Rugged Canada is well-known for its spectacular natural beauty, and there is no better way to experience that than with the great hikes, walks, and strolls to be found in the parks, wilderness, and cities of the country.
Here’s a few of Canada’s top hikes:
Quebec: One Canada’s great urban walks can be found in Montreal, where the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal offer glimpses of the city’s history all the way back to 1642. Century-old structures have been converted in homes, stores, restaurants, and nightclubs, while below ground an old tunnel system leads from the new Museum of Archaeology to the old Custom House. Tired of walking? Stop for a pastry and cup of coffee, or let yourself get absorbed by the history with a horse-drawn carriage ride.
British Columbia: In the Pacific Rim National Park on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, lies Long Beach. This beach is aptly named, with more than 16 km of walkable coast-line framed by rolling surf, cliffs and rain forests of cedar, fir, and Sitka spruce. Here you might spot a soaring eagle, a basking sea lion, or even a gray whale, but what will really captivate your attention is the serenity and beauty of this coastal gem.
Nova Scotia: On the East Coast of the country lies the Maritimes, with Nova Scotia in particular offering spectacular coastal walks. In the Cape Breton Highlands National Park there are bog and woodland walks aplenty, but the most exciting possibilities are on offer on the trails along the rugged cliffs of the open ocean, like 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 trail through tunnels of brightly colored rocks, and passes waterfalls and iridescent pools. The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail in Lake Louise offers a lake-shore view of the emerald-green waters of the lake, as well as nearby Victoria Glacier. After a quick climb find yourself at a rustic teahouse, the perfect place to order a cup and bask in your natural surroundings.
British Columbia: One of the world’s premier hiking destinations, the West Coast Trail offers one of the most satisfying and spectacular ways to experience the rainforest, beaches, and mountains of the west. Over the course of a 77-km journey, hikers will discover sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, caves, tidal pools, century-old trees, waterfalls, and more.
Wherever you end up in Canada, you’re sure to be but moments away from a coastal view, or a spot of grown, or a gust of fresh air… So pack your hiking boots, you’re going to want them.
Tags: canada travel