Hikes in Canada
Canada is perhaps the ultimate adventure holiday destination, with huge national parks, towering mountain ranges, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and lush forests. If you’re looking for a real experience in the Great Outdoors, Canada certainly won’t disappoint. The world’s second-largest country, Canada has enough awe-inspiring sights to satisfy even the most enthusiastic nature lovers!
Spreading across the top of North America, and extending all the way into the Arctic, Canada is home to an abundance of rare and wonderful wildlife. Travelers here must share the land with a whole host of creatures, including moose, bears, mountain lions, and wild Canadian geese, and if you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some of these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat. Indeed, it’s Canada’s wildness that attracts many visitors – it’s one of the only places in the world where you can really escape from it all and immerse yourself in nature.
Canada’s most popular regions for adventure travel are Alberta and British Columbia, home to the Canadian Rockies and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. Come here for hiking, backpacking, climbing, scrambling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and much more! Whether you want to dip your toes in a crisp alpine lake or trek along some of the most exhilarating ridge walks in the Rockies, there’s something for everyone here.
Canada is so huge, and the possibilities for adventure travel so vast, it can be difficult to know where to start! To help you plan your journey, we’ve put together guides to all the best regions for adventure travel in Alberta and British Columbia. You’ll find activity guides, tour recommendations, and top tips for planning a trip – all you need to do is decide where to go first!
25 Greatest Hikes in Canada
Why not explore the diverse scenery of Nevada on a hiking adventure? With plenty of options to choose from, you can hike through the desert for some peace and tranquility on the Calico Loop Trail, or you can wander the snow capped mountains of Red Rock Canyon National Park.
- Plain of Six Glaciers: This hike remains a classic in Banff National Park, traversing around stunning Lake Louise, past the famed tea house and breathtaking glacier views.
- Golden Ears: Find this popular trail within Golden Ears Provincial Park, as you attempt this two-day long hike through some of the toughest terrain for rewarding views.
- Emerald Basin: This serene trail weaves around an iconic green lake, taking in glaciers, waterfalls and mountainous peaks.
- Opal Hills Hike: This underrated trail is a moderately challenging, but immensely rewarding climb. Follow the path as it undulates up and down through blooming meadows and craggy peaks. This remains one of the best hikes in all of Jasper.
- Peyto Lake: This azure blue lake often makes it to the top of every Rocky Mountain hiking trip itinerary. With stunning views over the entire lake, this family-friendly hike is one you won’t forget anytime soon.
- Crystal Falls: This gentle trail snakes around glistening Upper Coquitlam River for a picturesque hike. Continue through scenic and shaded woodlands before spotting stunning Crystal Falls waterfall off in the distance and canyon pools to cool-off in during the summer months.
- Moraine Lake Hike: Perfect for inexperienced hikers, this quick out and back trail offers lookout points over crystal clear Moraine Lake. Be forewarned though, this trail is incredibly popular so get here early to snag a parking spot!
- Burstall Pass: If you’re looking to hike in Alberta during the fall season, Burstall Pass is the perfect place to spot larches. Those experienced enough to scramble will enjoy the thrill of conquering Snow Peak!
- Paradise Valley Circuit: This is a local favourite hike in the Lake Louise area, where hikers venture past pristine lakes, flowing waterfalls and a challenging scree ascent.
- Kokanee Glacier Cabin: This epic hike makes for a great overnight trip with older children to experience the magic of the Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Snuggle up in a cabin overnight, then spend the next day exploring the surrounding wildflower fields and wilderness.
- Toe of the Athabasca Glacier: If you’re looking to skip the expensive tours, traverse the Toe of Athabasca Glacier trail to get up close to the icy mammoth for free. The views are amazing and the trail is well-graded and family-friendly, offering fun for all!
- Panorama Ridge Hike: Making for an ideal long day or multi-day hike, this trail will provide ridge views you’ll never forget. Prepare for lots of switchbacks, wildflower fields and alpine meadows on this unforgettable adventure.
- Sarrail Ridge via Rawson Lake: We won’t lie, this hike is quite the challenge, but once you reach Sarrail Ridge, it will all be worth it to look out over the entirety of the Rocky Mountains. This summit should only be attempted by experienced hikers.
- Lake O'Hara All Souls Route: This is one of the standout hikes located directly in the Canadian Rocky Mountains! This circuit trail passes beautiful lakes and amazing views from the ridgeline, all kept pristine by the limited access to the trail.
- Stanley Glacier: Located in Kootenay National Park, there are plenty of pretty spectacular trails to be found, but Stanley Glacier is our favourite for its spectacular views, alpine picnic meadows, cascading waterfalls and of course, the glacier!
- Tent Ridge Horseshoe: One of the most popular hikes in the Kananaskis Country area, this is a can’t miss hike! With multiple peaks, this trail is perfect for hikers who love to scramble, offering rewarding views and even better pictures.
- Tunnel Bluffs: This scenic hike is relatively easy, but rewards with amazing views over Howe Sound and the surrounding islands. It also makes for an ideal spot for a sundowner picnic.
- Mount Loki: Prepare for an incredible challenging feat at Mount Loki, the highest peak seen from the highway between Nelson and Kaslo. This mountain is only to be hiked during the summer season and offers 360 degree views as far as the eye can see.
- Heart Mountain Horseshoe: Get your heart pumping on the aptly named Heart Mountain Horseshoe hike in Canmore. This circuit is not overly difficult, but it does require some technical skill and a bit of scrambling if that’s your thing!
- Upper Myra Falls: For an easy, but beautiful hike in Strathcona Park, check out Upper Myra Falls. With well-paved trails spanning through old growth forest, this stroller-friendly trail makes for a quick, but adventurous day spent in nature.
- Lineham Ridge: This out and back trail should be at the top of your bucket list, snaking through creeks, forests and meadows to bring you to a jaw dropping ridgeline with panoramic views of Rowe Valley, Rowe Lakes, and Lineham Lakes.
- Joffre Lakes: Tucked away just past Pemberton, you’ll find a hike winding past multiple stunning alpine lakes--Joffre Lakes. Find picturesque picnic spots and stunning views of the magnificent Matier Glacier in Whistler.
- Brandywine Falls: For an ideal day hike from Whistler Village, this easy, gentle hike is popular among trail runners and families alike all looking to spot the cascading waterfall.
- Garibaldi Lake: This is a favourite hike in Whistler for its colourful, kool-aid blue lake. With steady switchbacks for most of the trail, this will get your legs burning and heart pumping!
- Citadel Pass: While on a hiking holiday in Banff, the Sunshine Meadows to Citadel Pass trail is not to be missed. Pass by wildflower fields, scenic lakes and eventually panoramic views while enjoying some steep elevation gains.
When is the Best Time to Hike in Canada
Canada is a truly outstanding all-year-round destination with amazing hikes to enjoy regardless of season (yes, even in the winter!). While temperatures are more pleasant in the shoulder seasons, spring and fall, the winter season brings a whole new scenery with snow blanketing the trails. In the summer, hikers can enjoy plenty of lake dips to cool down on hot days and bursting wildflower fields, but trails can be busy and overrun with tourists.
Best Regions to Hike in Canada
There are countless stunning regions to hike in Canada, but we did our best to narrow it down to just a few of our favourites (though it’s always changing!). In Alberta, Banff National Park is a local favourite and for good reason, we never tire of the rockies. Jasper is a bucket list location, with its stunning landscape of lakes, mountains and glaciers. The Kananaskis Trail falls at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies and is a lesser-known region, making it quieter and more serene. Castle Provincial Park is new, but growing in popularity for its fascinating archaeological and historically significant sites. And Waterton Lakes is tucked away where the prairies meet the Rocky Mountains and home to a bit of everything.
Over in British Columbia, Kootenay National Park forms one of seven parks that connects the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. Yoho National Park is often overlooked, but is an adventure enthusiasts dream with options for hiking, biking, or skiing. In Whistler, this iconic ski destination offers fantastic training trails and is just a quick drive from Vancouver. Strathcona Provincial Park is tucked away on Vancouver Island remains a bit of a hidden gem, we won’t tell if you won’t! Finally, Vancouver’s North Shore isn’t to be missed, with stunning beach fronts and challenging trails.
Other Activities in Canada
Canada is an adventure paradise, with plenty of activities to choose from, regardless of season or skill level! From XC skiing in Banff National Park, to testing your scrambling skills in Castle Provincial Park, to backpacking through Kootenay National Park, to snowshoeing in the hills of Kananaskis Country, there are plenty of chances to get outdoors and enjoy that crisp Canadian alpine air.
Canada's Adventure Tours
If you’d rather skip the headache of planning your own trip, why not let 10Adventures help? With our wide-range of tours in Canada, all you have to do is pack your bag—the rest is taken care of! From immersing yourself in the stunning scenery of the Rocky Mountains to paddling the waters of the Yukon, our 10Adventure tour options are guaranteed to be epic and worry-free.
How to Plan a Trip to Canada
Convinced you need to explore the natural beauty of Canada while hiking? We’ve got you covered with our complete guides on planning a trip to plenty of areas across Canada, outlining the best spots for food and a pint (or two), cozy hotels, and fun activities to fill your day. From Squamish, to The West Kootenays, to Kananaskis Country, to Strathcona Provincial Park, to Whistler, to Victoria, to Castle Provincial Park, to Waterton Lakes National Park, to Banff, to Jasper, to Kananaskis Country—we took out all the guesswork, leaving more time for daydreaming.
Hiking regions in Canada
Best Hikes in Canada
Dewar Creek Hot Springs
The trek to the Dewar Creek Hot Springs follows a 19.2 km out-and-back hiking route that heads into the backcountry alongside Dewar Creek to eventually arrive at a series of relaxing thermal pools. The trail largely passes through sections of heavy forest and subalpine meadow with some scenic views of the surrounding Purcell Mountains. The route traverses some undulating terrain that is a bit overgrown but fairly easy to navigate, making this a great option for casual and experienced hikers that are looking for a longer hike with a nice reward at the end.
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William Hawrelak Park Riverside trail
Spending a few hours exploring Edmonton’s south central green space on the William Hawrelak Park Riverside Trail is a great way to take in some nature in the city. The trail travels alongside the North Saskatchewan River and through the park that is popular for picnicking, golf, events, and other recreational activities. The park is open year-round and the trail is easy to complete even in the brisk winter months.
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Three Brothers Mountain Trail
The Three Brothers Mountain Trail is a 20.4 km out-and-back route that climbs gradually through a scenic alpine meadow on the way to its namesake mountain peak. Along the trail, hikers will see amazing wildflowers within the picturesque valley before making the final ascent along the ridgeline. Here, you will experience 360° panoramic views over the mountains that straddle the Canada-United States border. If you are looking for a fairly easy hike with amazing alpine views, then the Three Brothers Mountain Trail should certainly be at the top of your list.
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Mount Swansea Double Peak Loop
The Mount Swansea Double Peak Loop is a challenging hiking route just outside of Invermere, BC, that will take you on an uphill climb to a scenic viewpoint at the summit. From the top of the mountain, you will be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views across the Columbia Valley and down into the city of Invermere. If you are looking for an extra challenge, try hiking this route in a counterclockwise direction up the steep south ridge trail.
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Knox Mountain via Apex Trail
Take a break from the rolling vineyards and the sandy beaches for a short hike to a stunning view of Okanagan Lake and downtown Kelowna flanked by soaring hills. The best part is that you can create your own adventure, thanks to the network of trails carved around this area. Follow the standard Knox Mountain via Apex Trail out-and-back route or continue onward to create a loop and amp up your heart rate!
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Trent Falls
The hike to Trent Falls makes use of a 2.1 km out-and-back trail that follows closely alongside the Trent River to arrive at a beautiful cascading waterfall. Although the trail is perfectly suited for hikers of most skill levels, access to the falls requires navigating a slightly steep section of trail that might slow travel, as there are rope installations to help with the descent. Even so, this is a fantastic family-friendly adventure that will allow you to explore the temperate rainforest landscapes around Courtenay.
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Murtle Lagoon
The Murtle Lagoon trail is a 4.6 km out-and-back hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that will take you through a charming stretch of forest terrain to the edge of a small lagoon that is popular with water sports enthusiasts. The trail is well-maintained and made up of east-going terrain, making it a suitable route for hikers of all skill levels. For those looking to spend a few days camping in the area, try heading a little further west to get to the Murtle Lagoon North and South campgrounds.
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Christie Falls Trail
The trek to Christie Falls follows a 6.8 km lollipop hiking route just outside of Ladysmith, BC, that leads you through the rainforest to a scenic waterfall. Along the trail, you will pass by large mature trees as you experience the natural beauty and thick foliage of the West Coast temperate rainforest atmosphere before arriving at the cascading falls. This trail is perfect for a fun day of exploring the wilderness and is suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
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CPR Trail
The CPR Trail is a challenging but ultra scenic hiking route to the east of Port Alberni that will take you uphill for some amazing views across the picturesque Vancouver Island landscape. While out on the trail, you will make your way uphill through the forest along McBey Creek and utilize several rope climbs to reach a stunning lookout. Although it is a rugged adventure, this trail is very well maintained, making it a pleasant - if tough - hike on the island.
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Avatar Grove Nature Trail
The Avatar Grove Nature Trail is a 1.6 km lollipop hiking route north of Port Renfrew on the west coast of Vancouver Island that will take you through a scenic stretch of old-growth forest. Along this two-part trail, hikers can expect to pass through breathtaking sections of forest with mammoth, moss-covered trees and a vibrant green forest floor covered with ferns. Don’t forget to explore the western half of the route for the chance to visit the knotty and twisted frame of a giant cedar known as ‘Canada’s gnarliest tree’.
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Nub Peak from Assiniboine Lodge Hike
The trail to Nub Peak from Assiniboine Lodge is a fantastic hike that will lead you up to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the dramatic landscape of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Although summiting a peak in the park may seem daunting, this trail isn’t overly difficult for the quality of scenery that you will receive. While on the trail, you will have a great sightline to Mount Assiniboine to the south, as well as a number of other peaks and lakes below.
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Mount Steele Hike
The Mount Steele trail is a 19.6 km out-and-back hiking route in Tetrahedron Provincial Park that will take you up to the summit for some breathtaking views that stretch northwest to the Tantalus Range. Although the route has a large elevation gain, this is spread throughout the hike, making for a lengthy but not overly difficult trek up the mountain. Along the trail, you will experience an amazing old-growth forest setting, as well as views of Edwards Lake and the surrounding mountain peaks.
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Lookout Trail
Hiking the Lookout Trail is a great outdoor experience in Algonquin Provincial Park, thanks to its short overall distance and breathtaking views that sweep across the landscape. While out on the trail, you will make your way along a short loop that climbs uphill at a steady pace until you reach the lookout atop a bluff. Here, you will experience a great sightline across the countless trees and lakes that make the park such a beautiful place to visit. Try hiking this trail during the autumn, when the vast expanse of green trees shift to a myriad of yellow, orange, and red hues.
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Pretty River Loop Trail
The Pretty River Loop Trail is a fantastic hiking route near Collingwood that will lead you through the beautiful terrain that can be found within Pretty River Valley Provincial Park. While out hiking this trail, you will make your way along the winding banks of the Pretty River before climbing uphill to one of the high points along the Niagara Escarpment for some amazing views overlooking the picturesque Grey County landscape. Try timing this hike for late-April to May when the trilliums along the trail are in bloom.
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High Park Trail
Hiking the High Park Trail is a wonderful experience in the west end of Toronto that will expose you to a vast area of woodland terrain that serves as a retreat for many people to escape the hectic environment of the city. While out walking the trail, you will make your way through mature forests, experience views across serene bodies of water, and pass by a number of well-maintained gardens and recreation spaces. Although this trail is certainly accessible year-round, the best time to visit High Park is during the April to May window, when the Japanese cherry trees in the park reveal their picturesque pink blossoms.
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Queenston Heights via Bruce Trail
The Queenston Heights via Bruce Trail Hike is a fun adventure in Niagara Falls that will provide a bit of respite from the tourists and allow you to reconnect with nature. The trail sets out from Queenston Heights Park and leads you through a wonderful stretch of woodland terrain along the escarpment. This route is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon outdoors while getting some exercise in a peaceful setting.
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Lundbom Lake Loop
The Lundbom Lake Loop is a 15.1 km hiking circuit within the Sugarloaf Mountain Bike Trail Recreation Site that sets out from the edge of the lake and traverses a beautiful grassland landscape filled with rolling hills. With easily traversable terrain, breathtaking scenery, and access to numerous other routes, this is a fantastic hiking option for both casual and experienced hikers alike. This trail is popular with hikers, mountain bike enthusiasts, and horseback riders, so make sure to pay attention when out on the trail and provide enough space for others to pass.
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Coliseum Mountain
Prepare for a demanding day hike at the Coliseum Mountain. But those who dare this hike will reap high rewards, with striking, panoramic views overlooking Mount Burwell, Burwell Lake and Cathedral Mountain to the north.
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Sea to Summit Trail
The Sea to Summit hike takes you to the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola - from there you can enjoy a beer at the lodge and take the gondola down. It’s a steep hike and often done by locals for a workout. Hike up, and gondola down to save the knees.
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Jug Island
The Jug Island hike is an easy walk for the whole family through fresh-smelling cedar forests, up the spine of the peninsula. Pass by both Belcarra and Bedwell Bays, where clear, glistening water entices hikers in for a refreshing dip.
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