The 11 Top Hiking Trails Across Canada

Canada offers various trails for every type of hiker, with alpine routes, coastal paths, and deep forest adventures waiting to be explored. 

In this article, you’ll discover some of the country’s most scenic and rewarding hiking trails, each offering a unique look at Canada’s natural beauty.

East Coast Trail, Newfoundland

Stretching over 300 kilometers along the Avalon Peninsula, the East Coast Trail combines wild coastal scenery with touches of maritime history. Cliffside paths lead to abandoned lighthouses and sea caves echoing with the sounds of waves and puffins. Each section has its own personality, from dramatic headlands to calm inland woods. If you hike during iceberg season, the trail throws in floating mountains as part of the deal.

West Coast Trail, British Columbia

You’ll find yourself immersed in dense rainforest and windswept beaches on the West Coast Trail, a 75-kilometre route through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Created as a life-saving path for shipwreck survivors, it’s one of Canada’s most iconic backpacking experiences. Expect ladders, cable cars, and tidal crossings that add both challenge and thrill. The trail is a rite of passage for serious hikers looking to test their grit.

Skyline Trail, Nova Scotia

Set atop the highlands of Cape Breton Island, the Skyline Trail offers wide-open views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This loop is about 9 kilometers, mostly flat, and perfect for spotting moose, bald eagles, and sunsets that feel like paintings. Wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms make it accessible without taking away the wild feel. It’s a place where the wind carries the scent of the ocean through spruce and birch forests.

Fundy Footpath, New Brunswick

This trail rewards your effort with untamed coastlines and the world’s highest tides. Stretching 41 kilometers through Fundy National Park, the Fundy Footpath isn’t just a walk; it’s a physical test with steep ascents, river crossings, and slippery moss-covered rocks. Camping along cliff edges gives you access to sunrises that will stick in your memory. It’s a rugged trail for those craving solitude and raw nature.

Rockwall Trail, British Columbia

The Rockwall Trail cuts through Kootenay National Park with a path that follows towering limestone cliffs and alpine meadows. At 55 kilometers long, this trail moves you past glacial lakes, hanging valleys, and some of the finest backcountry campsites in the Rockies. Snowfields can linger well into summer, adding a chill to even the warmest days. The Rockwall isn’t about speed; it’s about soaking in mountain silence.

La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Ontario

Located in Killarney Provincial Park, this 78-kilometre loop winds through ancient quartzite ridges and deep blue lakes. The trail is named after Group of Seven artist Franklin Carmichael’s painting “La Cloche Silhouette,” and it lives up to that artistic legacy. The white cliffs contrast sharply against forested lowlands and sudden, dramatic vistas. If you’re into remote camping and don’t mind the occasional black bear track, it’s a top pick.

Grizzly Lake Trail, Yukon

Tucked within Tombstone Territorial Park, the Grizzly Lake Trail is a 22-kilometre route that puts you face-to-face with the dramatic spires of the Ogilvie Mountains. The trail takes you through alpine tundra where marmots and caribou roam under skies that never seem to end. Campsites are few, and that’s the point; this hike offers isolation that’s hard to find elsewhere. If you crave views shaped more by geologic time than human hands, this is it.

Bruce Trail, Ontario

The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, stretching nearly 900 kilometers along the Niagara Escarpment. You can hike it in segments or take on the whole journey over several weeks. Limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and Carolinian forests define the experience, each offering something different in every season. This trail isn’t just about wild nature; it connects you to heritage sites, small towns, and unexpected lookouts.

Iceline Trail, British Columbia

Set in Yoho National Park, the Iceline Trail delivers glacial views and alpine drama right from the first hour. This 21-kilometre loop offers proximity to icefields, waterfalls, and moraines that give you a crash course in geology without the classroom. Elevation gains are real, but so are the rewards; think turquoise lakes and roaring cascades below your feet. It’s a trail that shows you what movement in rock and water really looks like.

Akshayuk Pass, Nunavut

If you’re seeking something far from typical, Akshayuk Pass in Auyuittuq National Park cuts through a land sculpted by ice and time. This Arctic trail runs around 97 kilometers and offers a window into a world of fjords, granite peaks, and glacial valleys. Hiking here requires preparation, respect, and a love for the unforgiving beauty of the North. You’ll likely see more muskox than people, which is why it’s unforgettable.

Crypt Lake Trail, Alberta

This Waterton Lakes National Park hike starts with a boat ride and then pulls out all the stops: a waterfall tunnel, metal ladders, and a cliff-hugging cable route. It’s only 17 kilometers but packs a lot into every stretch. The payoff is Crypt Lake, hidden in a cirque and fed by snowmelt, so clear it reflects the sky like glass. For a single-day hike that delivers big adventure, it doesn’t get better than this.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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