Provinces

At the heart of Canada’s trail network lies the Trans Canada Trail, now known as The Great Trail. Conceived in 1992 as a legacy of Canada’s 125th anniversary, this ambitious project has evolved into the world’s most extensive recreational multi-use trail network, spanning over 28,000 kilometres and connecting the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans. The vision was to create a continuous route that would unite Canadians and provide unparalleled access to the country’s diverse landscapes. While the Trans Canada Trail is a monumental modern achievement, its segments often incorporate and revive much older paths, reminding us of the enduring human impulse to traverse and explore the world.

Each province boasts unique trails, each with its own story to tell.

British Columbia, with its dramatic Pacific coastline and towering mountain ranges, offers some of Canada’s most iconic and challenging trails. The West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island is perhaps the most famous, a 75-kilometre rugged wilderness trek through temperate rainforest, coves, and beaches. Originally a lifeline for shipwrecked sailors along the notorious “Graveyard of the Pacific,” it traverses the traditional territories of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations, who continue to play a vital role as guardians of the trail, sharing their cultural heritage with hikers. Further inland, the Dewdney Trail, constructed in the 1860s, was a crucial supply route during the gold rushes, connecting coastal areas to the interior. The town of Trail, British Columbia, itself owes its existence to this historic route and the discovery of gold-copper ore nearby.

Moving eastward into Alberta, the majestic Rocky Mountains dominate the landscape. Trails like the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail in Banff National Park offer breathtaking vistas of glaciers, snow-covered peaks, and turquoise lakes, accessible from the historic Lake Louise. These trails often follow ancient Indigenous hunting routes, and the region features significant historical sites, such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Blackfoot people expertly funnelled bison off cliffs for over 6,000 years. The Cowboy Trail, following the foothills of the Rockies, traces an old north-south route used by Indigenous peoples and later by early ranchers and settlers.

Saskatchewan, the heart of the Canadian prairies, offers trails that tell tales of Indigenous history and early settlement. The Path of the People in Wanuskewin Heritage Park, near Saskatoon, provides a gentle walk through a valley rich in Indigenous history, featuring tipi rings, buffalo jumping sites, and a medicine wheel, offering insights into the lives of First Nations people who thrived on these lands for millennia. These vast plains were crisscrossed by countless unnamed trails, often referred to by their destinations, which facilitated trade and the movement of the North West Mounted Police.

In Manitoba, trails like the Crow Wing Trail and sections of the Trans Canada Trail hug the landscape, often following historic Métis cart routes that were instrumental in trade and communication across the prairies in the 19th century. These trails speak to the rich cultural heritage of the Métis people and their pivotal role in shaping the Canadian West.

Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, boasts a diverse array of trails, from the rugged wilderness of the Canadian Shield to urban pathways. The Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, stretches over 900 kilometres along the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Established in 1967, it plays a critical role in protecting this unique natural wonder and connects hikers to a mosaic of ecosystems. Historically, the Great Lakes region was a hub of Indigenous trade and travel, with waterways and portage routes forming essential networks long before the arrival of Europeans. The Rideau Trail, linking Kingston and Ottawa, follows a route closely tied to the historic Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the early 19th century.

Quebec, with its distinct culture and geography, has the largest managed trail network in Canada. The Petit Train du Nord is a remarkable example of a “Rails-to-Trails” conversion, transforming an abandoned railway line into a popular multi-use path that stretches over 200 kilometres through the Laurentian Mountains. This trail echoes the province’s industrial past while offering a contemporary escape into the natural world. Early French explorers and fur traders relied heavily on Indigenous canoe routes and portages, many of which are now part of Quebec’s extensive trail system.

The Atlantic provinces also offer unique trail experiences. In New Brunswick, the Fundy Trail Parkway provides unparalleled access to the dramatic coastal landscapes of the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides. The Nepisiguit Mi’gmaq Trail, approximately 140 kilometres long, follows the Nepisiguit River and is a significant Indigenous heritage trail, with the Pabineau Mi’gmaq First Nation community actively involved in its creation and interpretation.

Nova Scotia showcases its maritime heritage through trails like the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, offering breathtaking clifftop views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cabot Trail. The Rum Runners Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, follows a former rail-bed along the south shore, connecting historic communities and coastal beauty. This region was a crucial area for early European settlement and trade, with trails linking fishing villages and coastal outposts.

Prince Edward Island is home to the Confederation Trail, another successful “Rails-to-Trails” project that spans the entire length of the island. This gentle, multi-use pathway, built on a former railway line, provides a unique way to experience the island’s charming landscapes, farmlands, and coastal vistas. PEI was the first province to complete its designated section of the Trans Canada Trail, a testament to its community-driven spirit.

Finally, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, offers rugged and wild trails. The East Coast Trail is a series of wilderness paths along the Avalon Peninsula, providing stunning views of icebergs, whales, and historic lighthouses. “Kilometre Zero” of the Trans Canada Trail is located at Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America, marking a symbolic beginning to Canada’s incredible trail journey. The island’s isolated fishing communities were historically connected by footpaths and coastal trails, which were essential for survival and communication.

From ancient Indigenous pathways to repurposed railway lines, Canada’s trails are living museums, each telling a piece of the nation’s unfolding story. They invite us to step back in time, connect with nature, and appreciate the enduring legacy of those who walked these lands before us.