Along the Tracks

The train is the way that Group of Seven painters traveled into the Canadian wilderness and creatively displayed those landscapes through their art. Their paintings of scenes along the Algoma Central Railway (ACR) have become Canadian cultural icons. 

The corridor serves two Franco-Ontarian municipalities: Hearst and Dubreuilville. Both municipalities provide Francophone experiences, such as French immersion summer camps for students from Sault Ste. Marie, events like Le Salon du Livre, Juste pour Rire, and les fetes d'hiver.

Searchmont Ski Resort is a premiere ranked, reginoal training and recreation facility with high-quality mountain terrain, amenities, events, and entertainment. With 21 runs over 100 acres of natural, rolling terrain, Searcmont is considered to be the best ski resort in all of Northern Ontario.

The Searchmont North Pole Express was an event that departed from Sault Ste. Marie and arrived at Searchmont Resort. Participants enjoyed an onboard performance by student actors as they travel to the "North Pole," arriving at Searchmont Resort where they enjoyed lunch, skiing, crafts, and games.

This annual backcountry skiing event began in 1980 and, unfortunately, ended in 2017 after the passenger train closed. Traditionally, this event had skiers take a scenic train ride from Sault Ste. Marie to Wabos, where they would then ski 27 km back to Stokely Creek.

Organized by the Sault Cycling Club, Crank the Shield was a multi-day cycling odyssey through Ontario's stunning Algoma backcountry. Participants rode the train for a remote drop off, enjoying the Agawa Canyon Tour then returned on bike to Stokely Creek.

Wabos, located approximately 35 km northeast of Sault Ste. Marie, was a key site for timber harvesting in the early 1900s. The rugged valleys and hills of the Wabos North Conservation Reserve (956 hectares) and the Wabos South Conservation Reserve (580 hectares) provide several potential recreational activities, including photography, bird and wildlife viewing, hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, and camping.

This tour would take snowmobile tourists along the historic Missinaibi River, which was used as the main route from Lake Superior to James Bay during fur trade times, and through the woodlands north of Mattice and Hearst. Riders are almost guaranteed to see moose and wolf tracks, so keep your camera ready!

Sport and adventure enthusiasts can connect with businesses like Superior Exploration Climbing & Adventure Inc. for guided outings, including overnight backpacking and camping, snowshoeing and day hikes, paragliding adventures, rock and ice climbing, and more!

Dubreuilville’s annual Dub Wild Run is a 5 km obstacle course that accommodates varying fitness levels. Proceeds support the Dubreuilville Recreation Committee.

Located on the Magpie River, Dubreuilville is a destination of choice for anglers. Be sure to check out their annual Magpie Walleye and Winter Pike derbys.

The Strongman Challenge in Dubreuilville is the biggest Strongman competition in Northern Ontario. With over 17 years’ experience, Strongmen and Strongwomen from around the world, including Lithuania, the USA, and Canada, travel to Dubreuilville to compete.

The MooseBack Trail System begins in Dubreuilville and charges out into the backcountry on more than 30 trails, allowing skiers and snowshoers travel to Chapleau, Hawk Junction, Hornepayne, Hearst, Kapuskasing, Missanabie, Smooth Rock Falls, Wawa, White River, and beyond.

ATV, off-road motorcyclists, and backcountry snowmobilers can explore a world of adventure on over 3,000 km of trails. The five Franco-Ontario communities of Northern Ontario are proud to welcome you to where outdoor adventures are part of their way of life. Top routes include Abitibi Canyon, the Mooseback, Rabbit Lake, Little Long Rapids, and the Smooth Rock Powerline Run.

Encompassing 2 million acres (700,000 hectares), the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve is the largest crown game preserve in the world! Although hunting and trapping are not permitted, anglers, hikers, backcountry campers, canoers, and photography enthusiasts are sure to enjoy viewing wildlife in their natural surroundings. Be sure to book a paddling trip with one of the area’s guide services to view the Fairy Point Pictographs.

With stops along the eastern edge of the Park at Sand Lake, Eton, and Frater, outdoor enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Superior Provincial park, including birding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting (in designated areas for moose, grouse, and varying hare), swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

Located near Wawa, ON, Naturally Superior Adventures offers guided sea kayak trips, guided canoe trips, guided voyageur canoe trips, and guided hikes.

Located in Hearst, Rheault Distillery is a tourist destination for its award-winning alocholic beverages, including its famous Loon Vodka and Sinful Cherry Liqueur.

This annual ice fishing event draws over 1300 anglers from across the region during the first week in March. The 30th annual event will take place in 2022 with the goals to promote fishing, tourism, economic development, and quality of life in Wawa and the surrounding area.