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PHASE I - SHABAQUA TRAIL 45.9 KM (OPEN)
Note: The trail is considered as a moderate difficulty remote recreation hiking trail. Use at own risk. Trail directional arrows, Trans Canada Trail markers, and blue blazes have been installed along the route. Always have a map, compass, and the downloaded trail route which is available to Voyageur Trail Association members. To access downloadable trail routes and to become a member visit the Voyageur Trail Association web page.
This route was chosen as our first phase trail due to it being primarily on Crown lands, as it was anticipated the approval process would be much less laborious than the other proposed trails. Despite delays due to the pandemic, and staffing changes and shortages at the local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office, that assumption was relatively correct. We received our MNRF Trail Work Permit approval on August 14/23, which then allowed us to move forward on establishing the short "connector" trails needed to take advantage of existing old roads and trails to make one contiguous trail.
The official east trailhead begins on Highway 590 at Sovereign Road (48.39821, -89.70080) about 7 km. west of Kakabeka Falls. From that point it travels northwest toward the west trailhead at Shabaqua using a mix of township roads, old unused logging roads, existing trails, and new trails. Plans for 2026 include extending the trail 15 km. to Kakabeka Falls.
As of 04/26, the route officially stands at 45.9 km/28.5 mi. in length.
Camping is permitted anywhere on Crown (public) land. While much of the trail is on public lands, Sovereign Road and Fleming Road do have both public and private lands abutting them. It is up to the individual to make sure they are on public and not private lands when they camp. There are several road access points which will benefit "day" or "section" hikers. There are several good undeveloped campsite locations along the route with water access, but at this point we have not officially designated them as such.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO FULLY EXTINGUISH ALL CAMPFIRES.
AS OF 08/18/26 A FIRE BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT!
The Shabaqua Trail's elevation rises continuously from approximately 335 m/1,200 ft. above sea level at the east trailhead location at Highway 590/Sovereign Road (48.39828, -89.70026) to a maximum approximate height of 560 m/1,840 ft at its mid point (48.46351, -89.83157). From there it begins its descent to around 420 m/1,380 ft as it approaches Shabaqua (48.59364, -89.88823).
To put this in context, Mount McKay in Thunder Bay is approximately 480 m/1,575 ft. above sea level. This means that once you hit the peak of the trail, you would be technically looking down at the top of Mt. McKay.
SHABAQUA TRAIL ROUTE
The map and spreadsheet below indicate mileage references and elevations from Kakabeka Falls to Shabaqua
SHABAQUA TRAIL - TRAIL MAINTENANCE/AUDIT INFO:
NWORTA is committed to providing the best trail experience possible. We are able to provide that through regular trail audits and maintenance outings by our dedicated volunteers. If you experience anything that requires our attention, please notify us via email: nworta@nworta.ca. Thank you!
The following information provides recent known issues regarding the trail and its access.
ALWAYS BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRAIL TRACK TO YOUR FAVOURITE GPS APP/DEVICE
Download available https://voyageurtrail.ca/trail-maps/ (membership required)
Forestry Harvest Operations:
Recent forestry harvest operations have occurred at about KM 8 to KM 9 west of Strom Road and the Cedar Creek Pit. Volunteers have been out re-clearing and marking the trail location. As of 08/18/26 some trail clearing remains to be completed at the western end in this area. Be sure to have the .gps track downloaded. We are lead to believe that additional forest harvesting operations will impact the trail further west of that location.
Matawin River Bridge Washout:
We have been advised that the approaches to the Matawin River Bridge south of Shabaqua (KM 37.5) have been washed away. We will update as we learn more.
Shabaqua Trail Known Issues/Trail Maintenance: East Trailhead to Adrian Lake (Adrian North Road)
Distance: 15.5 km
The map below indicates known issues and trail maintenance locations from Highway 590 to Adrian Lake (Adrian North Road). Sections of the trail that do not have green indicate they have not been maintained as of yet. Expect possible tall grasses/deadfall on these sections.
Shabaqua Trail Known Issues/Trail Maintenance: Adrian Lake to Glenwater Road
Distance: 13.3 km
The map below indicates known issues and trail maintenance locations from Adrian Lake (Adrian North Road) to Glenwater Road. Sections of the trail that do not have green indicate they have not been maintained as of yet. Expect possible tall grasses/deadfall on these sections.
Shabaqua Trail Known Issues/Trail Maintenance: Glenwater Road to Shabaqua
Distance: 16.3 km
The map below indicates known issues and trail maintenance locations from Glenwater Road to Shabaqua. Sections of the trail that do not have green indicate they have not been maintained as of yet. Expect possible tall grasses/deadfall on these sections. As mentioned above, the approaches to the Matawin River bridge at KM 37.5 are reported to be washed out which makes connection to/from Shabaqua difficult. We are hoping to know about possible future repairs soon.
SHABAQUA TRAIL EXPANSION PLAN
NWORTA plans to expand the Shabaqua Trail by 15 km. from the east trailhead at Sovereign Road to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park and Kakabeka Falls itself. The expansion route is approximately 15 km. and is shown below. Expected completion date late 2026.
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