Favourite walking trails in every province

If adventure had a home address, it would be Canada. We have 37 national parks and 92 provincial parks, and the Trans Canada Trail stretches for more than 28,000 kilometres across interconnected nature paths, water routes and roadways, forming the world’s most expansive trail network.

Walking outdoors on trails is a simple way to boost your physical activity, connect with others and soak up the calming benefits of nature — all of which support your heart and brain health.  Whether you want to wander through an urban oasis, stroll by the ocean or take in sweeping mountain vistas, we’ve got trail suggestions for you across Canada. So, lace up your hiking boots, get outside and explore! 

Newfoundland and Labrador

East Coast Trail: Connecting 30 coastal communities, Newfoundland’s 336 kilometres of developed hiking trails lead you past towering cliffs, headlands, lighthouses, icebergs, sea stacks, deep fjords and a natural wave-driven geyser called The Spout. Along the way, you’ll also find two active archaeological dig sites and a 50-metre suspension bridge.

Prince Edward Island

Black Marsh Nature Trail: On the northwest tip of the Island, this 3.5-kilometre boardwalk trail welcomes walkers of all abilities, including those with mobility challenges. As you make your way along the coast, you’ll get up close and personal with the renowned red cliffs that mark the Island’s coastline and take in the views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If you time your walk for low tide, you may even be able to enjoy some beach time.

Rotary Friendship Park: The trail system in this 64-acre park is primarily a flat, groomed gravel surface. Weave through the woods and you’re likely to spot some of the Island’s native woodland creatures.

Nova Scotia

Cape to Cape Trail: Nova Scotia’s first long distance footpath winds through shaded forests and opens onto breathtaking views of the coast. Spanning more than 400 kilometres, this trail links two scenic lookoffs across four counties, with routes ranging from gentle walks to challenging hikes.

Point Pleasant Park: In the heart of Halifax’s downtown, Point Pleasant Park offers 75 hectares of wooded trails with 39 kilometres of easy, wide paths — many wheelchair accessible — leading to forest lookouts and views across the harbour.

New Brunswick

Fundy Trail Provincial Park: This multi-use trail follows the breathtaking coastline of the Bay of Fundy all the way to Long Beach — a previously inaccessible gem — and includes over 35 kilometres of hiking and biking paths, coastal lookouts, beaches, waterfalls and a 60-metre suspension bridge leading to the Fundy Footpath. 

Harbour Passage: Explore Saint John and its history via this series of beautifully landscaped interconnected pathways with lookouts and heritage panels that welcome walkers, runners and cyclists.

Quebec

Mont Saint-Hilaire: Just 30 minutes outside Montreal, this mountain park offers more than 25 kilometres of trails. Accessible to everyone, with challenges for those who tackle the summit, this is a perfect spot for a family picnic.

SEPAQ: This network of parks offers more than 200 trails across the province of Quebec for an affordable fee, ranging from beginner to expert terrain. One of the most beautiful is the Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay, where you can hike along the spectacular coastline. Early in the morning or at sunset, you might even spot some beluga whales.

Ontario

Bruce Trail: Starting in Tobermory, the trail winds through 900 kilometres of natural beauty along the Niagara Escarpment. The crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay make for some of Canada’s best diving. Park your car at access points and hike into popular attractions such as the Grotto, Flowerpot Island or Halfway Log Dump. These trails wind through rugged trees and open up into breathtaking scenery of cliffs and open water.

Algonquin Provincial Park: Not just for camping, the park is a great destination for family day trips, with more than a dozen walking and biking trails that take you through shaded forests and rocky ridges, offering myriad lakeside views. Wildlife is part of the experience too, so bring your binoculars to look out for moose, beavers, turtles and more than 270 species of birds. 

Manitoba

South St. Vital Trail: A favourite spot for both walkers and cyclists, this seven-kilometre trail runs along the Red River in South Winnipeg. It features recreational sites that are seasonally converted for you to enjoy year-round. Playgrounds become toboggan slides, picnic areas become groomed cross-country skiing trails, and a beloved duck pond becomes a skating rink.

Transcona Trail: This multi-use asphalt path is popular with walkers, cyclists, dog owners and nature enthusiasts. Follow the 6.7-kilometre pathway and enjoy the six parks it connects in the area. You can explore a historic train park, natural limestone trails, untouched marshland, an off-leash dog-park and George Olive Park — a 16-acre wetland conservatory with ponds and waterfowl.

Saskatchewan

Wakamow Valley: This urban park, just minutes from downtown Moose Jaw, offers 20 kilometres of well-maintained trails through over 500 acres of river valley green space. The paths follow the Moose Jaw River and connect to a range of natural areas, including wetlands, wooded sections and open viewpoints. The trail network is accessible year-round and suitable for walkers of all abilities.

The Meewasin Trail: Part of the Trans Canada Trail, this trail winds through 20 kilometres in Saskatoon, under bridges and through parks and nature areas along both sides of the South Saskatchewan River. The trails are used for walking, jogging and cycling year-round, plus cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

Alberta

River Valley: It’s the longest stretch of urban parkland in Canada, located in Edmonton’s downtown core. The River Valley is home to 150 kilometres of trails and 22 major parks. It’s perfect for joggers, cyclists, cross country skiers or those who like to take a walk through nature’s wild beauty, without having to leave the city, year-round.

Grassi Lakes Trail: It’s the perfect family hike destination. The trail winds past a waterfall where it eventually leads you to two incredible turquoise lakes. With every step, make sure to take in the panoramic views of Canmore. Whether you’re craving a short, easy trail or a steep, wooded ascent to the lake, this dynamic trail has it all.

British Columbia

Lynn Canyon Park: Close to downtown Vancouver and highly accessible, this hidden paradise is a great place for a stroll through the forest or a challenging uphill trek. Pick from the park’s many trails, including those that take you across the suspension bridge, over the Twin Waterfalls or to the Thirty Foot Pool.

Forests for the World: A Prince George must-see, Forests for the World is an easy hike with forest habitats at every turn, where you might spot wildlife such as long-toed salamanders, pileated woodpeckers and garter snakes. From the top, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of mountains, forests and the city.