Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Hikes The Cup and Saucer Trail (In The Rain!)

The Cup and Saucer Trail on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, is a beloved spot for adventure. But how would an anti-adventurist like me fair on this hiking route?

My trip to Manitoulin Island was part of a press trip with the Travel Media Association of Canada conference. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

At the summit of the Cup and Saucer trail, soaking wet.

I have a rule when it comes to hiking. I have to be able to complete the route while holding a travel mug, full of a delicious latte. If you're going to trudge through the forest, you might as well do with a tasty hot beverage in hand, right? And having a hot drink to balance means you're avoiding anything too arduous. However, while on a press trip to Manitoulin Island, located just outside Sudbury in northern Ontario, I broke that rule all in the name of, well... I'm not sure exactly. Adventure? That doesn't sound like me. Being a bold, brave travel writer? Welllll.......

Like many anti-adventurist excursions, I had several moments of doubt along the way, but I'm ultimately happy that I did it. Here's what it was like to hike the Cup and Saucer Trail - in the rain!

What is the Cup and Saucer Trail?

The Cup and Saucer red trail is a four-kilometre moderate (or, in my view, moderate-to-difficult) hiking loop. It's situation on 345 acres of protected land that's part of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, a charitable land trust which protects the Niagara Escarpment (which covers a huge portion of Ontario, some 23,000 acres and 229 preserves). 

While the red trail appears to be the most popular, you can also opt for the blue route, which is a bit longer at five kilometres and offers a more gentle trek. Red trail hikers like me have a choice between taking the classic route or enjoying a bit of a detour known as the yellow or adventure trail.

(See how good I did there? I really sold the fact that some folks could ENJOY the adventure trail. I say this like I'm not totally terrified of the sheer existence of the 400-metre trek of terror. But, to each their own.)

The eponymous cup and saucer are named for rock formations, something I didn't observe because I was not only hiking in the rain but in the mist and fog as well. We could barely see the view when we reached the summit. Admittedly, my fear of getting close to the edge might have been a contributing factor. Is anyone surprised?

Inside my anti-adventurist experience

Just look at me at the start of the hike, all dry clothing and ready for a blissful moment with Mother Nature. Ha! Hiking in the rain is an unpleasant business, folks. Aside from the obvious disagreableness of being damp and sticky in all kinds of places, it also makes for challenging trail conditions. Smooth mud, slick rocks, and slippery leaves were high up on my list of worries throughout the hike and, in all honesty, I'm pretty relieved that I didn't wipe out.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom. In fact, I rather came to enjoy the experience once I came to terms with the fact that I would indeed get wet and stay wet for quite some time. The fresh forest air was wonderful and I loved how it smelled. I saw yellow orchids, wild roses, and interesting tiny holes in the ground which suggested a sneaky home for a wee critter. Successfully going up and down the super scary stairs (as seen above - trust me, the photo does not do justice for their intimidating nature) was especially triumphant and I'm grateful to my trail mates Carol and Jim for their steady hands and encouragement.

I'm also very grateful that they kept their snickers to themselves when I decided to do a bum shuffle down a particularly challenging rock and promptly sat in a puddle instead. Oh well. I guess I was committed! (As I type this, I'm soaking my mud-caked leggings in the sink.)

Reaching the summit was a moment of absolute triumph. Sure, we were all drenched and I had some awkward and ungainly moments along the trail. There was definitely no hot latte in a cozy thermos anywhere in site. But I did it! I did it and I was smiling and I didn't even care that I couldn't really see the view.

At the risk of invoking the worst possible travel cliche, this was one trip that was definitely about the journey, not the destination. I started to see the fog and the mist as a writer might, imagining how a mystery novelist would revel in the atmospheric conditions. When we finally made it back to the parking lot (in just under three hours), I felt absolutely amazing; full of pride and adrenaline. I was thrilled that the Cup and Saucer trail kept edging me forward and wouldn't let me quit and it made me wonder what other incredible things this destination has in store for me 

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