How Sudbury-based Rainbow Routes Builds Community Along the Trail

Meet Rachel Mantas, Executive Director of Rainbow Routes Association in Sudbury, Ontario. “As long as I’m moving, and not completely at a snail’s pace,” Rachel says she’s happy hiking or walking. That’s why she’s such a great match to head up Rainbow Routes, a longtime partner of Trans Canada Trail. The organization offers a full complement of activities and resources for people looking to hike and enjoy the outdoors; make new friends; learn more about local history, flora and fauna; and even improve their language skills.

Experiencing the natural beauty in the City of Lakes

Rachel explains that Rainbow Routes was established because the group’s founders cared deeply about the Trans Canada Trail and thought it was important for individuals from across Canada to see Sudbury’s natural beauty. “A lot of people think of previous terrible mining practices in the area that damaged part of the ecosystem. But there has been a significant regreening effort in the last 50 years, and there are multiple reasons to get outside in nature, right here in Sudbury,” she explains.

Connecting people through diverse programming – along trails!

The organization’s mandate focuses on health, connection, feeling safe in the community, and encouraging people get outside and enjoy the city’s trail network, including sections of the Trans Canada Trail. One way they encourage people to get outside is through their programming. “People are happy to go out on a trail by themselves, but when people know there is a group going out, it’s a lot easier,” Rachel says. “Even post-pandemic, a lot of people have felt isolated, and to kind of take those baby steps of getting out in public and talking to people while doing it [goes a long way].”

The organization runs several programs, including a monthly hike club, English Conversation Practice on the Trail, an Inclusive Trail Trekkers program in collaboration with L’Arche Sudbury, and a new program called Nature Walks, in collaboration with Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury.

In addition, Rainbow Routes organizes the Sudbury Camino – a daylong event that was created to celebrate Trans Canada Trail’s achieving connection in 2017 – inspired by the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

Hikes for anyone and everyone

Rainbow Routes’ programs are open to anyone who is interested. On the monthly hike, Rachel sees “all sorts of individuals. I’ve had newcomers come to learn about the history, city and geography.” For Inclusive Trail Trekkers, Rainbow Routes partners with L’Arche Sudbury. Excursions are relatively slow-paced to allow a wide range of participants to enjoy the experience.

Similarly, for the English Conversations on the Trail program, Rainbow Routes partners with the Greater Sudbury Public Library and offers free conversation practice while hiking. The group often meets at Bell Park. Rachel stresses that the program not only attracts newcomers, but also longtime residents: “It could be seen as intimidating; people might be thinking ‘now you’ve got to practice speaking English.’ It’s not just for newcomers, it’s also for exchange students, or anyone who may be looking to improve their skills or feels a little hesitant.”

Through these excursions, Rachel has found that teachable moments pop up naturally. She cites one excursion where the hike leader was chatting with an international student, who mentioned he was seeing people wearing orange shirts around town and asked why. “So, we ended up having a bit of a deeper conversation about our history, Orange Shirt Day, and more,” she says.

Rewarding conversations between hike leaders and participants

Rachel cites being outside and in nature as a significant benefit to her job. “It has a huge impact on my day,” she says. In addition to the benefits that being outside on Sudbury’s trail network brings, she adds that connecting – and reconnecting – with participants on group hikes is a major bonus. “A family joined us on the January monthly hike, and we learned they were from South America. We had a great conversation. Then we had a hike in the beginning of March, where we saw the same family and had another great conversation. I love being able to connect with outdoorsy people, meeting people from all walks of life on the trails. Getting to connect with our community is so important and reflects our impact as Rainbow Routes.”

Get involved with Rainbow Routes

Rainbow Routes’ activities are possible with the help of a dedicated volunteer base, who do everything from lead hikes to run programs. Find more information about the organization and how to volunteer on their website.