Many people dream of going on a backpacking adventure someday; usually in popular places like Europe, Australia or South America. But people often forget that Canada is also a spectacular place for backpacking, with its diverse landforms and scenic trails.
READ ALSO: Justin Trudeau Is Making Some People Wish They Were Canadian So Bad
Here are 13 extraordinary places to go backpacking across Canada:
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
British Columbia
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a gorgeous hike along the southwestern side of Vancouver Island. Throughout the 47 km trail are several access points that allow you to customize your hike to your liking. Hikers will see beautiful beaches, forests and cliffs on this trail.
@trail_rangerSea to Sky Trail
British Columbia
The Sea to Sky Trail is a winding trail that stretches from Squamish through Whistler and then to the D'Arcy area. Spectacular vantage points can be accessed along the 150-km trail that overlook the British Columbian landscape. Currently, the trail is being developed and only the section from Squamish and past Whistler is available for public use.
@cazrandsWest Coast Trail
British Columbia
The West Coast Trail is probably Canada's most iconic backpacking location. The 75-km trail runs along the coast of Vancouver Island through Pacific Rim National Park and is suited more for seasoned hikers. It is accessible by reservation and spots are limited, so it would be best to book as early as possible.
@danielle.bakerBanff and Jasper
Alberta
Banff National Park has an extensive trails system that is 1,600-km long, collectively. The trails connect to other Canadian Rocky Mountain parks, including Mount Assiniboine, Mount Robson,, Yoho, Kootenay, and Hamber Provincial Park. There are also several backcountry campgrounds available in the park.
@ryanresatkaBon Echo
Ontario
Bon Echo Provincial Park is home to the Abes and Essen Trail, which consists of three overlapping loops. Altogether, they take around 12.5 hours to complete and provide amazing panoramic views of the park's lake landscapes.
@fizzixfunLa Cloche Silhouette
Ontario
The La Cloche Silhouette Trail in Killarney Provincial Park is a 100-km long trail that can take up to ten days to complete. It includes several portions of forest, as well as paths along the ridge of the La Cloche Mountains. This site is also popular among campers and canoeists.
@ashtimlinMont Megantic
Quebec
Mont Megantic Park sits by the St. Lawrence River and consists of 70 km of trails. Beautiful views of the Quebec landscape can be seen along this trail, and there are multiple campsites available for campers to use.
@anneelisabethmThe Fundy Circuit
New Brunswick
The Fundy Circuit in Fundy National Park has over 100 km of hiking and backpacking trails that can take up to five days to complete. The trails run just outside of Moncton and meander through places like Big Salmon River and the Bay of Fundy.
@candicelangilleEast Coast Trail
Newfoundland and Labrador
The East Coast Trail is an 200-km journey from St. John's to Cappahayden for expert hikers. Located in the Avalon Peninsula, it features stunning views of a lush boreal forest and the rugged ridges of the Atlantic coastline.
@ambie06Canol Heritage Trail
Northwest Territories/Nunavut
The Canol Heritage Trail is one of the world's most isolated trails, so it definitely would be more suited for advanced hikers. Running from Macmillian Pass in the Yukon through a number of mountain ranges in the Northwest Territories, the trail features everything from river crossings, bears, and barren (but beautiful) landscapes.
@outpostmagazineChilkoot Trail
Yukon
The Chilkoot Trail is another expert trail in Canada's north that takes around three to five days to complete. It runs through parts of the Yukon, British Columbia, and even Alaska, making it a great trail for picturesque views.
@nkginger