One of the most famous water routes is the Great Loop, which includes portions of the waterways in Ontario. Here’s an illustrative description of what part of that journey might look like:
- Starting from Lake Ontario:
- You could begin your journey in Lake Ontario, exploring the shoreline and perhaps stopping at cities like Toronto or Kingston.
- Traveling through the Trent-Severn Waterway:
- From Lake Ontario, you can enter the Trent-Severn Waterway at Trenton, which will lead you through a series of locks, lakes, and rivers.
- This waterway is a historic canal route which passes through beautiful countryside, quaint towns, and provides numerous opportunities for mooring and exploring.
- Reaching Georgian Bay and The North Channel:
- The Trent-Severn Waterway ends at Port Severn, where you’ll enter Georgian Bay. Known for its clear blue waters and rugged islands, it’s a boater’s paradise.
- Continuing through the Georgian Bay, you have the opportunity to explore the Thirty Thousand Islands and then move towards the North Channel, which is renowned for its scenic beauty.
- Through Lake Huron to the St. Marys River into Lake Superior:
- From the North Channel, you can navigate into the larger expanse of Lake Huron.
- Travelling northwards to Sault Ste. Marie, you can pass through the Soo Locks to enter the St. Marys River.
- The river leads into Lake Superior, where you can visit the Canadian shorelines or Isle Royale National Park, a U.S. island park accessible only by boat or seaplane.
- Looping back via Lake Erie and the Welland Canal:
- To complete the loop without going through the U.S., you would need to travel along the northern shore of Lake Superior, and then enter Lake Huron again, eventually heading south to Lake Erie.
- To bypass Niagara Falls, you would use the Welland Canal, which consists of several locks to bring you down into Lake Ontario.
- Completing the Journey in Lake Ontario:
- Once through the Welland Canal, you’re back into Lake Ontario where you could conclude your journey or continue exploring.
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Please note, this journey covers significant distances, and includes navigating through various locks, under bridges, and possibly facing varying weather conditions. It requires a seaworthy vessel, an experienced crew, knowledge of navigation, proper licensing and permissions (especially through the canals where fees apply), safety equipment, and a lot of time – it could take several months to complete in full. Also, it’s critical to check the latest navigation charts and water levels before undertaking such a trip.