A Journey to Christian Island

Earlier in the summer, I went on a sixteen-kilometer hike around Christian Island. Although it was a fairly short walk (by my standards), I was able to explore new, remote territory. It was my second (of three) summer trips to the Georgian Bay area, which is quickly becoming my favourite hiking locale in southern Ontario.


I drive to Cedar Point, a remote Native community located along the shoreline of Georgian Bay. Cedar Point is nestled within the vast birch forest spanning the northeastern edge of the Penetanguishene Peninsula. It’s a small and isolated hamlet, featuring a few dozen homes and several tiny stores. The village is a forty minute drive from Midland, the nearest major community. The exurb's highlight is a small dock and park that descends into Georgian Bay. I take the ferry across to Christian island and begin hiking into increasingly remote territory.


Christian Island, a small landmass located a few kilometers into the vast fresh water bay, is home to the Chippewa Natives. Originally a nomadic tribe, the Chippewas were encouraged by European colonists to settle on the small island. A tiny village is located along the southern edge of the island; it contains a community centre, a few small stores, and some houses. Several stray dogs wander around the dock, barking excitedly when they have the chance to chase after cars. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like there’s a lot to see in the community. I walk north along Ogema Road, the arterial path connecting the southern village with the remote northern shore.


North of the village, Ogema Road turns into a rough, bumpy gravel path. After a few kilometers, I turn onto a poorly-marked dirt trail that leads into the island’s vast interior forest. Although most forests in southern Ontario are deciduous, Christian Island offers a refreshing change of scenery as it features large, fertile cedar trees. The dirt path is narrow, muddy and curvy, and there are few signs of civilization. Although it’s a warm day, the tall cedars block out nearly all of the sunlight. The path splits into two after a few hundred meters – I don’t know where either half leads, but choose the western path. I look forward to the adventure.


The nature trail eventually leads to a sandy beach stretching across the island’s remote northern shoreline. The beach is quiet and secluded; there are no more than a dozen people out on the coastline, even though it stretches for many kilometers. The sand features interesting black, gray and tan patterns engraved by the Lake Huron tide. Hope Island, a small uninhabited land mass, is visible on the horizon.


I walk along the beach for about one kilometer until the sand fades and is replaced by an endless array of small, colourful rocks. Walking along the rocks seems like an interesting challenge – I carefully climb over the larger red, grey and tan stones, knowing that if I slip, I’d fall into Lake Huron. Progress is slow and steady, given that the rocks are uneven and slippery; it takes me fifteen minutes to cover the first few hundred meters. I contemplate circumnavigating the island via its rocky shoreline – it would definitely be a fun and scenic adventure, however I worry that I might not be able to finish until after sunset, which means I would be stranded on the island.

I continue along the jagged shoreline for a kilometer, carefully jumping from stone to stone. I’m far enough up the coast that I can no longer see or hear the other people on the beach. I rest on a large, red rock for a few minutes, alone, and enjoy the silence.


After resting along the rugged Georgian Bay shoreline, I make the long, exhausting walk back to the Christian Island community. I get a hamburger and fries at a small Native-owned diner adorned with Toronto Blue Jays memorabilia. The proprietor tells me how difficult it is to make a profit on the island, but he hopes that the unique décor will attract more customers. I wish him luck, walk back to the dock, and take the boat back to the mainland.

I watch the sun set over Christian Island from Cedar Point. After, I make the long drive back to Toronto and reflect on peaceful tranquility of the lush, green island.