Great Canadian Trails Blog

What is Active Travel (and why you don’t have to fear it)

Active travel means exploring on foot or by bike, and the level of that physical activity varies widely depending on the trip.

Admiring a picture-perfect coastline in Western Newfoundland | David Gray

Dining and Dreaming on the East Coast Trail

On the south coast of the East Coast Trail, Belle Maison Dine and Dream keeps the emphasis on the hiking but completely reimagines the ...

Inviting seating area with a beautiful waterfront view | Robin Esrock

Hiking + Nature = Wellness

Being immersed in the outdoors on an outdoor adventure is accompanied by a calm sense of presence. Awaken your spirit of adventure to enjoy ...

Another majestic waterfall in Gros Morne National Park | Jenny Wong

Quiz: How well do you know Banff National Park?

Let’s play a little game of True or False! This time, we’re focusing on some fun facts about Banff National Park. Do you know ...

Hiking at Parkers Ridge, Banff NP | Ben Morin, Parks Canada

The Impact of Outdoor Adventure on Mental Health

Beyond its capacity to alleviate stress, immersing oneself in nature has been shown to trigger the release of endorphins: neurotransmitters commonly referred to as ...

Edith Cavell hike, Alberta | Parks Canada

A Guide to our Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Canada is home to over 20 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List distributed throughout the country. Let’s take a closer look at the ...

Admire the historic architecture in Old Quebec City

More Inspiration

Swallowtail Lighthouse, Grand Manan Island | Tourism New Brunswick

Atlantic Canada – A Sensory Experience

The secret is out. The Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island along with beautiful Newfoundland and Labrador, are attracting more savvy travellers each year. It’s in these most easterly provinces where one discovers spectacular natural beauty sculpted over thousands of years by wind, water...

Wild flowers at Little Salmon. | Guy Wilkinson

Best Adventures to Enjoy Spring in Canada

The welcome signs of spring pop up in Canada in different places at different times. You might witness flowers in bloom as early as February along the west coast, but it may be late June before their alpine cousins appear in the mountain regions and in the territories, after the snow melts. Rising temperatures and the...

Rolling through an iconic Maritime scene | Tourism PEI/John Sylvester

E-Bikes and Active Travel

How do e-bikes fit with active travel? Isn’t the point of active travel to challenge yourself by physically making your own way from one location to the next? Yes, this is certainly part of the draw… but would the essence of active travel really be compromised with a little...

Endless, otherworldly views across the Long Range Mountains

Newfoundland & Labrador – Made of Superlatives

Newfoundland and Labrador form the most easterly parts of Canada and we can't help but notice that there is no shortage of superlatives in the region...

Taking a break on the Bruce Peninsula | Keri May

Ontario – ‘ON’ the Outskirts

Ontario has a reputation for its cities and, with the lively, multicultural metropolis of Toronto and the country’s quaint capital, Ottawa, it’s no wonder the province’s natural beauty is so often overlooked. Yet, for those adventurers who brave to go beyond the dense urban...

Retracing the steps of the Stempeders' route over the Chilkoot Pass. | Mark Daffey

6 of the Best Multi-Day Hiking Trips in Canada

What better way to celebrate Canada's great outdoors than hiking among some of the most pristine countries you'll ever see in Canada. With every province blessed with extraordinary landscapes, the hardest decision to make is where to go.

Maligne Lake's Spirit Island, Alberta | Parks Canada

The Most Iconic Canadian Experiences

With such a diverse range of experiences to choose from, it might be hard to decide what to include in your trip to Canada. Should you head east or west? Mountains or coast? Winter, spring, summer, or fall? Here are our picks for the most iconic Canadian...

Stopping to enjoy the sunset over the Laurentians | TQ S Deschenes

The Charlevoix Traverse Hiking Experience

Despite the fact that Canada has numerous long distance hiking trails, there are very few that offer a hut to hut experience, and even fewer where you can be out for a week at a time. Most hikes of any length in Canada require that you lug a tent, cooking gear, clothing and...

Bridge 27 of 147 over Tsocawis Creek, WCT | Nicole Moreau

Travelogue: Hiking the West Coast Trail (WCT)

Hiking enthusiast Keri May had the chance to experience the West Coast Trail with Great Canadian Trails, and she’s sharing with us her impressions of this exhilarating adventure.

Ice Walk through Johnston Canyon | Banff Lake Louise Tourism

Winter in Canada

Snowy white winters turn iconic Canadian landscapes into fresh new powdery playgrounds just waiting to be explored. Enjoy cool experiences like walking on (frozen) water and discovering off-trail wonders, largely inaccessible during other times of year...