Continuing our travels of the Voyageurs on Lake Superior, Ontario Canada

A beautiful morning paddle on our way to Agawa Bay on Lake Superior …

North West Company 1779 - 1821 :

The historic Voyageur Route (the eastern corridor of the Voyageur's Highway) linked the fur-trade hub of Montreal to the North West Company's inland headquarters at Fort William (modern-day Thunder Bay).

Rather than braving the open waters of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, the voyageurs paddled massive 10-metre birchbark canoes up the Ottawa River, through inland river and lake networks, and across the northern shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior.

Major Waypoints of the Voyageur Route

Montreal (Lachine): The starting point where the Montreal Brigades loaded trade goods each May.

Ottawa River: Voyageurs paddled up the Ottawa River past modern-day Ottawa to the mouth of the Mattawa River.

Mattawa River & Lake Nipissing: A gruelling series of portages led up the Mattawa River, across the height of land to Lake Nipissing, and down the French River into Lake Huron.

Georgian Bay & Lake Huron (North Channel): The route hugged the northern coastlines, passing through Sault Ste. Marie via the St. Marys River to reach Lake Superior.

Lake Superior Coastline: The final leg followed the rugged northern shore of Lake Superior, passing key landmarks like Michipicoten and The Pic before arriving at Fort William.