By Ella Jane Myers
Forget long drives and day trips: take a stroll in your neighbourhood green space this summer. One of the best parts about living in Northern Ontario is how easy it is to access the great outdoors.
That said, some of the more popular hiking spots in the region (the Laurentian Conservation Area, Killarney…) require a car and/or a full day to enjoy.
Fortunately, Sudbury’s sprawl means there are quite a few hidden pockets of nature, even in the most densely populated neighbourhoods. Whether all you have time for is a few minutes of fresh air or an hour-long exploration: there’s probably a green space within walking distance of your house. Sure, you could have a perfectly pleasant walk through many of the city’s neighbourhoods themselves, but sometimes you just need to get away from it all.
Here are a few of my favourite escapes, checkout the map below for just where to find them.
Mallard’s Landing Trail
The southernmost trails on this list, Mallard’s Landing Trail, is perfect for South Enders down where Regent meets Algonquin. This short-but-sweet trail is home to a gorgeous boardwalk that juts out over a tiny lake. OK fine, it’s a pond, but it’s a sizeable enough pond. There’s also a playground that kids will love, and a good section of the trail leads through a more treed area if you want to feel like you’ve left the world behind for a bit.
Robinson Trail
A personal favourite, having grown up just down the street from it, Robinson Trail is a kilometer-long trail that runs along the east side of Robinson Lake, which is itself just east of Kelly Lake. Like Mallard’s Landing, the Robinson Trail passes through a playground, although the scenery here is much marshier, and the lake a more central feature. There are access points on Arnold Street to the south and Cranbrook Crescent to the north if you’re looking to find it.
Fisher Wavy Trail
The Junction Creek Waterway Park is a non-motorized trail system that connects different urban parts of the city, it’s made up of five unique trails, and it’s 80-per-cent complete. The Fisher Wavy Trail runs from Kelly Lake Road to Martindale and offers a beautiful reprieve from the largely industrial area. Don’t miss out on this trail in the fall when the orange foliage that runs alongside it. This trail is also great for biking.
Lily Creek Boardwalk
The shortest hike on this list, the Lily Creek Boardwalk offers an extraordinarily close view of a wetland environment, right smack in the middle of the city (and across from Science North!) It’s a sensitive but diverse ecosystem, so make sure to stay on the constructed boardwalk when you visit. See how many red-winged blackbirds you can count while you’re there, it’s a hotspot for these stunning birds.
St. Nicholas Rocks
A hidden gem, there’s a cluster of rocks just southeast of Downtown, between Wembley Drive and Boland Avenue. You can access them from St. Nicholas Street where it runs between Wembley and McNaughton, and catch some of the best sunsets and panoramic views of Sudbury from the bottom of the basin.
Spruce Street Trails
Another personal favourite, the little-known trails that run in the small area of wilderness in a triangle bordered by Big Nickel Mine Drive, Elm Street and Spruce Street are a super convenient spot for anyone in the West End with a dog that needs walking. Pine-needled floors, well-cleared paths and apocalyptic rock pits make for an interesting terrain to explore.
Nolin’s Creek
As you head north from the West End towards the Donovan, you’ll come across a creek just after the train bridge over Beatty. There’s a short, charming trail that runs between Nolin’s Creek and the lower train tracks in a short loop that finishes with a jaunt on McNeill, although you can always double back on your steps if you’d rather up your time away from people, houses and cars. Just keep an eye out for trains, especially if you happen to have a dog that likes to spend time off leash.
Selkirk Trail
To the north of the Donovan is yet another trail that takes you through a park: Selkirk Trail. This one runs from the Terry Fox Sports Complex at College Boreal down to the baseball diamond on Selkirk Street. The 1.6-km trail runs over rocky terrain and through areas treed enough to block out the sights and sounds of the city.
Percy Park Path
The Percy Path is located on the northwest edge of the Flour Mill and offers a quick easy loop for anyone in the area looking to stretch their legs without going too far. It will get you away from the rush of Notre Dame, but it’s close enough not to inconvenience you. A colourful playground and several access points round it out.
New Sudbury Trail
Head north from Percy Park and you’ll find another hidden gem in the area, but this one’s a little longer. The New Sudbury Trail is one of the newest trails in Sudbury, and features an art installation by Mique Michelle (https://miquemichelle.com/), a community space and a conservation dam. An education and art-rich trail, this one is only going to get more popular as people find out about it.
New Sudbury Conservation Area
You’ve probably heard of the conservation area, which is what most people call the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area, but have you heard of the New Sudbury Conservation Area? There’s no need to hop in your car (or on the bus) and head south for a hike when you’ve got this one in your backyard. Beautiful views of the city from the tall rocks and an enchanting river that runs through it makes for a picturesque destination not many know of.
Minnow Lake Trail
Last but not least, the east side of Sudbury is not without trails. The Minnow Lake Trail is a great chance to scope out, you guessed it, Minnow Lake. Head north then east around the lake and you’ll find the Minnow Lake Conservation Area, which has excellent blueberry picking and a gazebo that overlooks the small lake.
These are just a dozen of countless other trails: some more official than others. Don’t be afraid to get out there and explore your neighbourhood, but remember to respect private property and the land you’re on: pick up your garbage and disturb the area as little as possible.
If you want more ideas on local hikes, check out the Rainbow Routes Association, which has made it its job to promote non-motorized trails within the city.
Ella Jane Myers is a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury.
