Iconic Canadian Hikes

With vast swaths of wilderness covering much of the country, it is no wonder Canada is one of the top places in the world for nature trekking. You’ll find scenic trails in every province and territory. Some, like the challenging multi-day West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island or the beautiful La Cloche Silhouette Trail in Ontario’s Killarney Provincial Park, require experience and proper planning, but others can be enjoyed on a day trip.

Whether you enjoy an alpine climb or a coastal walk, there’s a Canadian day hike waiting for you.

Ontario may not have the mountainous terrain of Canada’s west coast, but it does have some beautiful hikes worthy of consideration. One of the best in the province is the Top of the Giant Trail in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park located on the shores of Lake Superior.

Named after the rock formation that resembles a slumbering person, Sleeping Giant has 100 km of hiking trails but none more iconic than the Top of the Giant. From the parking lot, this is a 22-km roundtrip trek that starts along the Kabeyun Trail, connects to part of the Talus Lake Trail before getting to the start of the Top of the Giant. Once you arrive at the start of this trail, it is a heart-pumping 3.3-km climb to the top of the tallest cliff in Ontario with sweeping views over Lake Superior.

The hike is steep and challenging with massive drops along the way that can be dizzying but the effort is well worth the reward. Both the east and west sides of the Sibley Peninsula are visible from the top.

Located off the famous Dempster Highway, Tombstone Territorial Park is a 1.5 hour drive from Dawson City and about 7 hours from Whitehorse. While the remote location may ward off some, those who make the effort to visit here will be rewarded with some of the most spectacularly dramatic scenery in Canada.

If you’re looking for a multi-day challenge, the Grizzly Lake/Divide Lake/Talus Lake Trail is a spectacular 43-km hike in Tombstone, but there are also shorter day hikes that will give you a glimpse of the incredible mountainscapes. Goldensides Mountain Trail, for example, is an easy 3.7-km hike with two great viewpoints. Or hike the challenging 8.7-km Charcoal Ridge.

Residents of British Columbia are spoiled when it comes to hiking options. From coastal treks to mountain climbs, there’s beautiful vistas in every region just waiting to be explored.

One day hike that showcases gorgeous BC scenery is the Stawamus Chief hike near Squamish in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. This hike is very popular and for good reason — it is easily accessible from Vancouver and offers sweeping views of Squamish, Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky Highway.

The intermediate-rated hike has plenty of challenging sections (think ladders and ropes) but the views are well worth the effort. Hikers can access three peaks along the trail with increasingly spectacular views. It is possible to climb all three in one day but hikers should be aware of weather conditions as the surface can become slippery when wet.

The Stawamus Chief is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world and provides good nesting habitat for peregrine falcons. You may encounter restricted areas that are protecting critical nesting habitat. As always, keep away from wildlife and obey all closure notices.

Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park has 100 km of trails, ranging from family-friendly strolls to more strenuous day hikes. Whichever trail you choose, you can be guaranteed spectacular scenery.

For a moderate trail that follows along the coastline, try the 9-km Green Garden Trail. You’ll cross through forests and barrens before reaching the shore of Old Man Cove and continuing along the coastal headlands. There is also the option to take the stairs to a beach with waterfalls and a sea cave.

A more challenging route is the Gros Morne Mountain Trail, a 17-km trek that follows the path to the park’s highest point at 806 metres. As you can imagine, the view is incredible over the Long Range Mountains and the Ten Mile Pond gorge.