Home to 12 species at risk, 3 lakes and 2 mountains, Heaven’s Gate Nature Preserve stretches out along the northern shore of the North Channel, bridging the gap between La Cloche Provincial Reserve and Killarney Provincial Park in Ontario.

Kitchitwaa Shkwaandem, roughly translated from the native Anishinaabe language as Heaven’s Gate, was recently acquired in 2021, through the incredible generosity of the community donations, and hard work of several organizations who made this possible, including the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy. This area is extremely biodiverse, with over 1,900 acres of wild beauty, reason the land was saved from future development, securing it as a Nature Preserve. With great views over the North Channel, and the surrounding La Cloche mountains, Heaven’s Gate Nature Preserve has many hiking opportunities, a hidden gem in the shadow of the much more popular Killarney Park.

We chose the South access of the park because it gave us close access to the Arabella Loop, which we wanted to do. After finding the parking lot located on Bay of Islands Dr, we were so ready to spend another day in nature.

The connecting path from the parking lot to the main trail starts with a gentle slope, giving us some time to pick up a steady pace. We passed by a sanctuary, a sacred place, part of the age-old territories of the native Odawa and Anishinabek: a reminder that we should all appreciate Mother Nature, and a nudge that we should all do better to preserve the Earth for future generations.

The trail is well-marked and winds through lush greenery, providing a peaceful setting for hiking or biking. Soon we crossed paths with a biker, who confirmed the beauty of the place we have yet to discover.

Read more: Killarney Provincial Park

The trees provided an excellent shade along our way, letting through only some warm and soft glimmers of light. We enjoyed the solitude, as not a single soul was walking these paths in this beautiful morning. EBC did a great job marking the trails very well, and we soon found directions to the Arabella Mountain lookout. I would have declared it the perfect type of a hike, if it wasn’t for the caution sign at the entrance, regarding the bears in the area.

The trail follows the south ridge of Katrine Lake, as we chose to loop clockwise, and became increasingly rugged as we neared the escarpment. Up and down, the path took us along the lake, offering some serene scenery. The tranquil atmosphere and scenic views make Arabella loop a hidden gem, away from the hustle and bustle of the previous 2 days.

Read more: Lion’s Head Provincial Park

As the path got rougher, we had to watch our steps more carefully. But we still didn’t know what to expect! The hardest part came only after we passed the link trail to the Heaven’s Gate Trail. Less than one km of huffing and puffing to the summit might not be a lot, but the other 100 metres of elevation gain sure is!

With more steep ups than downs, the yellow trail continued through the mixed forest, until we thought we had reached the summit. Confusing place, as this section is unmarked, we found a place to get a break, but little was also our appreciation with so many trees around cutting off the view.

Read more: Around Lake Huron in 8 days

Leaving quickly, not to say disappointed, we continued our hike, until we suddenly found the sign pointing us to the Lookout. Happy to find the actual summit, we gathered our strength for another push, as the path loops around to the top of the escarpment.

Finally, it’s time to enjoy the view and have a well-deserved break. The scenery of the Canadian shield unfolding before our eyes did not disappoint. Thousands of brushstrokes stretch out as far as the eye can see, time to admire the picture that Mother Nature has painted to us.

Spanning for about 200 km, the North Channel is somewhat the extension of the St Mary’s River, the outflow from Lake Superior to Lake Huron.  Used as a passage way for Indigenous people for thousands of years, as well as for Voyageurs during the 17^th to 19^th centuries, the channel is recognized as one of the best freshwater cruising grounds.

Read more: Sault Ste Marie vs St Mary’s River

The hundreds of islands and rocky outcrops scattered across the channel reminded me of the 1000 Islands of Lake Ontario. With a rich history, unique culture, and also with endless shorelines of picturesque islands, this area is a sightseer’s paradise, and a popular place for a unique vacation.

After a well-deserved break, we returned to our car. We still had a couple of hours to drive to our next destination, Grundy Lake Provincial Park.

Tip(s) of the day:

*For non-locals, the trailhead can be hard to find. The entrance to the trail is easier from the South Entrance, from Hwy 6 via Bay of Islands Dr;

* It took us 8 km starting from the South Entrance parking lot, and almost 3 hours with few breaks;

* The hiking trails intersect with adjacent bike trails, but luckily, these are not very popular, so you can still enjoy some solitude;

* Accordingly with the sign at the entrance there are bears in this area, so be aware! (we have not spotted any wildlife, other than a black squirrel);

*If you do the loop clockwise, the path takes you to a false summit first, if it is not marked. The actual summit has a new wood sign stating clearly what side path to take to the outlook.

~ visited on September 2nd, 2024