'So much variety': New accessible coastal hiking trail along North Shore of Lake Huron
After two years of hard work in the Town of Thessalon, a new eight-kilometre accessible wilderness trail with views of Lake Huron has officially opened.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony with more than 100 people in attendance was held Saturday at the Thessalon Coastal Trail, located about an hour's drive east from Sault Ste. Marie.
Ribbon cutting at Thessalon Coastal Trail. April 20, 2024 (Town of Thessalon)
"Thessalon Coastal Trail offers something for everyone. For the hardy, seasoned hiker the entire return 8km wilderness trail will give you the workout you are looking for," the town said in a news release.
"Want to check out migrating waterfowl or herons fishing? Many birding spots to be had. Just out for a short walk in your running shoes, pick from several loops to hike. Mobility challenged? No problem – the crushed gravel accessible trail is ready for you."
Jordan Bird is the town's deputy mayor and trail's team leader who spoke about his vision for the project.
Thessalon Coastal Trail map. April 20, 2024 (Town of Thessalon)
"In 2020, during the pandemic, my family had to travel north of Sault Ste. Marie or several hours’ drive to Manitoulin to partake in coastal hiking," Bird is quoted as saying in the news release.
"I started poking around in our own community and came across this hidden gem. Fast forward after two years of grant applications and many meetings and hours of trail creation, we can now hike in our own backyard. I am so proud of our trails team’s accomplishments and look forward to exploring expansion down the line."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The trail features floating walkways and crushed gravel along with red Muskoka chairs for a break to enjoy the view.
Hiker sits in red Muskoka chair on Thessalon Coastal Trail enjoying the view of the shores of Lake Huron. April 20, 2024 (Town of Thessalon)
The walkways extend to small islands to provide "world-class views of Thessalon and Lake Huron."
Guided tours were held on opening day.
"The trail had so much variety," one hiker is quoted as saying in the news release.
Red Muskoka chairs give hikers a break to enjoy the views of the marshland on the Thessalon Coastal Trail. April 20, 2024 (Town of Thessalon)
"One minute we are walking along the granite rocks and watching the North Channel waves then we dip into the quiet pine forest. Loved it. We will be back."
A volunteer group called 'Friends of the Thessalon Coastal Trail' has been created to maintain the trails and fundraise for "enhancements like benches and bird blinds."
Hikers enjoy views from shores of Lake Huron on new Thessalon Coastal Trail. April 20, 2024 (Town of Thessalon)
Hikers gather at Thessalon Coastal Trail map on opening day. April 20, 2024 (Town of Thessalon)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.