Maple Trails & Tales

with the snow melting i have finally been looking to dusting off my hiking boots and hitting the trails but hiking in Canada isn’t just about epic views of the ocean, the prairies, forests or mountains. It’s a chance to support small towns, Indigenous communities, and wild spaces. This guide mixes iconic trails with under-the-radar adventures, ensuring your footsteps leave a positive impact. From coastal rainforests to prairie badlands, let’s explore trails that inspire and sustain the places they traverse.

West Coast Wonders: Rainforests, Peaks & Ocean Drama

British Columbia’s rugged coastline and lush valleys offer endless adventures. Here’s how to hike responsibly while fueling local economies.

1. West Coast Trail (Vancouver Island)
   • Distance: 75 km (multi-day)
   • Why Go: Raw Pacific coastline, waterfalls, and First Nations history.
   • Support Local: Hire a local guide or stay at Nitinaht Lake Lodge (Indigenous-owned).
2. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
   • Distance: 47 km (multi-day)
   • Why Go: Quieter than the West Coast Trail, with tidal pools and cedar groves.
   • Stay Local: Book a cabin at Sombrio Beach Hideaway.
3. Stawamus Chief (Squamish)
   • Distance: 5 km
   • Why Go: Granite cliffs with panoramic Howe Sound views.
   • Fuel Up: Coffee and snacks at Cloudburst Café (Squamish-roasted beans).
4. Garibaldi Lake
   • Distance: 18 km
   • Why Go: Turquoise alpine lakes and wildflower meadows.
   • Support Local: Rent gear from Altitude Sports (Canadian-owned).
5. Teapot Hill (Cultus Lake)
   • Distance: 5 km
   • Why Go: Whimsical hidden teapots along the trail.
   • Treats and Beaches: Stop by the Props Cafe during your time at the Cultus Lake for a quick bite to eat, or a cool refreshment on the docks.
6. Golden Ears Provincial Park
   • Distance: 12 km (Lower Falls Trail)
   • Why Go: Moss-draped forests and cascading waterfalls.
   • Stay Local: Camp at Alouette Lake Campground (funds BC Parks).

Rocky Mountain Majesty: Alpine Adventures

From Banff to Jasper, the Rockies are a hiker’s paradise. Skip the crowds and support local.

1. Plain of Six Glaciers (Banff)
   • Distance: 14 km
   • Why Go: Glaciers, wildflowers, and a historic tea house.
   • Eat Local: Dine at The Bison Restaurant (Canadian ingredients).
2. Lake Agnes Tea House (Lake Louise)
   • Distance: 7 km
   • Why Go: Alpine lake views and fresh scones.
   • Tip: Visit mid-week to avoid crowds.
3. Parker Ridge (Icefields Parkway)
   • Distance: 5 km
   • Why Go: Panoramic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier.
   • Stay Local: Book a cabin at Becker’s Chalets (family-owned since 1933).
4. Sulphur Skyline (Jasper)
   • Distance: 8 km
   • Why Go: Soak in Miette Hot Springs post-hike (entry fees fund Parks Canada).
5. Burgess Shale Fossil Hike (Yoho)
   • Distance: 22 km (guided)
   • Why Go: Walk among 500-million-year-old fossils.
   • Support Science: Tours fund the Yoho-Burgess Shale Foundation.
6. Tunnel Mountain (Banff)
   • Distance: 4.5 km
   • Why Go: Sunrise views without the crowds.
   • Stay Local: Stay at the beautiful Storm Mountain Lodge (cabins built in 1922).

Prairie Panoramas: Badlands, Big Skies & Secret Summits

The Prairies aren’t just flat, there are tons of scenic and incredible views! Explore unique landscapes and support rural communities.

1. Hoodoos Trail (Drumheller, AB)
   • Distance: 1.5 km
   • Why Go: Martian-like badlands and dinosaur fossils.
   • Support Local: Visit Royal Tyrrell Museum as well as their cafe.
2. Grassi Lakes (Canmore, AB)
   • Distance: 4 km
   • Why Go: Turquoise lakes and waterfalls.
   • Fuel Up: Beer at The Grizzly Paw Brewing Co. (locally brewed).
3. Cypress Hills (SK/AB)
   • Distance: 5 km (Conglomerate Cliffs)
   • Why Go: Stargaze in Canada’s only Dark Sky Preserve east of the Rockies.w
   • Stay Local: Book a cabin at Cypress Hills Resort (family-run).
4. Spirit Sands (MB)
   • Distance: 10 km
   • Why Go: Desert-like dunes in Manitoba..
5. Dinosaur Trail (Brooks, AB)
   • Distance: 3 km
   • Why Go: Walk where dinosaurs roamed.
   • Support Local: Join a fossil tour with Badlands Guides (employs paleontology students).

Québec Quests: Fjords, Forests & Laurentian Legends

Québec’s trails blend European charm with boreal wilderness. Support Francophone and Indigenous communities.

1. Sentier des Loups (Mont-Tremblant)
   • Distance: 10 km
   • Why Go: Wolf habitat education and panoramic Laurentian views.
   • Stay Local: Auberge du Lac Taureau is proud to have obtained 3 green keys thanks to our achievements in environmental management and social responsibility
2. Mont Albert (Gaspésie National Park)
   • Distance: 17 km
   • Why Go: Arctic-alpine flora and caribou sightings on Québec’s “Rocky Mountain.”
   • Eat Local: Take a break at Café des Artistes (Sainte-Anne-des-Monts).
3. Statue Trail (Saguenay Fjord)
   • Distance: 7 km
   • Why Go: Cliffside views of the fjord and the iconic Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue.
   • Stay Local: Yurt at Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux (family-run eco-park).
4. Acropole des Draveurs (Charlevoix)
   • Distance: 11 km
   • Why Go: Heart-pumping climbs rewarded with St. Lawrence River vistas.
   • Fuel Up: Cider at La Ciderie de Charlevoix (heirloom apples).

East Coast Escapes: Coastal Trails & Gaelic Charm

Atlantic Canada’s rugged beauty thrives on tourism. Hike and help sustain coastal communities.

1. Skyline Trail (Cape Breton, NS)
   • Distance: 6.5 km
   • Why Go: Moose sightings and ocean cliffs.
   • Stay Local: Cabot Shores (Indigenous-owned eco-resort).
2. East Coast Trail – Spout Path (NL)
   • Distance: 16 km
   • Why Go: Wave-powered geyser and whale spotting.
   • Eat Local: Cowboy Cookies at Rocket Bakery (St. John’s).
3. Fundy Footpath (NB)
   • Distance: 41 km
   • Why Go: Thundering tides and coastal wilderness.
   • Support Local: Adventure High B&B (family-owned).
4. Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail (NS)
   • Distance: 51 km (multi-day)
   • Why Go: Sea stacks, hidden coves, and Nova Scotia’s highest cliffs.
   • Book Local: Guided hikes with Coastal Adventures (funds trail maintenance).
5. Green Gardens Trail (Gros Morne, NL)
   • Distance: 9 km
   • Why Go: Volcanic sea stacks and meadow picnics.
   • Stay Local: Java Jack’s Annex (artist-run B&B).

Northern Adventures: Tundra, Caribou & Midnight Sun

The Arctic and subarctic offer raw, untamed beauty. Support Indigenous-led tourism.

1. Tombstone Territorial Park (YT)
   • Distance: 10 km (Grizzly Lake Trail)
   • Why Go: Arctic tundra and caribou herds.
   • Support Local: Book a Vuntut Gwitchin cultural tour (Dawson City).
2. Aurora Mountain Trail (NT)
   • Distance: 4 km
   • Why Go: Northern Lights until April!
   • Stay Local: Blachford Lake Lodge (Indigenous-owned).
3. Ivvavik National Park (YT)
   • Distance: Varies (fly-in)
   • Why Go: Pristine rivers and muskoxen.
   • Charter Local: Flights via Yukon Air (pilot-owned).

How to Hike & Help

Book Indigenous Guides, companies like Tundra North Tours offer great local tours. Try skipping the chains for food and drinks, instead buy coffee at Jumping Bean (NL) or at Cloudburst Café (BC). Buy park passes, fees maintain trails and protect wildlife. Canada’s trails are lifelines for remote towns, Indigenous guides, and wild spaces. Whether you’re sipping tea in the Rockies or dodging sheep in Newfoundland, every coffee bought, guide hired, or lodge booked keeps Canada’s adventures alive. So hike hard, spend wisely, and explore Canadian beauty.