Epic and enthralling hiking trails in Canada

The hiking options in Canada are endless. Its dramatic landscape has led to the creation of innumerable trails that weave through the land, dedicated to those in search of true wilderness. Where to begin and where to end can be an impossible choice, which is why we’ve picked five walks guaranteed to amaze and enthrall.

The East Coast Trail, Newfoundland and Labrador

Clinging to North America’s easternmost coastline, The East Coast Trail is over 300km of spectacular maritime trail. Along it, towering salt-crusted sea stacks, lonely lighthouses, flocks of pirouetting seabirds and tumbling waterfalls are all to be found. Not a route you can complete in one go, plan a multi-day trip or choose some of the sub-trails to hike. For those looking for coastal views, The Flamber Head Path is over 14km of path that loops past jagged cliffs and sleepy meadows, gifting you with sweeping panoramas of tides cresting over rocky outposts backed by twisting pines. Spout Path is another lengthy trail that involves camping overnight, but it’s worth it when you glimpse the frothing natural geyser the trail takes its name from. And for those in search of true isolation, the Motion Path winds past an abandoned settlement and hushed woodlands. As for somewhere to stay, camping is your best bet, but start off in style at Alt Hotel St. John’s.

The Rockwall Trail, British Columbia

Strung along the western perimeter of Kootenay National Park, The Rockwall Trail is a stunning multi-day trek for the seasoned hiker. The trail charts a route from Paint Pots Trailhead through to Floe Lake, spanning over 50km in length. It takes its name from the jutting and unbroken wall of limestone cliffs that line the trail – a constant reminder of nature’s immense spectacle and an introduction to the bountiful sweep of sights this trail uncovers. Take the route from north to south and you’ll quickly hear the crescendo of tumbling water as you near Helmet Falls, one of Canada’s highest waterfalls. Further on, blushed pink and yellow paintbrush wildflowers are scattered around the formidably-sounding Wolverine Pass as well as the mirror-like Floe Lake. A good case for trekking north to south, Floe Lake is arguably the highlight of the route. A mountain oasis, its glacial blue waters cup the base of the snow-dusted cliffs surrounding it and the view alone is worth the trek. It’s a trail with varying elevations so start well-rested and refreshed at Radium Chalet, a short drive from the southern edge of the park.

Pocaterra Ridge Trail, Alberta

Cresting the top of Kananaskis Country is the Pocaterra Ridge and one of the country’s most exhilarating trails. It’s a precarious 11km walk along the lofty ridge that you can choose to begin at either end, though south to north from the Highwood Pass is more of a gentle descent. Whatever you choose, it’s here where you’ll find Canada at its most raw, rugged and elemental. As you make your way along the first leg, expect to see huddles of woods, alpine meadows, and ridges drenched in pale sunshine, while hulking mountains rise up ominously behind the ridges in the distance. The trek takes between five to seven hours so give yourself enough time to savour the walk’s ghostly panoramas. You can choose to walk back to your starting point, though many hitchhike before retreating to a warm and well-deserved bed – Mount Engadine Lodge is a comfy and convenient option.

Mount Assiniboine Hike, British Columbia

The trail past Mount Assiniboine in its namesake Provincial Park is one of Canada’s most popular treks. Mt. Assiniboine itself is dubbed ‘The Matterhorn of the Rockies’ courtesy of its piercing pyramid-shaped peak. Starting at either Sunshine Village or Mount Shark trailhead, the trail is around 30km long and takes around five days to complete. On your way, you’ll pass through the fields of Wonder Pass which turn golden in September, the pristine Cerulean Lake and the glowing, effervescent Sunburst Lake, which hangs below the equally radiant Sunburst Peak. From any of these spots, lush pines and swirls of water constellate the pretty peak of Mt. Assiniboine. If you choose to start off in Sunshine Village, you can stay in Banff at Banff Boutique Inn – Pension Tannenhof,which serves as a restful prelude or finisher to your hiking.

Canol Heritage Trail, Northwest Territories

Arguably the most demanding of the Canadian trails, the Canol Heritage route is as remote as they come. Although it’s a glorious ramble through the Northwest Territories rugged heartlands, at 355km in length and no amenities along the way, this trek isn’t one for the faint of heart. Built along an oil pipeline by the US Army during the Second World War, it takes anywhere from two to three weeks to complete and many hikers organise food to be transported to them over the course of the hike. Logistics aside, experienced hikers will find much to love; spot the looming grey peaks of the Mackenzie Mountains half-veiled in low-lying mists and the wild herds of caribou darting across the pebbly rivers that cut through the valley, and it’s easy to get swept up in its pure wilderness. The route starts at Norman Wells, but you’ll need to fly in from Yellowknife to reach it, so a night at Chateau Nova Yellowknife before you leave is a good option.