisine for creating important long-lasting memories
Visit our Indigenous Tourism page for more info.
After a day of adventuring you’ll want to refuel and recharge, and we have some great restaurants serving some fantastic food for any taste. From Syrian Shawarma to spicy Indian, delicious Italian or sizzling steak, the Sault has so many great restaurants.
We also brew our own beer! Northern Superior, Outspoken and the Canal District’s Soo Falls offer craft beers with names including ‘Rabbit’s Foot’, ‘Maglia Rosa’ and ‘Gitche Gumee’. Great beers, great atmosphere equals great times!
Whether you’re here for a tournament, camp, coaching course, or race, you’re in for a treat. Beyond your main event, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy in Sault Ste. Marie.
We understand how hectic traveling for sports events can be, so let us make your visit smoother and more enjoyable in a way your team and team managers will appreciate. Read on for help with:
Let’s start with some essentials – food. Sault Ste. Marie has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, pubs and breweries. You’ll find all the information you need here.
Below is a specially selected list categorized of establishments known to welcome groups, organized in a way that hopefully relates to your needs. If you see an asterix*, it means that establishment also has private rooms.
Centre Ice
The restaurant inside the Pee Wee Hockey Arena.
Hard Line Grill*
The restaurant inside the YNCU Curling Centre.
Ice Breakers*
Inside the John Rhodes Community Centre
Northcrest Lanes
Ten-pin bowling with pub-grub food
Soo Blaster
Eat, drink, play. A fun-zone with a restaurant. Pool, air hockey, video games and more!
Wacky Wings
Family-friendly wings and pub style menu with entertainment arena.
* = private rooms or areas available
The Blockhouse Pub
All day breakfast, gourmet sandwiches and grilled cheeses and pub fare.
The Boiler Room*
Specializes in wood fired pizzas with other gastropub style meals
Casey’s Grill Bar*
Casual pub style dining located inside the Water Tower Inn.
Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill
Chuck’s is known for their laid-back sports bar atmosphere and savory steaks.
Chummy’s Grill
Indigenous owned and operated offering daily features, hearty portions, all day breakfast and pub favorites.
Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen*
Wood fired pizzas, build your own pasta dishes and a wide range of classic pub fare.
Montana’s BBQ & Bar
The home of BBQ and pub fare featuring a large atmospheric dining room with waterfront views.
Aurora’s Restaurant
Family owned and operated Italian restaurant.
Giovanni’s Restaurant*
Family and group friendly restaurant featuring authentic Italian cuisine.
North 82 Steak and Seafood*
Famous for seared steaks, seafood and Greek inspired menu items.
The Root (golf course)
A variety of hearty and elegant meals from pastas and seafood to steaks and roast beef.
Sandro’s Restaurant
Handmade Italian pasta dishes and North American comfort food.
The Mill Steakhouse & Wine Bar
The fine dining option in the Canal District
Mulligan’s Irish Pub
Features classic Irish specialties like fish and chips, cottage pie and an array of burgers and sandwiches.
Embers on the Ridge*
Unique up-scale fine dining options located on Crimson Ridge golf course
Golden Dragon
A wide selection of Chinese food and specializing in their dinner buffet.
Peace Restaurant
Vibrant Asian Fusion based bar and restaurant with an ever-changing menu
Quattro Vinotecca
Upscale dining featuring steaks, fish, pastas, and wide range of elegant entrees
Shogun Sushi
Offering a wide selection of fresh, authentic Japanese food.
Sunset Noodle House
Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.
The Taj
High quality Indian Cuisine in a modern up-scale dining atmosphere.
Looking to eat-in? The Soo has plenty of great caterers / take-out options for you!
Absolutely Delicious
Homemade…serving breakfast and lunch daily!!! Desserts…frozen meat pies, homemade lasagna ready
Alina’s Kitchen
Family owned Italian Restaurant
Take-out only
Aurora’s Pizza and Spaghetti House
Delicious Italian and American fare – all made fresh and in-house – for the whole family
Feeding Your Soul Cafe
Homemade…serving breakfast and lunch daily!!! Desserts…frozen meat pies, homemade lasagna ready
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Authentic Italian cuisine.
Grand Gardens
Delicious Italian take-out and catering establishment
Marconi Multicultural Centre Classic Italian menu
Paesano Foods
Italian food and takeout menu
Primavera Catering and Banquet Hall
Serving traditional Italian food, handmade ravioli, or something like a double burger.
Sandros
Delicious Italian take-out and catering establishment
Maybe you have a few hours been between games, or maybe you want to extend your stay by a day or so. Depending on when you visit, there will be a wide range of options to make your trip to the Soo fun and enjoyable.
Does your team need to stay active between games? Are you looking for a fun activity that everyone can take part in? Here are some team building suggestions.
KBX Performance Club is a sports training facility that offers gym and on the field/ice training for sports such as hockey. Goat Yoga is very popular with visiting teams who want to try something different and fun. Swing Away Batting Cages operates out of Strathclair Park. Bellevue Park is 17 hectares big, so plenty of space to run around in. It includes a splash pad, 4 play area and there are also picnic tables and benches – perfect for outdoor lunches. A great team building event is attending a hockey game at the local OHL team, the Soo Greyhounds – catered boxes can be booked too!
Sault Ste. Marie also has has 24 lanes of ten-pin bowling at North Crest Lanes. Soo Blaster has video games, pool, air hockey. There’s golf simulators Up and Down Lounge and axe throwing!
Sault Ste. Marie is one of Ontario’s best adventure towns. Mountain Biking, hiking, paddling, boat tours, sandy beaches – and that’s just within the city limits! There are plenty of activities you can do in just a couple of hours, and more if you have half a day or more to spare. The summer months is also when our outdoor events really ramp up – classic car cruises, beer festivals, poutine and rib fests… when you visit, visit our Events page for all the latest happenings.
Here are a few ideas to hopefully get you inspired.
Searchmont is one of Ontario’s best ski hills with over 700 feet of vertical. Hiawatha Highlands is a winter wonderland with cross-country skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing available. The City maintains a number of outdoor rinks in winter months, and The Rink at the Canal District has bookable as well as free public skating options.
For indoor activities check out the always-popular Bushplane Museum or the excellent Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. y and more and Station Mall has a number of stores, a big Galaxy Cinema and a food court.
If you haven’t yet arranged accommodation, visit the Stay page of our website for a full list of hotels, motels and campsites within the city.
And of course, head to our home page, or our Travel Inspiration page for even more ideas of what to do when visiting the Soo!
T-shirts, keyrings, stickers… don’t leave without a piece of swag or a keepsake! You can pick up some great merch at the Bushplane Museum’s awesome (and large) gift shop, the Ontario Travel Centre, at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, or at the ‘Hound Pound’ of the Soo Greyhounds inside the GFL Gardens.
Here are the places where you can pick up some merch.
From the stunning Lake Superior coast to the rugged mountains of the Canadian Shield, Sault Ste. Marie has easy access to a vast network of hiking trails. Our mixed hardwood and conifer forests provide a vibrant canopy of colour in the summer and fall months, and are starkly beautiful and perfectly quiet in winter.
The Voyageur Trail is a public hiking trail consisting of almost 600km of wilderness style trails in Northern Ontario. The Hiawatha Loop (which goes past the stunning Crystal Falls), Odena Loop, Beaver Loop and Mabel Lake Loop make up around 20km of trails in this area.
Lots of information is available on the Voyageur Trail Association website here. With maps of the trails at Hiawatha here.
This there-and-back trail in the Algoma Highlands takes you past one of best lookout hikes in Ontario, on the way to one of the higher mountains in Ontario. The trail begins at Robertson Cliffs road and takes you to three incredible south and west facing lookouts. From there you head through beautiful maple forests of the Algoma Highlands to King Mountain.
The trails are owned and cared for by Algoma Highlands Conservancy, a not for profit organization that is run by local volunteers. To access maps of the trail system click here.
The Edmund Fitzgerald lookout trail is another trail with a spectacular lookout. This one overlooks Pancake Bay Provincial Park (in which the trail is situated), Lake Superior and even as far as place where the Edmund Fitzgerald ship tragically sunk in 1975.
The trail system has 3 hikes available; 6km, 10.5km and 13.5km, with the latter hikes taking you to waterfalls and the inland Tower Lakes. For further information click here.
For those seeking true adventure, consider this spectacular and rugged coastal trail. It extends from Agawa Bay in the south to Chalfant Cove just north of Warp Bay in the north and will give you a true experience of Lake Superior. Local experts recommend taking 5-6 days because many sections require climbing over rocky headlands and cobble beaches, which can be technically challenging and require a steady pace for safety.
There are various spots for beach camping along the trail; you’ll enjoy incredible coastal scenery during the day and perfectly dark starry skies from your beached down tent at night.
Nestled between the Great Lakes, Sault Ste. Marie has wild rivers, majestic channels, hidden coves, stunning waterfalls and, of course, more freshwater lakes than you could ever count. Here are 4 mouthwatering paddling routes to wet your appetite.
There are a number of entry points to the river including Pine St. Marina, Bondar Marina and the Waterfront Adventure Centre (which has rentals). A paddle west will take you to the historic canal, rapids and International Bridge. East will take you towards Bellevue Park and Topsail Island. Keep an eye out for the formidable Lake Superior ‘Lakers’ who use this waterway daily.
Lake Superior is a huge draw for paddlers, and the Water Trail maps out the 1,000km Canadian route from the Bobbi Bennett Memorial Park in Gros Cap to Lorne Allard Fisherman’s Park in Thunder Bay. Paddling west from Gros Cap’s entry point provides an immediate glimpse of Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline; you’ll see spectacular cliffs, gravel beaches and a vast, open horizon along the 10-km section to Red Rock.
A backcountry paddler’s dream; 70km of winding river from Witchdoctor Lake in the heart of Algoma to Lake Superior’s Goulais Bay just north of Sault Ste. Marie. The full route can take up to 5 days with numerous portages to get past some pretty lively waterfalls. A logging road leads to the Witchdoctor Lake, though there are of course many other entry points. For a half day paddle consider starting at Mountain View Lodge and paddling to Kirby’s Corner in Goulais. This section includes Class I and II rapids, as well as plenty of swift water, making it suitable for novice whitewater paddlers. Paddling in spring or fall is best when water levels are high.
The Jarvis Circle Route is a perfect inland-lake paddling route, and with all the shore-lined maple trees, a great route to paddle in the fall. The full loop is 30km long, with fifteen rugged portages along the way varying from 50 to 750 metres. You start and end at Northland Lake then take a clockwise or anticlockwise route through numerous small lakes including Jarvis, Reserve and Clearwater.
Check out this great video below:
Sault Ste. Marie has world-class mountain biking trails on newly machine-built flow trails as well as challenging cross country climbs over the Canadian Shield. For gravel riders we have flat open gravel roads where you can burn through the kilometres while enjoying picturesque Northern Ontario countryside.
More than 40km, over three unique systems; Crystal, Red Pine and Pinder. A mix of newly machine built trails, and older traditional single-track trails, alongside (and over) beautiful creeks, waterfalls and towering forests. Trails are available for all skill levels, plus there is a new skills park!
Get all the info including trail maps and videos on our Mountain Bike page here.
This 7km out-and-back trail through the stunning Canadian Shield will take you to the beautiful Farmer Lake. Navigate the technically challenging Climb to Canyon section, climbing almost 50 metres, then take on the many berms and hairpin turns of Farmer Lake trail. On the way back advanced riders may want to test their skills on the new Crazy Train trail; an adventurous and aptly named downhill trail which has enough vertical to keep any adrenalin junky interested.
Just east of the city is the relatively flat and fertile Sylvan Valley, with almost endless kilometers of picturesque and winding gravel and backcountry roads. One popular day ride, at around 140km is the Rock Lake loop. The route threads through Sylvan Valley road, south along McCarrel Lake, circles Otter Lake then back north past Rock Lake, before returning to Sault Ste. Marie. Of course, Google maps and the many plan-your-route apps means you can tailor any version of this route to your own tastes.
Sault Ste. Marie has expert guides to help you get the most out of your adventure. Visit our Tours & Guides page for more info.
Needing to get outfitted? We have plenty of stores with the latest and best equipment to help you out. Visit our Outfitters page for more info.
When the Salty Marie Trails Fest launched in the summer of 2023, it was clear Sault Ste. Marie had something special spinning in the woods. With salty race names, a welcoming community vibe, and a killer trail network, the inaugural and second-year editions punched way above their weight. In 2025? It’s leveling up once again.
We caught up with organizer Graham Atkinson, of Red Pine Tours, to talk about what’s new, what’s big, and what to expect for this year’s edition of Salty Marie — happening this July in the heart of Northern Ontario’s rugged trail country.
Question: Salty Marie years one and two got a lot of buzz — how has it evolved going into year three?
Atkinson: We were honestly stunned by the response in years one and two — over 600 participants (total) and a ton of folks from out of town. This year we’ve really leaned into that momentum. We’re growing the number of races, bringing back vendors, introducing different food options and music, and just really building out that festival atmosphere. It’s still all about the trails, but it’s starting to feel like a full-blown summer celebration.
Question: Where were participants coming from last year?
Atkinson: We had people from across Ontario, which was amazing — but what really surprised us were the long-haul visitors. We had folks come in from Michigan, Wisconsin, even Kansas City. That was a huge confidence boost. It told us we weren’t just putting on a fun local event — we were tapping into something bigger. Sault Ste. Marie is starting to land on the radar as a mountain bike destination, and that reach is only growing.
Question: What are you hoping to see this year in terms of turnout?
Atkinson: We’re aiming for 350+ participants, and we’re making a big push to get more regional and out of province riders involved this year. Last year showed us we have a community that’s hungry for this kind of thing, and the trail running scene here is really strong too. The vibe we’re after is “race hard, hang out harder” — bring your friends, bring your family, and soak up the day.
Question: The dates for this year’s event are July 25-27, what does each day look like?
Atkinson: Friday is race-setup day for the organizers, for the racers it’s the day to grab your race packs, maybe head up to Hiawatha and check out the location if you’re new to the area. Friday is also when the ‘Sultra 200’ begins. Saturday is race and festival day all day long. Sunday is a day for casual group riding, which we’ll be organizing closer to the date, and also just a day to hang out and enjoy a more casual day of riding, while we, the organizers, tear down the event.
Question: We heard there’s a new ultra-distance event being added — tell us more.
Atkinson: Yeah, this year we’re piloting a 200 km ultra-distance route — we’re calling it the ‘Sultra 200’. It’s a beast. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it showcases the region’s long-haul potential in a way that shorter courses can’t. We’re launching it with a Grand Depart from the Downtown Plaza the night before the main festival, right after packet pickup. It’ll be a great moment to bring everyone together — riders, spectators, the whole community. That downtown energy is something we want to build on in the future too.
Question: Beyond racing, what can people expect at the festival?
Atkinson: Even if you’re not racing, there’s a lot to do. Music all afternoon, local craft beer, good food, gear demos, all kinds if things — we’re creating something that’s fun whether you’re a hardcore rider or just want to hang out in the woods and watch bikes fly by. This year we’re putting more focus on making the venue really interactive. There’ll be a few surprises too — we like to keep it fresh.
Question: Any advice for first-timers thinking of checking it out?
Atkinson: Don’t be intimidated. We’ve got everything from a 2 km kids’ loop to the full 50 km and now the ultra. You can race it, ride it, run it, or just cheer people on. You don’t have to show up with the fanciest bike or the best fitness — just come ready to have a good time. That’s what the Salty Marie is all about.
Question: Final thoughts going into year three?
Atkinson: We’re excited — and really grateful. This event wouldn’t exist without the support of the local community, the businesses, and the volunteers who stepped up last year and are coming back in full force. We’ve got big dreams for where this could go, but at the end of the day, it’s still about getting people out on the trails, making memories, and celebrating the wild beauty of this part of the province. That’s the magic.
This year the Salty Marie Trails Festival is July 25-27. There are multiple mountain bike race options, ranging from the beginner friendly 2km ‘Saltine Shred’, to the epic 50km ‘Big Brine’. There are also mid-distance races, the 10km ‘Low Sodium’ and the 25km ‘Saline Short’ events.
In addition, there also 10km and 25km running events happening during the Salty Marie Trails Fest.
Register online for the Salty Marie Trails Festival, hosted by Red Pine Tours and the Sault Cycling Club at the Hiawatha Highlands
Come for a races, stay for the weekend! Enjoy a 90-minute river cruise on the Miss Marie Soo Locks Tour boat! If you are just looking to relax and enjoy some local drinks, check out our own microbrewery Northern Superior.
Check out our famous Bushplane Museum featuring 24 real Bushplanes to explore! Inside the Bushplane Museum you’ll also find Entomica Insectarium, complete with a host of real life insects and bugs you can actually hold!
Have you ever tried axe throwing? Check out one of our newest and most fun indoor activities! Missing golf and still need a fix? The Up and Down Lounge has state of the art golf simulators, which can be booked by the hour.
Get info about hotel stays or any other info by visiting the respective page on our website… and enjoy the races!
