Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail Hike

Q: What is the Best Time of Year to Hike the Lookout Trail?

The best time of year to hike the lookout trail is April through October . In the summer months, the weather is warm and the trees are leafy. In fall, the lookout offers beautiful views of the fall foliage.

Q: Can You See the Edmund Fitzgerald Wreck from the Lookout?

No, you cannot see the Edmund Fitzgerald wreck from the lookout. On a clear day, you can see the site where the ship sank. It was hazy during my visit, as there were forest fires in Northern Ontario so the visibility wasn't great. I could somewhat see the lake.

Are you thinking of hiking the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail? You’ve come to the right place.

The trail is nestled in Ontario’s Algoma County, with breathtaking views of Lake Superior and on a clear day, you can spot the site of the shipwreck.

As an avid explorer who’s visited the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout and many other Ontario gems, I can help you find your way here.

Let’s get right into everything you need to know about the Edmund Fitzgerald hike, including how long the hike is and parking.

Table of Contents

Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail Overview

Distance: 6 km | 3.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 384 ft | 117 m

Trail Type: Out-and-Back

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Duration: 2-3 Hours

Where is the Edmund Fitzgerald Trail?

The Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail is located in Pancake Bay Provincial Park, an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie.

The trail is named after the famous SS Edmund Fitzgerald, an American Great Lakes freighter that tragically sank in Lake Superior during a storm on November 10th, 1975. The sinking of the ship was one of the worst tragedies to occur on the Great Lakes and is commemorated by many with the famous song “The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald”.

Upon driving into the park, the trail begins from the parking lot and is clearly marked with signage.

How Long is the Edmund Fitzgerald Hike?

The main Edmund Fitzgerald Loop Trail is 6.1 km in length, from the trail start in the parking lot and back, or 6 km from the beginning of the trail.

The lookout hike takes about 2-3 hours roundtrip, depending on your pace.

If you are looking for a longer hike, you can take the 10.5km Falls Trail Loop or the 13.5km Tower Lakes Loop, which includes the hike to the lookout. The Falls Trail Loop will take you alongside Pancake River to a waterfall and on the Tower Lakes Loop you will hike past two small lakes. These longer trails are less frequented and can be challenging to follow.

lookouts along the edmund fitzgerald trail

How Hard is it to Hike to Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout?

The Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout hike is considered easy-moderate in difficulty.

The terrain is mostly flat with some incline, except for some muddy patches.

At the end of the trail, you will find a staircase where you will climb to reach the lookout. This is the hardest part of the hike. If you want to rest along the way up, there’s a platform with a bench to pause.

Where is the Edmund Fitzgerald Wreck?

The Edmund Fitzgerald wreck is located 27 km (17 miles) northwest of Whitefish Point.

It’s at a depth of 530 ft (162 m) below the surface of Lake Superior.

From the lookout, you can see Whitefish Point and look northwest to see the location of the wreckage below.

Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout

There are two lookouts at the top of the staircase: one over Pancake Bay Provincial Park and one looking out towards Lake Superior.

The view from the top is beautiful and well worth the effort.

While on the lookout, you can read the plaques with more information about the Edmund Fitzgerald ship.

Hiking the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail

After parking, we headed through the forest on the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail. The trail was easy to find and well-marked with blue arrows.

The trail is pretty flat for the first 1.6 km and then gets slightly hilly, but nothing compared to walking in Quebec City with all those hills.

After a while, I reached the staircase and knew I was close. I stopped on the bench for a few minutes for a water break.

Tip: Bring plenty of water. Hiking in the forest felt warmer than being on the beach during a hot summer day, but the shade helped me from sunburn.

Once at the top, the view was more than I imagined! I could see so far in all directions with a great view of Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Lake Superior, and the wreckage site. I’ve heard it’s even prettier in the fall, but I thought it was already nice in the summer.

The view from the top was worth climbing all those stairs!

I didn’t choose to do the Falls Trail Loop or Tower Lakes Loop, so this was the end of the hike for me and I returned to the start point.

I would’ve cooled off at the park beach after but instead continued on my road trip to swim at Bathtub Island.

How to Get to Pancake Bay Provincial Park

From Sault Ste Marie:

Drive West on Highway 17 for 75km
Turn right into Pancake Bay Provincial Park
Turn right on the Lookout Trail road (past the entrance to the campground)
Turn right into the trailhead parking area

Pancake Bay Provincial Park

Address: 12729 Hwy 17N, Batchawana Bay, ON P0S 1A0

Pancake Bay Provincial Park Opening Hours

Daily 8:15 am – 10 pm

Parking

The parking area to access Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail is located just inside the gates of Pancake Bay Provincial Park. Parking is free and there are plenty of spaces available.

Be sure to have a valid Ontario Parks day-use permit displayed in your vehicle or you may be fined. You can buy one online or at the park entrance.

Other Hikes in the Area

Batchawana Falls – short hike to reach Batchawana Falls off Tribag Mine Rd
Chippewa Falls – a 5-minute hike from the Trans-Canada Highway, I visited this waterfall
Pete’s Point

Map of Edmund Fitzgerald Lake Superior Lookout

FAQs about Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout

What is the Best Time of Year to Hike the Lookout Trail?

The best time of year to hike the lookout trail is April through October.

In the summer months, the weather is warm and the trees are leafy.

In fall, the lookout offers beautiful views of the fall foliage.

Can You See the Edmund Fitzgerald Wreck from the Lookout?

No, you cannot see the Edmund Fitzgerald wreck from the lookout. On a clear day, you can see the site where the ship sank.

It was hazy during my visit, as there were forest fires in Northern Ontario so the visibility wasn’t great. I could somewhat see the lake.

Final Thoughts: Edmund Fitzgerald Hiking Trail

Hiking the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail is a rewarding experience that will give you an unforgettable view of Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Lake Superior and the ship wreckage site.

The trail is easy to find and well-marked with blue arrows, perfect for all skill levels.

Bring plenty of water as it may get warmer than expected in the forest shade. And remember to buy your Ontario Parks day-use permit.

Cool off at Bathtub Island after or continue doing more Northern Ontario hikes.

Happy travelling!