Our Trails

No matter how much we talk about how green North Bay is, nothing tells the story like a few photographs. So, enjoy these green images, but better still, head outside anywhere in North Bay and see it for yourself!

North Bay has an excellent urban trail system and this is what truly separates us from other communities. The centerpiece is The Kate Pace Way, a 12 km pathway named in honour of our Olympic skier and native daughter. It is multi-use trail for walking, jogging, cycling, and inline skating. The pathway winds through a variety of environments including sections surrounded by trees, streams, and nature, as well as municipal parks, roadways, and residential areas.

The most popular is the 7 km Kinsmen Trail. This exciting greenbelt through the heart of North Bay links with the Kate Pace Way near the waterfront. The Kinsmen Trail, a parallel paved surface, follows Chippewa Creek as it meanders down the escarpment and empties into Lake Nipissing. It's the perfect paved surface for bikers and in-line skaters and the trail's easy grade makes walking comfortable as well.

Another great spot is the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area, which includes the McNutt Family Trail and the Richardson Ridge Trail. They extend along the escarpment, which is such a dominant feature in the city. The area was originally logged in the 1880s, then settled and farmed. Some of the regenerated forest stands are over 75 years old.

Laurier Woods

One of the most exciting environmental programs this Council got involved in was the transferring of over 100 acres of City-owned land to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. It offers a great escape from the city, within the city.

This beautiful trail is located at the end of Brule Street, not far from the Chamber of Commerce Information Centre. The trail loops through Laurier Woods, which consists of approximately 118 acres of moderately undisturbed upland forest and wetlands habitat, providing a variety of habitat for wildlife. This area is outstanding for bird-watching, with 33 bird species nesting in the woods.

The trail is managed by the Friends of Laurier Woods in partnership with the Conservation Authority. The Friends of Laurier Woods is a non-profit charitable organization committed to preserving the area. Their main objective was to obtain the over 100 acres of wetland and forested upland known as Laurier Woods and secure it under public ownership.

The case for preserving Laurier Woods in its natural state was strong. Ecologically, the marshlands are part of the Parks Creek Wetland complex. This is an extensive area of linked wetland habitats situated south of Hwy 17. These habitats maintain water quality, aid in flood control, and support a tremendous variety of wildlife and vegetation. We were thrilled to make their ownership dream come true!

Cycling Spots

You can cycle just about anywhere in North Bay, and we’re adding our first exclusive Bike Lanes this summer. These will connect our new trails along Gormanville Road to the Kate Pace Way; something the community has wanted for years!

The first place you may want to bike is to one of the City’s 72 parks and playgrounds. These are great places for people to relax, picnic, play, walk, blade or swim. As well, the North Bay Waterfront is a great place to spend a day. There are marina facilities, boat launching, playgrounds, beach areas, picnic areas and a bandshell, all along a landscaped stretch of Lake Nipissing. Now that we have our pedestrian underpass opened, it’s only a short hop to the downtown!

You can cycle to a variety of beaches as well. There are 42 beach access points along Lake Nipissing, plus all along Memorial Drive. Lifeguards are on duty at Marathon Beach, Birchaven Cove, and Olmstead Beach. The way this Spring is shaping up, don't forget your sunscreen!

We really are a green community. As I look out my window from the 5th floor at City Hall, there is very little of the community I can see. It’s only the first week of May and already the leaves obscure most of the houses and businesses. It has many people Green with envy!