Nokomis Trail

Nokomis Trail is a 3.7 km (3-mile) loop hike in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario. It’s routed through boreal forest and builds to a series of lookouts over Old Woman Bay and Lake Superior.

The hike’s character is a steep climb through lichen-draped forest to multiple rocky viewpoints. Expect a rugged feel underfoot as the trail works up to the high point.

At the upper section, the cliffs above Old Woman Bay rise about 200 m above the water. From the lookouts, you may be able to pick out the face of an “old woman” figure said to be immortalized in the rock face.

The final part of the loop is a steep descent on the marked trail back down through stunted pine and across lichen-covered rock outcrops.

Most hikers use the Old Woman Bay day-use area on Highway 17 as the trailhead access point. If you’re doing the loop clockwise, you hit the steepest, rockiest climb first; going counter-clockwise spreads the ascent more gradually.

Plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours on-trail for the 3-mile loop, with time added for viewpoints. The trail is popular enough to be ranked among the top five day hikes in the country in a well-known Canada guidebook.

More information: Hiking the Nokomis Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park ..., Nokomis Trail - Lake Superior Circle Tour, Lake Superior Provincial Park - Nokomis Trail (3.0 miles; d\u003d4.00)...