Kapuskasing: Trails, winter sports and Francophone culture

Kapuskasing combines riverside trails and loops with winter activities and Francophone cultural events. If you’re looking for a hotel in Kapuskasing, seasonal dates may be important when choosing your travel dates. The trails can be distinguished by their routes, lengths and the activities listed for them.

Trails by route and activity

The Loop is a 5 km circuit around Kapuskasing used for walking and running. It passes the main streets of Riverside, Byng, Brunetville, Brunelle North and Government Road. The one-way trail to Sturgeon Falls, also called Spruce Falls, takes a different route: it is about 3 km long and leads to the falls on the Kapuskasing River. The trailhead is at the intersection of Hemlock and Ash Street. The route descriptions therefore refer to different types of trails: a loop on the one hand and a one-way trail on the other.

In Riverside Park, a paved trail leads to the bay and the riverbanks. It is suitable for walking, running, inline skating and cycling. Lovers' Lane follows the Kapuskasing River through the Old Kap neighbourhood. Activities listed there include mountain biking, birdwatching and walking dogs, as well as walking, hiking and running. Those considering different activities will find different emphases: the trail in Riverside Park includes inline skating and cycling, while Lovers' Lane is also described as suitable for birdwatching and walking with a dog.

The trail to Sturgeon Falls is suitable year-round for walking, running, mountain biking and snowshoeing. The Kap Nordic Skiers Club maintains ski and snowshoe trails. The club's chalet is at the end of Ash Street.

Winter activities and Riverside Park

Kapuskasing's outdoor skating rink is on Murdock Hill, across from André Cary Elementary School, and has a warming hut. In winter, the hill is also a popular gathering spot for children and families who go sledding there with Crazy Carpets, sleds and saucers. At the Sports Palace Arena, people skate, curl and play hockey. These places offer different winter activities: sledding outdoors on the hill or skating on the rink, as well as skating, curling or playing hockey in the arena.

Riverside Park has a large play structure and a splash pad with colourful fountains and water sprinklers; the splash pad is used in summer. The park is also the site of the Festival of Lights. This winter event can be seen in December and runs from December to mid-January. The park is therefore associated with different seasonal offerings, though this does not mean that every attraction has the same visiting period.

Francophone culture and seasonal dates

The Festival de la St-Jean de la région de Kapuskasing takes place annually on the third weekend in June. The programme features sociocultural activities and Francophone music. The exact dates may change from year to year, so check the dates for the year of your trip. The Centre régional de loisirs culturels de Kapuskasing offers performances, workshops and social activities for the Francophone community. Its varied programming dates back more than 50 years.

The Kapuskasing Farmers' Market is also seasonal: it takes place on Saturdays at Ash Place from the August long weekend to the Thanksgiving weekend. Local producers and artisans showcase and sell their goods there. As dates and event-location arrangements may change, it is a good idea to confirm the details before making plans. Both the festival weekend in June and the seasonal market period are therefore relevant when deciding when to travel.

Kapuskasing Library is a place where you can sit by the fireplace with a book. La Forge Jos Godin is located on Brunetville Road in Kapuskasing; the museum is currently closed. Check whether access is possible before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Hearst, Cochrane, Timmins, Iroquois Falls.

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