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WALKERS WORLD Guided Rambling
Holidays in Canada
Manitoulin Island -
Canadian Rambles |
Whether you arrive by plane, train, ferry or car, Northern Ontario
offers a unique walking holiday adventure. Step back in time onto the rugged
shores of the Northern Great Lakes - into an unspoiled wilderness where the
French voyageurs once explored. Walk on trails of the Native Peoples the
Ojibway, the Odawa and Pottawatomi tribes that have inhabited the region for
endless centuries. Our pick-up point is the northern city of Sudbury (about 1.5
hours from the island) and Sudbury is easily accessed from Toronto by plane or
train. For those who prefer to arrive by car it is possible to go either via
Sudbury or by ferry across Georgian Bay from Tobermory.
Manitoulin is a sacred island to the Native Peoples whose
legends tell us that when the Great Spirit Gitchi Manitou created the world, he
set aside the bluest sparkling water, the brightest twinkling stars and the
most beautiful glistening quartz rocks. With these he made a special island and
set it in the Great Inland Sea (the Great Lakes) allowing it to drift gently
northward until it bumped into the rocky shoreline. Here it rested. He tilted
the island slightly to the south to catch the best weather and to protect it
from north winds and reserved this special place for himself and other spirits
to play.
Today, the island is part of
the remote and rugged Canadian Shield which forms a landscape of flat rocky
plateaus and low rounded hills. It is joined to the mainland at one narrow
point by a swinging bridge near Espanola and the only other way of entering the
island is by Chichee'maaun ferry from Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula (about a
three hour ferry ride). The island is sparsely inhabited and beautifully
rugged. Choke cherry, prickly rose, wild blueberry, silver birch, pine, maple
and sumac flourish amidst the rocky terrain. Wildlife abounds snowshoe
hare, porcupine, beaver and white-tailed deer. The scent of sweet Indian grass
pervades the crystal-clear air. There is more to see on Manitoulin
than just beautiful scenery. We visit a reconstructed settlers log cabin,
a lighthouse built in the 1800s, a museum recreating life in pioneer
times, an archaeological site and an Ojibway cultural
centre displaying native arts and crafts and entertaining with stories told by
the elders. We stop en route at Native art galleries and visit an Indian
Reservation. Here we meet Manitoulins indigenous peoples (The
Three Fires Confederation) and learn some of their beautiful legends about
living at peace with nature. The symbol of the People of the Three Fires is the
medicine wheel
the wheel which protected these quiet native people from
disease and disaster. Names of
Manitoulin villages evoke images of past culture Manitouwaning (Den of
the Great Spirit), Kagawong (Where mists rise from falling waters),
Little Currant (Petit Courant in French), Waiebegewung (where the waters flow),
Wikwemikong (Bay of the Beaver) and Lake Mindemoya (old
woman).
When you are not
walking there is plenty to do: Dip your feet or swim in clear Northern lakes. Rent a bicycle and
explore quiet, paved roads with little traffic. Pick wild blueberries.
Birdwatch look for a snowy owl or listen to the lonely call of a loon at
sunrise. Gather around a crackling fire and star-gaze as a native
story-teller spins tales that have been passed down through the millenia. We
may get a chance to witness a genuine Indian pow-wow complete with native
dancing and rituals, colourful regalia and rythmic drumming. Enjoy a
barbeque, fish fry, shore dinner and corn roast. Shop at native craft stores
and art galleries. Try your hand at fishing. Paddle a canoe.
Terrain: Our walks are on rocky woodland trails and quiet country roads which
are usually gravel surfaced. Hiking boots are recommended because of the rocky
terrain. Manitoulin terrain has some low hills but nothing difficult. Our walks
are done at an easy pace. Average daily distance is 8 miles.
Manitoulin
Rambles: Daily
Itinerary:
Day One -
Saturday: Pick up at Sudbury
Rail Station 4.15 pm. and at Sudbury Airport at 4.45 pm. The transfer by bus to
Manitoulin is about one and a half hours through scenic country. Once on the
island it is a further hour to the hotel at Gore Bay. On arrival we have a
welcome get-together and dinner.
Day Two -
Sunday: Our morning nature walk begins at the
lodge. The circular walk gives an orientation of the surroundings and is a
lovely ramble on woodland paths and quiet country roads. This is an
introduction to the flora and fauna of the region - the woods abound with shy
white-tailed deer, coyote and beaver. Our picnic lunch today is taken at a
scenic look-out with wonderful views of the woods and lakes. In the afternoon a
bus takes us a short distance to Kagawong (the Ojibway name for "where the mist
rises from falling waters") and our afternoon walk begins at a beautiful
waterfall. Not far away is the historic village and we continue on a
circle walk with breathtaking views of the North Channel and the distant
Lacloche Mountains. Dinner tonight is an outdoor barbeque and corn
roast.
Day Three - Monday:
This is a full day walk. We start about 9.30 am and transfer by bus (about
thirty minutes) to the Cup and Saucer Trail. This is about a two hour hike on
lovely woodland paths. The trail takes us to a scenic look-out and from here it
is possible to rest and enjoy the view or to add another twenty minute
"adventure hike". After a picnic lunch (included) we continue to M'Chigeeng for
a walk that leads to the Anishabe Native Cultural Centre. The centre features a
museum of local Ojibway culture, an art gallery, craft workshops, native dance
exhibitions and circular fireplace with traditional seating for story-telling
sessions with elders. We learn about the culture and spiritual beliefs of the
Anishabe people and their concern for the environment. Dinner tonight is
at a local restaurant in the village.
Day Four -
Tuesday: Today we go by bus (about 35 km) to the Misery Bay
Nature Reserve where we are met by local naturalist guides for a full day
nature hike. This is a Provincial Nature Reserve which protects a large
wet-land complex containing bog, fen and a rich cedar swamp as well as mixed
woodland forest and 15 km of unspoiled shoreline. The reserve is on the
migratory paths of many bird species and boasts at least 300 species of birds -
sand cranes, blue-jays and many more. From the boardwalks and hiking trails it
is possible to see many varieties of plants, fossils, butterflies and
insects. Dinner tonight is a shore-line fish fry. Nothing beats the taste
of fresh-caught, fresh-cooked fish prepared over an open fire. After dinner,
(weather permitting), we will have a session of star-gazing with a native
astronomer - and, with luck, a display of shooting stars or the Northern
Lights. Day Five - Wednesday: For those who would like a
free day there are many optional things to do. You can shop for native crafts,
rent a canoe, bicycle on quiet paved roads, bird-watch and much more. For
those who want to walk we have a full day planned with a visit to the
Sheshegwaning First Nations Reserve for a day of hiking on rugged woodland
trails. Trails are often marked by an "inukshuk" - a stone or wood spirit
carving that is a friendly indication to turn or stop. Dinner tonight is
at the lodge.
Day Six - Thursday:
Today we travel by bus to the Wikwemikong Reserve for an Aboriginal
Cultural Eco-tour to learn the rich history of the "People of the Three
Fires". This is the home of the Odawa tribe whom the explorer Champlain
first met in 1615. Jesuit missionaries lived here and built a chapel near the
present day church. Our native guides take us along hiking trails to show us
the natural wonders - mysterious off-shore islands, white clay cliffs and rocky
look-outs and enroute they share their knowledge of the island's wildlife -
"listen and observe" they tell us. We enjoy a traditional Indian meal for
lunch, are entertained by an authentic de-ba-jeh-mu-jig (native story-teller)
and see the Great Peace Pipe. Day Seven - Friday: Early
morning return by bus to Sudbury. Arrival at Sudbury Airport will be at
approximately 11.00 am and at Sudbury Rail Station at approximately 11.30
am. Flights and trains are available to return to Toronto. For those
who would like to continue to Ottawa there is a bus or a flight on Bear-Skin
Airways.
The above itinerary may be altered
due to weather, local conditions and events. If there is a "pow-wow" taking
place we will try to fit it into the schedule. Final decision on the walks is
at the discretion of the guides. For those interested in
shopping for native art and crafts there are many studios and these are also
available at farmers' markets. Here you may find intricate beaded jewelry,
sculptures, birch-bark crafts, pottery, quillwork, paintings on rawhide,
moccasins and much more.
Manitoulin
Island Rambles - Accommodation. |
Our walking holiday on Manitoulin
is based in the tiny village of Gore Bay. Gore Bay is a quiet backwater, a
natural anchorage, off the North Channel and the remote harbour is a popular
stop for charter sail boats. The village is quaint and old-fashioned with a
grocery store, a few shops and restaurants and a bird-watching tower. It is
surrounded by miles of beautiful, rocky woodland. The lodge at Gore Bay is a
two story, rustic hotel with some adjacent cabins. The location is spectacular
on the rocky shoreline of the bay with a dock for guests who would like to swim
in the clear water. The backdrop is beautiful woodland. It is about a ten
minute walk along a boardwalk into the village. Rooms are simple with twin
or double comfortable beds, private bath and cable TV. The atmosphere is rustic
and casual. There is a dining room and bar. Meals:
Breakfast is a buffet taken in the hotel dining room. A variety of cereals,
milk, coffee, tea, toast, muffins, pastries, fruit and yoghurt are
provided. Picnic lunches will include a selection of sandwiches, raw
vegetables, fruit, granola bars, nuts, cheese and cookies. Bottled water and
fruit juices are included. Vegetarian sandwiches are available - please let us
know in advance if you are vegetarian. Dinners are taken together as a
group - usually about 7.30 pm. We try to include native ingredients and fresh
vegetables and fish as much as possible - corn, wild rice, fresh fish,
blueberries and maple syrup are Manitoulin specialties. Meals are simple and
healthy and vegetarian options are available. At least two evenings dinner will
be outdoors. Wine and beer are available but not included.
A grocery store as well as a health-food store can be found in the village of
Gore Bay. |