Discover winter landscapes the old-fashioned way

A timeless experience
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!

Screen Shot 2014-12-12 at 12.46.59 PM

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

Screen Shot 2014-12-10 at 11.55.49 AM

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.

Stokely6280

Stokely Creek Lodge offers dining, four warm-up huts, rentals and certified instructors. For more information and trail maps, visit Stokely Creek!

stokely6351

Photos courtesy of Stokely Creek

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 3.12.21 PM

More resources for your outdoor winter adventure:

True Northern Outfitting: Your Go To Outdoor Adventure Specialists

Great Lakes Outfitters
162 Old Garden River Road
Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, P6B 5A6
(705) 253-2361
www.greatlakesoutfitters.ca

Duke of Windsor
655 Queen St East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2A6
Phone: (705) 942 1610

Algoma Bikes
360 Queen St., East
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
P6A 1Z1
Phone: (705)759-3443

About Staff Writer Tourism SSM

Tourism Sault Ste. Marie (TSSM) was formed to bring the local tourism industry together to promote the city and assist in developing its economy.

Recommended Articles

9 Facts to Know about the Agawa Canyon Tour Train

Get ready for a bucket list experience in the wilderness of Northern Ontario.

Spring Smelt Fishing in Ontario

Smelts are running! Fishing with Carter Dorscht.

3 Waterfalls You Can't Miss Near #theSoo

8 Epic Biking Experiences

A perfect way to explore the Sault Ste. Marie area!

That's Italian

The Best of Italy In Sault Ste. Marie!

Experience The Incredible Indigenous Culture of Bawating

Indigenous Experiences in the Soo

Expedia published a list of the most breathtaking places in North America

You'll never guess who's number 21 on the list!

Under The Aurora Borealis

This should be on your bucket list!

Where the green grass grows!

5 Awesome Golf Courses to Spend Your Summer On

Insider's Guide For Every Business Traveller

7 Tips To Make Business Travel A Breeze

Mountain Biking in Sault Ste. Marie

4 reasons to get excited about mountain biking in Sault Ste. Marie

Catching The Prize Perch

Ice Fishing with Professional Angler Robert Laframboise

5 Unique Valentine's Day Date Ideas

The Start Of A New Tradition!

First Signs Of Spring

All You Can Eat Pancakes And Fresh Maple Syrup

Beat the Winter Blues Bucket List

5 ways to crack the cold

Beyond the Group of Seven

Contemporary arts & culture in The Soo

Hear That?

Ontario's only national wilderness park is calling you!

Winter Hikes to do with your dog near #TheSoo

Because our dogs love the snow too!

Oh Canada! How Sault Ste. Marie Sets The Bar High!

5 Ways We Will Prove It!

4 Reasons Why I Love Coming Back to Sault Ste. Marie