Hiking Trails in Quetico Provincial Park

While most of Quetico Park is accessible by water only, there are some hiking trails accessible from the Dawson Trail Campground near Atikokan. Hiking the trails takes approximately 30 minutes to 3.5 hours and range from moderate to strenuous.

Beaver Meadows Trail - 2.5 km (1 hour) strenuous
Rough topography and steep slopes are features of this trail as it weaves its way through a variety of forest habitat. The rich diversity of plant life reflects subtle differences in sunlight, soil, temperature, moisture and topography under the forest canopy. (Caution: Terrain is slippery when wet.)

French Falls Trail - 2.4 km (1hour) strenuous
This trail is not long but has some steep climbs as it follows the cascades of the French River. This is a picturesque, photogenic trail.

French Portage Trail - 5 km (2 hours) strenuous
This hike into the past traces a portage first established by natives and later used by European explorers and fur traders. It was, for a short time, the main route for settlement in the Red River area of Manitoba and for further exploration west. French Portage is still part of a canoe route that connects Windigoostigwan and French Lake. The low-lying terrain is sometimes difficult.

Pickerel Point Trail - 1.6 km return (30 minutes) moderate
Sometimes difficult and steep, this trail follows the Pickerel River for a view of aquatic life and riparian plants and animals. Pickerel Point is an excellent spot to see bald eagles, great blue herons, king fishers and ospreys.

Pickerel River Trail - 0.8 km (30 minutes) barrier free
The Sheila Hainey Boardwalk along the Pickerel River clips to lowlands along the river's edge through alder, balsam fir and spruce then slowly rises to highlands of pine, birch and poplar. It links the Quetico Information Pavilion at Dawson Trail to French Lake day-use area.

Pines Hiking Trail - 10 km return (3.5 hour) moderate
An extension of the Whiskey Jack Trail, Pines takes in a sandy beach guarded by a stand of majestic old-growth red and white pine. Enjoy the solitude of the walk, picnic on the beaches of Pickerel Lake, or venture into the interior. The trail includes moderate to steep climbs. Backpackers can obtain an interior camping permit and hike this trail for overnight camping.

Whiskey Jack Trail - 2.5 km (1 hour) moderate
This gateway to Quetico's wilderness begins on a boardwalk that winds through forest-covered lowland thick with mosses, Labrador tea, horsetail, twinflower, bunchberry, pyrola, black spruce and tamarack. The boardwalk gives way to a footpath that meanders through a mosaic of forest habitats. (Caution: Terrain is slippery when wet.)

To order topographical maps of Quetico Provincial Park, visit www.northwestontariomaps.ca.