Mattawa: River Routes, History and Nature

Mattawa is best discovered through its waterways, nature and stories: the Mattawa River is recognized as a Canadian Heritage River, and the Mattawa River Canoe Route is designated as a Provincial Waterway Park. Around this river landscape, you’ll find a variety of ways to explore the area—from a long canoe route to short hiking trails and winter activities.

Canoe Route and Voyageur History

The Mattawa River Canoe Route is 65 kilometres long and includes numerous portages. Along the way are natural features such as Talon Chutes, Parasseux Falls and Descharges des Perche. The route begins at the end of MacPherson Drive, at the eastern end of Trout Lake, and heads east towards the town of Mattawa. There, the Mattawa River and Ottawa River meet. This route makes clear how closely it is connected to the rivers and the town.

Indigenous peoples and voyageurs once travelled this historic canoe route. A guided tour can connect this past with river ecology: tours about the history and ecology of the rivers, as well as historical reenactments, are offered on Mattawa’s waterways, including Voyageur canoe trips. Check current dates locally if you’re planning to join one.

Hiking Trails with Different Highlights

In the area around Mattawa, Kag Trail offers a challenging 2.5-kilometre loop with steep climbs. It passes through red pine forests, by Gem Lake and through oak uplands. Wabashkiki Trail, by contrast, is an easy 1-kilometre loop. Its features include a wetland with resident wildlife and a boardwalk on a peninsula in Moore Lake. The two trails therefore differ in both their stated lengths and their described difficulty.

If you’d like to compare hikes of different lengths, nearby Etienne Trail offers four loops ranging from 2.5 to 9 kilometres, described as challenging. Nearby Algonquin Trail offers views of the Mattawa River and Ottawa River and is suitable for short or long hikes. For views of the town and surrounding mountains, the Mattawa Voyageur Lookout Trail leads on a short hike to panoramic vistas.

Other trails have their own highlights: Forestry Research Trail is an easy 1-to-2-kilometre loop through active forestry research plots. A trail guide is available at the Visitor Centre. Nearby is also Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area. The Amable du Fond River has carved a gorge there; the area also features hiking trails, waterfalls, forests and wildlife. You can also see the remains of a historic 19th-century log slide.

Cycling and Seasonal Trails

Voyageur Cycling Route offers multi-use trails for cyclists and connects Mattawa with the surrounding areas. Trail conditions may vary. In winter, nearby Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park offers groomed trails for skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, hiking and kicksledding. Mattawa & Area Snowmobile Club Trails are also connected to Ontario’s extensive snowmobile trail network. Conditions and access for these winter activities vary by season.

Culture and Planning Your Accommodation

Mattawa Museum also offers another perspective on the area: its museum shop sells souvenirs, local crafts and books; the selection may change. To plan your trip, you can compare activities by type: canoe routes and guided river tours alongside hikes, cycling trails and seasonal winter activities. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Mattawa, first consider which of these trip ideas you’d like to focus on during your stay. This lets you tailor your search to your preferred type of holiday without assuming any particular accommodation or amenities.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fossmill, Sturgeon Falls, Corbeil, Algonquin Park, North Bay, West Nipissing, South Algonquin, Temagami.

For the broader travel overview: Nipissing District.