10 multi-day hikes to try across Canada

Cottage Life

2021-11-16 19:16:47

Spending time in nature is an age-old remedy for all kinds of problems, and hiking, specifically, has been shown to positively impact your mental health. To double down on the benefits, consider going beyond day hikes and planning a multi-day adventure through the endless kilometres of pristine wilderness our country has to offer. Here are some of the top backcountry multi-day hikes from coast to coast.

Looking for more? Parks Canada offers plenty of options to explore.

Skyline Trail, Jasper National Park, Alta. — Crédit: Photo by @hikebiketravel

A bucket list item for many avid hikers, the Skyline Trail snakes through more than 44 kilometres in the incomparably beautiful backcountry of Jasper National Park. Apart from the stunning beauty, this is one of the most popular multi-day hikes in the Rockies, with its well maintained campsites and different length options. Most groups complete the trail in two nights and three days, but you can make it shorter or longer depending on ability.

Eastern Pines Backpacking Trail, Algonquin Park, Ont.

The number of route options in the beautiful Algonquin Park can be overwhelming, so Eastern Pines is a great one on the shorter side that can accommodate beginners. At about 16 kilometres, some hikers may wish to tackle this in a whole day, but if you’d like to savour the subtle beauty of the park, a night or two would make this a wonderful, relaxed multi-day trip.

West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Dubbed the ‘Hike of a Lifetime’ for good reason, this intense trail in some of the most rugged, wild sections of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim National Park is not for the faint of heart. For those with lots of wilderness experience looking for the ultimate adventure, it’s bound to be worth it! As with most hikes that take place in national or provincial parks, you’ll need a permit, and it’s a good idea to book early, as spots go quickly.

Sunshine Coast Trail, Powell River, B.C.

After years of diligent work from local volunteers, this trail on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast was recently completed, and now holds the title of Canada’s longest hut-to-hut hiking trail. The shelters are of varying sizes and equipped with different amenities, but definitely come in handy as this part of the coast can get quite rainy. Another perk: no reservations or permits required!

East Coast Trail, N.L.

On the extreme opposite side to the famous West Coast trail is this stunning trail that snakes along the coast of Newfoundland. There’s no better way to take in the spectacular ocean vistas that define this beautiful province for those willing to put in the work. Be sure to research the best time of year to go beforehand and what kind of route you’d like to do; the Association responsible for trail maintenance has great suggestions for all kinds of multi-day trips.

The Boreal Trail, Sask.

Admittedly, wilderness enthusiasts may not think of this flat prairie province as a go-to hiking destination, but the Boreal Trail is a large, impressive feat to tackle, totalling over 100 kilometres cutting through Saskatchewan. The Boreal Trail is the only official backcountry multi-day hiking trail in the province and a lesser-known one worth looking into.

La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Killarney, Ont.

The Silhouette Trail takes you up on high ridges where you can admire the particular, varied beauty of this region of Ontario cottage country. There are guided tours and hikes available for this trail, but you can also plan your route in advance, picking through more than 80 kilometres to build your perfect trip.

International Appalachian Trail, Que.

Frequent hikers may already know the Appalachian Trail, a famed journey that winds from Georgia to Maine. But that trail has a Canadian counterpart, weaving through Quebec and into New Brunswick. While the whole trail would take about 40 days to complete, there are numerous options for multi-day hikes, from the starting town of Matapedia to the beautiful Forillon National Park.

The Bruce Trail, Tobermory, Ont.

Tobermory and the Bruce Peninsula are some of the most visited areas in Ontario, famed for the beautiful blue waters and soaring cliffs that feel more like an exotic island escape. For hiking lovers, this area is part of a larger, nearly 1,000-kilometre trail known as the Bruce Trail or Peninsula Trail, which cuts from the area all the way to the Niagara region.

Talus Lake Trail, YT.

It doesn’t get more pristine than the Yukon backcountry, home to some of the most breathtaking untouched beauty in Canada. This trail, and the many others in the area, can sometimes be done in a day trip, but consider making it multi-day if you want to catch the many gorgeous vistas of the Tombstone Mountains.