News

A New Year Brings Exciting New Trail Plans

A New Year Brings New Trail Opportunities: As 2024 has set sail into our rearview and 2025 gets its legs, we are gearing up for another year of trail expansion. On tap for 2025, and In keeping with our mandate to expand the Trans Canada Trail network beyond Thunder Bay, our primary focus will be the extension of the Shabaqua Trail further east from Sovereign Road (O'Connor Township) to Kakabeka Falls. Additionally, we will be focused on keeping with our commitment to O'Connor and Conmee Townships, and our members, to minimize shared motorized/trail use. Partial funding for this endeavour is already in place through Trans Canada Trail, which has provided full support for our plans. Additional supporting funding will be sought from other agencies, and sponsors. When completed, this trail will be approximately 60 km/35 mi.

We have also applied to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) for approval of the 60 km. Pigeon River Trail to connect the Shabaqua Trail south to the Minnesota border at the Highway 61 Canada/USA customs crossing. This will be accomplished by connecting to the existing 45 km. Trans Canada Trail/Path of the Paddle land trail segment along the Ontario/Minnesota border at Arrow River Road east of North Fowl Lake. When combined, these 2 trails will form a roughly 100 km/60 mi. trail to Minnesota. From there we are hoping to spur interest in our neighbouring Minnesota trail group friends in making a connection further south to the Superior Hiking Trail. This would represent a Northwestern Ontario 150 km. segment of a future Lake Superior international hiking trail circle route.

We will be presenting another deputation to Oliver-Paipoonge Township early in the new year. Date and time TBA. We are hopeful we can convince Council to agree to allow a designated connection through the Township which would permit an official route connecting Kakabeka Falls and Thunder Bay. This would be known as the Kakabeka Falls Trail, and tie into the Shabaqua Trail and our newest trail segment along Broadway Avenue. If you are a resident of Oliver-Paipoonge, please reach out to your Council members to show your support.

We have determined a very viable route for a proposed Atikokan Trail from Shabaqua to Atikokan. The first phase will focus on connecting to Quetico, with future plans to make the final connection to Atikokan. Our investigation has determined that much of the trail exists in its present form, and would require about 2 km. of new trail construction to make a 120 km/75 mi. "bare bones" initial route. This would be upgraded and improved over time to enhance user safety and experience. As it is proposed to parallel Highway 11 on the north side, the trail would be easy access for section hiking and trail maintenance. It also provides decent cell phone access which is now a critical convenience for trail users. Trans Canada Trail is, of course, very interested in this trail as well.

In terms of the Nipigon Trail, we have identified a potential route. Similar to our other trails, our focus will be on accessing existing low-use/unused roads and trails on Crown/public lands west of Highway 11/17 and Lake Superior. As it stands now, this 180 km/110 mi. proposed route will take in Wolf River Falls, Morraine (Talking) Falls, Ouimet Canyon, Black Sturgeon River Provincial Park, Deer Lake Mountain, connecting to Nipigon, then Red Rock via the Nipigon River Recreation Trail.

Much of this bold, but beautiful plan relies on getting supporting funding from various sources. This includes support from folks like you. By donating, or purchasing a $20 single or $30 family annual membership, you can help make this happen. You can also help by purchasing metres of trail through our Build the Trail sponsor program. If you have not already done so, please go to our website and support us today. Thank you!

NWORTA PRESS RELEASE: 

Completion of the Trans Canada Trail Broadway Avenue Trail Extension

BROADWAY AVENUE EXTENSION - NWORTA/TRANS CANADA TRAIL

KAKABEKA FALLS TRAIL

11/21/24

We have just recently completed the construction of Thunder Bay's newest trail, the NWORTA/Trans Canada Trail - Kakabeka Falls Trail. This new 3 kilometre greenway path extends the existing Trans Canada Trail within the City of Thunder Bay west along the north easement of Broadway Avenue from King Road to Rosslyn Road via 25th Side Road. Following final "fine-tuning" and signage installation, the trail will be officially available to the public. This new trail will reduce the amount of pedestrian traffic along the traveled roadway making for a much safer, and more enjoyable option for Thunder Bayites to get outside. It will also serve as a new pathway for those traveling across this great country of ours on the longest trail network in the world, and Canada's national treasure, the Trans Canada Trail. This could not have been possible without the support of Trans Canada Trail, Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission, John Nickle - Sougill Contracting, Gino Fournier - 1-2-Tree Service, and of course our rock solid dedicated volunteers! You know who you are! Stay tuned for our official opening.

BROADWAY AVENUE EXTENSION - NWORTA/TRANS CANADA TRAIL

KAKABEKA FALLS TRAIL

11/04/24

Work is progressing quite nicely with our new trail being constructed along the north easement corridor of Broadway Avenue. This trail will form the east trailhead for our proposed Kakabeka Falls Trail connecting Thunder Bay to Kakabeka Falls. At the present, it will begin at King Road and Broadway Avenue (the old Fort William Historical Park access) and continue along Broadway Avenue for 3 kilometres to Rosslyn Road via 25th Side Road, where it will terminate.

We have been unable to gain approval from Oliver-Paipoonge council for an approved route through the township using Rosslyn Road, Harstone Road, and Luckens Road, which would connect to our Shabaqua Trail at the west side of Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. While we are disappointed, this does not preclude the general public from using this route in an unofficial capacity. 

THANK YOU TO PARKS CANADA/TRANS CANADA TRAIL

October 30/24

Having begun work on the new Broadway Avenue trail extension, you are likely to notice at the west end near 25th Side Road that we have installed a sign recognizing the funding support of Parks Canada and Trans Canada Trail. An additional sign will be installed at the east end near King Road (Fort William Historical Park) once work on the trail begins there. We simply could not accomplish this project without this support. 

We wish to thank them, as well as the City of Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), our members, volunteers, and supporters for their belief in our big dream. We are looking forward to having this trail open and available to the residents of, and visitors to, the City of Thunder Bay in the coming weeks.

When completed, this trail will be added to the Tans Canada Trail interactive map for the Thunder Bay area, bringing the total Trans Canada Trail land trail inventory in the area to nearly 100 km. 

APPROVAL FOR BROADWAY AVENUE TRAIL

October 10/24

We are super excited to announce that we have received approval from the City of Thunder Bay and Trans Canada Trail to begin construction of our newest trail.

CHARITABLE STATUS

August 01/24

We are super excited to announce that we have been granted charitable status by the Charities Directorate of Canada. NWORTA can now issue tax deductible receipts for any donations or gift contributions going forward, which means there is even more reason to give to this very worthy cause. Even $5 helps immensely. Please see our Donations page to donate today.

TRAIL WORK PERMIT APPLICATION

PHASE I SHABAQUA TRAIL REROUTES 

SHABAQUA ROAD, FLEMING ROAD, SOVEREIGN ROAD

June 15/24

NorthWestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association (NWORTA) has applied to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) for approval of rerouting sections of the Shabaqua Trail in the Laurie (Shabaqua), Conmee, and O'Connor Townships (Kakabeka Falls). These reroutes are intended to mitigate shared motorized roads and trails on Luckens, Sovereign, Fleming, and Shabaqua Roads and Highway 590.

TRAIL WORK PERMIT APPLICATION

PHASE III PIGEON RIVER TRAIL 

June 15/24

NorthWestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association (NWORTA) has applied to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) for approval of the construction of a new hiking trail from the NWORTA Shabaqua Trail (Marks Township) south to the Trans Canada Trail/Path of the Paddle Animikii/Omimi Trail along the Ontario/Minnesota border. The route will involve the Townships of Marks, Strange, Fraleigh, and Devon Townships.

THUNDER BAY COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (CEDC) SUPPORTS NWORTA

Apr 18/24

NWORTA is proud and pleased to announce that the City of Thunder Bay CEDC Tourism Development Fund has granted funding to assist with costs associated with extending the City of Thunder Bay Trans Canada Trail west of Fort William Historical Park. NWORTA plans to construct a 3 kilometre "natural base" trail along the Broadway Avenue north easement from King Road to 25th Side Road. This extension is part of NWORTA's 5-Phase Trail Plan to expand the Trans Canada Trail land trail network west to Kakabeka Falls, Shabaqua, Quetico, Atikokan, and south to the Minnesota border. We thank the CEDC for their forward-looking vision and their support for our ambitious, but very doable plan. When completed, the City of Thunder Bay Trans Canada Trail combined with NWORTA's Shabaqua Trail west of Kakabeka Falls, will provide over 90 kilometres of designated Trans Canada Trail trails in the area.

TRANS CANADA TRAIL APPROVES SPRING CARE TRAIL GRANT TO NWORTA

Apr 16/24

NWORTA is proud and pleased to announce that the Trans Canada Trail Spring Care Trail Grant has granted funds to go towards the purchase of a brush saw and related equipment. This forgivable grant is available annually to qualified groups, and is one of the many benefits of TCT affiliation. We can't thank Trans Canada Trail enough for their invaluable assistance. 

SHABAQUA TRAIL NOW ON TRANS CANADA TRAIL INTERACTIVE MAP

Mar 28/24

NWORTA is proud and pleased to announce that the Shabaqua Trail has been added to the Trans Canada Trail interactive map. It includes information on the route and allows for GPS coordinates to be downloaded directly from the map. Additional information and GPS coordinates can be found on our Trails page. This addition to the Trans Canada Trail network will provide locals and visitors with a great opportunity to explore the natural beauty our area has to offer. In addition, those traveling across Canada on the longest hiking trail in the world, the Trans Canada Trail, will be provided a much safer and user friendly route alternative to the Trans Canada Highway between Kakabeka Falls and Shabaqua.

TRANS CANADA FUNDING SUPPORT

Feb 22/24

NWORTA has been approved for Trans Canada Trail funding support through their Trail Funding Program - Infrastructure and Major Repairs. Anticipated work includes approximately $80,000 worth of new trail construction, existing trail upgrades, and trail directional/regulatory signs for our Phase I Shabaqua Trail and Phase II Kakabeka Falls Trail. Covering 30% of anticipated costs, these funds will go a long way in helping us secure additional funding partners to make the needed additions/changes happen. Our thanks goes out to both Trans Canada Trail for their generous support. 

OFFICIAL TRANS CANADA TRAIL AFFILIATION

NWORTA is super excited to announce that as of January 30/2024 we have been officially recognized as a member in good standing with Trans Canada Trail. The Shabaqua Trail, to be opened officially in 2024, will soon be added to the Trans Canada Trail interactive map and registered as Trail #0952. We are beyond excited about this as having Trans Canada Trail affiliation is huge in terms of NWORTA's legitimacy as a trail organization, and will draw Trans Canada Trail users to the region.