Tobermory to Sault Ste Marie

5 Days
398 km • 6 hours, 26 minutes

Tobermory • South Baymouth • Little Current • Serpent River • Blind River • Desbarats • Elliot Lake • St. Joseph Island • Sault Ste. Marie

Day 1:

Tobermory to Little Current, ON (2.5 Hours)

Start your morning in beautiful Tobermory, as you board your vehicle onto the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry and set sail to South Baymouth, on Manitoulin Island. Here is where your Northern Ontario adventure begins but before you hit the highway be sure to pick up lunch for your next destination. Jump in the car and take the road towards Bridal Veil Falls. You won’t regret it! 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. Bring your bathing suit, and take a refreshing dip in a natural pool at the base of the falls. Dry off and hop into your car because your next stop is Little Current. Once you arrive, sit and relax at their local brewery before checking into a cozy Inn for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow is another day for adventure!

Day 2:

Little Current to Elliot Lake (1.45 Hours)

Take your time to wake up and enjoy your breakfast before leaving the island for the mainland towards Massey. Hidden inside this small town you will discover a picturesque waterfall, rapids, and white water crashing down through a postcard Northern landscape nestled in Chutes Provincial Park. Follow the Twin Bridges Trail for a remarkable view of the Seven Sisters Rapids. After your stroll through nature stop at a local restaurant before heading over to Serpent River. The Serpent River First Nation Trading Post and Art Gallery has cataloged 60,000 pieces of art, which includes Indigenous, Chinese, various prints, Canadian art and much, much more. No need to head west cause we are heading north to Elliot Lake. This quiet community offers incredibly scenic lookouts and vistas for hiking, with a wide variety of trails within the city limits. Check into your hotel and make your way to the Fire Tower Lookout. Here you will see a spectacular 360° view of Manitoulin Island on the North Channel of Lake Huron. Stay a little longer and catch the sun set.

Day 3:

Elliot Lake to St. Joseph Island (2 Hours)

After an early breakfast start the car, you are heading to Blind River to explore the Boom Camp Trails. Breathe in the fresh air on this trail in Blind River. The park has 12 kilometers of multi-season trails passing through three distinct ecological zones from coastal headlands through to provincially significant wetlands. Refuel with a delicious meal from a local restaurant overlooking the Mississagi River. Before traveling to St. Joseph Island, stop in Desbarats where you will find a local eatery with African, Caribbean & Canadian Foods, pastries and baked goods to take with you on the remainder of your drive. St. Joseph Island is full of history and nature. Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site is located at the foot of the island. Here you will find the ruins of a limestone building that was once a key structure between the British and the First Nations People of the Great Lakes region during the War of 1812. Keep your eyes open as this area has also become a very popular Bird Watching Sanctuary with more than 100 species flying the sky. Sit down for dinner at the Hilton Marina to make your list of favourite moments of the day before laying your head down at a cozy Inn and dreaming of what you might see tomorrow.

Day 4:

St. Joseph Island to Sault Ste. Marie (45 Min)

Enjoying a delicious breakfast overlooking the water at Richards Landing Marina is a perfect start to your day. Be sure to stop in at the Loon Dollar monument in Echo Bay, dedicated to a local resident Mr. Robert Carmichael, the artist responsible for the iconic design for a fun picture before hitting the highway towards beautiful downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Located on the St. Marys River, in the center of the Great Lakes Sault Ste. Marie is your ultimate hub for outdoor adventure. Local guides, outfitters and rental shops have exactly what you need to kayak, canoe, paddle board and fish the northern waters. Stay by the river and feast on at a locally owned restaurant while watching massive freighters and boaters go through one of the busiest locking systems in North America. After lunch it’s time to see history at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. This 62,000 square foot waterfront hangar has aircrafts that you can board, take the pilot’s seat in a passenger plane’s cockpit, and climb into the cargo holds of a real waterbomber. But beware sharing this space are a variety of live exotic insects from around the world displayed in beautiful living vivarium. Don’t be scared! They are friendly. Just across the street you can find the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, two of the oldest stone buildings located northwest of Toronto and an exhibit on the War of 1812. Finish off the evening diner and a stroll on the waterfront board walk to your hotel.

Day 5:

Sault Ste. Marie

Fuel up for the day with a “badass” meal from The Breakfast Pig. You’ll need it, as today will be packed full of adventure. Start off with shopping on Queen Street the City’s main street for local shops and unique gifts. Along the street you will notice Murals on the sides of the building, take pictures to remember them as each has their own story to tell. Just down the way in the Sault Ste. Marie Canal District is the recreational locks. Built in 1895, it was the world’s longest lock, the first to operate using electricity. Cross the Lock Bridge onto South St. Mary’s Island with trails leading to Whitefish Island and the St. Marys rapids. Home to world class fishing. Watch as people from all over stand in the rapids casting their line in hopes of catching the “Big” one. Hungry? You are bound to find something you like at Sault Ste. Marie’s historic paper mill, which know houses four diverse eateries. In addition to be being the depot for The Agawa Canyon Train Tour, a Canadian Signature Experience attraction, you can also find an ice cream/coffee parlor, an outfitter, Indigenous art and more. End your evening by booking a culinary tour and hitting up the local breweries while hearing about the downtown notable landmarks.

Not ready to go home yet?

There is still so much to discover in Sault Ste Marie, to find out head over to www.saulttourism.com

Accommodations:

www.saulttourism.com/stay

www.algomacountry.com/where-to-stay/

Note: Some attractions are seasonal. Please contact them directly for hours of operation. Distances are approximate only.