Onaping Falls in Northern Ontario

The High Falls of Onaping

By Bala Menon

Onaping Falls in Northern Ontario was until 1977 outside the ambit of municipal administration and was a company town, owned and operated by mining giant Inco. 

Today, it is an amalgamation of three local communities - Dowling, Onaping and Levack. Dowling is about 11 km from Onaping along Highway 144, while Levack is north of the highway along Municipal Road 8. The smaller subdivisions of Levack Station and Phelans are also located along Highway 144 between Dowling and Onaping.

Clear Lake at the entrance to Onaping Valley. At one time, it was 
a water source for Onaping. Now it is used for swimming and recreational boating.

On January 1, 2001, the town and the Regional Municipality were dissolved and amalgamated into the city of Greater Sudbury.

The Onaping Falls area is known for its scenic beauty and its abundance of recreational faciilities; fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country and downhill skiing.

Onaping is particularly known for its High Falls, where the Onaping River drops 46 metres in a single plunge, sending mist and froth for several meters. The town is at the point where the Canadian Shield meets the Sudbury Nickel Irruptive, caused by a meteorite strike two billion years ago. There is a magnificent lookout off Highway 144 called the A. Y. Jackson Lookout, for the famous Group of Seven artist who immortalized the view on his canvas with his 1953 painting "Spring on the Onaping River". There is a local government information centre near the lookout.

A wonderful trail can take you quite close and over the Onaping Falls. 

Onaping Falls from the A.Y. Jackson Lookout

The scenery is majestic and the area contains a treasure of natural resources for the traveler and outdoor sports enthusiast. The city itself is very small - home to only about 4,000 people and is part of the City of Greater Sudbury. 

There are fine recreational facilities available - a double rink, a curling club, downhill skiing and cross-country skiing. Ski trails are located off Highway 144 near the Windy Lake Motel. For updates on ski conditions call 855-0145

Currently, there is a proposal to build a zip line to carry tourists down and across High Falls on steel cables stretched from a tower near the present foot bridge to a landing midway where they can walk across a rope bridge. Here, visitors can walk up the path or if stage one is a success and the second part of the zip line is constructed they can take their chances on the big run down the main falls to a landing near A.Y. Jackson Center. A 3 rope walkway would be stretched across the river in the middle of the rapids area above the main falls. 

The Annual Cardboard Toboggan race in the area in Feburary is an attraction at the former mer Levack Ski hill . Hot chocolate, a bon fire, great music, and tons of snowy fun are all part of the exciting event. More info at: Onaping Community Site

The Onaping Falls Curling Club is located at 10 Fraser St.Onaping, Ont. The 
club has 150 members. The club can be reached at.966-2323 

© Bala Menon. Pics on this page © Bala Menon