Timmins is located on the Mattagami River and surrounded by boreal forests, lakes and streams. For planning your trip, trails and conservation areas offer concrete ways to get to know the landscape; cultural events and distinctive buildings provide additional highlights. This lets you decide in advance whether your stay should focus more on outdoor activities or cultural interests.
Trails along the Mattagami River and Gillies Lake
The Bridge to Bridge Trail runs along both banks of the Mattagami River between Algonquin Boulevard and Lafleur Drive. The Gillies Lake Promenade offers a different point of reference: this 2.5 km trail is the hub of the Town of Timmins’ trail network. The promenade is lit for evening use and regularly groomed in winter. Maintenance and conditions may vary seasonally.
Facilities at the Gillies Lake Conservation Area include a dock, public washrooms, picnic areas and a recreation field. Information panels share the natural and cultural history of the lake. This provides specific points of interest beyond the trail itself for a range of interests, from spending time by the water to learning about the area’s history.
Timmins’ recreational trail network covers 55 km and is intended for hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature observation. The city’s conservation areas are also open to the public for hiking, cycling, wildlife viewing, swimming, picnicking and photography. As conditions and maintenance may vary seasonally, it is worth keeping this in mind when planning activities.
Two trails with different characteristics
The stated lengths provide a clear measure for two different trails: the Gillies Lake Promenade is 2.5 km long and also serves as a hub for the trail network; the 2 km Lion’s Walk connects Timmins and Schumacher. It follows the former Ontario Northland Railway line and runs along the shores of Little Pearl Lake. A seasonal advisory applies to pedestrian use from November 1 to April 30. Check current conditions before your visit.
Nearby, north of Timmins, the Hersey Lake Conservation Area offers a large unsupervised beach, numerous trails, picnic facilities, public washrooms and parking. This area complements the trails and facilities at Gillies Lake with another perspective on the landscape. The places and routes listed can be incorporated into your plans based on their respective features.
Cultural events and buildings
The Wabun Tribal Council hosts cultural events in Timmins throughout the year featuring Indigenous music, dance and art. If you would like to include an event in your travel plans, check the specific dates before you arrive. The general information about year-round programming does not replace the need to choose a specific date.
Buildings also provide their own cultural highlights. The McIntyre Community Building was designed in 1938 after Maple Leaf Gardens and is considered a testament to the city’s cultural heritage. The Municipal Building also houses a mural titled “Indigenous Teachings.” Both places offer different points of interest if you are interested in cultural topics as well as natural spaces during your stay.
Planning your stay around your interests
When planning, it helps to organize the options by your preferred focus: trail lengths and the recreational trail network offer guidance for outdoor activities, while events hosted by the Wabun Tribal Council require specific dates. If you want to combine nature and culture, you can take both into account when choosing your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Cochrane, Hearst, Kapuskasing, Iroquois Falls.
See the broader travel overview: Cochrane District.
