Canada's best hiking trails

Hiking is an inexpensive way to get -- and stay -- fit, and its an accessible exercise option when you match your route with your abilities. 

Whether you're looking for a relaxed nature hike or a month-long trek into the backcountry, Canada is brimming with wonderful hiking possibilities.

The right hike for you
Before choosing a hiking route, carefully consider your:
- fitness level
- ability and;
- hiking skill.

Then prepare for your hike based on the trail you choose.

Easy treks in developed areas require simple preparations including:
- water
- sunscreen
- insect repellent (for spring, summer and fall hikes)
- hat
- appropriate footwear and;
- appropriate clothing.

Longer, more difficult, trails command more preparation and equipment, including:
- maps
- binoculars
- first aid kit
- food
- a signalling kit in case of emergency
- compass
- GPS unit
- hiking poles, etc.

Check out the following suggestions for Canadian hikes below, each complete with a link to a website to help you decide whether the degree of difficulty matches your skills and interests. 

Trans Canada Trail -- Cross-Canada hiking options
It's a hiker's dream -- 21,500 km of trail that runs through every province and territory of this country. The Trans Canada Trail, anticipated to be substantially complete by 2010, currently boasts 14,500 km of developed trail and will be the longest trail of its kind in the world. Check it out for hiking suggestions in your backyard. To date, there are seven official Trans Canada Trail guidebooks that detail the hiking options.

Mont Tremblant National Park -- Quebec
Quebec sports more than 6,000 km of hiking trails with something for every skill and fitness level. The Mont Tremblant National Park is home to white-tailed deer, beaver, bears and 196 species of birds.

Click to continue for trails in Ontario, Eastern Canada and out to the prairies and beyond...

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The Bruce Trail -- Ontario
Canada's oldest and longest footpath, the Bruce Trail in Ontario spans 800 km, following the Niagara Escarpment. Numerous access points along the Bruce Trail mean that hikers can experience anything from a day hike to a month-long trek along the trail. Find maps and information about hiking Bruce Trail at brucetrail.org.

Fundy Trail Parkway -- New Brunswick
According to Kim Leblanc of Tourism New Brunswick, one of the more challenging and engaging hikes for experienced hikers is the Fundy Footpath, a 40 km long trail that takes about three or four days to hike and offers breathtaking views of the local scenery.

East Coast Trail -- Newfoundland & Labrador
Ideal for hikers who are fit and experienced, the East Coast Trail spans 540 km and links together 32 historic communities. For a listing of scheduled hikes with details about the paths, visit eastcoasttrail.com.

Nut Point Trail -- Saskatchewan
Nut Point Hiking Trail, in Saskatchewan's Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, follows 15 km along the Nut Point peninsula. An eight-hour walk along the rock ridges provides a spectacular view of Black Spruce forests and Saskatchewan nature. Find more trail information and a map here.

Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots -- Alberta
Identified as an easy hike, this trail is one of the most popular in Banff park and spans a distance of about 5.8 km. You'll need about four or five hours to complete this hike. Platforms on the trail offer interesting and picturesque views of the surrounding scenery and waterfalls. Twyla Ursaki of Travel Alberta recommends looking for colourful tufa rock deposit, formed by dripping springs, near the Upper Falls.

For more hiking trails in Alberta, check out TravelAlberta.com.

Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park -- Manitoba
At 63 km, Mantario Trail is the longest Canadian Shield in Western Canada and it's located along the Manitoba/Ontario border in Whiteshell Provincial Park. This trail is a challenging one and recommended for experienced hikers.

Wild Pacific Trail -- British Columbia
Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Wild Pacific Trail is on the open Pacific.

"You've got crashing waves, black lava rock around you and a fantastic forest setting," says Janice Greenwood-Fraser, for B.C. Tourism. "The hike itself is flat and accessible, maybe taking an hour or two. You'll get a good sense of the flora and fauna in the Ucluelet area."

Reeds and Rushes Trail -- Prince Edward Island
Pop by the Stanhope campground kiosk for an interpretive kit, complete with a dip net and collecting tray, before you head off on this 30-minute hike over a floating boardwalk on Dalvay Pond. This hike, ideal for the family, is rated super easy and is wheelchair accessible.

Visit islandtrails.ca for more hiking options throughout P.E.I.

Regardless of your fitness level or interests, Canada has a broad range of hiking options to explore. Take a cyber-hike through the aforementioned websites to discover which options best suit you.

Click to continue for more information about Canadian hiking trails...

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Find more great Canadian hiking trails

Wherever you live or visit in Canada, check out the websites of the provincial tourism organizations listed below and type "hiking" into their web page search engines for a bouquet of choices:
Alberta - www.travelalberta.com
British Columbia - www.hellobc.com
Manitoba - www.travelmanitoba.com
New Brunswick - www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca 

Newfoundland and Labrador - www.newfoundlandlabrador.com
Northwest Territories - www.spectacularnwt.com
Nova Scotia - www.novascotia.com
Nunavut - www.nunavuttourism.com
Ontario - www.ontariotravel.net
Prince Edward Island - www.gentleisland.com
Quebec - www.bonjourquebec.com
Saskatchewan - www.sasktourism.com
Yukon - www.TravelYukon.com 

Find more great Canadian adventures in our Travel and Hobbies section.

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