Here are the best hikes in Canada, chosen for Canadian travellers. From tea-house strolls to multi-day epics.
Best hikes in Canada
1. Lake Agnes Tea House, Lake Louise
A 7 km round trip climbing about 400 m from the Lake Louise shoreline past Mirror Lake to a historic tea house serving loose-leaf tea and soup; bring cash or a card and arrive early.
2. Plain of Six Glaciers
A 10.6 km round trip along Lake Louise to a tea house beneath Victoria Glacier, where you may hear avalanches in early summer.
3. Skyline Trail, Cape Breton
A 6.5–8.2 km loop to a boardwalk on a headland high above the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with frequent moose sightings and whales in the water below.
4. Grouse Grind, Vancouver
Nicknamed “Mother Nature’s StairMaster”: 2.9 km and about 850 m of elevation gain up Grouse Mountain, typically open from late spring to fall. Take the gondola down.
Gear up for the trail
- Camping and outdoor gear guides Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - Best smartwatches for hiking VerdictFox
GPS, altitude and heart-rate tracking are genuinely useful on big park hikes. - How to choose a power bank for travel Buyzello
Understand capacity, airline limits and charging speed before you buy.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Tablelands, Gros Morne
An easy 4 km walk across orange-brown peridotite, rock from the Earth’s mantle pushed to the surface, one reason Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. Johnston Canyon
Catwalks bolted to the canyon walls lead 1.2 km to the Lower Falls and 2.6 km to the Upper Falls; in winter, guided ice walks visit the frozen falls.
7. West Coast Trail
A legendary 75 km multi-day trek in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, with ladders, beaches and cable cars. Reservations and an orientation are required, and it is open only in the summer season.
8. Crypt Lake, Waterton
Reached by a boat shuttle across Waterton Lake, this hike includes a ladder and a short tunnel before a cable-assisted ledge to a cirque lake on the US border.
9. Maligne Canyon
A series of bridges over a deep limestone gorge; easy in summer and a dramatic guided ice walk in winter.
10. Fundy Footpath
A rugged 49 km multi-day coastal trail in New Brunswick with steep river crossings timed to the world’s highest tides.
Safety
Carry bear spray in the Rockies and BC.
How to choose
Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.
How we chose
We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.
Plan a trip around it
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a glacier-fed turquoise lake beneath Victoria Glacier, framed by the Fairmont Chateau, and the gateway to Moraine Lake. Read our Lake Louise travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; December to March
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Calgary; 45 minutes from Banff
- Don’t miss: Lake Louise shoreline, Lake Agnes Tea House and Plain of Six Glaciers
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk on exposed Earth’s mantle at the Tablelands and cruise fjords. Read our Gros Morne National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 30–45 minutes from Deer Lake
- Don’t miss: Tablelands, Western Brook Pond and Gros Morne Mountain
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton is where prairie meets mountains, with the Prince of Wales Hotel and connections to Glacier National Park. Read our Waterton Lakes National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Calgary
- Don’t miss: Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lake cruise and Bear’s Hump
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Travel tech we recommend
- Best phones and wearables for travel Buyzello
Phones with great cameras and wearables that track your hikes. - Outdoor gear we recommend VerdictFox
Honest reviews of the camping and outdoor kit worth packing.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best choice on this list?
It depends on your travel style, but Lake Agnes Tea House, Lake Louise is a standout for most travellers.
When should I go?
Most of these destinations are best in spring and fall, when crowds are lighter and prices lower.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least two to three days per destination.
Are these good for families?
Most are; check each guide for family tips.
How much should I budget?
Mid-range travellers typically spend C$300–C$480 per person per day.