Hiking in Sault Ste. Marie
‘Imagine hiking through a thick forest, scrambling over rocks. You start to feel your legs aching and your heart is beating fast. Then suddenly you see it, the reason you came: a forest of maple trees stretching as far as the horizon.’ – This is hiking in Sault Ste. Marie. This is living.
Sault Ste. Marie is one of Canada’s top adventure towns, offering quick access to incredible hiking trails for every skill level, all year round. Cradled by the ancient mountains of the Canadian Shield and surrounded by freshwater, the wilderness is closer than you think—just minutes from the city.
Take a short stroll along the St. Marys rapids, follow the historic Voyageur Hiking Trail to discover Ontario’s best waterfalls, or set out on a multi-day backcountry trek along Lake Superior’s rugged coast. Ready to hit the trails? Here’s everything you need to plan your next adventure.
Hiking Inspiration
Hike in the City
Hiking in Sault Ste. Marie offers plenty of options right in the city. The 22.5 km John Rowswell Hub Trail is a circular route open to both cyclists and hikers. Whitefish Island features a 3 km winding trail beside the rapids—perfect for a leisurely hike while taking in the island’s beauty. The Fort Creek Conservation Area is another great Hub Trail hiking destination, with picturesque bridges and beautiful forests. Hiawatha Highlands has multiple trails, including the Odena Loop, Beaver Loop, and Mabel Lake Loop, adding up to around 20 km of scenic hiking opportunities.
Hiking Guides and Tours
Sault Ste. Marie has hiking guides that can help connect you with nature and all of our incredible trails we have in and around our city.
Thrive Tours offers land-based experiences in the Sault Ste. Marie region that are designed to connect people with each other and Mother Earth’s offerings with respect for the land, water, and all living things. Forest The Canoe offers all the “True North” experiences that Northern Ontario’s natural world has to offer. They also put on special season tours including ‘Haunted Hikes at Halloween’. Check out their website for the latest offering.
And also check out Blaq Bear for guided hikes in the area. Carole Blaquiere owns and operates Blaq Bear Eco Adventure Routes. She has been a passionate hiker for over 20 years in Ontario and for the past 10 in Northern Ontario.
Hiking Day Trips from Sault Ste. Marie
There are countless options for hiking day trips in Sault Ste. Marie.
For those interested in hiking in Sault Ste. Marie, there are countless options for memorable day trips.
A short section of the Voyageur Trail heads north from Gros Cap, featuring incredible views of the dynamic waters of Lake Superior. Or a little further north of the city and you can take “that” picture from Robertson Cliffs. (You’ll know what we mean when you visit the lookout, which is undoubtedly one of the prettiest places in Ontario.) The area is managed by the Algoma Highlands Conservancy, and they have a number of maps of the area available here.
The Lake Superior Coastal Trail is a bucket-list destination starting at Agawa Bay, just a short drive north on the Trans Canada Highway. Taking in its entirety, 65 km backpacking route is one of Canada’s best hikes and takes about a week of backcountry camping to complete. However, the Coastal Trail’s mind-blowing lookouts and spectacular Lake Superior beaches can also be explored in day hikes. Hiking the Superior coast will immerse you in the same landscapes that inspired Canada’s famous Group of Seven artists.
The culturally significant Agawa Rock pictographs are another highlight of Lake Superior Provincial Park. This significant Indigenous spiritual site features the ancient art of the Ojibwa, the region’s original inhabitants. Other hiking highlights a short drive from the city include the Batchawana Bay beach walk, the Eagle Ridge lookout overlooking Havilland Bay, the Edmund Fitzgerald lookout walk near Pancake Bay, and the Orphan Lake trail.
Hiking Outfitters
Sault Ste. Marie has all the outfitters you’ll need to help make your outdoor adventure the best it can be. We stock top, tried and tested brands, vetted by experienced experts.
Hiking in Sault Ste marie FAQ
Three awesome local tour guides can show you the way and also give you some stellar insight into the area. Thrive Tours, Forest The Canoe and Blaq Bear Adventures.
Sault Ste. Marie has expert guides to help you get the most out of your adventure. Visit our Tours & Guides page for more info.
Need 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.
Yes! Sault Ste. Marie has plenty of hiking trails, cultural attractions, and more. You can also visit Lake Superior’s shoreline, go fishing, or explore other provincial parks in the area. Feel free to check our 12 Hikes In and Around Sault Ste. Marie
