The Cup and Saucer

The Cup and Saucer trail can be anyone’s cup of tea. The view from the lookout is a real treat, and the trail is perfect for all ages and hiking abilities. The Cup and Saucer has a total of 12 km of trail through enchantingly beautiful, almost faerie-like Boréal forest on Manitoulin Island.

Now many people aren’t aware of the hidden gem that is Manitoulin (and I’ve sometimes felt it beneficial to my own experience since I don’t often like to share my secret hideouts), however, I’d feel like a horrible human being if I didn’t share the wonders the island has brought me.

Manitoulin Island is situated in the middle of Lake Huron in Ontario and can only be accessed by a bridge (from the northern side) or by boat (on the southern side). It’s the ideal place for a quiet, relaxing vacation where you can feel at peace with yourself and the world around you. The island has small towns with quaint stores, restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and museums. It has everything you need and nothing is in excess for once. There isn’t much cell reception, and places with internet are limited; it’s the ideal place to disconnect for a little while and reconnect with what matters. I’ve been spending a week a year on the island ever since I was 4 months old. My family rents a cottage near a lake in one of the larger towns in the heart of the island. The weather is always gorgeous (which makes hikes the ideal adventures or really any kind of outdoor activities for that matter) and it seems that no matter the reason people seek it out, they always get exactly what they needed (whether it’s what they asked for or not).

People’s attitudes are different; they are a lot more relaxed, they aren’t in a hurry, and they aren’t angry or hostile. It’s a place of peace that welcomes all of those who seek it. The air seems cleaner, the weather nicer, the sunsets and sunrises are unparalleled to anywhere else I’ve ever been, and I do make the effort to wake up in the morning to watch the sun rise over the lake. This is the reason why I love the Cup and Saucer trail. It combines one of my favorite pastimes with my favorite places. Though not everyone knows of its existence, now that you DO know, I’d highly recommend a visit, because no matter how brief it may be, Manitoulin Island will bring you peace. And let’s be real, there are very few places left in the world (and that are accessible) that can do such a marvellous thing.

View looking south from the east lookout

You enter Little Current by crossing the bridge on Highway 6. Continue a fair way into town until you reach an oversized stop sign and turn left on Worthington St. Continue on this street, as it becomes Highway 540, for approximately 20 minutes, and turn left onto Bidwell Road. The trailhead is just a few minutes up the road.

As of 2016, the parking lot has been destroyed/roped off due to some ongoing construction (c’mon, leaf the unspoiled forest alone, right?) so the only option is to park on the side of the road. That’s not much of an issue, since traffic is pretty sparse. Unless you go during Canadian thanksgiving. DO NOT GO DURING THANKSGIVING. Do go if you have an affinity for waiting 45 minutes for everyone and their extended family to climb up one of the trail’s three steep ascents.

Across what used to be a parking lot, you can make your way up a gravel path and you’ll see the map. It would be wise to take a picture so you don’t end up on the 8+ km loop if that was not your intention. Essentially the trail is one massive figure 8, with the trailhead at the bottom of the 8. Everything then on is pretty straightforward - pick your path and follow the markers.

The lookout is high above the treeline. Kinda reminds you of the Pocahontas animated movie. Swan diving off of this wouldn’t be such a good idea though.

If you’re looking for a bit more adventuring than going up only for the lookout point, we can recommend doing the adventure trail. This 0.5 km side trail to the Cup and Saucer involves rickety ladders, cliff sides, weaving through trees and cracked rock, and a cave - the perfect opportunity to discover any hidden fears you didn't know you had! Also, doing the trail clockwise on the bottom of the 8 (first half), and counterclockwise for the loop on top of the 8 (second half) makes sure you see the nicest spots last as a reward for all your hard work.


Kyla and Gen