Agawa Canyon: Sault Ste. Marie - Wawa

Estimated distance: 225 km/140 mi.

Between 1918 and 1923 several members of the Group of Seven, including Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson and Arthur Lismer were enthralled by the rugged landscape between Lakes Huron and Superior. They painted in the Algoma region, gaining access to the wilderness via a rented railway boxcar that was shunted to sidings near choice painting locations. Today the region between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa continues to attract leaf peepers intrigued by the awesome granite rock formations and mixed forests of the Canadian Shield.

A daylong Agawa Canyon Train Tour provides unparalleled fall scenery, and includes a trip to the very bottom of the Canyon. Come to Wawa later in the year for the highly successful Gales of November storm watching and photography workshop that attracts travellers from around the world.

Visitors to Sault Ste. Marie can experience spectacular wilderness without foregoing the comforts of modern urban living, and many see it as the starting point for outdoor adventure and eco-tourism vacations. Stroll the St. Mary's River Boardwalk and visit the Canadian Heritage Bushplane Museum that highlights the history of flight and firefighting in Northern Ontario.

St. Joseph Island, which is located at the mouth of the St. Mary's River between Lakes Superior and Huron, is another beautiful location to enjoy fall colour touring. It is one of the largest maple syrup producers in Ontario and filled with scenic roads. Richards Landing is home to a variety of quaint shops offering fine handcrafted wares. The annual Collage Studio Tour held mid October is a wonderful opportunity to visit artisans in their studios, learn more about their varied talents, and even start your Christmas shopping.

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