Biking in Sault Ste. Marie
There’s great road cycling and mountain biking in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and some of it is even accessible right from the Inn’s door. Regardless of your skill level, there is a trail for you to explore.
The Inn supports your biking adventure:
- Indoor storage – You can secure your bike in the Inn’s garage.
- Inn Packages – Combine your adventure with a stay at the Inn and enjoy the pools and whirlpools of Club Cabana Aqua Spa after your day’s adventure. Find out more.
- Lunch to Go – The Inn’s kitchen will create a hearty and healthy boxed lunch for you to enjoy.
- Adventure Hosts – Consult with an Adventure Host for activity assistance.
Or call 1-888-461-7077 for more information on packages, adventures and more.
Road Biking in Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is an awesome place to cycle hard-top, whether you want a long-haul or a leisurely pedal. The city is studded with green areas and has a long stretch of waterfront along the St. Mary’s River. In a northern Ontario city of 75,000, the traffic is not a grid-lock issue, and there are plenty of quiet roadways and paved trails. Beyond the city, there are islands, parks and backroads to explore. The region is rich with lakes and waterways, forests and 2.5 billion year-old rock faces. There are neat little villages, and historic and cultural sites to delight you.
The John Rowswell Hub Trail
The Hub Trail is restricted to walking and other self-propelled activities such as cycling. It connects historical, cultural and natural points in Sault Ste. Marie, and engages the user with its mix of urban areas, waterfront boardwalk, nature-significant sites, and wetlands with their native flora and fauna. The Hub Trail incorporates a paved trail combined with a few short stretches of designated street cycling. The entire distance is 25 km/15.5mi, but you can do it in sections. The north and east sections are directly accessible from The Water Tower Inn. Perfect for road or mountain bikes. Relatively flat, although there are two sharper inclines along the way. Users can snack in picnic areas or enjoy a rest on park benches. In its more urban neighbourhoods like the downtown waterfront, you can access restaurants, bars, and destinations like the Bushplane Museum or the Art Gallery of Algoma, among others. The Inn’s Adventure Hosts can give you a map and recommend highlights along your route.
Hiawatha Highlands/5th Line Loop
Road cyclists can ride directly from The Water Tower Inn to the Hiawatha Highlands Conservation Area. The hill just before you reach your destination can be a bit challenging, but it’s short, and respite is quick. At the park, there are picnic shelters and an ice-cream stop. You can also ride to the bottom of the hill down to Crystal creek and take the stairway up to the impressive Crystal Falls. If you have a mountain bike, you could continue on to cycle the huge network of off-road trails at Hiawatha. Ask our Trailhead Adventure Hosts for the 5th Line Loop cycling map. Distance is 21km./13mi. return from the Inn.
Gros Cap
This incredible cape of land overlooks the St. Mary’s River where it issues from the southern end of Lake Superior. It’s a 21 km ride straight from the Inn, and you can return the same way for a 42 km ride. However, a looped ride will take you through prettier, less trafficky terrain, though the loop will add to your distance, making it approximately 60 kilometres. The ride to Gros Cap starts and ends at the Inn. The route is paved, with some bicycle lanes. You will be pedalling directly west along Hwy. 550 (2nd Line), which can be busy (but the road is wide) for about 10 km., then becomes quite tranquil.
Cycle St. Joe’s
Beautiful St. Joseph’s Island lies 63 km southeast of The Water Tower Inn in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and offers many kilometres of varied riding routes. Load up your bike and drive eastward on Highway 17 E. (the TransCanada Highway), then cross the short Bert Gilbertson Bridge to get onto the island. There are many routes to choose from, depending on your energy and timeline. Once you’ve arrived on St. Joseph’s Island, you’ll be instantly charmed by the small-town/rural flavour of the place. Paved Highway 548 circles the island (an 80 km. ride), and will take you through the two largest communities; Hilton Beach and Richard’s Landing, both on the waterfront, as their names imply. There are many attractions to visit, if that is your bent, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful with an abundance of panoramic views over Lake Huron. Terrain is rolling. Consult with our Adventure Hosts to plan your itinerary.
Cycle the Searchmont Highway or Bellevue Valley
This is a fantastic road trip, whether you start from the Inn, or drive to the turn-off, park and pedal from there. The Searchmont Highway travels true wilderness, through deep forest, rugged rockscapes, and scenic glimpses of the Goulais River, which it parallels. This is not a ride for novices, since the terrain is twisty, rolling, sometimes hilly, but worth every heartbeat. There are two routes you can follow. Riding north on the TransCanada Highway (there is a wide shoulder, if not a bike lane) for 13.63 km, turn right on Hwy. 556 at Heyden. Travel another 29.3 km to the village of Searchmont, for a total of 42.6 km. Retrace your route to return to the Inn, a total ride of 85.2 km. Or you can drive your bike to Heyden, park and make your ride shorter. You can also do the Bellevue loop off Hwy. 556, which is also a great trip but will add hills and kilometres.
Or call 1-888-461-7077 for more information on packages, adventures and more.
Mountain Biking in Sault Ste. Marie
Mountain biking in and around Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and its surrounding wilderness areas is a popular local pastime and new trails pop up constantly due to the diligent efforts of our resident single-trackers. You can pedal scenic, often paved trails within the city that take you along the dynamic waterfront boardwalk and through parks and conservation areas. Or you can ride trails from gentle to gnarly within 10 minutes of the Inn. Our area enjoys varied terrain, beautiful forest, and endless rivers and lakes. Exhilaration best describes your mountain biking experience in Algoma country. Our Adventure Hosts can provide you with maps and trail information.
Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site
Very easy terrain, but not paved, this trail system will give you 5 km of gentle but scenic and historic two-wheel enjoyment. You can drive to this heritage site or access it from the Hub Trail (see above). You will cross the Canadian Canal on the narrow lock gate walkway to access these trails, which weave in and out of wooded islets and wetlands bordering the St. Mary’s River. Plus, you can do more than ride your bike here; you can, for instance, tour historic buildings, antique machinery and picturesque grounds of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal. The Canadian Lock was a technological marvel in its day – the longest and most modern in the world in 1895. The trailhead is 4.8km/3mi from the Inn.
Stokely Creek / Algoma Highlands Mountain Bike Trail System
This network of trails, maintained by a partnership between Stokely Creek Lodge and the Algoma Highlands Conservancy, hugs the rugged slopes of King Mountain and affords views over the spectacular coastline of eastern Lake Superior. This is a world class Nordic Ski area, so the more leisurely double trails are well-marked. There are also additional single-track trails requiring some serious climbing. The trailhead is 24.9 km/15.5 miles from the Inn.
Hiawatha Highlands
The Highlands is a beautiful 3,000-acre conservation area located within the city limits, offering a vast network of well-marked cross-country ski trails (45 kilometres/30 miles) that provide mountain biking for every level. Ride the well-signed double track or veer off on the more challenging single track spin-offs created by local riders. You’ll ride through towering white pines and sandy inclines, punctuated with still waterways and cascading waterfalls. The Trailhead begins just 10 km/6.2 mi from The Water Tower Inn, so you can drive it or ride it. There is a detailed trail map for the double-track system.
Or call 1-888-461-7077 for more information on packages, adventures and more.
