The Purdy Mica Mine near Mattawa, Ontario Canada is a standout stop along the Explorers Snow route, marked as Stop #3 on their fun map and tucked into the rugged forests of Northeastern Ontario. Once an active mica mining site in the early 1900s, the area supplied valuable mineral used in electrical and industrial applications, leaving behind a narrow rock entrance that opens into a striking pit layered with shimmering mica throughout the exposed Canadian Shield.

Today, the Mica Mine is most commonly accessed by snowmobile via OFSC trails in winter, with access also possible by ATV or on foot through the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System in warmer months. Just outside Mattawa and within easy reach of North Bay, this hidden Northern Ontario gem offers a quick but memorable stop where riders can step off the trail, explore the rock formations, and experience a unique piece of Ontario’s mining history firsthand. I read they offer guided tours at times. Likely in the summer months.

If you’re riding the Explorers Snow Tour, the Mica Mine is one of those stops you don’t rush. It’s a “park the sled, walk in, and just take it in” kind of place. Quiet, a little rugged, and completely different from anything else on the trail. One of those Northern Ontario gems that makes the ride unforgettable.