The Best Hiking Trails in Canada
From strolls near home to pristine mountain hikes with stunning views, here are 7 great reasons to get outside from coast to coast.
Of all of the many ways to enjoy Canada’s wild places, hiking is by far the least complicated. Walking and hiking are great ways to get exercise, of course, but spending time outdoors among the trees and rocks is also one of the best things you can do for your mental health. The best part about hiking is that it’s accessible to any able-bodied person; all you need is a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or boots, a day pack, and yen for adventure. Here are some of our favourite hikes across Canada to get you started.
Cathedral Grove
There is one main reason visitors flock to Vancouver Island’s Macmillan Provincial Park (formerly known as Cathedral Grove) each year: the trees. A series of short loops to either side of Highway 4 meander among ancient groves of majestic Douglas firs, which can live to be over 1,000 years old and grow to over 100 meters tall – the height of a 30-story building. While many of the park’s large trees were felled by a windstorm in the 1990s, one of the largest remaining firs is an astonishing 9-metres in circumference.
Stawamus Chief
It’s no wonder Vancouverites have a reputation as outdoorsy given the abundance of great hiking trails in their backyard. This one, about an hour’s drive from downtown Vancouver in the Sea to Sky Corridor, is rated for intermediate hikers and can take anywhere from three to six hours, depending on your pace and the trail you choose. Locally known as “The Chief” this hike winds its way up one of North America’s largest granite monoliths, rewarding hikers with spectacular views of Howe Sound.
Lake Agnes Tea House
This remains one of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park thanks to the century-old tea house serving homemade cakes en route. Locals advise setting out early to beat the crowds for this moderately difficult but incredibly scenic 3.5-kilometre out-and-back, beginning at the shores of Lake Louise and winding along a forested trail before reaching the Lake Agnes Tea House. A popular destination for hikers since 1905, the tea house offers stunning mountain views, in addition to refreshments. Don’t forget to stash some money in your day pack, however – it’s cash-only.
Valley of the Five Lakes
This classic Jasper hike is a series of loops ranging from three to nine kilometres and rising just 100m in elevation, making it suitable for all ages and experience levels. You’ll walk through a forest and cross a footbridge over the Wabasso River before reaching a series of five lakes (hence the name). Their typical blue-green water (the product of glacial rock dust and algae) makes for perfect reflecting pools for the towering mountains above.
Rouge Valley Loop
In addition to cutting through a classic swatch of southern Ontario scenery, much of the appeal of this 9-kilometre loop trail is in its easy proximity to the GTA. Located in the Rouge National Urban Park, the first national park to be designated within a Canadian city, the trailhead is less than 45 minutes drive from the downtown core, and also accessible by public transit. Keep your eyes peeled for birds and deer in the surrounding meadows and forests, as well as salmon migrating up the Rouge River to spawn in late fall. The trail is known to get muddy in places, so waterproof footwear is a must following wet weather.
Lookout Hills Trail
As anyone who’s visited Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park will tell you, there’s nowhere else in Canada quite like it. Featuring dramatic fjords, majestic mountains, and the Tablelands – one of the few places on the planet where you can walk directly on the earth’s mantle – it’s a treat for hikers of all abilities. Less challenging than the popular Gros Morne Mountain day hike, this five-kilometre loop starts with a steep incline up the side of Partridgeberry Hill before winding through a scenic highland plateau. A pair of red Muskoka chairs positioned facing the view of Bonne Bay makes for a perfect place to catch your breath.
