Did you know that Canada is home to 42 national parks? Whether you’re hiking, mountain biking, cycling, or ‘bikepacking’, there is a province in Canada with the perfect trail for you!
Cycling has so many great benefits and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of the beautiful landscapes every province in Canada has to offer!
From Northern Canada, to the West then East - check out Relentless’ list of the best biking and hiking trails in Canada!
Yukon
Mountain: Ridge Road Trail
32 km Mountain biking along the Klondike Gold Rush Heritage Route
Hiking: Grizzly Lake Trail
11 km difficult route across rocky slopes and stunning meadows
Northwest Territories
Mountain: The Fitz-Smith Trail
17 km showcasing the beautiful Fort Smith region
Hiking: Canol Heritage Trail
355 km following old WWII roadways, including interesting relics along the way
Nunavut
Hiking & Biking: Akshayuk Pass
100 km of remote country wilderness, perfect for ‘bikepacking’ through Arctic scenery
British Columbia
Biking: Kettle Valley Rail Trail
650 km of connected railways converted to trailways to see the best of Canadian scenery
Hiking: West Coast Trail
75 km through BC beautiful and rough coastal rainforest
Alberta
Biking: High Rockies Trail
80 km through open meadows, and under dense forests with suspension bridges
Hiking: Plain of the Six Glaciers
15 km trail starting at the shoreline of Lake Louise and along the base of the Rocky Mountains
Saskatchewan
Biking: Meewasin Trail
105 km trail running alongside a river, offering beautiful views and landscaped parks to rest along the city
Hiking: Boreal Trail
150 km of backcountry trails through Meadow Lake, with options for camping
Manitoba
Biking: Reeves Ravine Trail
12 km mountain biking trail on the edge of the Manitoba escarpment
Hiking: Grey Owl Trail
19 km trail that takes your through the boreal forest along the eastern shore around Kingsmere Lake towards the historical cabin of Canada’s first Naturalist and conservationist, Grey Owl
Ontario
Biking: Kawartha Trans Canada Trail
54 km through different ecologoical communities, with parks and picnic spots along the way
Hiking: The Crack Trail
3.5 km difficult trek at Killarney Provincial Park with views of mountains and landscapes that inspired the Group of Seven
Quebec
Biking: The Blueberry Route
25km scenic cycling route for nature lovers
Hiking: Gorge Trail
3.5km trail leading to a suspended footbridge over a deep forested canyon
New Brunswick
Biking: Riverside Trail
27 km through the inner-cities, following the riverside
Hiking: Fundy Footpath
41km total of difficult up-and-down trails, listed by Explore Magazine as one of the “50 Best Hikes in the World”
Nova Scotia
Biking: Cabot Trail
298 km of roadways and paths through fishing vilages around the northern tip of the island
Hiking: Skyline Trail
6.5 km trail leading to a cliff overlooking the ocean where you can keep an eye out for whales
Prince Edward Island
Biking: Confederation Trail
273 km takes you across the island, where stops for food (like lobster rolls!) are a must
Hiking: Greenwich Dunes Trail
2.2 km provides a shorter hike follows a floating boardwalk through various ecosystems
Newfoundland
Biking: Viking Trail
526 km across the entire island to follow the path Vikings travelled, filled with educational spots and restaurants to try
Hiking: East Coast Trail
336km of connected trails around the island, ranging in difficulty and length for every hiker
References:
> Immigrant, C. (2022, April 12). 8 interesting facts about the Canadian landscape. Canadian Immigrant. https://canadianimmigrant.ca/settlement/about-canada/8-interesting-facts-about-the-canadian-landscape
> 35 of Canada’s Longest Hiking Trails. (2016, March 16). Explore Magazine. https://www.explore-mag.com/35_of_Canadas_Longest_Hiking_Trails
> Vrbo Canada. (2020, July 30). Bike Across Canada: Top Trails For Cyclists. https://www.vrbo.com/en-ca/vacation-ideas/travel-guides/getaways/bike-across-canada
> Yukon Hiking | Yukon’s online hiking guide. (2008). Yukon Hiking. https://www.yukonhiking.ca
> A. (2021, September 8). 5 fabulous rides in the Northwest Territories. Spectacular Northwest Territories. https://spectacularnwt.com/story/5-fabulous-rides-northwest-territories
> A. (2022, February 26). Pick your park: A Guide to the NWT’s National Parks. Spectacular Northwest Territories. https://spectacularnwt.com/
> The Outbound Collective. (2019). Backpack Akshayuk Pass. https://www.theoutbound.com/canada/backpacking/backpack-akshayuk-pass
> Cycling the KVR – KVR Rail Trail. (2018). Kettle Valley Trail. https://kettlevalleyrailtrail.com/resources/cycling-the-kvr/
> Eyton, T. (2022, July 1). Your Guide to the West Coast Trail in British Columbia. Happiest Outdoors. https://happiestoutdoors.ca/guide-to-the-west-coast-trail/
> High Rockies (Summer) Trail - Kananaskis Country | Alberta Parks. (2021). Alberta Parks. https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/advisories-public-safety/trail-reports/spray-valley/high-rockies-summer/
> Canada, T. B. (2022, May 11). Plain of Six Glaciers Hike in Banff National Park. Travel Banff Canada. https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/plain-of-six-glaciers-hike/
> The Meewasin Valley – Meewasin Valley Authority. (2021). Meewasin Valley. https://meewasin.com/locations/
> K. (2021b, February 8). Hiking the Boreal Trail. Outter Limits Blog. http://www.oloutdoor.com/blog/2020/06/10/hiking-the-boreal-trail/
> Grey Owl Trail. (2020). Prince Albert National Park. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/sk/princealbert/activ/experiences/activ21/a16
> Kawartha Trans Canada Trail – A proud section of Canada’s National trail. (2022). Kawartha Trails Canada. https://ktct.ca/
> Trip to Canada : online road trip planner. (2022). Authentik Canada. https://www.authentikcanada.com/ca-en/activities/cycling-blueberry-route
> Hike Bike Travel. (2022, June 15). Hiking, Biking, & Travel Tips for 60+ Countries. https://hikebiketravel.com/
> CB Island. (2022, May 30). Cabot Trail. https://www.cbisland.com/tourist-attractions/cabot-trail/
> Skyline Trail – Cape Breton Highlands National Park | Tourism Nova Scotia, Canada. (2021). Tourism Nova Scotia. https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/trails/skyline-trail-cape-breton-highlands-national-park/6176
> Tourism Prince Edward Island. (2022). Welcome to Prince Edward Island. Tourism PEI. https://www.tourismpei.com/
> Welcome to Newfoundland and Labrador. (2022). Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada – Official Tourism Website. https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/