This is one of the most breath-taking hikes I have taken in my own back yard. The Cup & Saucer Trail is a well known one for hikers in Ontario, Canada. This hike can be rated as a moderate hike with great look outs in the Niagara Escapement. You can either do a 5 km trail or the full 12km trail which is more adventurous. When I reached the trail head I wanted to challenge myself physically and took the 12km trail. I didn't regret it a bit.
When you are with 100 years old trees and moss covered rocks you will be soaked completely in nature. To make your hike doable I followed the map strictly since both the White and Blue trail sections involved scaling a steep rocky path. I was huffing and puffing for short time but it was soon replaced with a beautiful view at Manitoulin's highest point at 350 m high.
The Blue trial is the most adventurous and it begins by descending a wooden log ladder and following a narrow, rocky trail at the bottom that skirts the base of a cliff face.
While you may be wowwed by the views alone, the trees growing out from the sides of the cliffs surely inspire a different sense of awe.
When I talk about this trail, where it is located also an interesting fact. The name Manitoulin( Manidoowaaling) means "cave of the spirit". It was named for an underwater cave where a powerful spirit was said to live in the 19th century. So this is now called "Spirit Island". The island has an area of 2,766 km2 (1,068 sq mi), making it the largest freshwater island in the world, the 174th largest island in the world and Canada's 31st largest island.
The above picture is the view from the highest point.
This is poetry, not a walk. Definitely a fun adventure, but it requires good knees and hiking boots.
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