Trail Profile: Bebamikawe Memorial Trail
The Bebamikawe Memorial Trail is located on Odawa Mnis, or Manitoulin Island, in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. It’s a new addition to the Trans Canada Trail, and we extend a warm welcome! Operated by Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, the trail makes up a total of 14 kilometres on the Niagara Escarpment with a stacked loop structure, offering several hiking options, awe-inspiring views, and an immersion into the region’s flora, fauna and culture.
What we love about the trail
• Trail users can walk, mountain bike, and even enjoy a fitness station and culinary station.
• It’s educational! It features informational panels about Anishinaabek history and connection to the land, and about the traditional plants of the area.
• The views … need we say more?
Photo credit: Peter Baumgarten
Outdoor fitness park
The outdoor fitness park section of the trail offers a 1.5-kilometre double track surfaced trail with five fitness stations. Trail users can fit in a resistance training workout along the trail, while enjoying the beautiful surrounding environment.
Warriors Trail loop
Photo credit: Peter Baumgarten
On the Odawa Interpretive Experience, set out from the seven clan dodems and ascend the Warriors Trail, a 2.2-kilometre hike that offers incredible views – and photo ops! – at the Naadweh and North Channel lookouts. Learn about the history of the region and about one of the most diverse plant ecosystems in North America via interpretive panels along your way.
Culinary experiences in nature
Photo credit: Peter Baumgarten
The Bebamikawe Memorial Trail also offers an outdoor culinary space, which offers facilities for cookouts and gatherings – note that advance booking is required. For those looking for a more immersive experience, Wiikwemkoong Tourism offers Authentic Indigenous Experiences including an outdoor culinary experience along the trail: alongside a guide, forage for seasonal ingredients, and then enjoy a meal prepared with your gathered ingredients, along with wild game, fish and tea. The tourism organization also offers guided hikes, paddling tours and cultural tours about the history of the region, including how the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory came to be Canada’s only officially recognized unceded territory.
Kid-friendly sections, mountain biking and more
And, there’s more! The Bebamikawe Memorial Trail is a great bet for all ages – note that there are some ascents and descents, but the trail is built through a series of switchbacks with flat sections in between, which makes it appropriate for the younger set. Mountain bikers can also enjoy a short mountain bike connector trail in addition to hiking options.
Note there is a detour to the trailhead; visitors in 2024 will need to follow a detour on Willow Street to access Beach Road to the trailhead.
