Burnt River Heritage Mining Circuit
Technical mining circuit through Ontario's industrial past
The Burnt River Heritage Mining Circuit threads through what used to be Ontario’s iron ore heartland east of Sudbury. Starting from the ghost town of Sellwood, this loop connects a dozen abandoned mining sites via original haul roads and prospector tracks that haven’t seen maintenance since the 1960s. The route passes the massive Steep Rock Mine pit, flooded open cuts that now serve as unofficial swimming holes, and enough rusted machinery to stock a mining museum.
Difficult technical rating demands true 4WD with skid plates—these mining roads weren’t built for comfort. Rock gardens, mud holes, and steep grades are standard. Best attempted June through September when the worst boggy sections dry out. No permits required on Crown land, but notify someone of your route—cell coverage is nonexistent for 60+ miles. Bring recovery gear and extra fuel. The payoff is exploring genuine industrial archaeology in pristine Canadian wilderness, plus camping spots beside lakes that have been undisturbed for decades.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 125 mi / 201 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1800 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| Land manager | Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run the Burnt River Heritage Mining Circuit, or does it need mods?
A stock rig won't cut it here. The rocky surface and technical sections require a modified 4WD with skid plates at minimum — think lift, all-terrain tires, and underbody protection. Running it stock risks serious damage to your diffs, transfer case, and rocker panels.
When does the Burnt River circuit open up and is snow a real concern?
June through September is your window. Before June, snow and frozen ground give way to deep mud and washouts that can swallow a rig. After September, early snowfall in the Thunder Bay region can close bush roads fast and without warning.
Do you need a permit to run this trail, and are there any fees?
No dedicated trail permit is required, but you're operating on Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources land so standard Crown land rules apply — no permit fee, but fires require compliance with current MNR fire restrictions, and you're responsible for knowing any active closures before you go.
What's the hardest section on this trail and what exactly makes it technical?
The exposed Canadian Shield rock sections are where this trail earns its Difficult rating — uneven slabs, embedded boulders, and off-camber ledges that punish poor line choice. The combination of rock shelves near the old mining access spurs will test your spotter and your nerves equally.
There's zero cell service on 125 miles of remote Ontario bush — what's the minimum comms setup you'd run out here?
A satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach is non-negotiable on this circuit — the nearest help is Thunder Bay and no one is coming fast. Running with at least one other vehicle is strongly advised given the water crossings and remote recovery situations that can develop quickly on a 2-3 day loop with no outside contact.
Trail track
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