Hiker's paradise

With spring just around the corner those of us who enjoy 'fair weather' walking are looking forward to getting back out in nature.
So where's the best spots to head to for a 'fair weather' hike in our beautiful Canada ?

Here's the current top 5 spots for a Canadian Hiking Adventure! Of course these are open year round so talk to your Travel Consultant about making arrangements to visit these 'must go' hiking hot spots.

** Remember: Hiking should be done with a buddy and always pack safety gear with you!

 

Fundy Trail - New Brunswick

Known to locals as the Fundy Parkway or the Fundy Footpath, this hiking trail offers 16 km of seaside beauty. Perfect for biking as well as cross country skiers, the trail offers a unique opportunity to 'stay' as there is a lodge at the center point. With the world's highest tides, this trail is the perfect spot to enjoy some whale watching from as the Right Whales use the Bay of Fundy for breeding and calving grounds. With a variety of elements the 16 km offers something for all persons from children, to the serious hiker, to those with walking disabilities. With less traveled paths veering off the main trail leading to seaside cliffs and waterfalls, this truly is the gem of New Brunswick.

 

Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike - Alberta

This 3.5 km, uphill, 6 hour hike is not for the mild adventure hiker. This hike ends with the option of a cup of steeped tea, a bowl of soup and sandwich or dessert. The trail starts at the front of the lake near the Fairmont Chateau Hotel in Lake Louise Alberta. Afterwards you can view Lake Agnes and see its glorious mountain waterfall, followed by climbing up the Big Beehive for jaw-dropping views of the Bow Valley and Lake Louise. Then join the Highline trail, a 5 km trek along the Plain of Six Glaciers trail view Alberta’s Rocky Mountains soaring peaks and the Victoria Glacier. Refresh yourself again at the Plains of Six Glaciers Teahouse before completing the 5.5 km loop back to Lake Louise.

Photo: Contributed

A restored train station on the Galloping Goose Trail near Sooke.

Galloping Goose Regional Trails Park - British Columbia

For hikers, cyclists, and horse riders the Galloping Goose Park is one of the most beautiful and unique paths for exploring southern Vancouver Island. With 55 km of pathways between Victoria and Sooke, this multi-use trail existed in the early 1900s as a railway line. The first 12 km are as low and gradual descent and the beauty of the scenery from forest to farmland is perfect for all abilities of hiker or walker. Along the way stop and enjoy the view from Charters Trestle, a steel bridge decked with wood. And when the trail meets Matheson Lake it's the perfect place for a picnic and a swim.



Twillingate Islands, Notre Dame Bay - Newfoundland and Labrador

It's the iceberg capital of the world. Whales, bald eagles, icebergs and sea life thrive in abundance along the string of hikes and pathways that run through the islands. From the rocky cliffs of Spiller’s Cove to the  Long Point Lighthouse and the 360-degree panoramic view atop the Twillingate trail, you can enjoy wild blueberry picking and whale watching along the way..... not a hike you want to do without a camera. With inlets and coves off every pathway there is always a corner to be discovered. This Atlantic hiking experience is best enjoyed in fair weather as winter storms can create an unpleasant outdoor environment. Try your hand at fishing or rent a boat and explore the inlets after your done your hike.

Trans Canada Trail - Canada!

The Trans Canada Trail is the world's longest network of recreational trails. When fully connected, the trail will stretch 23,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans. With an estimated completion by 2017, this hike is done in portions and by all fitness levels. The trail is multi-use and, depending on the section,  allows for hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, cross country skiers and snowmobilers. Spanning across all our great provinces there is more diversity to offer than any other hiking system in the world. Learn more about this Canadian treasure here:  http://tctrail.ca/ 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.