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 opened 2024)

Phase II - Kakabeka Falls Trail (Thunder Bay to Kakabeka Falls - 5 km. open)

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

Phase IV - Nipigon Trail (Thunder Bay to Nipigon - proposed)

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

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.