The Mattawa River Canoe Route is 65 km long and includes numerous portages at natural features such as Talon Chutes, Parasseux Falls and Descharges des Perche. The Mattawa River is recognized as a Canadian Heritage River; the route is designated as a Provincial Waterway Park. The river and canoe route are therefore each associated with their own designation.
Waterways and the history of the route
The canoe route begins at the end of MacPherson Drive, at the eastern end of Trout Lake. From there, the Mattawa River flows east toward the town of Mattawa, where the Mattawa River and Ottawa River meet. The route can also be understood by its orientation: downstream from the end of Trout Lake toward Mattawa and the confluence.
Historically, Indigenous peoples and voyageurs travelled the Mattawa River Canoe Route. Guided tours on Mattawa’s waterways explore the history and ecology of the rivers, and historical reenactments such as Voyageur canoe trips are also offered. If you plan to take one of these tours, check the current schedule locally.
Cycling, winter and hiking trails
The Voyageur Cycling Route offers multi-use trails for cyclists and connects Mattawa with the surrounding areas. Conditions along the route can vary; take this into account when planning. In winter, the Mattawa & Area Snowmobile Club Trails connect to Ontario’s extensive snowmobile trail network. Access and conditions vary seasonally.
There are loop trails of varying lengths and features in the area around Mattawa. The Wabashkiki Trail is an easy 1-km loop with a wetland, wildlife that lives there, and a boardwalk on a peninsula in Moore Lake. The Forestry Research Trail is also rated easy: it is a 1–2-km loop that passes through active forestry research plots. A trail guide is available at the Visitor Centre. The two trails differ in their described settings: Moore Lake’s wetland and boardwalk on one route, and research plots on the other.
For more challenging loops, the Kag Trail offers a 2.5-km route with steep climbs through red pine forests, around Gem Lake and across oak highlands. The Etienne Trail also offers a challenge, with four loops ranging from 2.5 to 9 km. The Kag Trail is described as a single loop with its climbs and landscape features; the Etienne Trail offers a choice of four loops of varying lengths.
The Algonquin Trail offers scenic views of the Mattawa River and Ottawa River and is suitable for short or long hikes. Nearby, the Mattawa Voyageur Lookout Trail leads on a short hike to panoramic views of the town and surrounding mountains. In winter, nearby Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park has groomed trails for skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, hiking and kicksledding. Grooming is seasonal.
Culture and landscape in the area
Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area adds a gorge formed by the Amable du Fond River to the range of trails. The area includes hiking trails, waterfalls, forests and wildlife, as well as the remains of a historic 19th-century log slide. The gorge, river and preserved remains give a visit a different focus from the loops, where trail lengths and profiles are the main features.
Mattawa Museum is another stop for a cultural visit: its gift shop carries souvenirs, local crafts and books. The selection may change. Together with the historical reenactments on the waterways, the cultural offerings range from the history of the river route to items from the museum gift shop.
Discover more destinations: West Nipissing, Temagami, Corbeil, South Algonquin, Fossmill, Sturgeon Falls, Algonquin Park, North Bay.
For the broader travel overview: Nipissing District.
