Outdoors: Road Trip around the grand Algoma tour – Part 1

A one-day trip to Potholes Provincial Park and back turned into a full day road trip on the Grand Algoma Route. That’s the fun of a road trip, you don’t have to plan much in advance; it’s fun to just go.

Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa

Born and raised in the area, I’ve seen many of the sites between Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa at various times. My husband and I started our trip in Sault Ste. Marie but you can start this self-guided tour anywhere on the route.

While we did the entire loop in one day, I really do recommend you take 2 days at a leisurely pace because there’s lots of things to see and do and explore.

We left early in the morning after breakfast with plans to have lunch on the road and chose to fuel up before leaving the city. There are lots of great breakfast places in Sault Ste. Marie, from a full sit down meal to something quick and light.

Heading north on Hwy 17, the landscape becomes mountains and thick green trees almost instantly. As the road winds through the area, it also begins to rise and fall; you’ll even get your first glimpses of Lake Superior.

One of the first roadside scenic attractions on the route is Chippewa Falls. There’s parking, restrooms and a viewing bridge.

You can hike along the side of the falls and venture out onto the rocks. The best time of year to view this waterfall is Spring when it’s roaring with water from the thaw.

- Heather Bot

Read more about a road trip along Lake Superior.