Chrismar Spanish River Map

One of southern Canada's great wilderness rivers - the Spanish - is located northwest of Sudbury in Ontario.

This exceptionally-detailed 1:60,000 scale topographic map shows you the rapids, falls, swifts, campsites, portages, access points and other features of the East and West Branches from, respectively, Duke Lake and Biscotasi Lake in the north to Agnew Lake in the south. There are numerous access points to choose from, and one of the real treats of this route is taking the train, along with your canoe and gear, from Cartier or Sudbury north to your put-in.

The Spanish makes for a great introductory whitewater holiday (except in high water when more advanced skills are required), particularly the East Branch. The full-length East Branch trip starts at Duke Lake, for which you'll need to arrange a shuttle (your own or with a local outfitter), whereas shorter trips can start further south at The Forks, which is accessible by train.

The West Branch is a little more remote with more rapids to paddle or portage around. Easiest access is by train to one of many official points including the hamlet of Biscotasi at the top end, or Sinker Creek, The Forks, Sheahan, etc. further south.

Shorter trips on both branches often end at The Elbow where your car could be parked, but given time it's worth "doing" the entire route down to Agnew lake.

So there's something for everybody, including sea kayakers who will enjoy Biscotasi Lake (and the big lakes on the Mississagi River side of the tracks) at the top end of the West Branch.