Hiking in Coastal Trail, Lake Superior: trails, map and practical info

The Lake Superior Coastal Trail is a rugged 65-kilometre backcountry hiking trail located within Lake Superior Provincial Park along the northeastern coast of Lake Superior in Northwestern Ontario. This challenging multi-day backpacking route stretches from Agawa Bay in the south to Chalfant Cove in the north, requiring 5 to 7 days to complete depending on your pace and fitness level.

Trail Overview

The Coastal Trail is not suitable for beginners due to its technical terrain, including slippery rock sections, steep climbs, and remote wilderness conditions. This demanding route follows Lake Superior's pristine coastline, where ancient cliffs rise dramatically from the water's edge and dense boreal forest creates a wild, primordial atmosphere.

Along the route, you'll encounter diverse landscapes including high cliffs, rocky beaches of boulders and driftwood, smooth granite slabs, and rugged boulder fields. The trail hugs the shoreline offering unobstructed views of the vast freshwater sea and opportunities for wildlife viewing, including bald eagles soaring overhead.

Planning Your Visit

A vehicle permit is required to visit Lake Superior Provincial Park. Reserve your daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance to guarantee access through the Ontario Parks reservation service at reservations.ontarioparks.ca.

The trail's remote sections provide opportunities for backcountry camping, allowing you to experience the profound silence of the Canadian wilderness. Access to secluded beaches and hidden coves where you can swim in Lake Superior's crystal-clear waters offers refreshing breaks from hiking.

Ancient Indigenous pictographs at Agawa Rock provide a powerful connection to the area's cultural heritage spanning thousands of years. The contrast of dramatic natural landscapes makes the Lake Superior Coastal Trail one of Canada's premier backpacking adventures, accommodating serious wilderness enthusiasts seeking solitude along one of the world's largest freshwater coastlines.