Surrounded by the Purcell and Rocky mountains and situated at the confluence of the mighty Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers, Golden is an outdoor adventure hub. With as many as six national parks within reach, there’s no shortage of places to explore nearby.
Newfoundland’s wild west coast is a place of rugged shorelines, dramatic mountain scenery and authentic fishing communities, where a rich mix of cultural influences has helped shape some of the friendliest people you’ll meet anywhere in Canada. Western Newfoundland is made for road trips, with long scenic drives along the coast, excellent hiking trails and fascinating historic sites to explore along the way.
For a cozy fall getaway in the Canadian Rockies, Golden ticks all the boxes and then some. Stunning fall colours, authentic mountain town vibes, inviting places to stay and plenty of things to do, all where towering peaks, rivers and national parks converge.
The Long Range Traverse is Gros Morne National Park’s premier backpacking experience, but it’s far from a typical hiking trail. In fact, it’s not a trail at all, but rather a rugged route across the beautiful yet unforgiving Long Range plateau. That said, for experienced backpackers who are comfortable navigating off-trail and dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, the Long Range Traverse offers a chance to explore one of the wildest parts of this spectacular national park.
The Rim Trail is one of British Columbia’s best one-day hikes. Stunning vistas, interesting rock formations, azure lakes, moderate difficulty hiking and the potential to see mountain goats….what more could you want?
Cathedral Provincial Park is one of BC’s most underrated protected areas. The core area of the park sits entirely above 2000m and is traversed by a network of impressive hiking trails with views of mountain peaks, geological formations, alpine lakes and more. Reached on foot and by shuttle, a wide range of visitors can enjoy a backcountry experience.
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, stretching across almost 11,000 square kilometres of spectacular mountains, glaciers, valleys, forests, waterfalls and lakes. Discover the best things to do in Jasper in the summer months, the best time for alpine hiking, wildflowers, wildlife watching, scenic drives and more.
The Skyline Trail is Jasper National Park’s highest and most famous backpacking path. Over half of the 44km route is above treeline, treating hikers to wide open views of seemingly endless wildflower meadows and some seriously impressive peaks.
The Duffey Lake Road, part of Highway 99, connects two distinctive communities, each with its own unique character and surrounded by dramatically different landscapes. Along the way, enjoy views of turquoise lakes and rivers, snow-capped peaks, vast glaciers and waterfalls. This post shares our favourite stops along Highway 99 between Lillooet and Pemberton, from hiking trails and campgrounds to roadside viewpoints and day use areas.
Dreaming of a mountain escape in the Canadian Rockies, away from the crowds? Then I have a suggestion for you – Kananaskis Country, specifically, a stay at Skyridge Glamping. This is the ideal base from which to explore – only 100km from Calgary (closer than Banff!) and yet in the midst of the peaks, with hiking trailheads just minutes away.
Kootenay National Park is one of the lesser-known parks in the Canadian Rockies, yet its northern boundary lies just 30 minutes drive from Banff townsite. It also has some of the most distinctive features of any of the Rockies parks.
Just a short drive south of Penticton, the Peach Cliff hike is short, rewarding and surprisingly interesting. The panoramic views span Vaseux Lake and McIntyre Bluff, stretch across Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake, and reach all the way to Penticton. As locals, this is one of our favourite trails for a quick early morning summer hike, before the heat sets in.
Part wine tour, part fun run, timing isn’t everything for the Half Corked Marathon. In fact, timing isn’t even recorded, with the warning that ‘if you come first, you’ve actually lost.’
Mountains, ocean and rainforest meet in Prince Rupert, Northwestern BC. Over 16 hours drive from Vancouver (or less than 2 hours by plane), this small city is a gateway to both the Pacific and untamed wilderness. It is also Canada’s rainiest – or, as I prefer, the one with the most rainbows!
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR) is one of southern BC’s best assets. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the KVR Trail, find the best sections to explore or pick up a few trip planning tips, this guide has you covered.
For many travellers, the drive from Victoria to Nanaimo is seen as a simple 90-minute trip between Vancouver Island’s two largest cities. But there’s far more to this route than just getting from A to B. Speeding along Highway 1 means skipping past countless worthwhile stops, such as one of BC’s best provincial parks and the world’s largest outdoor collection of totem poles.
There’s no shortage of incredible sights and scenery to see in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and coastal Quebec. While iconic spots like Peggy’s Cove, Gros Morne National Park, Toronto and Hopewell Rocks often take the spotlight, there are so many hidden gems as well. Here are our top picks!
Visiting Tofino during storm season offers can be an exhilarating experience, whether you choose to witness the ferocious weather from the beach or a hot tub. Here’s everything you need to know!
Over the past decade, the backcountry has taught me more than any guidebook ever could. The reality is, our early backpacking and multi-day paddling adventures were full of missteps. Behind the scenes of 10+ years of outdoor adventure, featuring the mistakes and unexpected events that taught us what really matters on the trail.
Snowbird Pass is the most popular day hike from Berg Lake and it’s easy to see why. With spectacular alpine scenery from start to finish, this trail is about the journey as much as the destination. Huge glaciers, lush alpine meadows, marmots, mountain goats and more!