Rugged Canada is well known for its spectacular natural beauty, and there’s no better way to experience that than with the great hikes, hikes and rides found in the country’s parks, nature and cities.
Here are some of the best hikes in Canada:
Quebec: One of Canada’s great urban walks can be found in Montreal, where the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal offer glimpses of the city’s history dating back to 1642. Centuries-old structures have been converted into homes, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. while underground an old system of tunnels leads from the new Museum of Archeology to the old Customs. Tired of walking? Stop for a cake and a cup of coffee, or get sucked into history with a horse-drawn carriage ride.
British Columbia: In Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Long Beach Islands. This beach is aptly named, with over 10 miles of walkable shoreline framed by waves, cliffs, and rainforests of cedar, spruce, and Sitka spruce. Here you may see an eagle soaring, a sea lion sunning itself or even a gray whale, but what will truly captivate your attention is the serenity and beauty of this coastal gem.
Nova Scotia – On the country’s east coast lies the Maritimes, and Nova Scotia in particular offers spectacular coastal walks. In Cape Breton Highlands National Park there are many walks through marshes and forests, but the most exciting possibilities are offered on trails along the sheer cliffs of the open ocean, such as the Skyline Trail.
Alberta: The Rocky Mountains have some of the best natural scenery in the country and, along with it, some of the most attractive trails. Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park cuts a very narrow canyon path through tunnels of brightly colored rock past waterfalls and iridescent pools. The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail at Lake Louise offers a lakeside view of the emerald green waters of the lake, as well as the nearby Victoria Glacier. After a quick climb, you’ll find yourself in a rustic teahouse, the perfect place to order a cuppa and enjoy your natural surroundings.
British Columbia – One of the world’s top hiking destinations, the West Coast Trail offers one of the most satisfying and spectacular ways to experience the rainforests, beaches, and mountains of the West. Over the course of a 77km journey, hikers will discover sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, caves, tide pools, ancient trees, waterfalls and more.
Wherever you end up in Canada, you’re sure to be just minutes from a coastal vista, or a spot of cultivation, or a breath of fresh air… So pack your hiking boots, you’ll want them.