The Plan

Formed in late 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic, NWORTA became an Ontario non-profit corporation in May of 2021. On August 1 2024, NWORTA received Charitable Directorate of Canada charitable status. Our volunteer group is dedicated to the creation, maintenance, and promotion of free-to-use hiking trails throughout Thunder Bay and surrounding areas. When completed, our 5-phase trail plan will connect west to Atikokan, east to Nipigon, and south to Minnesota. We have an affiliation with Hike Ontario and Trans Canada Trail.

Our 5-phase Trail Plan consists of establishing the following trails:

Phase I - Shabaqua Trail (Kakabeka Falls to Shabaqua - officially opening 2024)

Phase II - Kakabeka Falls Trail (Thunder Bay to Kakabeka Falls)

Phase III - Pigeon River Trail (Shabaqua Trail to Minnesota)

Phase IV - Nipigon Trail (Thunder Bay to Nipigon)

Phase V - Atikokan Trail (Shabaqua to Quetico and Atikokan)

Total planned trail inventory will be nearly 400 kilometres or 250 miles when completed. This will be augmented by using existing old roads and trails in the area.

For up-to-date trail information see our online map