The World’s Longest Recreational Trail is in Canada—Here’s How to Explore it
Spanning coast to coast to coast, the Trans Canada Trail is ideal for cycling, paddling or walking leisurely in nature. With warmer weather just around the corner, exploring the Trail is the perfect way to get outside.
Adventures from Coastlines to Forests
From the Atlantic to the Pacific, and way up north to the Arctic Ocean, the Trans Canada Trail stretches nearly 30,000 kilometres, earning the title of the world’s longest recreational multi-use trail network.
It winds through every province and territory, connecting thousands of communities, from major cities like Halifax and Vancouver to tiny villages including St. Martins on the Bay of Fundy and Elora, where you’ll find the 47-kilometre Elora Cataract Trailway. The Trail reflects Canada’s geographic and cultural breadth, with opportunities to engage with Indigenous history and living cultures along the way. In Winnipeg, it passes through The Forks National Historic Site, home to the Oodena Celebration Circle, where sculptures, interpretive signage and a ceremonial firepit honour the site’s centuries-long role in trade and diplomacy.
With diverse terrain comprised of roughly 77 percent land routes and 23 percent waterways, the Trans Canada Trail is a mosaic of trail types creating year-round opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling, paddling or switching to skis or snowshoes in winter. Some sections follow flat rail trails past farmland, while others cut through forests or mountainous landscapes. In some regions, waterways form paddle-only routes, while urban paths connect neighbourhoods, parks and waterfronts. With terrain ranging from gentle greenways to rugged backcountry routes, the Trail supports everything from short outings to multi-day adventures for all ages and abilities.
Your Local Trail Could Be the Gateway to a National Adventure
In many regions, the Trans Canada Trail is part of local recreation networks, so you don’t need a cross-country expedition to experience it. About 80 percent of Canadians live within 30 minutes of the Trail. Use this map to find the Trail section nearest you.
In British Columbia, the 105-kilometre Sea to Sky Trail between Squamish and Pemberton forms part of the Trans Canada Trail and draws multi-day bikepackers, hikers and cross-country skiers, where shoreline, forested valleys and mountaintops create a dramatic urban-to-alpine transition.
Farther north, the Millennium Trail in Whitehorse traces the Yukon River with a five-kilometre paved loop open to walkers, runners and cyclists. Meanwhile, the 23.2-kilometre Les sentiers Mirabel in Quebec invites outdoor lovers to explore the landscapes of the Laurentides region by horseback.
Along the nearly 1,000-kilometre paddle-only Lake Superior Water Trail, canoers and kayakers pass granite cliffs, cobble beaches and sheltered bays with backcountry camping along much of the shoreline. Don’t miss the rock paintings created centuries ago by the Ojibwe using red ochre, depicting spiritual figures and mythical creatures at Agawa Rock in Lake Superior Provincial Park.
Local trail and community groups across the country care for each section, keeping routes maintained and accessible, so we can continue finding moments in nature that support wellbeing, whether on a weekend walk, a multi-day bike trip or a peaceful paddle. Support the Trans Canada Trail today and help sustain a nationwide network that welcomes every adventurer.
This article was sponsored by Trans Canada Trail
Trans Canada Trail is a national charity that advocates, stewards and champions Canada’s nationwide trail system, providing leadership and guidance, funding and resources, outreach and engagement.
