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A Trek for Every Province - 10 Breathtaking Canadian Hikes

Canada is known for being wild, sparsely populated, and absolutely beautiful, but for some reason, not many American outdoorsmen seem to venture north to see our neighbor’s landscapes. Nevertheless, Canada offers thousands of miles (and even more thousands of kilometers) of trails throughout its 10 provinces. Here are the ones well worth a trip to the Great White North.

1. Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

The home of the Mi’kmaq tribe, Kijimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia, is both a beautiful natural space and a valuable historical site. More than 15 trails crisscross the old-growth forest, which is particularly stunning in the fall. Plus, the Mi’kmaq people have ancient legends concerning the different features of the forest, and seeing the forest — with its abundant wildlife and fascinating geology — through their ageless tales is an unforgettable experience.

2. Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland is often imagined as a cold, barren land — and it is. However, the island’s chilly emptiness is exactly what makes it such a unique destination for hikers. Twillingate is often labeled the iceberg capital of the world, and for good reason. A handful of trails trace the rocky cliffs of north Newfoundland, providing outstanding panoramas, which may just include a glimpse of a whale’s tail or bald eagle’s wing.

3. Les Sentiers de l’Estrie, Quebec

Nearly 93 miles long and linking several peaks well above 2,000 feet, Les Sentiers de l’Estrie is not a hike for the faint of heart. Of course, only serious trekkers attempt to complete the trail; there are several tracks that make for delightful day hikes through the French-Canadian wilderness. Due to the size and upkeep of the trail, a small fee is requested before use.

4. The Fundy Footpath, New Brunswick

Though the name may sound jolly, the 25-mile, rugged Fundy Footpath is another trek more appropriate for experienced hikers. Deep in the forests of New Brunswick, it can be easy to imagine oneself trapped in a long-forgotten time, far from the reach of civilization — which is exactly why the forest service requires hikers to register before enjoying the trails. Still, hugging the Atlantic coast, the trail offers supreme views of the forest and ocean.

5. Boreal Trail, Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan boasts 35 parks with hundreds of hiking trails, but the most impressive is certainly the longest. At about 74 miles long, Boreal is a true backpacker’s dream, as it travels through all sorts of terrain: boreal forest (the trail’s namesake), winding river, crystalline lake. Plus, with plenty of entry and exit points, hikers can enjoy the Boreal Trail for as long or short as they please.

6. Mantario Trail, Manitoba

Manitoba’s Mantario Trail stretches 41 miles across the hard, barren Canadian Shield, through lush, boreal forest, and over dozens of rushing streams. The scenery is strikingly untouched — which is primarily why experts warn inexperienced hikers away from the trek. Indeed, a guaranteed three days in the wilderness isn’t for the beginner.

7. Bruce Trail, Ontario

One of Canada’s longest trails, the 496-mile-long Bruce follows the Niagara Escarpment from the Bruce Peninsula to Niagara Falls. However, this unending trek can be friendly to novice hikers, as it also offers more than 186 miles of side tracks that make for excellent day hikes. Especially for visitors to Niagara Falls, the Bruce makes for an exhilarating natural experience.

8. Appin Road, Prince Edward Island

An incredibly old trail — which ensures that it is incredibly good, too — Appin Road started as a simple clay-packed lane in 1862. Today, it offers an exceedingly peaceful stroll through Prince Edward Island’s forests and woodlands. In autumn, Appin Road is particularly stunning, as the leaves cover the ground with violent oranges and reds.

9. Lake Louise Tea House Challenge, Alberta

The hills and lakes of Alberta’s Canadian Rockies seem to make hikers yearn for one thing: tea. The Lake Louise Tea House Challenge rewards tired hikers with teashops all along the trail, as though jaw-dropping vistas of the snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and gleaming glaciers weren’t enough. Just two miles from Lake Louise, the Lake Agnes Teahouse beckons with fresh pie and invigorating beverages, and not three miles later, Plains of Six Glaciers Teahouse reinvigorates enthusiasm with the same.

10. Kinney Lake, British Columbia

Nestled in the second oldest provincial park in British Columbia, Kinney Lake proudly reflects the terrific towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, including the tallest in the range, Mount Robson. Fortunately, the Kinney Lake Trail doesn’t force hikers up any of the sheer cliffs; in fact, the two-and-a-half mile trek is comfortable, though it offers countless mesmerizing natural sights.

Images by Paul Bica and Scott Darbey via Flickr Creative Commons

- Broad Cove Mountain Trail
This 2.3 km (1.4 mile) trail goes through the forest up the side of the mountain, with a nice lookoff at the top. Fairly steep in sections, but some stairs are built into the trail. A nice view at the top, we give this trail a 6.5 out of 10. Click here...

- Warren Lake Trail
This is a 4.7 km (2.9 mile) loop around Warren Lake. It's a pretty trail, and we really enjoyed this hike. We give this trail a 7.5 out of 10. Click here to read more......

- Jack Pine Trail
This 2.3 km (1.4 mile) trail loops through one of the few jack pine forests in the park. There are some interpretive signs along the trail. Again, not a bad trail, but nothing special. A couple of view points make it interesting. However, we give this...

- Jigging Cove Trail
This trail goes around a small lake, with another section that goes to the coast and back. We did the other section during the coastal trail earlier on, so this just details the 2.2 km (1.4 mile) hike around the lake. Not a bad walk, but nothing special....

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