Pukaskwa Coastal Hiking Trail
Pukaskwa Coastal Hiking Trail is a remote multi-day backcountry route in Pukaskwa National Park on Ontario’s Lake Superior coast. It’s a roughly 60 km point-to-point thru-hike that typically takes about 5 to 7 days, and it’s commonly done as a one-way trip using a boat shuttle for access and exit.
The trail follows a rugged coastal line between Hattie Cove and North Swallow River, with a mix of boreal forest travel and exposed Canadian Shield shoreline. Expect a technical, uneven hiking surface: large boulders, exposed bedrock, slick granite domes/slabs, and driftwood-filled coves.
A signature crossing is the White River Suspension Bridge, which spans Chigamiwinigum Gorge over Chigamiwinigum Falls. Inland-and-coastal alternation around bays and river mouths also creates lots of river-crossing decision points that demand solid footing and good judgment.
Common landmark stops on the route include Oiseau Bay, Willow River, Playter Harbour, and Fisherman’s Cove. Backcountry campsite use is built around the coast’s beaches and bays, and overnight stays require booking through the park’s reservation system.
Because you’re deep in wilderness with limited egress, plan around mandatory backcountry registration and limited party capacity. The route is managed for backcountry hiking, so navigation discipline matters: bring a compass and 1:50,000 topographic map plus a trail guide for route-finding.
Preparation is about staying capable when the terrain turns hostile: base can be masked by windfall, herbaceous growth, or washouts; trail sections can be rugged and sometimes hard to distinguish from game trails (especially in the less-used southern stretches).
Wet weather sensitivity is real. Don’t plan on being able to ford or wade swollen rivers or fast-moving water—if water is high, turn-around and wait decisions need to be part of the plan. Scout key crossings and committed features before committing, and build slack into your itinerary if you hit post-rain river conditions.
More information: Visitor information, Pukaskwa National Park: the Coastal Hiking Trail, Pukaskwa Coastal Hiking Trail, - Reviews, Ratings, Tips and ...