Trans Canada Trail

On Sunday, June 21, 2009, Discovery Routes celebrated the opening of the new section of the Trans Canada Trail through Callander.  After an official ribbon cutting ceremony, Discovery Routes offered an afternoon of distinctly northern trail activities, celebrating the diversity and culture of our region.  Pat Kilroy, a local dogsledder brought out his team of Springer spaniels, and showcased the sport of bikejoring, a sled dog training technique.  With the help of the North Bay Geocaching Association and the Ontario Geocachers Association, participants had the opportunity to try geocaching, and find the hidden themed caches along the trail.  Mountain biking was available to anyone who wanted to explore the trail on two wheels, and we also had information available about motorized trail uses courtesy of Sandy Cove Marine North.  

Discovery Routes would like to thank our tireless event planning committee and the volunteers who came out on the day of the opening for helping us make the celebration what it was.  We definitely couldn’t have done it without you!!  We would also like to thank the OPP SAVE Team, North Bay Police Services, Callander Fire Department, École secondaire catholique Algonquin, éthe Town of Mattawa, the Canadian Ecology Centre, Wal Mart, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation and NECO for being a huge help in the planning and implementation of our big day. 

This event marked an important milestone for Discovery Routes Trails Organization, as we continue to promote the region as a first-rate destination for outdoor tourism.  

One of our committee members, Rod Bilz, made a video of the trail that was played during the event.  Take a look: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GZc6YwX6yM.

Gathering for the official opening	L to R: Kirsten Spence from Trans Canada Trail; Mark King, chair of Discovery Routes; Councillor Dave Mendicino from North Bay; M.P. Anthony Rota; and Councillor Heather Busch from Callander	Mountain bikes ready for use!	Dedicated volunteers	Geocachers ready

The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) is a multi-use trail that will link all of Canada's provinces and territories together.  The main purpose of the Trans Canada Trail is to showcase this great country and the diversity of communities within it, and teach people about the environment and the history of Canada. 

Building the Trans Canada Trail is the responsibility of the communities and regions through which it passes.  Discovery Routes is an agent for the Trans Canada Trail through this region.  Working together with partners across the region, the provincial representatives for the Trans Canada Trail, and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, we have identified a route for the trail and continue to work towards the goal of completing the trail system by 2010.

The Old Nipissing Road from Magnetawan to Commanda was one of the first segments of the Trans Canada Trail to be registered in the Province.  More details can be found on our Old Nipissing Road information page.

The Kate Pace Way in North Bay also forms part of the Trans Canada Trail adding 12 km to the national system.  If you would like more information about the Kate Pace Way, please visit the trail's information page.

Discovery Routes recently completed a 9.8 km section of the Trans Canada Trail in the southwest corner of the Municipality of Callander.  The project was a major undertaking as it involved a variety of terrain in a remote, rural setting.  The pictures below tell some of the story.  The project was made possible with funding support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation.  For detailed trail information, visit our Trans Canada Trail information page. 

To see more pictures of the trail, visit our Gallery page.

The next stage of development will involve an extension of the Kate Pace Way into the community of Callander.    

To learn more about the Trans Canada Trail across the country visit their WEBSITE, e-mail them at info@tctrail.ca or call their toll free number - 1-800-465-3636. 

You can be a part of this historic project through donations to Trans Canada Trail!