Cobre Lake Hiking Trail
Cobre Lake Hiking Trail 11 kms
Just outside Mississagi Provincial Park, the Cobre Lake Trail is an 11 km loop, which passes 4 different lakes. While hiking this rugged trail, watch for old mine sites as the area was inspected for diamonds in the past. Look for clues like fragments of core samples and old piping. You will also pass what was Blue Sky Mine, established in 1955 by the Harvard Uranium Mine to extract chalcopyrite, a copper ore.
During the hike, you will follow an old mining road where evidence of ‘corduroy’ roads can be seen; roads the prospectors made by lying logs side by side in extremely rocky areas. This section of the path feads past yet another diamond drill site. You will also pass an immense boulder deposited by a glacier some 10, 000 years ago.
The trail takes you past Cobre Lake, Vasseau Lake, Tenfish Lake, and Blue Sky Lake before looping back to the parking area.
Sheriff Creek Hiking Trails
Beaver Meadow Trail 3.1 kms
Tamarack Bog Trail 5.2 kms
Upland Forest Trail 2.7 kms
The Sherriff Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is located on Milliken Mine Road in the City of Elliot Lake, and offers well defined hiking trails, traversing marshes and forested areas with superb opportunities for birding.
A bird blind is located near the beginning of the Sanctuary where loon and goose nesting platforms and bird boxes have been built and erected by members of the Penokean Hills Field Naturalists — volunteers who generously maintain the park for all residents and tourists alike.
Many forms of animal life are being successfully protected in this area. There is a great variety of waterfowl, wading and other smaller birds nesting on site. Mammals such as mink, beaver, otter, and groundhogs live and raise their families in this sanctuary. There are also many species of reptiles and amphibians. Up to a dozen different species of frogs can be heard and seen in the marsh habitat. There are at least 14 species of native orchids growing at Sherriff Creek along with hundreds of other native herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. A species list is being developed by the naturalists to inventory all wildlife, both plant and animal, on the site.
Semiwite & Helenbar Hiking Trail
Semiwite Creek Trail 1.2 kms
Semiwite Lake Trail 12 kms
Helenbar Lookout Trail 7 kms
McKenzie Trail 22 kms
Helenbar Lookout Trail is a popular trail that takes approximately 4 hours to complete. The gentle incline is easy enough for all looking to enjoy a beautiful excursion and is especially great for families and group hikes. At the start of this trail, you will see remnant of the Ice Age, and wildlife will capture your eye with moose, white-tailed deer, thrush, vireo and flycatchers frequently visiting the area.
The highlight of this hike is a 130 meter lookout above Helenbar Lake. Here, hikers can use binoculars to view loons and ospreys below. Dense forests surround this shallow lake, which shelters brook trout and white fish. From this lookout, hikers will follow the loop back to the beginning of the campground.
The Semiwite Lake Trail is geared to the energetic hiker since the 9 kilometer hike takes you along Semiwite Lake Trail and connects to Helenbar Lake Trail. If you’re looking to take a break during this long hike, Semiwite Lake is the perfect place to venture off the trail and set up a picnic on the nice sandy beach, or dip your feet into the crystal clear waters.
Throughout the trail, hikers will explore the rich history of First Nations people who have lived in the area for hundreds of years, and will venture by the remains of old tribal hunting and fishing camps. The park’s visiting centre also provides a deeper history, and contains relics from the late 19th and early 20th century logging and copper mining era.
The highlight of this route is Beaver Mountains Trail, that offers the best natural lookout in the area. Hikers will follow this path along the cliff edge above a ravine, through old rock formations, and old growth forests. After passing along a bog, hikers will finish the hike along an old logging road which leads back to Semiwite.
Elliot Lake & Horne Hiking Trails
Westview Nature Trail 3.5 kms
Horne Lake Trail 6 kms
This is a challenging trail with some spectacular views. The 6 km route goes all the way around Horne Lake, with the option of further trails up the cliffs.
Mt. Dufour Hiking Trail
Mt. Dufour Lookout Trail 4.5-15 kms
The Mount Dufour Trail passes through the Mount Dufour Ski Hill, Westner Lake, and Fire Tower Lookout area. Whether you are looking for a short adventure and take the 4.5 kilometers, or you extend your hike to a day trip of 15 kilometers, the trails will offer high rock escarpment and vistas that will lead hikers to the Fire Tower Lookout and Heritage Centre. Hikers will be astonished by the stunning 360 degree view of the area.