The Middlebrun Bay trail, located in the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is easy to follow through the forest where it ends at a beautiful sandy beach on the shore of Lake Superior.
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Trail Distance: 4.2 km
General Location: Thunder Bay, ON
This is one of my favourite trails year-round. It is the trail I most often take people on who are new to the area or new to hiking. The trail takes you to a fantastic beach that is great for a cold swim in the summer or for ice formations in the winter.
The Middlebrun Bay trail is located in the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. From Thunder Bay follow highway 11/17 North-east for 36 km to Highway 587 opposite Pass Lake Truck Stop. Turn right onto 587 and drive for 36 km, passing through the village of Pass Lake and stopping at the Lake Mary Louise camp-ground office to pay your day-use fee. Continue on Highway 587 for 1.2 km and then turn left and drive 1 km to the trailhead on the far side of Sibley Creek Bridge.
There is parking at the trailhead. The trail is easy to follow through the forest where it ends at a beautiful sandy beach on the shore of Lake Superior.
I did this hike today and it was amazing! It was a beautiful, sunny day and I could hardly believe that I had the trail and both bays entirely to myself. The trail is very well marked (no chance of taking a wrong turn) and quite easy, even for a beginner hiker like myself. Be aware that there’s a few spots with downed trees blocking the path, but they were easy enough to go over or around.
Beautiful beach! Definitely take a picnic, it is worth spending an afternoon there. It is our own tropical-like beach tucked away in Northwestern Ontario. And fantastic rocky outcrops to explore as well.
We just did this hike yesterday! Just a heads up, the parking lot is not plowed in the winter, so we just parked on the road (it’s not too busy), and you’ll definitely need snowshoes. The trail is very well marked with blue markers.