Under The Volcano Trail
A guide to hiking Neys Provincial parks Under the Volcano Trail
Difficulty - 5/10
Distance - 5 - 15 kms
Elevation - 182m / 597ft
Time - 2-4 hours
Cost - 12.25$ CND (Day use pass)
Directions
Neys Provincial Park is located just outside of Marathon, ON. Signs to get to the park are very easy to follow.
Within the park signs to the hiking trails are very easy to follow and get to as well. The park is typically opened mid-May through to Thanksgiving weekend in October (Always check Ontario parks for more specific details on the parks operating dates).
Upon entering the park you will drive by the booth and either pay for your day pass or if you are planning to camp your camping fees (Be sure if you are planning to camp during busy periods you book your reservation in advance through the Ontario Parks website)
Upon parking you will make your way towards Camp Ground #1 and here you will find clearly marked signs to begin on the trail.
What To Expect
Neys Provincial Park has a ton of history!
As the trail Name suggests the Trail is located on what was once an active Volcano, it is now where the coast line of Lake Superior. If Geology and is one of your passions be sure to pick up a brochure at the trailhead’s log-in box. This has information about different plant and animal species and point out glacier markings along the trail.
This trail is absolutely beautiful and takes you along the beautiful blue waters of Lake Superior.
Along the way towards the start of the trail you will walk by the remains of logging boats from the early 1940's WWII era. The reason for this was Neys was the location of a WWII Prisoner of War Camp. They housed 500 prisoners between 1941 and 1946. While they the Prisoners of war were at the War Camp they were employed by the Pigeon River Timber Company and logged the surrounding area.
This trail follows the coast of Lake superior. It has plenty of trails down to different beaches along the trail. Its 5 Kms long and meets up at a "Y". Here you will find a sign going inland which follows the Kopa Cove trail which leads you to the Pic Island Lookout or go straight and continue on a the old section of the Under the Volcano trail. If you decide to continue down the lesser maintained trail where you can extend the 2.5 km's to 7.5kms making it a 15km out and back trail.
Before continuing on follow signage if the trail is closed do not continue on. As of 2020 the park began working with the Ministry of Natural Resource's to cut out the old trail which used to extend all the way along the shoreline to where the inlet began. As of right now it hasn't been cut past the 7.5km mark.
As well the further you go the tougher the trail is to follow as it brings you through mossy less trafficked parts of the trail so be sure to keep your bearings and bring Navigational tools in worst case scenario.
This section of trail is beautiful! it takes you by some close to shore islands with sandy beaches where you can occasionally find people cliff jumping into the frigid waters of lake superior (Make sure you know where is safe to jump and where is not as water depth and cliff inclination varies greatly!).
Below Are pictures from the old section of the trail.
This is a beautiful hike that brings you across the beautiful rocky shorelines of Lake Superior. You can walk through beautiful dense mossy forest and along countless beaches both sandy and rocky and allows you to step away from the crowds during the busy times of the year. There is tons of history in the area and some amazing campgrounds!
