Sustainable Sudbury: An Eco-Friendly Guide To Travel

In the last 50 years, Sudbury has transformed itself, planting more than 10 million trees and embarking on restoration projects to protect its land, air quality and watershed. Visitors to this small northern city can support sustainability efforts—to take care of both the planet and the local surroundings—in a variety of fun, interesting and delicious ways, from dining and shopping to activities and accommodations.

Eco-Friendly Adventures: Must-Ride Biking Trails in Sudbury 

Discover Sudbury on two wheels! Some popular cycling trails are the Ramsey Lake Cycle Tour, which takes you around scenic Ramsey Lake, or the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area to Moonlight Beach. If you want to go directly from Laurentian University to the beach, with stops along the way, check out the self-guided nature trails.

Rainbow Routes is an excellent resource to learn more about the trails in the Greater Sudbury area, and the Bike Sudbury organization has assembled its favourite routes too, with insider information about biking conditions and local history.

Find more resources for planning a biking trip in Sudbury:

• Ultimate Guide to Biking in Sudbury
• Explore Sudbury by Bike

Ride or Rent: Sudbury’s Mountain and Fat Bike Trails

Mountain bike and fat bike enthusiasts can check out the 16 km of single track at Walden Trails. Another excellent destination is Kivi Park, where you can rent fat bikes in the winter and mountain bikes the rest of the year. This 480-acre outdoor adventure oasis at the south end is a hot spot to hike, bike, ski, snowshoe, skate and paddle, surrounded by the rocks, trees and waters of the boreal forest.

And, June is Bike Month in Sudbury, so be sure to check out the local community events.

Embrace Nature: Hiking, Skiing, Spas and Forest Therapy

Of course, there are lots of other non-motorized activities too. Hike, ski or snowshoe the northern landscapes that inspired A. Y. Jackson of the Group of Seven and find out why Sudbury's trails are the best in Ontario.

In addition to trails, Lake Laurentian Conservation Area offers guided forest therapy events to forge a richer, quieter connection to nature. For those craving some earth-friendly pampering, head to Ezentials Wellness Escape and Eco-luxury Spa, a day spa that offers a Nordic lounge with sauna, steam room, cold shower mist and more, as well as organic facials and a suite of other esthetic treatments.

Low-Impact Travel Tips: Transit, EVs and Getting Around in Sudbury

Head to Greater Sudbury's transit page to get details on bus routes and schedules. The Facebook page of the EV Society - Greater Sudbury is a handy spot to get the latest news on charging stations and local EV events. In addition to EV charging apps like ChargeHub, you can take a look at this local map.

Sustainable Dining in Sudbury: Dine Deliciously on Local, Organic and Plant-Based Eats

Perk and Pine is a fantastic spot to enjoy tasty food and drink made with local, seasonal or organic ingredients wherever possible, and all crafted with a zero-waste approach. Plant-based, vegetarian and vegan options are a sustainable choice too, so check out local eateries like Tucos Taco Lounge, the all-vegan Beard’s Coffee Bar and Bakery, The Laughing Buddha (which has a dreamy patio), Rose Apple Asian Cuisine, and a separate all-vegan menu option at Gloria’s Diner, which has been a local staple for more than 65 years. Flurples in the can’t-miss-it polka dot building is your go-to for plant-based frozen treats. Read about more vegan options in Sudbury here and here.

Sudbury's Local Brews and Spirits

Be sure to consider craft brews and spirits made right in Sudbury, too. The city is home to 46 North Brewing Co., which has a dozen drafts on tap in its tasting room, the award-winning Stack Brewing, and one-of-a-kind spirits at Crosscut Distillery, where you’ll also find a cocktail bar and patio. Watch their social media for special events too, like a gin tasting and build-your-own G&T.

Shop Sustainably: Local, Vintage, and Handmade in Sudbury

The Sudbury Farmer’s Market operates year-round on Thursdays and/or Saturdays and is a perfect opportunity to stroll around to see and stock up on all the goodies from local farmers and artisans. The Valley Market is a small family-run business with a general store vibe, offering baking, artisanal products, grocery items and organic skin care.

In season, take a tour around the countryside and visit local farms and makers to find the very freshest local items. Josephine’s Vegetables (produce), Truly Northern (hydroponically grown greens), Nickel City Cheese (cheese and poutine), Black Juniper Farms (cut flowers), Maple Hill Farm (maple syrup products), Ruby Berry Farm (pick your own berries),

The Ugly Barn Farm (gourmet mushrooms and wildcrafted foods) and Board’s Honey Farm (honey and honey-infused products) are all authentic ways to enjoy local goods. Take a farm tour where offered too, to get a deeper understanding of where your food comes from.

Vintage fashion and housewares are continuing to trend for both their cool factor and their planet-friendliness, and fortunately, Sudbury has some local gems to discover. Lion's Tail Vintage has a well-curated collection of women’s clothing and jewelry, with everything from concert Ts to 1950s dresses and jackets. Another exceptional spot is Kulta Vintage, where you can find bucket-list items like vintage Marimekko, embroidered Mexican belts or quality wool sweaters. Vintage Avenue North is filled with vintage housewares, furniture, accessories and art in categories like “man cave,” “belt buckles” and “bar.” Lilli Co Vintage carries both men’s and women’s vintage clothing as well as a selection of funky décor items.

Stay Green: Environmentally Friendly Places to Stay in Sudbury

The Travelway Inn is an independent hotel with all the comforts of home, as well as eco-certifications from Green Key. Familiar mainstream accommodations that are rated “green” include the Hampton Inn Sudbury, Towneplace Suites Sudbury, Fairfield Inn and Suites Sudbury and Clarion Hotel Sudbury. For a close-to-nature getaway, look to the four yurts at Windy Lake Provincial Park, tucked into the trees in the campground.

Plan Your Sustainable Travel in Sudbury

Don’t sleep on Sudbury! This northern community is just four to five hours north of Toronto and Kitchener, about five hours west of Ottawa, or about five hours south of Sault Ste. Marie—and it makes a fun getaway with plenty of eco-friendly options to explore.

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