Section of the Voyageur Trail

The Echo Ridges Section of the Voyageur Trail runs 56 km from the end of the Saulteaux Section at Mabel Lake, through the Garden River First Nation to the Echo River and then south to Tower Lake just north of Hwy 638.

The trail is broken down into four segments that can be hiked (in whole or part) either as out-and-back outings or as through-hikes by walking back along roads or parking a vehicle or bicycle at the other end. This is a remote section of the trail with few access points. It offers hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and bushwack skiing through some of Ontario’s most scenic and sparsely populated country. It is a true wilderness trail with no facilities, maintained mainly by volunteers and offering a unique wilderness experience for those who wish to savour it. If you plan to park in the Garden River First Nation, please obtain a pass from the Band Office.

At Tower Lake, on Lonely Lake Rd, just north of Hwy 638, there is parking, picnic tables and a nice swimming area. You can make a lovely day hike by going up the trail and returning to Two Horse Lake Rd.

Photo: By P199, CC BY-SA 4.0