duckydiana
- Aug 7, 2021
- 3 min read

Exploring Northern Ontario - Part 1

This is Jeff's 10th annual summer trip to 'The Sault', where I grew up. But, it's his 1st time North of The Sault and my 1st time in 10 years. It was AMAZING !!! Lake Superior is worth the drive! Come to The Sault, but make sure to keep going North for amazing scenery & vistas.

We visited Sault Ste. Marie, Batchewana Bay, Chippewa Falls, Pancake Bay Provincial Park, the Petroglyphs @ Lake Superior Provincial Park & Elliot Lake.

It's always busy driving up on a long weekend. We usually gas up at the Espanola turn-off. There's an Esso (cheapest gas), Tim's, Wendy's and a cute souvenir store with yummy Farquhar's ice cream (made on Manitoulin Island); Northwest Trading Company.

This is also the turn-off for Manitoulin Island. You can take the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry to/from South Baysmouth to Tobermory (Bruce Peninsula). Strongly recommend you take the evening ferry, for the sunset.

Esso was sold out of gas (weird on a long weekend), so we went into Espanola. And, we were glad we did! Jeff spotted a bald eagle along the river.

Sault Ste Marie (click the link for more info) There are so many great things to do & see in The Sault - to name a few ...

Agawa Train

Bushplane Heritage Centre Mill Market

Roberta Bondar Pavillion / Waterfront Boardwalk

Sault/Soo Locks (Canadian & US)

International Bridge to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (when safe to travel)

St. Joseph Island (St. Joe's) - 45 mins South of The Sault (Fort St. Joseph)

List of top attractions (click link)

We visited Bellevue Park, Broers Jansen, Stackburger & Mrs Bs Pizza

Bellevue Park -> There's a Greenhouse, walking trails (Topsail Island), small marina and great views of freighters on the river

Broers Jansen - a cozy downtown wine bar with gorgeous charcuterie boards

Stackburger - great burgers, even better fries!

Chef Jeff Rating: 8/10 - Had the Stackburger -> good burger, excellent fries

Mrs Bs Pizza - my MUST HAVE pizza in The Sault - they put sugar in the crust ;)

North of The Sault (Hwy 17) - we visited Chippewa Falls, Batchewana Bay, Pancake Bay Provincial Park, the Petroglyphs @ Lake Superior Provincial Park

We stayed at The Voyageur's Lodge & Cookhouse - famous for their Apple Fritters (~45 mins North of The Sault)

We were in Room #5, The South Lodge (quieter, not facing the highway)

You get a free apple fritter and coffee for each night of your stay. Make sure to get it early as they sell out. If you are just stopping here, there are picnic tables at the beach across the road on Lake Superior.

Chef Jeff Rating:

Apple Fritters: 9/10

Cookhouse: Fish & Chips Dinner 9/10 - large portions, fish was fresh, homemade tartar sauce and fresh cut fries

Chippewa Falls - the half-way point of the Trans-Canada Highway Check out the video below! (~35 mins North of The Sault)

Group of Seven Touring Route - one of the plaques is here

Batchewana Bay - amazing sunsets *sadly, even more stunning due to fires/ smoke (~40 mins North of The Sault)

Pancake Bay Provincial Park - we did the Belvedere Lookout Trail where you can see where the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. There is parking on the North side of Hwy 17. The trail to the Lookout takes approx. 1 hour each way. We were tight on time, so we took the access road and a restricted trail. Access road was dry & easy to walk. The trail was only 0.3km, but muddy and buggy! 4.38km total / 1 hr 20 mins total - lots of stairs @ the lookout. Please use at own discretion. NOTE: You need a day pass to park & hike. There is no pay station at the parking lot, so stop at the Park Entrance (marker #12729) to pay & get your vehicle permit.

Don't miss the Petroglyphs @ Lake Superior Provincial Park - you walk along the rockface of Lake Superior to view them. (~ 2 hours North of The Sault)

We took the Agawa Rock Indian Pictographs Trail - did a 1.3km loop - easy hike

If you are looking for a more challenging hike, there's the Lake Superior Provincial Park’s Coastal Trail (65 km).