Live the adventure

Canada’s
35 greatest
hikes
P r e s e n t e d by e x P L o r e M a g a z i n e
t e x t by d av i d W e b b

Celebrating
35of years
adventure
 contents

British columbia 11. 20. 28.

Larch Valley-Sentinel La Cloche Silhouette The East Coast Trail
Avalon Peninsula
1. Pass Trail
Berg Lake Trail Banff National Park Killarney Provincial Park
Mount Robson Provincial Park
Yukon
saskatchewan Quebec
2. 29.
West Coast Trail Grey Mountain
Pacific Rim National Park
12. 21. Whitehorse
The Boreal Trail Les Lacs & Les Cretes
3. Meadow Lake Provincial Park Forillon National Park 30.
Chilkoot Trail 13. 22. Auriol Trail
Northern British Columbia/Alaska Kluane National Park
Grey Owl’s Cabin Deux-Criques Trail
4. Prince Albert National Park La Mauricie National Park 31.
Black Tusk Montana Mountain
(Garibaldi Lake) Manitoba new Brunswick Trail
Garibaldi Provincial Park Carcross
5. 14. 23. 32.
The Sunshine Coast Pisew Falls to Fundy Footpath Grizzly Lake to Talus
Trail Kwasitchewan Falls Bay of Fundy Lakes
Paint Lake & Pisew Falls 24. Tombstone Territorial Park
Powell River Provincial Parks
6. Mount Carleton
15. Mount Carleton Provincial Park northwest
The Iceline Trail The Mantario Trail
Yoho National Park territories
Whiteshell Provincial Park nova scotia
7.
Trophy Mountain ontario 33.
25. Canol Heritage Trail
Alpine Meadows Liberty Lake Trail Northwest Territories/Yukon
Wells Gray Provincial Park 16. Kejimkujik National Park
Highland Backpacking 26. 34.
Alberta Trail Fishing Cove Trail
Ingraham Trail Hikes
Algonquin Provincial Park Yellowknife
Cape Breton Highlands
8. 17. National Park
Plain of the Six Bruce Trail nunavut
Glaciers Southern Ontario newfoundland
Banff National Park
18. 35.
& Labrador Akshayuk Pass
9. Coastal Trail
Skyline Trail Auyuittuq National Park
Jasper National Park
Lake Superior Provincial Park 27.
19. Green Gardens Trail
10. Top of the Giant Gros Morne National Park
Tamarack Trail (Kabeyun Trail)
Waterton Lakes National Park Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
 introduction

YEARS
SINCE
1981

Think back to the moment on your last hike when you stood in quiet awe
of a view so perfect the world seemed to pause as you marvelled at its
beauty. Remember the way the air smelled, perhaps scented by woodland
foliage or ocean mist. Visualize the serenity of the forest, alpine or
coastline. Think of how every drop of sweat was so worth it to experience
this one mindful moment.

To commemorate explore’s 35th anniversary, we’ve compiled 35 ways for

you to feel that sensation again.

Canada is a big, beautiful country with boundless options for hiking in

our vast parks and wild spaces. It’s often challenging just to find a trail,
let alone hoof it, so we’ve done the grunt-work for you with this guide to
Canada’s 35 Greatest Hikes.

By no means an exhaustive list of all of Canada’s best hikes, let this

guidebook serve as an entry point to a world of outdoor wonder. From here,
you’ll soon discover a plethora of additional hikes in every region.

We hope you enjoy these trails—35 of our favourites from 35 years of

publishing Canada’s number-one outdoor adventure magazine: explore.
 British coLuMBiA

flickr.com/photos/jeffpang

Hike

Berg Lake Trail

Location: Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia
Length: 23 km
Difficulty:

L
ocated in Mount Rob-
son Provincial Park,
near the BC/Alberta
border, 23-kilometre-
long Berg Lake Trail is
like a highlight reel for the Rocky
Mountains. Under the shadow of 3,959-metre Mount Robson—the
high point in the Canadian Rockies—you’ll wander past emerald-co-
loured Kinney Lake and near thundering Emperor Falls, entranced
by dramatic mountain vistas throughout. Some lucky trekkers may
even catch a glimpse of giant chunks of ice calving from the Mist,
Berg and Robson glaciers. Of course, all this scenery draws a
crowd—Berg Lake Trail is now managed by a reservation system,
which opens annually on January 2.
Map: BC Parks

Page

1
 British coLuMBiA

Parks Canada/J. McCulloch

Hike

West Coast Trail

Location: Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia
Length: 76 km
Difficulty:

r
Map: Parks Canada
unning along the west
coast of Vancouver Island, Entrance Anchorage
Hob

Sachsa 60
LEGEND The story behind the trail:
Sq ua
ito

TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE

n
0
57

La

30 highway
lic um

14
ke

Self Pt

in Pacific Rim National

60

Sachawil The Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations However, after the wreck
0
0

0
42

all-weather road
12

The Valencia
30

21

Aguilar Pt
30

3 RUW' VLU have always lived along Vancouver Island's west coast. of the Valencia in 1906,
30

Helby Is

West Coast
West Coast Trail forest route
La ke
Pac

24
km distance in km from Pachena Access IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE, GO These nations used trails and paddling routes for trade with the loss of 133 lives,
Ts us

Calamity
Hob
TO HIGH GROUND OR INLAND 300
hena
Bam

West Coast Trail - beach route and travel long before foreign sailing ships reached this the public demanded
ito
Mackenzie
Bamfield Lake
n

Park, the famous West

ia t

Anchorage region over 200 the government do

Cre

Trail Map
field

Riv
IR 12 Indian Reserve outhouse
ek

years ago. Over the more to help mariners

Ri ve
Chann el

er
120

access
century following along this coastline.
Inlet
sula

TSL
r

Treaty Settlement Lands

Dianna Brady beach access contact sailors In response the

Coast Trail attracts trekkers

90
30
Penin

Island Beach swampy area

Bamfield to Port Renfrew, brought the government built
30

parking
Vancouver Island Hamilton
Burlo buildings beginning of a Pachena Lighthouse,
90

Is cable car
Point extensive mud changing world to established lifesaving
flats at low tide 60 sand, foreshore flats

from around the globe. Originally forged

Mills

passable at impassable headland the First Nations. stations and improved 150 Lit t le
tides 6ft/1.8m rocky ledge, rocky reef
Voss Pt Burts Is S qualic um
WCT Information
shipwreck, general location only difficult surge channel Trade increased, and the telegraph route to become a life saving trail for Lak e
150

Centre - register on
Haines many sailing ships met a tragic fate navigating in these shipwreck victims and their rescuers. With improvements
90

and off the trail here.

Trevo r

Is 0 D\ 6HSW campsite - all campsites are located viewpoint, point of interest 60

on the beaches unfamiliar and hazardous waters. Sailors soon referred to technology the frequency of shipwrecks decreased and
12

ek

to offer shipwreck survivors a route to

(Bamfield = 5km)
C re
0

GC Guardian cabin
Taylor Is West Coast Trail Information Centre to this coastline as the “Graveyard of the Pacific”. the life saving trail was gradually abandoned. In 1973 the 0
Creek - register on and off 24
0
Anacla Ditidaht luxury tent trail became part of the newly established Pacific Rim 15
rd ic um
TSL na Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Between 1888 and 1890 the government erected a National Park Reserve. Today, hiking the West Coast Trail al
Clo Food locker S qu
90

telegraph line along the coastline. The line was an attempt is about exploring Vancouver Island’s temperate rainforest

safety, today, it’s a reservation-managed

Pachena Access
Ts us

24

90
na Beach
Pache
0

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (HFN) Huu-ay-aht Place Name to establish communications between the west coast and wild coastline, experiencing a fabled land recounted
passable Marine Zone Ditidaht Place Name
0

(DFN) 15
15

60
at tides below villages, the newly established Cape Beale and Carmanah in traditional histories, walking in the steps of shipwreck 0
ia t

(PFN) Pacheedaht Place Name 90

Whittlestone Pt
2 km

8ft/2.4m contour interval - 30m IR 1

lighthouses, and larger communities in hopes of saving victims, and appreciating the beauty of territories that
Bla

2 km
30
Pachena

three- to six-day bucket-list backcountry

90

Tide heights quoted on the face of the map are approximate and photographs courtesy
ck

Tapaltos mariner lives. First Nation people continue to call home.

assume calm seas; use tide tables for Tofino, B.C. Add one hour Parks Canada
La

Bay during summer months for Pacific Daylight Saving Time. 2016 edition Ts u q u a d r a
Kichha

30 Lake
ke

Lawton Pt IR 7
2 km
Lake

Bay
La

300 60
90

hike. Camping near Tsusiat Falls and the

18
ke

0
Klanawa

4 km 390
0

30
15

300
0
0

12
21

"NEREUS" 0 0
Kicha TSL 3.5 km 36 24
Niti row
Nar

4070-ton 0
Darling

18
M ic

na s
Tsocowis

Greek freighter 60
eh a B e a ch
240

90
t

Ke

vertigo-inducing ladders of the southern

Aug. 1937, out 270
240 Little
of Kobe for
Keeha Clutus
h ig

Bil

30
0 150 Tsusiat
30

Point Alberni, 210

ly

15
TSL Lake
Bay 4 km
River

no loss IR 2
an

0
Go
Riv

60
Oran

12

Trestle

30
of life. 6 km
30 km

0
at

ve Clutus Pt 12
e

o 270
Mud C
ge
r

Tsusiat

half are two notable aspects of this

C re

Cre
Blac

150 210 Falls GC

22 km
Cre

28 km
km

Cape Beale
Juice

km

150 derelic
ek

24
ek

Creek
ek
k

headlands between derelic t donkey

26

120
Lighthouse Pachena Access t gra eng
Cape Beale 7 km 90
der 60 ine ladders
Ck

20 km

and Michigan Creek Tsuquadra

ve n

to main
Co ma

"BRUCE 1", are impassable trail from Darling

90
River east to this trail Pt

trail—but every day is memorable on

passable
ad

seiner Feb. 1976,

River

16 km

Tsusiat Pt

point passable at
18 km

at tides below
De

crew of four, two 120 passable at

Malsit tides below 9ft/2.7m 9ft/2.7m 3 masted schooner
crew lost. American barque anchor 3 masted tides below
extensive mud Wooden steamer "ALASKAN" "VESTA" 286 tons,
TSL on rocks barkentine 7ft/2.1 m
14 km

flats at low tide "CHARLES B. KINNEY" 150 tons, Jan. 1923 out of 50 December 1897,
6 km

Nov. 1886, with lumber "UNCLE JOHN",

Valencia

passable at Victoria loaded with salt no loss of life.

Bluffs

24o Motor 314 tons,

tides 6ft/1.8m out of Port Townsend for the salteries in Barkley GC

the WCT. Keep an eye out for offshore

for Australia, no fishing vessel Oct. 1899,
12
magnetic north

Sound, entire crew lost. 60 Barque

survivors. "VARSITY", 90 tons, Steamship "WOODSIDE" in ballast from
km
true

Seabird Rocks "JANET

"UZBEKISTAN" February 1940, 4 masted built in Sooke, provided Honolulu for
nor

COWAN"
7 crew, 3 survivors. schooner regular service between Port Townsend
th

3 masted barque a Russian freighter, 2497 ton

Regional Setting "ROBERT Victoria, Port Renfrew,
8 km

Va "SARAH", 1206 tons, April 1943, loaded to load lumber,

nc 767 ton wooden schooner "MICHIGAN" a wooden windjammer,
ou Parksville S tr Nov. 1891, a British 30 with lend-lease cargo, LEWERS" Barkley Sound and no loss of life.
ve Port "SEQUEL", Jan. 1909, out steamship, Jan. 1893, Jan. 1896,
10

732 tons, Alberni Canal, March 1888,

whales, and bring some cash to buy a

Alberni ai ship from Manila "VALENCIA", 1600 ton,
r nai
mo t of Callao in ballast, captain's no loss of life out of Cape
km

4 of no loss of life.Steamer April 1923, no lives lost

Is la 19 Na
G N wife and 3 year old daughter in ballast for Puget
"MASCOTTE" to salvage
253 foot iron steamer, Town in
nd eo 3 masted ship Jan. 1906, out of San inbound in
o

Sound, 2 crew lost.

fin

rg lost, all others survived. ballast for

sea lion rock

"MICHIGAN" destroyed by ballast from

haul out
To

ia "BECHERDASS- Francisco for Victoria

fire Aug. 1893, no loss of life. Hastings
Honolulu for
Lighthouse

AMBIADASS" and Vancouver, out of a

Pachena
let

Lo Mill, from
Pachena Pt

Remnant boiler still on-shore. Bellingham,

ue

ng
The West Coast Trail is recommended 1386 tons, July 1879, total of 160 passengers
ld

a contingent
Ucl

Be
fie

no loss of life.
JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT
hamburger at Chez Monique ($25), the
ac in ballast from Shanghai and crew, more than 125
m

h Duncan of 27, 7 died

Ba

Lake
for experienced backpackers only. Br
ok
en
Cowichan 1 Sidney
to Moodyville to load
lumber, no loss of life.
lives were lost. waiting for
Wes rescue.
Gr t Co Port
ou
p as Renfrew
Isl t Tr 0 1 2 3 kilometres
an
ds ail
P ac i fi c Jua
n de
14 Sooke
Victoria P A C I FI C O C E A N Please note, park boundaries are approximate.

beloved halfway respite.

0 0.5 1 2 miles
Oc ean Cape Flattery Fuc
a Strait

Page

2
 British coLuMBiA

flickr.com/photos/umnak/

Hike

Chilkoot Trail
Location: Northern British Columbia/Alaska
Length: 53 km
Difficulty:

L
inking northern BC and Alaska, and an absolute
classic for two countries, this 53-kilometre trek has
been a backpacker’s must-do for decades. Forged
by First Nations, used extensively by fortune seek-
ers during the Gold
Rush and operated today as a
reservation-managed multi-day
hike, the Chilkoot Trail is a chal-
lenging slog that pays dividends
in scenery, solitude and historical
wonders. With a short season—
mid-June to early September—
inclement weather (expect snow
in July) and hardy sections like
The Pass, you’ll want to be in
top-shape and well-prepared. And remember your passport—you
cross the U.S./Canada border midway.
Map: Parks Canada
Page

3
 British coLuMBiA

arran Yates

Hike

Black Tusk (Garibaldi Lake)

Location: Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia
Length: 32 km
Difficulty:
Map: BC Parks

t
To Pemberton

he skeleton of an ancient volcano, GARIBALDI

PROVINCIAL PARK
E
DG

Black Tusk is the most recognizable

RI

Hwy99

prominence in Garibaldi Park. See

I
H

!
C
iver

T
A

Legend
My
IB

stery k
C re e
H

it up close on a multi-day wilder-

n R
ee

Walk-in/Wilderness
Park Boundary
Gr

Camping
ness trek accessed via the Black CALLAGHAN LAKE
Glacier
PROVINCIAL PARK
Vehicle/Tent Camping

Tusk/Garibaldi Lake Area, 40 kilometres north Major Highway Group Camping W

ed
^
Mt. Moe

of Squamish. The route to Garibaldi Lake is nine

ge ^
Local Road, paved mo ^
No Camping unt
C
r
Mt. Cook ^
Mt. Weart
^ The Owls Oasis Mtn

Local Road, gravel

kilometres of picturesque, moderately challenging

Reth Wedgemount
el
Shelter
ier

Cr Lake
Trail
Glac

Green e
e W ed ^
k ^ ge Eureka Mtn
Lake
Weart

Rethel Mtn. mo
Rainbow un

switchbacks; at the lake, you’ll find 50 tent sites, Ski Lift Day Shelter W ^ tG
Lake
!
!
la
e Parkhurst Mtn. cie
C r

d
Call g
r

agh e
l e y

Hiking Trail
an Day-use Area C

four cooking shelters and pit toilets. Pitch a tent

Mons r e ^
ek ^ Lesser Wedge Mtn
Wedge Mtn
d e

m
C
Alexander Falls co b
ck
a

Mountain Bikingr eTrail Ranger Station Bla

e
M

ek C

here and fuel up before tackling the seven-kilome-

re
e Berma Lake
Cross-Country Skiing H
or
k
Parking Whistler Village s tm
Trail WHISTLER Alta !
an

tre trek (850 metres of elevation gain) to the base

!
Lake
!
!

! !
C
r
!

Swimming Sani-station Alta Lake

!

Phalanx Glacier
Hwy99 !
Wedge
!
^ Phalanx Mtn. Pass B i l
l y

of Black Tusk. It is possible to climb the Tusk, but

Nita Lake Whistler
!

! g o
!

Ski Area a
Wheelchair Access Toilets BLACKCOMB t
!

Gondola
!

SKI AREA BLACKCOMB GLACIER

!

C
!

PROVINCIAL PARK
Wh

only skilled mountaineers should attempt this.

!
r

^
!

Showers Point of Interest

ist

B Blackcomb Peak
!

!
k

r
ler

a
!

n d SP
r Gl.

ier

y ^

Camp overnight at Garibaldi Lake and return to

Electricw Hookup Information F EA
la c
Cre

i n
! !

it
de

Decker Mtn.
!

!
!

RH
!
zs
rG

e
ud

im EA
tt e
!

Sh

C r mo D ^
ek

Sha
al p in

e e The Round RA
ns
Playground k ^ House NG Mt. Pattison ^

your car in the morning, or stay several days and

Whistler Mtn
Suspension Bridge Cr E Tremor Mtn.
e

ee
Che a k

ro

McGuire k
0 5 10 ^
u
te

Quiver Peak
FI Piccolo ^

explore the region’s copious trails.

TZ SINGING PASS
Kilometers Jane SI ^ AREA ^
m
a

Lakes u s M Mt. Macbeth

MO Flute
^ River NS ^
Mt. Brew BRANDYWINE FALLS Brandywine Oboe
ek
R o

PROVINCIAL PARK Falls

Carcajou Peak ^
Cre
e

Brew Lake
oat

C ^ Overlord Mtn. ^ Mt. Iago

he R ^
Page
A Fissle Mtn. ^
ic

rt a N
Pe G Mt. Fitzsimmons
E
ka
C r

Creek

! Hwy99

4
m
C

us
r

Corrie
L

ke ^
m

l Lake
a
La k e

e Cheakamus Mtn.
H
ie
 British coLuMBiA

tourism sunshine Coast

Hike

The Sunshine Coast Trail

Location: Powell River, British Columbia
Length: 180 km
Difficulty:
Map: tourism Powell river

t
he Sunshine Coast Trail showcases
180 scenic kilometres through the
mountains, along the coastline and
past the lakes of BC’s northern
Sunshine Coast. It’s Canada’s longest
hut-to-hut hiking trail, and the only free one—built
and maintained by the Powell River Parks & Wilder-
ness Society. Hikers can explore routes from a few
hours, to a full day, to a week or more—overnighting
at the 12 huts and 20-odd campsites along the way.
If you have 10 to 12 days, try the whole route in one
push! And make sure to buy an SCT Passport at the
Powell River Visitor Centre to document your achieve-
ment—and to receive congratulatory goodies from
local supporting businesses.

Page

5
 British coLuMBiA

tourism British Columbia

Hike

The Iceline Trail

Location: Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Length: 18 or 21 km
Difficulty:

s
urely, this is one of BC’s
most picturesque Rocky
Mountain hikes. With two
lengthy circuits (Little
Yoho, 18 kilometres and
Celeste Lake, 21 kilometres; trail-
heads located four kilometres east of
Field, BC) and offering nearly 700 me-
tres of elevation gain, day-hikers wish-
ing to tackle this route should be in stout physical condition. So-named
as the path follows the lower edge of a series of glaciers, expect scree
slopes, babbling mountain streams, glaciers, snow fields, the occasional
meltwater lake and tear-inducing Rocky Mountain environs throughout. The
hike culminates with an unobstructed photo-op at 380-metre-tall Takakkaw
Falls. If you’d like to take more time to ponder the environment in quiet
contemplation, you can overnight on this trail at the Little Yoho Camp-
ground, about 10 kilometres into the path, or at the Stanley Mitchell ACC
Hut (reservations required), about 11 kilometres from the trailhead.
Map: Parks Canada
Page

6
 British coLuMBiA

flickr.com/photos/7147684@n03

Hike

Trophy Mountain Alpine Meadows

Location: Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia
Length: 12 km
Difficulty:

s
prawling Wells
Gray Provincial
Park is one of
BC’s Thompson
Region gems—
offering thick evergreen
forest, azure lakes (including
Murtle, the world’s largest
canoe-only lake), robust
Helmcken Falls and hikes fir trees and even more mead-
galore. The Trophy Mountain ow as you meander to Sheila
area, a 6,900-hectare portion Lake. A light scramble from
of the park, is accessed via there leads you to the broad
Bear Creek Correctional Cen- views of Skyline Ridge, about
tre Road (gravel), north of the three hours after you started.
town of Clearwater. Within an Enjoy the mountain air and
hour of setting out, you’ll be surrounding 2,500-plus-metre
in flowery sub-alpine meadow, peaks before retracing your Map: BC Parks
followed by alpine spruce and path to your car. Page

7
 ALBertA

Banff Lake Louise tourism/Paul Zizka Photography

Hike

Plain of the Six Glaciers

Location: Banff National Park, Alberta
Length: 12 km
Difficulty:

s
tarting at the busy Fairmont
Chateau Lake Louise, follow
the emerald shoreline to the
far end (where the crowds
thin) to begin your climb.
Switchbacks treat you to monumental
views over the lake, glaciers and pyramidal
peaks. You may even spot a shaggy moun-
tain goat. Reward yourself with a cuppa
at Lady Agnes Tea House at the top, and
continue for an additional 1.5 kilometres
to the worthy Victoria Glacier viewpoint.
This national parks classic hike never
loses its luster, no matter how many hiking
boots tread its path.
Map: Parks Canada
Page

8
 ALBertA

Parks Canada/ryan Bray

Hike

Skyline Trail
Location: Jasper National Park, Alberta
Length: 42 km
Difficulty:

t
he 42-kilometre-long Skyline Trail is
Jasper National Park’s signature back-
packing trail—a scenic showpiece
that meanders above the treeline for
more than half of its distance. Expect
a workout—the elevation gain from Maligne Lake is
more than 1,200 metres—but it’s worth it, as one
of the most stunning of all hikes in Canada’s Rocky
Mountain national parks. Pack your camera—this
trek is home to woodland caribou, grizzly bears and
grey wolves. While some intrepid folks have jaunted
through the trail in a day, most spend two to three
days in this high-elevation (2,510 metres maximum)
environment to fully appreciate its beauty. The
trailhead is at Maligne Lake; backcountry permit
is required for camping. The trail is linear, so book
transport with Maligne Shuttle.
Map: BC Parks
Page

9
 ALBertA

dave Webb

Hike

10

Tamarack Trail
Location: Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Length: 32 km
Difficulty:

t
his is the premier multi-day
hike in Waterton Lakes Na-
tional Park—it’s particularly
popular in autumn, as the
Tamarack tree, otherwise
known as the larch, is in fall blaze during
that time and is abundant throughout the
route. To access, take the Tamarack Hikers
Shuttle to the Red Rock Canyon trailhead
(the route is one-way). From the trailhead,
this path takes you through vibrant larch
trees and evergreens, over sprawling alpine
meadows, through rockbound peaks—this
is Waterton’s highest-elevation trail—and
back to the townsite. There are three
campsites along the route; backcountry
permits are required.
Map: google Maps
Page

10
 ALBertA

Banff Lake Louise tourism/Paul Zizka Photography

Hike

11

Larch Valley-Sentinel Pass

Location: Banff National Park, Alberta Mount Richardson

Length: 12 km
3086 m


De Pa
ce ss
To

p
tio
Ja

n
sp

4
er

2.

Difficulty: Hidden
Lake
Boulder
Pass
2332 m Ptarmigan
ICE

Lake
5
1.3 1.
FIE
LDS

t
Redoubt
Lake
PA Whitehorn
R 2637 m Redoubt
93 KW Mt.
AY 2902 m
Ba

he Rocky Mountain’s larch trees are the most spectacular of all

th
TR

Herbert
Pipe

To Field
AN

Lake
S-C

ston
AN

Canada’s fall foliage—as their needles turn from green to gold

AD

LAKE LOUISE
Cre

SIGHTSEEING GONDOLA 32
ek

HIG
1 HW
AY 1
Riv

7.

(the only conifer to do so) they seem to glow like Christmas

Mud Fish Creek
er

Lake Trailhead

Slat
eR
BO

oa Mount Lipalian
d
Road
W

2728 m

lights. Combine this with postcard Rockies’ scenery and it’s no VILLAGE
OF LAKE
LOUISE
Whi
teho
rn
Creek

Mount 1536 m Legend

1.5

Little
St. Piran

wonder Larch Valley-Sentinel

Beehive Mirror CHATEAU
Mount 2649 m LAKE 30 31
Lake 1.8 Hiking Trail
Corral

Niblock
1.0

LOUISE 1.0
0. 2.7
2976 m 8
1A
24 30 Highway
Lake Agnes 2.0 31 Road

Pass is one of Banff’s most sought-after day-

2.3
1.0

e 3.
0
uis
0.9

Big 22 23 Kingfisher
Mount Lo m Lake Park Boundary
Beehive ke
Whyte La 1730 3.
5
7

2983 m Backcountry Campground

0.

3.5

26 29

hikes—though it’s stunning throughout the

RIV
1.0

MO

1.3 1.3 Fairview Mt. Tea House

2744 m ER
RA

25 0.8 Lake Louise Information Centre

IN
3.7

27
E
1.4

rs
1.2 cie 1
la
1.5 G Saddleback Island
Six

season, fall colours or not. Stretching for 12

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of
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in
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28
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kilometres from the parking lot on Morraine

ad

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to
m

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LEFROY
id

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ley

you into thinking it’s a cakewalk. Grizzlies

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k Ba
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are known to roam the area, and it has an

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elevation gain of more than 700 metres. The HORSESHOE

GLACIER
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37 Sentinel
Pass
2611 m
1.5

3067 m
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trail starts alongside glacial Morraine Lake,

Mount Hungabee
ne
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3493 m Lakstim
es ma 2.9
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36
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e

before giving up views of the famous Valley

38 3.2 Babel
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35
1.5

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ek

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33 1887 m
atio

34
n

of the Ten Peaks. Chase after 3,500-metre Mount Temple for a few hours
Va

Valley of the Ten Peaks

Consolation
lley

Wenkchemna
Lakes
Pass
2600 m

and you’ll reach Sentinel Pass and a knee-weakening panorama of Paradise

Mount
WENK Babel
CHEM 3101 m
NA GL
ACIER FAY
GLACIER

Valley. Beat the crowds—hit it on a weekday.

Map: Parks Canada
Page

11
 sAskAtchewAn

tourism saskatchewan

Hike

12

o
fficially opened five
years ago, the 120-ki-

The Boreal Trail

lometre Boreal Trail is
Saskatchewan Parks’
only officially desig-
nated backpacking trail. Meandering
through lush Meadow Lake Provin-
Location: Meadow Lake Provincial Park, Saskatchewan cial Park, a 1,600-square-kilometre
Length: 120 km beauty in the province’s northwest,
Difficulty: hikers can choose to embark on
a multi-day tour of this east-west
route—spending days beneath
poplar, jack pine and spruce trees
and falling asleep to a loon’s call at
one of the plentiful back- and front-
country campsites—or tackle it in
smaller stages for easy day-hikes.
Keep your camera ready for moose,
beaver and wolf sightings and
always be Bear Aware; this is big-
time bruin country. Terrain is gentle
with minimal elevation gains—the
challenge comes in the distance.
Some front-country campsites
feature stores for re-supplying and
hot showers. Saskatchewan Parks
recommends registering two weeks
prior to hiking the trail if you wish to
overnight in the backcountry.
Map: saskatchewan Parks
Page

12
 sAskAtchewAn

tourism saskatchewan

Hike

13

Grey Owl’s Cabin

Location: Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan
Length: 40 km
Difficulty:

G
rey Owl—a.k.a. Englishman Archibald Stansfeld Belaney—may
be one of Canada’s strangest historical figures; however, his
message of conservation, as our country’s first naturalist,
still rings true. If you’d like to pay homage, take a hike to his
cabin and burial site in Prince Albert National Park. Accessed
via Kingsmere Road, 33 kilometres from the town of Waskesiu, the route
follows the eastern shoreline of Kingsmere Lake, and has three campsites
en route plus one at either end. The cabin sits alongside Ajawaan Lake. This
is all-backcountry—pack-in, pack-out—though bear caches, firewood and
pit-toilets are available at the campsites. Park-use fees and a backcountry
camping permit apply. The path is typical Canadian Shield terrain and should
take less than six hours each way. For a quicker way to the cabin, a three-
hour paddle across Kingsmere Lake, plus a 600-metre portage to Ajawaan
Lake, bypasses the hiking route.
Map: saskatchewan Parks
Page

13
 MAnitoBA

travel Manitoba

Hike

14

Pisew Falls to Kwasitchewan Falls

Location: Paint Lake & Pisew Falls Provincial Parks, Manitoba
Length: 22 km
Difficulty:

t
he eight hours it’ll take you to drive to Pisew Falls Pro-
vincial Park from Winnipeg (via Highway 6) has a way of
thinning out the crowds, as does the 22 kilometres of
backcountry trails between the province’s two highest
waterfalls—you may just find your party totally alone. The
trailhead starts at 13-metre-high Pisew Falls, proof there are elevation
changes in this pancake province, be-
fore winding through 22 kilometres of
marked trail en route to the 14-metre-
high Kwasitchewan Falls. Camp
overnight at one of the free backcoun-
try campsites here; some industrious
trekkers have knocked this route off in
a day. Pack-in, pack-out; pit toilets are
available at the campsite. This hike
follows the Grass River, a famous 18th
century fur-trading route.
Page
Map: government of Manitoba
14
 MAnitoBA

travel Manitoba

Hike

15

The Mantario Trail

Location: Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba
Length: 66 km
Difficulty:

w
hether you choose to tackle the three- or
four-day end-to-end route of Manitoba’s
classic backpacking route or knock-off
a day-trip segment, the Mantario Trail
delivers a hard-hiking challenge only
two-and-a-half hours’ drive east of Winnipeg. Despite being
reasonably well-known and relatively close to the province’s
largest city, it’s far from crowded. Expect heaving Precambrian
Shield terrain, granite cliffs, beaver dams, fallen timber, peat
bogs, steep gullies, jack pines and maple trees. There are 10
primitive campsites along the route, with fire pits and food
storage boxes and, maybe, a picnic table or two. The trail
is well-marked, and water can be accessed at many points
throughout. Parking is at the north and south trailhead—keep
in mind this is not a loop; you’ll have to arrange return trans-
port. The Mantario Trail is best in fall, as spring’s floods can
be troublesome and summer’s bugs are brutal.
Map: Manitoba Parks & natural areas
Page

15
 ontArio

Ontario tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

Hike

16

Highland Backpacking Trail

Location: Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
Length: 19 or 35 km
Difficulty:

o
ffering two loops, 19 or 35 kilome-
tres, this is a challenging multi-day
backpacking route. The trailhead
begins near the well-serviced Mew
Lake Campground (near the Bat Lake
trailhead). Expect several steep climbs and technical
sections throughout; keep your camera ready for vari-
ous birdlife, including owls, hiding in the dense trees.
You can loop back after camping at Provoking Lake
(19 kilometres return trip) or continue on for the full
loop, which takes you past Head and Harness Lakes
(35 kilometres return). Expect plenty of viewpoints
and several waterfalls; an Interior Camping Permit is
required to overnight on the route.

Map: google Maps

Page

16
 ontArio

Wikimedia Commons

Hike

17

Bruce Trail
Location: Southern Ontario
Length: 885 km
Difficulty:

Y
ou can certainly try to
hike the entire 885-
kilometre-long Bruce
Trail in one non-stop on the Peninsula Section; the
effort. People have views from the Blue Mountains
done it. But most tend to bite off are jaw-dropping; and routes
smaller chunks—a day hike here, a along the Niagara Escarpment
weekend there, camping or staying lead to world-famous wineries.
at hotels and B&Bs along the way. Waterfall hunters should head
Revel in the lush Carolinian for- to the Iroquoia Section—but re-
est, enjoy views of Lake Ontario in ally, you can’t go wrong on the
the south and Georgian Bay in the Bruce. (And the fall leaf show
north, and generally appreciate the is spectacular!) Looking for a
serenity along Canada’s oldest and short leg to start? Try the six-
longest continuous footpath. Some kilometer Cape-Dundas Loop,
of the most remote trails are found on the Bruce Peninsula.

Map: Bruce trail Conservancy

Page

17
 ontArio

Ontario tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

Hike

18

Coastal Trail
Location: Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario
Length: 60 km
Difficulty:

o
ne of Ontario’s
most scenic hikes,
the Coastal Trail
follows the rocky
shores of Lake
Superior for just over 60 kilometres, treating trekkers to expansive
vistas, secluded cobblestone or sandy beaches, dizzying lookouts
and challenging terrain. Access the Coastal Trail at Agawa Bay if
you’d like to hike the whole route, or, day-hikes can be done from
points along the trail, such as Sinclair Cove, Katherine Cove or
Agawa, but you’ll have to retrace your steps; there are no loops.
The trail is well-marked by blue-diamond signs; it generally follows
the coastline if you get sidetracked. Almost all of the backcoun-
try campsites feature sunset views; bald eagles are particularly
abundant along the trail. Warp and Gargantua Bays are especially
worthy of exploration; set up camp here and enjoy day’s worth of
side trips, if you can spare the time. Map: Ontario Parks
Page

18
 ontArio

Ontario tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

Hike

19

Top of the Giant (Kabeyun Trail)

Location: Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario
Map: google Maps

Length: 22 km
Difficulty:

t
his is the signature hike of Sleeping Giant
Provincial Park. Located near Thunder Bay, on
Highway 587, ensure you’ve packed plenty
of water and your cardio is up to snuff before
tackling this
heavy-duty hike—the reward
is a panorama of Lake Supe-
rior from one of the highest
points in Ontario. Featuring
300 metres of elevation gain,
this hike starts at the South
Kabeyun trailhead, which upwards. The next section is a steep, zigzagging route, followed
meanders alongside the lake by a slightly less intense cool-down path to the lookout. Eat
until Tee Harbour; but don’t your picnic lunch next to the 200-metre cliffs and stand in awe
be fooled by the relatively of colossal, deep-blue Lake Superior. Return the way you came.
easy start. After this seven-kilometre jaunt, you’ll hit the Note: if you want to expedite your trek, mountain bike along the
Talus Lake Trail, and the route will begin to slope decidedly Kabeyun Trail, then hike from Tee Harbour onward.

Page

19
 ontArio

dave sproule

Hike

20

La Cloche Silhouette Trail

Location: Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario
Length: 100 km
Difficulty:

t
ravelling 100 kilometres though
some of Killarney Provincial
Park’s hilliest terrain, La Cloche
Silhouette Trail is a stout chal-
lenge for experienced hikers.
Starting in the west, the linear route rambles
through forested hills toward scenic lakes.
You may have to cross a few streams; excel-
lent wildlife-watching abounds. Soon, you’ll be
enjoying views of Georgian Bay as you hike over
billion-year-old pink granite. In the eastern sec-
tion, the trail ascends towards The Crack. The
sparkling white quartzite cliffs are worth the ef-
fort; this area was once higher than the Rocky
Mountains. There are 54 campsites along the
route (permit required). Fall is the best time
to tackle La Cloche, for the vivid foliage and
nightly wolf-howls.
Map: google Maps
Page

20
 QueBec

Photo sepaq

Hike

21
t
ucked away at the edge
of Quebec’s Gaspe Pen-
insula, Forillon offers not
only exemplary Maritime
scenery, it’s also a gate-
way to the International Appalachian
Trail. Experienced hikers should head

Les Lacs & Les Cretes

to Les Lacs (17 kilometres one-way)
or Les Cretes (16 or 18 kilometres,
one-way) Trails. Les Lacs follows the
Riviere Morris Valley, has a wilderness
campsite about six kilometres along
Location: Forillon National Park, Quebec
and passes Lac au Renard, Penouille
Length: 16 to 17 km and other scenic stillwaters before
Difficulty: connecting to the 3,058-kilometre-long
Appalachian Trail. As a more mountain-
ous route, Les Cretes offers vistas of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Anse-au-
Griffon Valley, has campsites at five
and 10 kilometres along and connects
to other trails (such as Les Graves)
leading to the easternmost tip of the
park, which stabs like a pointed finger
into Gaspé Bay.

Map: sepaq
Page

21
 QueBec

flickr.com/photos/mikeab/

Hike

22

Deux-Criques Trail
Location: La Mauricie National Park, Quebec
Map: sepaq

Length: 17 km
Difficulty:

c
ome autumn, Quebec’s La Mauricie
National Park, near Shawinigan, is an
explosion of vibrant reds, oranges, yel-
lows and gold—and Deux-Criques (Two
Creeks) Trail could offer up some of the
best views in all the Laurentians. A challenging day-
hike suitable for trekkers with strong cardio and a will-
ingness to climb, the trailhead is located near Riviere
a la Peche Campground and will take you on an uphill
march for the next 8.5 kilometres. Expect some well-
maintained stairs and scramble-worthy rock sections
and you’ll have to ford a creek (which is at its lowest
in fall)—but the payoff is multiple lookout points (many
with platforms or benches), including Ruisseau de Fou
Falls. The campground at the trailhead offers secluded
sites (some with electricity), kitchen shelters, drinking
water, flush toilets and showers.
Page

22
 new Brunswick

david Webb

Hike

23

Fundy Footpath
Location: Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
Length: 42 km
Difficulty:

t
he time to hike New Brunswick’s Fundy Footpath
is now. Still relatively unknown, you can expect
near-total solitude on this difficult, four-day, 42- ki-
lometre trek along the Bay of Fundy coastline. But
word is getting out—and for good reason. Vistas
from atop 100-metre-tall sea cliffs; empty beaches manipulated
by extreme Fundy tides; thick
mixed-woods forests—and did
we mention zero crowds? This
is for experienced hikers only. If
your skill level isn’t quite there,
try day-hikes on the nearby
Fundy Trail—a maintained
mixed-use network accessible
for most people that still offers
those wonderful views.
Map: google Maps
Page

23
 new Brunswick

tourism new Brunswick

Hike

24

Mount Carleton
Location: Mount Carleton Provincial Park, New Brunswick
Length: 10 km
Difficulty:

s
et amid 1,700-square-kilometres of
Acadian woodlands and the continent’s
oldest mountains, this Maritime high
point offers a boundless view atop its
namesake provincial park, stretching
to nearby Mount Sagamook and Mount Head. The
10-kilometre route presents an intermediate-level chal-
lenge, and the 820-metre peak is adorned with an old
fire tower. Two trail options lead from the parking lot to
the top; make this summit-hike a loop for a change of
scenery on the return jaunt.

Map: new Brunswick Parks

Page

24
 novA scotiA

Parks Canada/eric Le Bell

Hike

25

Liberty Lake Trail

Location: Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia
Length: 64 km
Difficulty:

M
ore than 80 per cent of Nova Scotia’s Kejimkujik
National Park is classified as “backcountry” and
there are 46 designated campsites that can only be
accessed via canoe or bootleather. At each, expect
tent pads, fire pits, pit privy and cables to hoist
your food clear of bears. So, when exploring the traditional home
of the Mi’kmaq, where does one start? For the quintessential Keji
experience, tackle the 64-kilometre Liberty Lake Trail. There are 11
options for backcountry camping along the route; though three or four
nights out is a good rule of thumb.
Lakes, babbling brooks, loons and
moose will be your companions as
you loop your way through mixed
softwoods en route to Campsite
42—the most remote in the park’s
entire 404-square-kilometres. Bonus:
Kejimkujik is a Dark Sky Preserve,
so the night-time scenery rivals the
daytime. Map: Parks Canada
Page

25
 nova scotia

Destination Cape Breton

Hike

26

Map: Parks Canada

Fishing Cove Trail

Location: Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Length: 6 to 18 km
Difficulty:

F
rom the top of 355-metre Mackenzie Mountain,
this trail winds through mixed-woods forest
alongside the Fishing Cove River en route to
Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s only
designated wilderness campsite. On a clearing
next to a serene ocean cove and pebble beach (once home
to a Scottish fishing village), set up your tent for a pleasant
overnight while you explore the beaches and inlets of the
Cape Breton coastline. You’ll need to pack in your own water, as
well as a camp stove, as fires are not permitted. Pit toilets are
available. There are effectively three options for tackling this trail:
a six- or 12-kilometre trail, both returning the way they came, or
an 18- kilometre route, but this linear route requires a vehicle
shuttle.
Page

26
 newFoundLAnd
& LABrAdor

tourism newfoundland & Labrador/Barrett & Mackay Photo

Hike

27

Green Gardens Trail

Location: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland & Labrador
Length: 9 or 16 km
Difficulty:

G
reen Gardens Trail may just offer the best over-
view of Gros Morne National Park’s dramatic
and varied terrain. There are two options, the
more popular Long Pond Trail (nine kilometres
return) or the more challenging—you will have
to make two stream crossings—Wallace Brook Trail (16
kilometres return). Green Gardens opens with the barren
Tablelands before winding through boreal forest en route to
the volcanically-shaped coastline Gros Morne is famous for.
Sea stacks and jagged cliffs border the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
as do fields of wildflowers with the occasional grazing sheep,
shepherded by local farmers. There are three backcountry
campsites on the coastline, with pit toilets and picnic tables.
Fires are permitted on the beach. Explore the coastline for a
day before trudging back through the all-uphill return trail.

Map: Parks Canada

Page

27
 newFoundLAnd
& LABrAdor

tourism newfoundland & Labrador

Hike

28

The East Coast Trail

Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland & Labrador
Length: 265 km
Difficulty:

n
ewfoundland’s East Coast Trail runs south from Cape St.
Francis, on the tip of the Avalon Peninsula, tracing the
rugged Atlantic coastline
for 265 well-marked and
maintained kilometres to
Cappahayden. Cute lighthouses, flut-
tering puffins and, offshore, leviathan
whales and maybe even icebergs are
just a few highlights. If you’re especially
lucky, you may even spot the world’s
southernmost caribou herd. Camp,
or book B&B stays along the way and
enjoy Newfoundland hospitality. And if
you’re adventurous, you can continue
on the “under construction” portion, an additional 275 kilometres that
will one-day be as well-marked as the inaugural half.
Map: hiking newfoundland
Page

28
 Yukon

government of Yukon

Hike

29

Grey Mountain
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Length: 6 or 12 km
Difficulty:

n
oted for being the closest alpine
hike to Whitehorse, Grey Mountain
offers visitors to The Wilderness
City a chance to escape for a day,
enjoy some classic Yukon terrain and
challenge themselves with some steep climbs and
ridgeline trekking before returning to their comfy Map: google Map
hotel or campsite at day’s end. A four-wheel-drive
is not essential for reaching the trailhead, but it is
a good idea—it is located about 10 kilometres out-
side of the city, on Grey Mountain Road. The path
starts on a steep, decommissioned road before
opening up on the ridge-hike to the summit. If you
want to keep going, a third peak about three kilo-
metres past the summit offers views of downtown
Whitehorse. The trail can be difficult to discern at
times and remember, this is bear country.
Page

29
 Yukon

david Webb

Hike

30

Auriol Trail
Location: Kluane National Park, Yukon
Length: 15 or 19 km
Difficulty:

F
or an introduction to Kluane National Park, hike
the popular Auriol Trail, located about seven kilo-
metres southwest of Haines Junction. (By “pop-
ular,” we mean perhaps 20 to 30 people in the
area at one time, during peak summer season.)
This trail carves a 15-kilometre loop into the Auriol Mountain
Range’s sub-alpine, with a optional two-kilometre offshoot
that climbs into the alpine for an outstanding mountain view.
With only 400 metres of elevation gain, it’s an easy entry
to Kluane’s wilderness;
expect to spend about five
hours on the hike. One
backcountry campsite is
located on the trail. In the
winter, it is also used as
a cross-country ski and
snowshoe trail.
Map: Parks Canada
Page

30
 Yukon

government of Yukon

Hike

31

Montana Mountain Trail

Location: Carcross, Yukon
Length: 15 km
Difficulty:

M
ost often noted for moun-
tain biking, the multi-use
trails on Montana Mountain
offer fantastic hiking with
above-treeline vistas. The
moderate-intensity summit-hike is about 15
kilometres long and requires a capable vehi-
cle to access the trailhead. Keep an eye out
for caribou as you ramble through a moon-
scape to this stratovolcano’s 2,205-metre
summit; the environment is particularly
remarkable in fall colours. In fact, this trail
is best hiked in late-July through early Sep-
tember, after the bugs have died down and
before the weather turns foul. (Be careful—
some trails are mountain-bike only!)
Map: Montana Mountain
Page

31
 Yukon

government of Yukon

Hike

32

Grizzly Lake to
Talus Lakes
Location: Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon
Length: 45 km (or more)
Difficulty:

L
et the stunning, broken-glass peaks of the
Tombstone Mountains be your motivation
as you sweat through this off-trail backpack-
ing route. You’ll start in boreal forest before
reaching scrubby birch and willow trees and
finally into the tundra. Over the next two days, veiwpoints
from Glissade and Grizzly pass are your rewards for the
often-challenging conditions. Watch out for grizzlies, and
you may even spot migrating caribou. There are three
campsites along the trail: Grizzly, Divide and Talus Lakes.
Truly, this is one of Yukon’s signature hikes.
Map: gooogle Map
Page

32
 northwest
territories/Yukon

spectacular northwest territories

Hike

33

Canol Heritage Trail

Location: Northwest Territories/Yukon
Length: 350 km
Difficulty: +

t
he Canol Heritage Trail may well be the
most challenging trail in this book. For
starters, it’s long. Like, really long. Also,
it requires either a fly-in or fly-out, or both,
if you sprain your ankle. It also usually
requires food drops, extreme self-sufficiency and bear
spray (grizzlies and black bears). The route follows an old
industry road, unmaintained since 1945, so expect the
occasional rusting hulk and oil barrel along the way. But
mostly, it’s all taiga, tundra, mountains and moose. And
it’s for experienced backpackers only. (Note: two explore
magazine contributors rode this route on mountain bikes
in a record-setting eight days, sans food drops; an award-
nominated story we published in our Fall 2013 issue.)

Map: Motorcycleexplorer.com
Page

33
 northwest
territories

enviro Foto (J.F. Bergeron)

Hike

34

Ingraham Trail Hikes

summit of a pink-granite dome. Prelude Lake Nature
Trail, located 30 kilometres east of Yellowknife, is a
three-kilometre jaunt through Canadian Shield gran-
ite and vibrant woodlands. Reid Lake Trail is near
the terminus of Ingraham Trail and is less than one
Location: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories kilometre in length, but the glacial-scarred rocks
Length: 0.7 to 3 km and serene lake are worth the interlude; a campsite
Difficulty: is located here. Beyond this, the road ends—and, in
winter, the famous Ice Road begins.

r
ather than a single route, this is a series
of hikes found on the Ingraham Trail—an
all-season road leading east from Yellow-
knife, Northwest Territories. The high-
way, covering a length of 70 kilometres
(each way) is home to true northern wilderness—more
than a dozen lakes, plus picnic spots, campgrounds,
canoe routes and
hiking trails. Ranney
Hill-Martin Lake Trail,
seven kilometres
from Yellowknife, will
work up a sweat with
its 2.5-kilometre route
that culminates with
a short climb to the
Map: Visit Yellowknife
Page

34
 nunAvut

flickr.com/photos/31856336@n03/

Hike

35

Akshayuk Pass
Location: Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut
Length: 97 km
Difficulty:

t
Though Auyuittuq is Inuktitut
for “the land that never melts,”
during the short summer season
there is plenty of snow-free hik-
ing to be found within Auyuittuq
National Park’s 19,000-square-kilometres
of Arctic terrain. Akshayuk Pass is the most
popular route in the park—if the word “popu-
lar” can be applied to this 10-day, 97-kilometre
trek that carves between imposing peaks and
permanent icefields. Rising sharply from the
tundra, mountains such as Overlord, Asgard
and Thor appear, well, godlike. Best news: un-
like some of Nunavut’s other parks, Akshayuk
Pass doesn’t require a charter flight. Just
catch a scheduled flight to Pangnirtung then
arrange a boat ride into the park.
Map: trail dino
Page

35