ABOUT
THE TRAIL

The Casque Isles Trail is an adventurer’s dream come true, and then some—one of the top 10 best hikes in Ontario! This is the must-hike trail in Northwestern Ontario.

The trail weaves 53 km (33 miles) along the north shore of Lake Superior, highlighting some of the most stunning vistas of Lake Superior, and linking the communities of Terrace Bay, Schreiber and Rossport together. You’ll be swept away as you hike from one beautiful bay to the next.

Signed and groomed by the passionate volunteers of the Casque Isles Hiking Club, the Casque Isles Trail is an important section for both The Trans Canada Trail and the Voyageur Trail Association. To contact the Casque Isles Club you can send inquiries to casqueisles@gmail.com.

The Casque Isles Trail is part of the Voyageur Trail Association (VTA), which is the umbrella association of trails from Blind River to Nipigon. Maps on the Ondago app for your mobile, pdf maps and GPX tracks are available to all VTA members. Click here to become a member.

The Casque Isles Trail is divided into 6 Segments with 11 Access locations, and the Hiking Club also maintains the Rossport Coastal Trail. Whatever your level of experience, there is an adventure for everyone! You can do a small out-and back hike, challenge a whole Segment in a day hike, or take on the whole trail over multiple days – the choice is yours!

The Casque Isles Trail is classified as a difficult trail. The casual hiker need not worry, many sections of the trail are moderate in difficulty. See our Trail Difficulty Classification above for more information.

There are also a number of unofficial campsites along the trail for visitors wanting to spend the night and enjoy the beauty of Lake Superior, its ruggedly pristine coastlines and the enchanting stars of the trail’s dark skies. See Campsite information here.

For more information on the Casque Isles Trail detailing all of the segments of the trail as well as the Rossport Coastal Trail see here.

HISTORY OF
THE TRAIL

Built in 1975/1976 by an energetic group of young locals and led by Tom McGrath (the visionary force behind the trail’s birth), the Casque Isles Trail is a pure expression of the region and its people—forever endearing and brimming with spirit. Diligently working to create this recreational nature trail, the group cut through thick boreal forests, going from the shores of our big lake to the tall peaks of the bluffs that surround it.

Inspiration for the trail’s name came from a quote by Dr. John J. Bigsby—a physician, geologist and member of the British commission in Upper and Lower Canada—who wrote about Lake Superior’s north shore from atop Pic Island in 1823. To quote:

“As I turned towards the land, tall casque-shaped islands were seen here and there, full of sinuosities and overlooked by pleasingly grouped hills of conical or waved outline from 600 to 800 feet. I was well repaid for the trouble of the ascent.”

Tom loved the north shore of Lake Superior and wanted to share its majesty with everyone. Today, caring for the Casque Isles Trail is a labour of love, taken on by the volunteers of the Casque Isles Hiking Club. Holding onto Tom’s mantle and vision, the hiking club strives to keep the trail pristine for all visitors to share and treasure.

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Bay experience? We’d love to hear from you!

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