Your soundscape may be surf breaking on the beach, the white noise of a cascading waterfall or wind swishing through the pines. Or when trekking along one of these five Canadian coastal hikes, all three at the same time:
East Coast Trail, Newfoundland and Labrador: It may be the most well known, but not all coastal hiking in Canada is on Vancouver Island, BC. There’s plenty to choose from in the Atlantic provinces. On the coast of Canada’s wonderfully exotic easternmost province, Newfoundland and Labrador, there’s 220 km (137 mi) of developed trail running from Fort Amherst (on St. John's harbour) south to Cappahayden. Plans are to develop an additional 320 km (199 mi) by 2016. Hikers can spend days to weeks on the trail.
www.trailconnections.ca
Pukaskwa Coastal Trail, Ontario: Sometimes referred to as the “Third Coast,” the Great Lakes are actually the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the world—so vast that they can appear to be oceans. This roughly 60-km (37-mi) trail runs along the northern edge of Lake Superior in Pukaskwa National Park, northern Ontario, from Hattie Cove to North Swallow River. The path, which meanders through boreal forest and over the rolling granite of the Canadian Shield, can be obscured by windfall and washouts. Seven nights is a relaxed pace on the rough trail.
www.canadatrails.ca/hiking/on/pukaskwa.htm
West Coast Trail, British Columbia: The internationally renowned classic stretches between Port Renfrew and Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The 77-km (48-mi) stretch traversed by trails, ladders and cable cars regularly makes it onto top 10 lists of best hikes around the world. Although hikers regularly tramp through faster, seven nights is a good length of time to savour the trail.
www.clubtread.org/wctrail.htm, www.seatoskyexpeditions.com
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, British Columbia: For those unable or unwilling to secure a reservation on the neighbouring West Coast Trail or looking to do just a day trip, this free option travels very similar country (albeit with less old-growth forest). There are multiple access points along the 47-km (29-mi) track from Botanical Beach to China Beach near Port Renfrew and Jordan River respectively. Many take four nights to travel its entire length. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/juan_de_fuca/hiking.html#hiking
North Coast Trail, British Columbia: This freshly opened extension to the Cape Scott Trail on the northern tip of Vancouver Island through Cape Scott Provincial Park promises to join its famous older brother in the pantheon of coastal classics. You can take a water taxi to the start (or end) of the 60-km (37-mi) trail in Shushartie Bay near Port Hardy and get a land shuttle to or from San Josef Bay. Less rough than the West Coast Trail, five nights gives ample time enjoy the trek. www.northernvancouverislandtrailssociety.com
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5 March 2010
@ 10:44am
Hey guys, you’re absolutely right. I did skew heavily toward the west (not for lack of pressure to do otherwise from my editor at the CTC, but being a BC boy it’s sometimes difficult for me to look past the Rockies). My bad. I know that there’s some mind-blowing country ‘out East’ and I promise to give it better coverage in the future.
4 March 2010
@ 9:19am
Three hikes in BC and two other Canadian hikes?
There are many extraordinary coastal hikes you missed in Bay of Fundy, including the Fundy Trail, Fundy National Park, Grand Manan Island all in New Brunswick as well as Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Five Islands Park, Cape Split on Nova Scotia side of Bay of Fundy. Maybe next time?
1 March 2010
@ 2:37pm
I realize the CTC is located in the West but disappointed that three of the five suggestions here are all from BC. And as an Ontario resident I think it is a bit of a stretch to be considered anywhere near coastal??
Would have liked to see more representation of the incredibly rich and diverse Atlantic Coast included. From Forillion National Park (Gaspe, Que), down New Brunswick's stunning Acadian/Fundy Coast (the only Canadian spot to make the running for Natural Wonder of the World designation)...and through to the Cape Breton trail. So many natural treasures in the East. On second thought, perhaps it is best that the country's best kept coastal secrets remain that way.
27 February 2010
@ 9:05am
I'm really happy to see you've included Pukaskwa. Ask the average Ontarian even if he/she knows this park and it will likely draw a blank. Dramatic Lake Superior coast line along trail. Perfect for landscape photogs.