Bridal Veil Falls from the Kagawong River Trails

Bridal Veils Fall is a beautiful stop on Manitoulin Island.

Last summer, my boyfriend and did a road trip from Hamilton to Saulte Ste Marie. Along the way, we stopped by many hiking trails, however, there was one trail easy trail we really enjoyed and was hoping we could visit it again; Kagawong River Trails in Kagawong, Manitoulin Island, which leads to Bridal Veil Falls.

Chinook Salmon Run at Kagawong River Trails

This time however, we’re going to time it right and visit Manitoulin Island in the falls, specifically, late September or early October. I know, summer hasn’t even started and I’m already talking about fall, but hear me out.

October is salmon spawning time in Northeastern Ontario, and what I didn’t know when I had my spur of the moment road trip the summer of 2020, was that Manitoulin Island’s most picturesque waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls, is the end of a long journey for thousands of Chinook Salmon. This river trail was such a serene and tranquil place to enjoy a quiet walk that I can’t imagine what it would be like to see thousands of salmon violently thrashing their powerful tails, fighting an upstream battle to return to where they were born years before. The end of a journey, and the beginning of a new one.

A Gentle Path to Bridal Veil Falls

Of course, if you’re planning a visit to Manitoulin Island in the summer, Kagawong River Trails is still a very scenic, yet gentle trail. Walking alongside the water, sloping downstream from the falls, the gentle bubbling sound of the brook is calming while well-groomed path provides a peaceful place to walk and admire the flora and fauna of Manitoulin Island.

Regardless of the season, with its picturesque location and easy access along the Kagawong River, it’s no wonder Bridal Veil Falls is one of Manitoulin Island’s most popular places to visit at any time of the year.

Not hard to imagine considering it could be mistaken for a place in the tropics; its crystal clear water of the Kagawong River is collected in an all-natural swimming pool 35 metres below the crest. I’m not much of a swimmer, so my favourite part is still the beautiful view from behind the fall.

How to access the Kagawong Riverside Trail

Although there is access to the trail system at Bridal Veil Falls adjacent to Hwy 540, there is a much safer and roomier parking options in the lower hamlet of Kagawong. Just park in lower Kagawong at the park center and enjoy the river trail system that leads directly to Bridal Veil Falls. The lower village includes many other points of interest, and both the upper and lower village have unique shops. However, I would check online to see what is open and what is not, considering certain areas are in lockdown.

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