Hiking

Trail entrance

East of Beardmore on Highway 11, turn onto Highway 580 and drive for approximately 20 km. Before Poplar Lodge Park, turn left onto the gravel road marked "High Hill Harbour" and travel for 3 km. Keep watch on your right-hand side for a large trail head sign with a small parking area.

Trail description

Learn about the Lake Nipigon Shoreline Trail and all there is to see and enjoy along the way.

Fire

During the spring of 1999, a large forest fire engulfed some of the area the trail travels through. Interpretive signs along the trail provide insight into the fire and the new forest which is now naturally regenerating. The trail provides great opportunity to pick wild blueberries as they are present throughout your hike.

High Hill Harbour

High Hill Harbour has boat launching and camping facilities. Small craft warnings are common on Lake Nipigon and those that venture onto the lake should be aware that conditions change rapidly.

Viewing platform

Take your friends and family to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Nipigon at two lookout stations. These are located high atop the lake and give you a great view of bald eagle's nests. Note that this section of the trail is the most difficult with a steep walk up the hill to the view.

Beach access

The trail travels along the shore of Lake Nipigon. During low water periods you may choose to walk the beach for a section of the trail and feel the find sand between your bare feet.

Lake Nipigon

Lake Nipigon is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Canada. World renowned for its speckled rout and lake trout dishing, the lake also has a healthy population of northern pike, walleye, and white fish.

Popular Lodge Park

The Popular Lodge Park is a fully serviced municipal campground located on the beautiful shores of Lake Nipigon. The park offers excellent swimming, a long sandy beach, children's playgrounds, and access to 8 km of hiking trails.

Trail entrance

You can access the MacLeod Provincial Park Hiking Trail off Highway 11. Upon entering the park, ask the gate attendant on how to find the hiking trail as you must enter the park to get to the beginning of the trail.

Trail entrance

Approximately 40 km northeast of Nipigon on Highway 11 turn right at the blue and white highway sign identifying the trail entrance. The parking area is located 200 m from the highway.

Trail description

Learn about the Palisades Hiking Trail and all there is to see and enjoy along the way.

Peregrine falcon

Stand at one of the many lookouts atop the cliffs and survey a spectacular panoramic view of the Pijtawabik Palisades. You may catch a glimpse of the endangered peregrine falcon perched on a cliff's edge.

Cascade falls

Behold the thundering beauty of the 40 m high Cascade Falls. Freezing up to 10 m thick, this waterfall is one of the most popular ice climbing sites at Orient Bay. The ice wall offers a variety of climbing grades and ice variations.

Brouse Lake

Relax and picnic on the shore of this picturesque lake atop the Palisades before heading back down.

Spot the moose

Keep a look out for the majestic moose, the largest member of the deer family. The Palisades serve as a major moose travel corridor, providing ample aquatic feeding grounds for this monarch of the boreal forest.

Steep climb area

A series of constructed stairs and earthen trail will assist you in the steep climb up the palisade to heights over 130 m above Orient Bay.

Trail entrance

The start of the Riverview Hiking Trail is at the north end of the campground. It is identified by a large trail head sign. If you're in the community of Longlac, turn onto Forestry Road (located on the right traveling from the West and on the left traveling from the East). Make a left turn onto Riverview Street and proceed to the end of the street. Make your way to the north east end of Riverview Campground where the trail entrance is located.

Trail description

Learn about the Riverview Hiking Trail and all there is to see and enjoy along the way.

Spot the black boxes

Along the trail you may spot thin black boxes located up in the trees. These are the daytime retreats for bats which eat thousands of flying insects every night.

Viewing platform

The two-tier viewing platform provides a place to sit and rest while you look out over the Kenogami River. If you look south, in the distance you can see the old church which sits on the shores of Long Lake.

Kenogami River

You can find evidence of the past logging operations along the river in the form of large groups of logs driven into the riverbed and then bound together. A notable view into history!

Boreal Lowlands

Elevated boardwalks allow users to walk through the wet forest without disturbing the ecosystem. This forest is the home to unique plant and wildlife species that are found on the interpretive signs along the trail.

Camping and boating

There is a fully equipped campground nearby located in the community of Longlac, beside the Kenogami River. The park offers a place to camp, fish on the river and hike on this trail.