Article by: The Culture Trip
From Newfoundland’s Tablelands to the West Coast’s Rocky Mountains, Canada offers unparalleled hiking experiences from coast to coast. Check out our guide to the country’s best hiking trails.
Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
This UNESCO World Heritage site offers astounding topography and mind-blowing views. The majority of the trails in the park offer an easy hike, but those seeking a challenge will enjoy the mountain trail.
Gros Morne | © Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Cape Breton Island is with a visit to the Highlands National Park. Hike one of the park’s many trails for views of both the ocean and the highlands.
Cape Breton Highlands | © Nova Scotia Tourism
Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia
Not only is Kejimkujik one of the best places to go stargazing in Canada, but with its 15 trails and beautiful scenery, it’s also one of the best hiking spots. Combine the two with a hike to one of the campsites, and spend the evening enjoying the starry skies.
Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
The Bay of Fundy is a national treasure and is one of the Seven Wonders of North America. This gorgeous park along the Bay has 25 different trails, offering beautiful views, and a variety of lengths and difficulty levels.
Parc National de Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
Explore the Laurentian Mountains via the network of hiking trails in the Parc National de Mont-Tremblant. From short two-hour hikes to overnight excursions, there is something for everyone, and the park even has group huts for multi-day hikers to spend the night.
Laurentians | © Canadian Tourism Commission
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
Algonquin Park is one-and-a-half times the size of Prince Edward Island, so it’s safe to say that this giant park offers tons of hiking opportunities. The multitude of trails have a variety of difficulty levels, and are especially stunning in the fall when the leaves change colour.
Algonquin Provincial Park | © Canadian Tourism Commission
Grey Owl Trail, Manitoba
Grey Owl Trail, located in Manitoba’s Riding Mountain National Park, is a gentle 17-kilometre hike that takes you past sandy beaches, lush forests, and plenty of wildlife.
Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
Experience the prairies with a hike through the Grassland National Park, located along the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border. This park’s most popular trail is 70 Mile Butte, which will take you on a five-kilometre uphill trek offering views of the French River Valley.
Banff National Park, Alberta
Canada’s oldest national park has something for everyone. Choose from a variety of trail lengths and levels and enjoy stunning views along the way.
Banff | © Canadian Tourism Commission
Skyline Trail, Alberta
Serious hikers will adore the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park. It’s one of the most popular trails in the country, and the 44-kilometre route is definitely a challenge. It’s possible to do the trail as an overnight trip, but most hikers choose to take it on in a multi-day trip.
Jasper National Park | © Parks Canada/L. Neufeld
Stawamus Trail, British Columbia
BC is a hiker’s paradise and opportunities abound. One of the best options for all levels is the Stawamus Trail in Squamish. This moderate seven-kilometre hike is a bit of a challenge but very do-able (unlike some of the region’s more advanced hikes), and you’ll be rewarded with views of the Squamish Valley.
Grizzly Lake Trail, Yukon
Hike through the Yukon’s Tombstone Mountains, known as the “Patagonia of the North,” along the Grizzly Lake Trail. If you’re not up for the 17-kilometre hike, take one of the trail’s offshoots for a gentler and shorter trail.
Tombstone Mountains | © Government of Yukon/Fritz Mueller
