Northern half of the 60 km-long Coastal Trail along the northeast shore of Lake Superior, from Hattie's Cove south to Oiseau Bay and back. Rough in many places, and often requires pushing through fairly thick bush. A fair number of fallen trees on trail (maybe one per hour), which are easily bypassed. Rocky sections marked only by cairns; not always well marked. Some boulder fields which are hard on the ankles and knees. Quite slippery when wet. Insects are bad. Campsites are pretty but primitive.
It's a popular area for sea-kayakers as well!
Directions:
Fly to Thunder Bay, take Highway 11 about 300 km, about 20-30 km past Marathon. You could also take a Greyhound bus from Thunderbay to Marathon and then catch a cab from there into the park (possible, too, that you could get the bus to let you off at the turn-off to the park and then hike maybe 8 km to the trailhead).
Instructions:
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ByPosted By: northernboy52
- Tue Mar 06 20:49:40 UTC 2007
UpsidePukaskwa is a gem, whether hiking or on the water. DownsideRain! expect 1 or 2 days out of 5. You may experience frost in mid to late August. CommentFirst post refers to Lake Superior Prov. Park Coastal Trail. The Pukaskwa National Park Coastal Trail is much more difficult. The lower half see only a dozen or so hiking groups a year as you have to take a boat ride down. It's rugged but very beautiful. Most of the campsites are in sandy cove beaches. Both trails are worth the effort. We met several kayakers, it was tough to say who had the better time!
ByPosted By: elizabethmens
- Sun Jan 22 18:34:00 UTC 2006
UpsideSome of the most beautiful scenery ever! If you are there in Ausgust, there are almost no bugs. I found the campsites nice and equipped with thunderboxes- sometimes nice, sometimes not so nice. DownsideSome tough sections of trail, but that was what made it fulfilling! The trail markers in the rocky sections can become difficult to see, but it's hard to get lost because all you need to do is follow the coast and you'll eventually find the trail again. CommentI spent a week hiking from Gargantuan down to Agawa Campground, and for a realatively inexperienced backpacker it was the trip of a lifetime (so far- I'm hoping for others!). I also spent a week sea kayaking, from Agawa Rock up to Naturally Superior (a great spot to rent gear, get lessons, or take a tour!) Being a inexperienced kayaker, with a very experienced guide I enjoyed myself a lot, but go prepared for a few weathered in days!
ByPosted By: hawke_gh
- Sun Jul 03 18:14:59 UTC 2005
UpsideJoe O'Blenis reports this to be an AWESOME area to kayak/canoe DownsideWatch the weather... it's possible to be "wind bound" for several days! CommentNOTE: for kayak and canoe info on this trail please check the articles I posted on Joe O'Blenis' trip across Canada (see "Articles" Canoe section of Trailpeak). He had some splendid adventures in the Pukuskawa area.
ByPosted By: begemot
- Thu Jul 15 10:42:05 UTC 2004
Not Rated
Commentand distance should read 60 km (round trip)
ByPosted By: begemot
- Thu Jul 15 10:39:18 UTC 2004
Not Rated
Comment"time to complete" should read 6 days, not 6 hours
Posted By: hawke_gh