The best Canadian road trips

Canada is known as The Great White North for a reason. Its sprawling, untouched natural landscapes and thriving cosmopolitan cities make it the perfect destination for all types of intrepid travellers. And what better way to explore it than from the comfort of your own car?

Fuel up and pack sensibly – we’ve put together a list of the best road trips across Canada.

The Trans Canada Highway, British Columbia to Newfoundland

It would be a crime not to mention the Trans Canada Highway in an article about Canadian road trips. This mammoth 8,000km journey covers all of the country’s 10 provinces. Beginning in Victoria, British Columbia, and taking you all the way to St John’s, Newfoundland, this is a trip that will indulge any adventurer’s appetite for escape, with snow forests, sweeping tundras, far-reaching prairies and mighty peaks. You’ll also pass through the urban centres of Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver, for those after city views too. However, don’t underestimate the sheer distance of this route; you’ll be crossing six times zones so be sure to bring spare wheels, gas and a well-researched itinerary. There’s plenty of places to choose from on the accommodation front, but start your trip in style at the JAG Boutique Hotel – the breakfast on offer is a must before you hit the road.

The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

A quainter, quieter and altogether more pastoral route, the Cabot Trail is a leisurely loop of 298km around the northern tip of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island. It’s better broken up into lots of little stops rather than one large trek, winding along sloping cliff faces with ocean views before arriving in sleepy fishing villages that plate up the freshest seafood. Baddeck is the traditional starting point, so take the time here to enjoy the Bras d’Or Lake (French for ‘Arm of Gold’, likely due to the sunsets that turn the water into a spectacular golden shimmer). When you’re done, drive along the island’s east coast to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park for soaring vistas, tiny fishing coves and a rare chance to spot whales surfacing in the distance.

The Sea to Sky Highway, British Columbia

Arguably the most enthralling name of the Canadian routes, the Sea to Sky Highway is a celebration of everything in between. Taking place on a portion of Highway 99, this cinematic route from the Vancouver coast to mountainous Whistler is ideal for a weekend trip, at only 163km long. Begin the journey at North America’s southernmost fjord – Howe Sound – and head north along its shoreline until you reach Porteau Provincial Park. For sumptuous views of the snow-capped fjord, walk out onto one of the Sound’s quiet jetties and revel in the perfectly still surroundings. Further up the highway, the ‘Sky’ part will become a little clearer. Grab yourself a place on the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish and you’ll be gifted with sensational aerial views of Howe Sound and the dramatic Shannon Falls. For those looking for a thrill, the suspension bridge at the top will satiate any adventurous appetites. Once you’re back on the road, continue onwards to Garibaldi Provincial Park, where the lakes are so clear that you’ll find it hard to tell the mountains and their reflections apart. On the last stretch, the Brandywine Falls await, where water cascades over volcanic rock. When you arrive at your final stop – the frosted village of Whistler – get some well-deserved rest at Nita Lake Lodge. The on-site spa and in-room fireplaces will have you restored in no time.

The Gaspésie Tour, The Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec

In Canada’s Francophone heartland of Quebec lies a rugged, isolated region that will sweep you away – not least because of its coastal winds. The Gaspé Peninsula – or Gaspésie – is a small slice of land jutting out into the Gulf of St Lawrence, and is home to a wonderfully scenic driving route, The Gaspésie Tour. For 1270 km, this trip is a grand loop around the peninsula, featuring salt-crusted cliffs and rickety cottages. Start at La Pocatière in the south and head through the Matapedia Valley, renowned for its wild salmon rivers. When continuing north to Matane, keep an eye out for glimpses of moose and black bears. Along the way, expect to be gifted with isolated scenes of sleepy cottages perched on clifftops that tower over the blue bay. When you finally reach the peninsula’s northernmost point, you’ll be greeted by Percé Rock – a limestone butte that stands as the gateway to the ocean. Passing by at low-tide, you’ll be able to walk up this rocky bluff, before driving onwards to the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse, Canada’s tallest lighthouse. The peninsula has no shortage of places to stay but for sunset views of the Percé Rock, try Au Presbytère.

The Icefields Parkway, Alberta

Considered one of Canada’s most spectacular road trips, the Icefields Parkway route is a glorious showcase of the country’s stunning natural scenery. A 232km runway through the Canadian Rockies from Banff to Jasper, expect to make a stop for a picture or two. Vast glaciers sprawl across mountain faces, whose peaks graze the sky above, while lakes in every shade of deep blue and green cup rock formations bordered by pine forests. For this route, it’s best to take it slow and stop where you want – for ice-blue glacial waters, the Herbert & Hector Lakes are a must, while the Cirrus Mountain Viewpoint gives way to an otherworldly shot of the valley framing the winding road ahead. Stay at Cathedral Mountain Lodge, where cabins come with balconies looking out onto the surrounding Rockies and lakes.