Discover winter landscapes the old-fashioned way

A timeless experience

By Staff Writer Tourism SSM Bringing the local tourism industry together to promote the city and assist in developing its economy.

April 12, 2023

Snowshoes "float" on top of deep snow by distributing the weight of the walker across the surface. Many anthropologists believe a basic snowshoe with this function allowed early humans to migrate across the top of the globe from central Asia to Canada, where Indigenous groups eventually created and perfect hundreds of snowshoe designs.

Today, the snowshoes used by most outdoor enthusiasts are mostly lightweight aluminum frames with steel cleats rather than the traditional wood and leather designs that had became so iconic in the past. The joy of discovering new Canadian winter landscapes on a pair of snowshoes, however, remains a timeless experience unchanged by the passage of time.
– www.canadianicons.ca

There's no shortage of options for snowshoeing in Sault Ste. Marie, and here is your guide on where to find them!

Bellevue Park and John Rowswell Hub Trail

Bellevue Park offers an unmarked, ungroomed experience that is perfect for snowshoeing, and for someone who may not have a lot of time to travel too far to set some tracks. You can spend as much time as you would like through a mix of terrain and landscape. This destination is a perfect pick for those looking to spend their lunch break outdoors. This lovely city park is set on the shore of the St. Mary's River and offers 3.6 km of a looped trail with a 1-km extension to Topsail Island, or you can just simply make your own way, enjoying the peaceful and beautiful park setting. The park is open from 8 am to 10 pm daily all year round.

The Parks Canada Historic Canal Site is also a great option for ungroomed and unmarked trails, which also connects to John Rowswell Hub Trail. The Hub Trail is a 25-km multi-use non-motorized trail system that connects many significant points of interest throughout the city, including the waterfront walkway, Bellevue Park, Algoma University, Sault College, the new hospital and Fort Creek Conservation Area. There are no fees or admission charges for using these trails.

Visit www.cityssm.on.ca for more information on the John Rowswell Hub Trail and www.saulttourism.com to plan your next visit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario!

Hiawatha Highlands

Hiawatha Highlands offers some of the most amazing snowshoe experiences, and it's only minutes from uptown Sault Ste. Marie. This recreational park offers some of the most diverse terrain in the city. Creeks, waterfalls, bridges, maturing and towering pines, and rock formations will leave you in awe of what Mother Nature has created in this location. The park is managed by the local Kinsmen Club, in collaboration with The Soo Finnish Ski Club, making this a top cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination.

If you don't own cross-country skis or snowshoes, it's no problem here. Hiawatha Highlands is fully equipped with ski and snowshoe rentals, as well as indoor facilities with hot and cold beverages and snacks. Washroom facilities, warm club house, repair services, and individual and group rates are also available.

Visit www.hiawathahighlands.com

Stokely Creek Lodge

A short drive just outside of the city limits and worth every minute of the ride to get there. This pristine winter wonderland is home to five snowshoeing trails that will keep you exploring for as long as you want to be out. There are a variety of options that suit whatever level of difficulty you desire.

There is the Otter's Trail, a fun and easy 2-km trail to the King Mountain Trail that escorts you on a 15-km trek to the peak of one of the best scenic views of Lake Superior.

Newer to Stokely is the 2-km Peregrine Pass, which begins at Stokely Lake Cabin and ends at the Frozen Waterfall Ski Trail. Stokely has earned its reputation of being the fourth-largest cross-country ski area in North America.