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'Big' is a theme in Northern Ontario. The area is so vast that it could fit six Englands and still have room for a Scotland or two. Industry is big here, too: most of the world's silver and nickel ore comes from local mines, while boundless forests have made the region a key timber producer. What's not so big is the local population; as of the most recent census, none of the cities have over 100,000 residents.
Two main highways weave an intersecting course across the province. Hwy 17 (the Trans-Canada) unveils the area's scenic pièce de résistance, the northern crest over Lake Superior. From Sudbury, misty fjord-like passages hide isolated beaches among dense thickets of pine, cedar and birch. Further north, Hwy 11 traverses through Cochrane – where the Polar Bear Express connects to Moosonee – to Thunder Bay, the intersection of the two highways.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Northern Ontario.
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Killarney is often called the crown jewel of the Ontario park system, and is considered to be one of the finest kayaking destinations in the world. Paddlers can spend from a day to a week exploring over 50 lakes, including two deep, clear gems on either side of the La Cloche ('the bell') Mountains. A network of short hikes also offers glimpses of the majestic terrain, including the Cranberry Bog Trail (a 4km loop) and the Granite Ridge Trail (a 2km loop).
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With only 4km of roads within its 1878-sq-km expanse, visitors to Ontario's only wilderness national park have to explore via hiking or paddling. It's similar to Lake Superior Provincial Park but more remote; keep an eye out for moose and black bears. Pukaskwa's frontcountry is based around its only general-use campground at Hattie Cove, near the park's entrance. Stop in at the visitor center when you arrive: guided hikes and activities depart from here most summer evenings.
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After passing through a tunnel dug deep within the 2.5-billion-year-old Canadian Shield, work your way down through the spiral of exciting hands-on activities in this fantastic museum. Wander through a living butterfly garden, stargaze in the digital planetarium (adult/child $8/6) or fly away on a bush-plane simulator. Visiting exhibits and IMAX films change regularly.
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French voyageurs, Scottish gentlemen and Ojibwe scuttle about while re-enacting life in the early 1800s at this historical park. From 1803 to 1821, Fort William was the headquarters of the North West Company. Eventually the business was absorbed by the Hudson's Bay Company and the region's importance as a trading center declined. Today the large heritage center offers 46 reconstructed historic buildings stuffed with entertaining and antiquated props such as muskets, pelts and birch-bark canoes.
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Seen across the lake from Thunder Bay, the jagged Sleeping Giant Peninsula resembles a large reclining man. Its rugged, forested terrain has been considered a sacred realm for millennia. The Sleeping Giant Provincial Park covers much of the craggy promontory, offering unforgettable views of Lake Superior.
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Drop by the town of Terrace Bay (www.terracebay.ca) and catch a boat (return from $165 each with four people) 13km to this outstanding archipelago, which is possibly the remains of an ancient meteorite. The islands are home to snowshoe hare and one of the world's largest herds of woodland caribou, as well as forested inlets for kayaking explorations. Naturally Superior Adventures runs five-day kayaking expeditions here ($1950).
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Despite all the polar bear talk, there are no wild polar bears in the region. This center, the world's largest polar bear facility and the only one with access to a natural lake, is dedicated to the conservation, care and wellbeing of the furry giants. There are currently three resident bears: Ganuk, Inukshuk and Henry. Visitors can learn more about them at 'meet the keeper' sessions (daily in summer).
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The focus of exciting development plans, Thunder Bay's marina area is a pedestrianized haven of parkland, fountains, footpaths, a skate park and public art. Pick up the free Public Art Walking Tour Guide, covering the many installations along the waterfront, from the tourist offices (or download it from www.visitthunderbay.com/en/see-and-do/public-art-walking-tour.aspx). Outdoor movies, concerts and festivals take place here in summer.
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This endless waterlogged preserve has some of Canada's finest wilderness canoe and portage routes, courtesy of over 2000 lakes and 460,000 hectares of unexplored backcountry. Some 35km of hiking trails take in towering rock cliffs, majestic waterfalls, virgin pine and spruce forests, and picturesque rivers and lakes. The winter months offer groomed cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing and ice fishing