Canada has a long history of trails. From the first footpaths of the original natives to today's Trans Canada Trail, trails have played a part in our lives, first for commerce and transportation, now for recreation and adventure. In every region of the country there are trails to take you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Canada is in the process of constructing two coast-to-coast recreation trails: the Trans-Canada Trail and the National Hiking Trail. Several other long-distance hiking trails are either already existing or are under development. Completed in 1967, Ontario's 770-km long Bruce Trail is the grandaddy of them all, stretching from Niagara to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. The International Appalachian Trail is an 1,045-km extension of its southern counterpart, reaching from Mt Katahdin in Maine across New Brunswick to the tip of the Gaspé.
In this Web site, the word "hiking" is used to describe trails with a natural surface. Trails with a gravel or paved surface are listed on the multi-use sections of this site. Trails shared with mountain bikers are in the Mountain Biking section. Many parks throughout Canada have hiking trails but, due to space limitations, this guide lists only areas with 10 km or more of trails.
Important: Lyme Disease is becoming more and more common in Canada. Avoid contracting it by preventing tick bites and knowing the symptoms of infection.
Regional Hiking Pages
Visit one of our regional hiking pages for more info about a particular area:
British Columbia | Alberta | Yukon | Northwest Territories | Saskatchewan | Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec | New Brunswick | Nova Scotia | Prince Edward Island | Newfoundland
A National Hiking Trail
The National Hiking Trail (formerly the Sentier National Trail) will eventually be a 10,000-km footpath across Canada. Not to be confused with the multi-use Trans Canada Trail, the NHT is for foot travel only and has been under development since 1971. More than 3,000 km of the NHT are completed. Finished sections range in length from a few kilometres up to several hundred kilometres. Major portions of the trail across Quebec and Southern Ontario are in place.
In certain regions the NHT will combine with the Trans Canada Trail to follow the same route. In other areas the trail will provide a hiking alternative to the multi-use TCT. Through northern Ontario the two trails will follow the path of the Voyageur Trail and be for hiking only.
Much of the National Trail will be on terrain that is too rugged for most skiers but there will be some sections that are accessible for experienced skiers and snowshoers.
Hiking Clubs and Events
Hundreds of hiking and outdoor clubs are involved in organizing hiking trips and developing trails.
There are several hiking events held on an annual basis in various regions of Canada.
See our Hiking Tips and Wilderness Tips pages to find out more about prearing for a hiking trip.
Trail Maintenance
Many hiking trails were constructed entirely by volunteer labour and require regular maintenance to keep them usable. If you are a frequent hiker, consider helping out by donating labour or money. To find the organization responsible for maintaining trails in your area, check our Club listings or the Resources section on our regional hiking pages.
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