17 Bucket List Hikes You Need To Experience In Canada
Hiking is a Canadian's favourite past-time. So we're bring you some of the best hikes and views from coast to coast. Live (or hike) out the ultimate Canadian experience and finish this bucket list of surreal hikes.
So whether you want to go on your own Wild experience, Canadian-style or you're looking for a short and sweet scenic hike, this list from Narcity has got you covered.
Note: please be careful, do your research and prepare properly before embarking on your ultimate Canadian adventure. Be nice to the environment, clean up after yourselves, and try to stay on designated trails.
1. Skyline Trail // Cape Breton Island, NS
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.5 km return or 9.2 km loop
Time: 2 — 3 hours
Elevation Gain: 290 — 405 metres
Season: May — October
2. Joffre Lakes // Pemberton, BC
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11 km
Time: 3 – 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 400 metres
Season: June – October
3. St Mark’s Summit // North Vancouver, BC
Difficulty: Intermediate
Distance: 11 km
Time: 3 – 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 460 metres
Season: June – October
*PS: recognize this from cover photo of the Narcity Canada FB page?
4. Moraine Lake Shoreline/Rock Pile // Banff National Park, AB
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 km return
Time: 45 min
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Season: May — October
5. Bruce Trail // Bruce Peninsula National Park, ON to
Difficulty: Varies through hike
Distance: 885 km
Time: Varies on sections/leg of trail. Some parts can be as short as an hour. If you want to do the entire hike from start to finish, it varies depends on the amount hiked per day; for example, if hiking 8 hours a day (approximately 30km), it would take around 30 days to complete.
Elevation Gain: Varies through hike
*This trail is no joke, it is Canada's oldest and longest footpath. But you don't have to complete the entire trail from start to finish. For example, the 6 km Cape Dundas Loop is a great hike that is part of the trail. If you're looking to go for a Wild experience, Canadian-style, this hike could be an option, but obviously be prepared and do your research.
6. Deux-Criques Trail // La Mauricie National Park, QC
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 17 km
Time: 7 hrs.
Elevation: around 761 metres
*This hike is especially beautiful in the fall.
7. The West Coast Trail // Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 75 km
Time: Varies on trail selection. You don't have to hike the entire trail and can opt to complete certain sections. If you do want to finish the trail from start to end, it will take approximately 5 — 7 days, depending on how much you're hiking each day
Elevation: Varies on section
Season: May — September
8. Cape Split Trail // Cape Split Provincial Park Reserve, NS
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 12 km
Time: 4 – 5 hours
Elevation: Unknown
9. Green Gardens Trail (Long Pond Trailhead to coast return) // Gros Morne National Park, NL
Difficulty: Intermediate
Distance: 9 km
Time: 3 — 4 hours
Elevation: 270 metres
Season: The park's operating season is from mid-May to mid-October
10. Pic Champlain // Bic National Park, QB
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6 km
Time: 2 hours
Elevation: 346 metres
Season: The park is open year-round
11. Greenwich Dunes // Prince Edward Island National Park, PE
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.8 km
Time: 2 hours
Season: Late spring — fall
12. Johnston Canyon // Banff National Park, AB
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.8 km
Time: 2 hours
Elevation Gain: 120 m
13. Akshayuk Pass // Auyuittuq National Park, NU
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 97 km
Time: 5 — 6 days
Elevation Gain: 420 metres
Season: Summer, especially July and August
14. Grey Mountain // Whitehorse, YT
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 12 km
Time: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 200 metres
Season: Year round (snowshoes in winter)
15. Top of the Giant // Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, ON
Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
Distance: 22 km
Time: 6 — 8 hours
Elevation Gain: 290 metres
Season: Year round
16. Lake Louise Lakeshore // Lake Louise, AB
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4 km
Time: 1 hour
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Season: Year round
17. Crypt Lake // Waterton Lakes National Park, AB
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 17.2 km
Time: 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 675 metres
Season: The park is open year-round