Manitoulin District Nature Trails
Welcome to Manitoulin District!
Manitoulin District is a district in Northeastern Ontario within the Canadian province of Ontario. It was created in 1888 from part of Algoma District. The district seat is Gore Bay.
It comprises Manitoulin Island primarily, as well as a number of smaller islands surrounding it, such as Barrie, Cockburn, and Great La Cloche islands.
Year-round motor-vehicle access to the island is available via the one-lane Little Current Swing Bridge, which crosses the North Channel at Little Current. From late May to early October, a daily passenger-vehicle ferry, the MS Chi-Cheemaun (Ojibwe for "Big Canoe"), travels between Tobermory on the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and South Baymouth. Winter ice prevents ferry service during that season.
You will find some of the best hiking and nature trails in Ontario right here in Manitoulin District.
BIDWELL BOG TRAIL
The Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC) built this trail in 2007 through its reserve to link the Cup and Saucer and the Perch Lake Escarpment. See a rare domed bog. Location: Park at the Cup and Saucer parking lot and walk east on Bidwell Road a few hundred yards....BOARDWALK TRAIL
An easy and accessible trail that runs along the water front. This trail connects to the newly constructed breakwall which will take you out further into the bay. Different landscapes are viewed along this trail offering great photo opportunities. Picnic areas are...BRIDAL VEILS FALLS TRAIL
This trail is located on Hwy. 540 at the entrance to Kagawong. A picnic area is at the top of the falls, with a path that leads down to the base of the falls. There is a trail on both sides of the river valley. Bring your bathing suit, and take a dip in the pool at...CUP & SAUCER TRAIL
Eighteen km west of Little Current, just off Hwy 540 on the Bidwell Road, is the well-known Cup and Saucer trail. With its dramatic 70 metre cliffs and breathtaking views, up to 12km of hiking trails, and a 2km adventure trail, it is one of the most popular trails in...DAN BINGAMAN TRAIL
From the Ski Club chalet, continue up the hill and follow the trail on the right. The trail follows escarpment outcrops and then climbs higher on the escarpment. Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy is a charitable land trust whose role is to help you conserve land. We...EAGLE’S NEST TRAIL
Eagle’s Nest starts from McLean’s Park, up New England Road, across a road allowance with pine forest, alvars, crevasses and into Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy property with its Escarpment outcrops. Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy is a charitable land...EAST LIGHTHOUSE/TAR VAT BAY TRAIL
The East Lighthouse/Tar Vat Bay trail leads to Pond Point and back. It follows along the coastline of Georgian Bay and passes by Tar Vat Bay, where local commercial fishermen of the late-1800s and early-1900s regularly tarred their nets to prevent them from...FOSSIL HILL TRAIL
This trail is a good introduction to Manitoulin’s portion of the Niagara Escarpment with exposed rock faces and overhangs. Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy is a charitable land trust whose role is to help you conserve land. We would also direct you to read...GEORGE ISLAND WILDERNESS TRAIL
The George Island trail passes through bush, wetland, and rocky areas until it reaches a stony beach. There is also a spot along this trail where commercial fishermen used to tar their nets to delay their deterioration. Although the practice of tarring nets ended...