To me they’re not hikes…they’re adventures.
My name is Susan Arbouw and I have a passion for hiking. When people learn this about me, the first thing they always say is: “I’d love to get out hiking, but I just don’t know where to go.” This online trail guide is my attempt to answer to that question.
I will cover the well known trails, and I will also include the little known trails that will take you to amazing places you didn’t even know existed right in your own back yard! I hope as you look through the list of hikes found here that they will encourage you to get out and have an adventure of your own!
Back in 2008 this blog started out as an insider’s guide to hiking in the Thunder Bay area. But so much has happened since then, and the scope has expanded to include trails around Lake Superior. I have to say that the best thing that has happened as a result of starting this site has been the opportunities I’ve had to meet others who share my passion for the outdoors. And I can’t believe the other opportunities that I’ve been given.
I’ve also…
- had pictures and articles published in several magazines, newspapers and websites
- reviewed gear and hiking books
- been able to participate on trail and outdoor committees
- lead hikes for a variety of groups
- spoken to groups
- hiked along with clubs as a guest hiker
- been interviewed and profiled in the media.
These have been fantastic opportunities that I never would have had without such great support from the readers of this site! Your enthusiasm and generosity was unexpected but is appreciated. I can’t thank you all enough!
The Next Chapter
Recently I have relocated from Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie. While I miss my Thunder Bay adventures, I am looking forward to furthering my mission of exploring trails all around Lake Superior.
Thanks again everyone! Its been so fun –and I can’t wait to see whats next!
Please let me know
- If this site has inspired you to get out on a hike please post a comment I’d love to hear about your experiences
- If there is a trail you would like to see added to the site please let me know via the comment form found on every page
- I do hike each of these trails shortly before posting them, so if you have questions or need more information please ask. There is a comment form located at the end of every post and you are likely not the only one who needs the information.
- Also, please be sure to share with your fellow hikers any updates to the trail since I last hiked the trail and posted the information. I can’t possibly keep the trail information current without your help.
Contact Me:
If you would like to contact me please email me: superiorhiking at gmail.com. I’m also on Twitter and Facebook.
Mailing Address:
Superior Hiking
143A Great Northern Road, Suite 147
Sault Ste Marie, Ontario P6B 4Y9
Product Reviews:
If you would like for me to review your product please send it to the above address. Although I am currently not posting product reviews on this website, I will submit a review of your product to the website/publication of your choice. Please include this information with products sent.
Trail Ratings:
Each trail is classified according to levels of difficulty, and will have some or all of the following attributes:
Easy: 3-5 km, flat terrain, short climbs
Moderate: 5-10 km, uneven terrain, moderate climbs
Difficult: 10-20+ km, very rough terrain, steep climbs
Trail Distance Information:
Round-trip: Round-trip is the total distance hiked back to starting point.
Popularity: 22% [?]
How about the Casque Isles trail? I’ve done the Rossport to Terrace Bay section and its sweet.
Great site you’ve got going! Very informative; excellent resource. Will definitely consult it before travelling in the area!
I have been looking for a site just like this one for a while now. It seems very hard to find decent local trail information online – please keep it up!
I am sure you can sell some ad space to keep it going if needed.
Hi Susan,
I belong to thunder bay hike association.
I came across your website.
Is this another hiking group in TB?
Thanks
Luigi
Hi Luigi, this isn’t a hiking group. This site is a place to share information about local hiking trails. Thank you for visiting.
Susan.
thankyou so much for the website. I have been exploring Mt. Mcrae with my little dog, over the past couple of weeks and was looking for more info. Coming across your site has opened my eyes to many more places I have yet to visit. Thank’s again
Neat site–I’ve been hiking the islands in Lake Nipigon for 30 years–still have a few to go.
Hi Karl, tell me more about hiking the islands in Lake Nipigon! Are there any that you would suggest I do? Susan.
The hikes on the Lake Nipigon Islands are all of a difficult nature. It requires a boat to get to them for starters. One of the most memorable for me was I once walked from Ingall Point to Two Mountain Harbour. Thats well over 10 klicks, The trail is well marked but overgrown and full of deadfall. That particular trail is hundreds of years old–it is mentioned many times in the Hudson Bay archives.
Another is the Piwabic portage between Three Mountain Bay and MacIntyre Bay–good chance of seeing moose on that one.
Queen Anne Point to the old drive camp at Virgin Falls on the upper Nipigon River is kinda neat also.
Stop by Jumbo’s Cove sometime and I’ll mark a map out for you. The Lake has been inhabited for thousands of years after all.
Thank you so much for the info! I will take you up on your offer and come by your place with a map! I’ll call first of course. Do you know if the fire tower is still standing on Jackfish Island in Lake Nipigon?
What a great collection of hikes! There are a few here that I haven’t done and look forward to. I just came back from Flett Tunnel this afternoon. I’ve seen it numerous times from the air, but didn’t really know how to get to it. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment Paul! I love it when my website is helpful to people!
Superb Set of hikes, I like how you define difficulty as the category (i’d never haev through of that I’d have said location as all others seem too… nice work susan!
)
Hi Susan,
Darrel Makin suggested I contact you. I’m wondering if you would be interested in writing about hikes in The Walleye – TBay’s new arts +culture publication. Let me know what you think. BTW: Love your site! Tiffany, Editor
Thanks Tiffany, I will contact you directly about this.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for doing this for those of us who love to have adventures in the bush but aren’t sure of where they all are! My hubby and I (and our 3 dogs) really appreciate this website.
Thank you Nikki!
juststarted looking for new hikes and found your site.very helpful thanks,
Great site Susan – keep up the good work. With your permission I will post a link to it on my visitor website.
Lois Nuttall
Thanks Lois! A link would be great.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this website. So inspiring.
Thank you so much!
Hi Susan – beautiful website and definitely has helped me get out when I’m not sure where to go:)! i do have a question though – i don’t have a car so which are the hikes in biking distance of Port Arthur????
thanks:)
Hi Bryn, thank you for your comment! I am not sure how far you can bike. But don’t forget you can take your bike on the bus to get across town. Here are a few that come to mind, use the search box on the website to find more info and if they are within your biking distance: Centennial Park, Boulevard Bluffs, Trowbridge, Mills Block, Mission Marsh, MacKenzie Falls, MacKenzie Point, Silver Harbour, Brule Bay Bluffs, Mt McKay, Fox Mountain, Carp River Road…there are so many more in the Norwesters but this list should get you started!
In October I had the pleasure of hiking Tettegouche State Park to Crosby-Manitou State Park State Park ending at Caribou River. This is a highly recommended route. It was said that this segment is one of the most challenging. It varies immensely from easy rolling bluffs to numerous ascents and descents.
The ledges at Section 13 were so windy that climbers were throwing in the towel refusing to attempt the bluffs. Boy was it windy. Along the way we saw a beautiful lynx.
I highly recommend this segment of SHT. Be sure to carry water and by all means ensure you have a well-balanced backpack that is “kind to your back contour”.
In October I had the pleasure of hiking Tettegouche State Park to Crosby-Manitou State Park State Park ending at Caribou River. This is a highly recommended route. It was said that this segment is one of the most challenging. It varies immensely from easy rolling bluffs to numerous ascents and descents.
The ledges at Section 13 were so torturous do to the wind that climbers were throwing in the towel refusing to attempt the bluffs. Boy was it windy. Along the way we saw a beautiful lynx.
I highly recommend this segment of SHT. Be sure to carry water and by all means ensure you have a well-balanced backpack that is “kind to your back contour”.