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Agawa Canyon is a deep, forested gorge in the Algoma wilderness of northern Ontario, carved into the Canadian Shield and lined with granite walls and waterfalls. With no road access, it is reached essentially by rail, and the landscape of rivers, lakes and hardwood hills here inspired painters of the Group of Seven.
The classic outing is the Agawa Canyon Tour Train from Sault Ste. Marie, a full-day ride north over trestles and along lakeshores, followed by a stopover on the canyon floor. During the break, visitors can climb the stairs of the Lookout Trail for a view down the valley or walk shorter paths to Bridal Veil Falls, Black Beaver Falls and Otter Creek Falls. Back in the Sault, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site and the old stone Ermatinger-Clergue house fill another day.
This trip appeals to families, photographers and anyone who would rather watch the wilderness roll past than hike into it. The train runs seasonally, and the fall color period is by far the busiest, so booking early helps. Drivers can extend the journey north along Lake Superior to see the Agawa Rock Pictographs, the rust-colored cliffs at Old Woman Bay and the sandy beach at Katherine Cove.
WiserMap travel guideAgawa Canyon Ontario Tour Train to Bridal Veil FallsPlan a trip to Agawa Canyon Ontario with the tour train, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Superior Provincial Park and Sault Ste. Marie, plus food, stays and timing.Read the guide
A full-day excursion train run on the Algoma Central line from Sault Ste. Marie, travelling about 183 km north through forest, lakes and over high trestles into the canyon. The fall colour season in late September is the busiest. Book well ahead and sit on the left side going north.
A long, curved steel railway trestle that carries the Algoma Central line high above the Montreal River and its dam, one of the most photographed moments of the canyon train ride. You only see it from the train. Have your camera ready, as the crossing passes quickly.
A trail of more than 300 stairs that climbs from the canyon floor to a platform about 76 metres above the river, with views along the canyon and the track below. It takes most of the train stopover. Head there first, before the stairs fill with other passengers.
An easy, flat trail along the Agawa River on the canyon floor, linking the train stop with picnic areas and the falls. It is the best option for anyone who prefers not to climb the lookout stairs. Watch the time, since the train leaves on schedule after the stopover.
A tall, thin waterfall that drops over the canyon wall in several cascades, a short walk from the train stopover. Water levels are highest in spring and after rain. It is the closest falls to the train, so it is easy to see even if you also climb the lookout.
A waterfall on the canyon's west side that tumbles down a rocky cliff into the Agawa valley, reached by a short trail from the stopover area. Paths can be wet and slippery, so wear shoes with grip. Combine it with Otter Creek Falls on the same side of the canyon.
A smaller cascade where Otter Creek drops into the Agawa Canyon, reached on a trail from the train stop. It is quieter than Bridal Veil Falls, with a picnic spot nearby. Bring bug spray in early summer, as blackflies and mosquitoes can be thick in the canyon.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Mykola Swarnyk, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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