Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, just a short drive from Thunder Bay, is a large site with a campground, beach and many observatories of Kakabeka Falls (named from the Ojibway word Kah-kah-pee-kah meaning sheer cliff). In the middle of this park is a very important trail with historic significance to the area. Trail enthusiasts can venture to the Mountain Portage Trail, which involves a spur trail to Little Falls. It is the combination of these trails that lead voyageurs and members of the North West Company, during the height of the fur trade in Canada, to navigate the treacherous falls and connect back to the Kaministiqua River (the river of many mouths) below. Once safely to the bottom of the falls it was not far to where the river met Lake Superior that the North West Company would host their Rendezvous each summer at Fort William. This fort was a transhipment point for goods from the east that would be traded throughout, what would become Canada, for the many furs that were abundant, specifically the beaver that was used to make the beaver felt top hat. While completing the looped course it is important to note that Voyageurs would be expected to complete the journey numerous times each, carrying either two ninety pound packs or the birch bark canoe they travelled in.
To complete this historic route you park at the main parking area of the Provincial Park just in front of Kakabeka Falls. From there is it a short walk to the walking bridge that crosses the falls which is the beginning of the route. Once across the falls you head to the visitor centre and bathroom area where you will find the start of the Mountain Portage Trail. A little way down the The Mountain Portage Trail is a loop that begins with a sign for a suggested direction. You take this route and within a couple hundred metres you will be at the beginning of the Little Falls Spur Trail Loop. Running straight ahead you avoid taking the left hand turn that will take you down a steep downhill and you begin a loop of approximately two kilometres that ends running up that steep downhill. Once you have completed the Little Falls Trail you will head right past many lookouts of the surrounding area and Kakabeka Falls before coming once again to the suggested direction sign. This time you run straight ahead, past the garbage area and towards the steep toboggan hill that is a favourite in the winter. At the top of the hill is a trail to the left that ascends to a running trail that also doubles as a cross country skill trail in the winter. Staying right on this trail will bring you, after another kilometre or so of travel to the upper part of the campground. Following the exit signs for the campground will lead you to a paved road that heads back towards Kakabeka Falls. At the bottom of this hill is a paved road to the right that leads you back to the mountain portage. This time you will complete each of these loops in reverse to enjoy the view in the opposite direction. To accomplish this is easy, you simply take to the opposite route of the suggested direction at the sign and then when on the Little Falls Spur Trail you head left to go down the steep hill mentioned earlier. Once you have completed your loops you run back by the visitors centre to the foot bridge that began your journey.
