The Voyageur Trail Association

The Voyageur Trail Association (VTA) is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, maintenance, and promotion of the Voyageur Hiking Trail, a wilderness-style footpath located in Northern Ontario. Established in 1973, the Association oversees the continuous construction of a trail extending approximately 1,100 kilometers from Sudbury through Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, paralleling the rugged northern shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior.

Overview

The Voyageur Trail is designed primarily for pedestrian use, including hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and bushwhack skiing. Throughout its route, the trail traverses a combination of publicly and privately owned lands, offering access to diverse natural landscapes and wilderness areas. It is a work in progress, with close to half of the trail—around 500 kilometers—completed, along with numerous side trails.

The trail passes through or near several communities including Blind River, Iron Bridge, Wawa, Marathon, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Rossport, Nipigon, and the largest city along the path, Sault Ste. Marie. The trail’s route often provides hikers with views of the Great Lakes and access to shorelines or elevated promontories.

Governance and Maintenance

The Voyageur Trail Association was formed as a registered nonprofit organization (Business Registration Number: 119261923RR0001) to coordinate volunteer efforts in trail development and upkeep. The Association is composed of individual clubs responsible for maintaining specific trail sections within their local areas. These clubs collectively participate in an elected Coordinating Council that oversees the Association’s affairs.

Volunteers play a crucial role in trail maintenance, while partnerships with private sector entities and government agencies facilitate access to protected parklands along the route. The Association also organizes scheduled outings to encourage community engagement and introduce new hikers to the trail network.

Membership and Resources

Membership in the Voyageur Trail Association supports trail maintenance, development, and community activities. Members gain access to valuable resources such as detailed digital trail maps, which are available via the Ondago app along with GPX files for GPS navigation. These digital map products, updated annually, help hikers safely navigate the wilderness trail, especially in less frequented areas.

The Association has transitioned from a printed trail guidebook to digital platforms to provide up-to-date and comprehensive trail information. This change facilitates easier access to maps and trail data, supporting both novice and experienced hikers.

Significance

The Voyageur Trail is part of the larger Trans Canada Trail network, contributing to Canada’s extensive system of recreational trails. The trail’s name honors the historic voyageurs—French-Canadian fur traders—reflecting the cultural heritage and natural landscapes of Northern Ontario.

Through its volunteer-driven model and collaborative partnerships, the Voyageur Trail Association fosters outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community connection along one of Canada’s iconic wilderness corridors.