Walking has numerous health
benefits, such as decreasing stress, improving cardiovascular health, warding off chronic illnesses, and reducing obesity-related complications.
In Canada, hiking has been growing in popularity since the pandemic, with 72 percent of Canadians
saying they regularly use trails around the country for outdoor activities.
For those looking for some outdoor fun, here are eight top hiking trails from coast to coast.
First Footsteps Trail, Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia
A great hike for beginners, this 0.75 kilometre
trail loops along the meadows with some short steep sections and steps. Visitors will be able to enjoy stories of the indigenous people and traditional artwork. The trail also takes visitors around what is called the icebox, which is a large cleft in the rock that has snow all year. For a longer journey, link to the nearby Koo Koo Sint trail, which is an easy mountain-top hike that takes about 60 minutes.
Emerald Lake Trail, Yoho National Park, British Columbia
This
lakeshore trail offers a view of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding forest for an easy-level hike around the west side of the lake. It is 5.2 kilometres, which takes about two hours to complete. The trail includes a gravel path from the parking area to the bridge, which is at the back of the lake.
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail, Banff National Park
An easy way to see one of the most picturesque spots in Banff, the
lakeshore trail winds around Lake Louise with its turquoise-coloured waters. The hike has mountain
views and hikers will see a waterfall and glacier waters at the far end of the lake. The trail leads to the milky creek, which is where the lake gets its beautiful colour.
Sand Dunes Nature Trail, Douglas Provincial Park, Saskatchewan
A unique hike in the prairies, the trail in
Douglas Provincial Park takes visitors around one of just three sand dune areas in the province. The dunes stand 25 meters tall and are found among the grasslands and aspen woodlands. The trail is just over 11 kilometres and can take two to three hours to finish. It’s recommended to hike the trail either in the morning or evening when the temperature is cooler because there is no shade available along the hiking trail.
Nassagaweya Canyon Trail, Milton, Ontario
You don’t need to travel far to find a great outdoor hiking adventure.
Nassagaweya Canyon Trail is just a short drive from Toronto. On this
9.4 kilometre trail, views include lush woods that lead to the crest of the Niagara Escarpment at Rattlesnake Point. The trail connects the Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake. It’s about a four- to five-hour hike through the area.
Georgian Bay Trail, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
One of the most popular places to hike in Southern Ontario,
this trail leads visitors to the scenic cliffs and shore in the park. The trail is three kilometres and a moderate to difficult level. It takes about three hours to complete, and there are two route options from the shoreline. Hikers can head into Indian Head Cove, where there are two sea caves to explore. Going down the Marr Lake return route can be tricky as it is lined with boulders along the shore.
Williams Falls, Mount Carleton Provincial Park, New Brunswick
This is a
simple and easy trail for families or those new to hiking, with spectacular views of the falls. The trail is 0.3 kilometres and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Once you arrive, you can stand on the bridge over top of the falls or head to the lookout platform below to get a view of the water as it cascades down the rocks.
Coastal Trail, Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
Hikers can start the
Coastal Trail at the visitor centre or Newman Sound Campground. It takes explorers along the coast of the inner Newman Sound with occasional sandy spots and along boreal forest. The trail is 9.5 kilometres and takes about three to four hours to complete. It ends at Pissamere Falls and is considered easy to moderate.
Skyline Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Considered an easy trail, the
Skyline offers some amazing views at the end of the trail, which leads to a headland cliff that overlooks the coast. From various lookout points on this trail, visitors will be able to spot whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This trail is an 8.2 kilometre loop that takes about two or three hours to complete.
