7 Days in Sault Ste. Marie
As a born-and-raised resident of Sault Ste. Marie, I’ve always been proud of the city’s outdoor attractions. But at the same time, all the amazing mountain biking, paddling, hiking and backcountry skiing in my backyard felt like a personal secret to me.
Now, I’m thrilled to let the secret out: progressive leaders have decided to create Ontario’s premier outdoor adventure town. They have invested in an awesome network of mountain bike trails while innovative local enthusiasts have turned their passions into vibrant nature-based tourism businesses. Meanwhile, the city is flourishing with a diverse population, setting the stage for great cultural attractions and food.
Here’s a weeklong outdoorsy itinerary for a perfect summer vacation in Sault Ste. Marie.
Day 1: Getting to the Soo
Sault Ste. Marie is closer than you’d think: It’s an eight-hour drive from the GTA or Ottawa, or you can fly on Air Canada or Porter in a fraction of the time (car rentals are available in Sault Ste. Marie). Arriving from the east on Highway 17, road trippers will trace the North Channel of Lake Huron where small farms and mixed hardwood and white pine forests push up against the rocky coastline. The quaint community of Desbarats offers access to island-pocked waters for sea kayakers and easy hiking trails preserved by the Kensington Conservancy, a non-profit land trust. Flying to Sault Ste. Marie makes you realize the sheer size of Great Lakes Huron and Superior if you’re lucky enough to get a window seat. The inland seas shimmer, particularly in late summer when the leaves flush with the first colours of fall.
There are plenty of Sault Ste. Marie hotels to choose from for a peaceful night’s rest. Sault Ste. Marie’s Italian heritage runs deep—get an authentic taste on your first night in town at Giovanni’s Restaurant.
Day 2: Ontario’s Finest Singletrack is Waiting
There’s a rich history of mountain biking at the Sault Cycling Club’s trails in the Hiawatha Highlands, close to the city centre. Recent investments in machine-built trails have pushed the over 55-kilometre network into the echelon of Ontario’s best mountain biking. Stop by Velorution for local intel on your way to the trailhead.
It’s hard to believe you’re still within Sault Ste. Marie city limits when you ride at Hiawatha. The area features rugged outcrops of Canadian Shield granite graced with tall pines and great vistas to catch your breath. Warm up on the newly built one-kilometre “Myles To Go” trail before feeling the flow of the Crystal network. My favourite trail on the Crystal is called “Berm Baby Berm.” As its name implies, there are plenty of options to choose your own adventure amidst the tabletops, kickers and smoothly banked corners. If that’s not enough, the newly built, eight-kilometre out-and-back to Farmer Lake includes a spectacular downhill stretch through a rock canyon.
Back in town, Feeding Your Soul Cafe is a favourite for local cyclists, serving homemade breakfast, lunch and delicious baked goods while catering to a variety of diets.
Day 3: More Great Cycling
There’s more than just mountain biking in Sault Ste. Marie. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is a good choice for road riding; check out the challenging out-and-back to Lake Superior at Red Rock for gravel riding with serious hills. Extend your ride by following the wide, smooth shoulders of Highway 550 to the hamlet of Gros Cap, at the mouth of the St. Marys River. There are plenty of options to loop back to Sault Ste. Marie on quiet secondary roads.
Meanwhile, a maze of quiet backroads on scenic St. Joseph Island, just east of Sault Ste. Marie, offers fantastic day-long tours. Red Pine Tours can help you plan the ultimate cycling adventure. At day’s end, grab dinner at The Taj to preview the city’s emerging Indian cultural scene.
Day 4: Get on the Water
St. Marys River was once a highway for Indigenous People and Voyageurs, and you can experience it for yourself at the Sault College Adventure Waterfront Centre. This community hub features canoe and kayak rentals and a café with some of the best views in town. Thrive Tours or Metis Tours offer paddling tours of the river and rapids. The St. Marys River holds a special place in my heart: it’s where I first discovered paddling, and I have fond memories of paddling my canoe in the nooks and crannies along the shoreline of Bellevue Park, in Sault Ste. Marie’s east end. I’ve also taken my sea kayak through the recreational locks to access Lake Superior.
After paddling the river, see it from a different perspective on an evening tour aboard Sault Lock Tours’ “Miss Marie.” Downtown dining options include the Breakfast Pig for huge and delicious portions and Ernie’s for diner classics and eclectic seasonal specials.
Day 5: Hike to the Cliffs
Robertson Cliffs offers a heart-pumping ascent and an eagle eye’s view of endless hardwood hills from atop a balcony of granite, protected by the non-profit Algoma Highlands Conservancy. This moderate five-kilometre trail is great for adventurous families. Robertson Cliffs was the site of one of Ontario’s first successful reintroductions of peregrine falcons. It’s important to follow the trail signs to avoid disturbing these incredible raptors (which are capable of flying at speeds greater than 300 kilometres per hour, earning the title of fastest species on Earth) during the breeding season in spring and early summer. For an immersive, educational experience, sign up for an interpretive tour with Forest the Canoe.
The Voyageur Trail also weaves along the city’s periphery with many access points for hiking, and includes a fantastic loop near Lake Superior at Gros Cap. When you’re done wandering, rest your feet with a local brew at a downtown pub like Northern Superior or Outspoken Brewing, or get a scoop of homemade ice cream at Holy Cow’s Ice Cream Parlour.
Day 6: Spend a Day in Town
The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site reveals the history of settlement in Sault Ste. Marie, while also offering a remarkable slice of urban nature. Rent a fat bike from Parks Canada’s visitor centre to explore easy trails on South St. Marys Island. Located adjacent to the St. Marys Rapids, diverse habitats also make this one of Ontario’s best places to go birding. Woods, wetlands and shoreline areas serve as critical habitat for colourful warblers and other songbirds, herons and shorebirds—with viewing platforms along the way. A footbridge connects to Whitefish Island, an important territory of Batchewana First Nation, where you can sense the importance of this ancient gathering place by the rapids.
Meanwhile, in the nearby Canal District, the Machine Shop includes a gelato cafe and steakhouse. Walk the waterfront boardwalk downriver and visit the Soo Market to support local farmers and artisans on the weekends.
Day 7: A Sweet Soo Goodbye
A final morning of cycling or walking on the Hub Trail is a great way to wind down your visit to Sault Ste. Marie. This paved multi-use trail takes in urban neighbourhoods, commercial areas and greenspaces. In particular, Fort Creek Conservation Area is a gem of upland forests and great views of wetland areas from two impressive bridges. Bellevue Park is a great stop on the Hub Trail for families with playgrounds, picnic areas and a splash pad. Wrap up your vacation with lunch at Pho Max, a treat for fans of Asian cuisine.
This article was sponsored by Tourism Sault Ste. Maire
Discover unique and exciting attractions, events and activities in and around Ontario’s best adventure town. Rugged Great Lakes coastlines, ancient Canadian Shield mountains, countless rivers and lakes, pristine beaches and exceptionally snowy winters provide a world-class outdoor backdrop for all kinds of adventures. Visit a city that pushes the boundaries outside of expectations. Start planning your Sault Ste. Marie vacation today!
