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Find your trail: Canadian bucket-list adventures

You're going to need a bigger bucket after you add these stunning treks to your list

Rockwall Trail BC Photo by: Instagram/KootenayBC

You’ll need an infinitely bigger bucket, or a longer list, after you’ve added these full-day adventures from across our diverse country. All can be conquered in a day’s very long run/hike, or stretched over several days of fastpacking (or traditional hiking).

From the coastline of Vancouver Island to Cape Breton Island’s highest point, these trail expeditions are guaranteed to be awe-inspiring–and we’ve included some gear tips to get you on your way. 

La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Killarney, Ont.

Details: 78 km, 2,590 metres elevation gain/loss
Difficulty: challenging

Photo: Facebook/Rugged La Cloche Silhouette Trail La Cloche Silhouette Trail is a 78 km running/hiking loop over and through the rugged quartzite peaks of the La Cloche mountain range in Ontario’s Killarney Provincial Park. The trail is named for Group of Seven painter Franklin Carmichael‘s masterpiece, La Cloche Silhouette. Expect to see wildlife: black bear, moose, deer, snakes, turtles, beaver and more. Note that the trail is nearly a loop, but actually a point-to-point route between the east and west trailheads, on either side of George Lake.

La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Killarney Ont.
La Cloche Silhouette Trail. Photo: Ethan Frank

Calgary-based athlete Ethan Frank ran the trail from west to east in September 2021. Frank describes the landscape as “beautiful and relentless,” with La Cloche’s “characteristic mix of granite slab and deep forest.”

Frank adds: “There are sudden and relentless transitions between steep ascents and descents on generally very rocky, rooted singletrack, and the mental concentration required to move quickly on such terrain proved to be the real crux of the day.” Would he do it again? “One hundred per cent,” he says. If you’re doing this in one single push, expect a day of 15 hours or more.

The gear you’ll want: Flight Gloves

TNF Flight gloves
Photo: TNF

These water-resistant gloves are designed to protect you from the wind and keep those precious fingers warm and dry while still allowing for plenty of movement. They can be layered over thin, knitted gloves on chillier days, are sweat-wicking and let you use your touchscreen to capture all the best trail moments.

Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Distance/elevation: 47 km, 1,828 metres elevation gain/loss
Difficulty: moderate

Juan de Fuca Trail, BC. Photo: Instagram: Saif AkkadThe Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a rugged 47 km journey packed with breathtaking ocean views, ankle-challenging rock scrambles and a continuously rolling trail (I noticed only one flat section of trail–prepare for lots of climbing and descending). Located within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park along the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, the trail stretches from China Beach (35 km west of Sooke) to Botanical Beach (just outside Port Renfrew), and runners or hikers can park on one side of the route and take the bus back to the other; I caught a bus from Victoria to Port Renfrew to start my trek. 

Juan de Fuca Trail BC 2022
Photo: Instagram/thisisalannah

Panoramic views of the coastline, Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains can be seen from many points along this rainforest trail. It is not uncommon to view sea lions, bald eagles, herons and other wildlife (I saw a black bear, along with many sea lions and eagles). Like most west coast trails, this is in the rainforest and can be very muddy. If you’re up for a bigger adventure, you can connect the Juan de Fuca Trail with the West Coast Trail (you’ll need to do the WCT first, due to reservation requirements), and I met a few trekkers that had started on the WCT and then continued because of the sheer beauty of it.

While you can run this trail in a day, this trek’s panoramic vistas, wildlife and solitary beauty will have you planning a return trip to soak in the sights at a slower pace. Unlike the longer West Coast Trail (75 km) the Juan de Fuca Trail does not require a reservation; however, there is a backcountry camping fee of $10 per person/per night. 

The gear you’ll want: Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT™ Jacket

This waterproof, breathable jacket is perfect to take on a rainy long run. The internal pocket means it stuffs into itself for easy packing; the minimalist design allows you to stick it in your vest or bag and forget that it’s there.

Chic-chocs Trail, Quebec

Distance: 56-96km depending on route, approx 4,547 metres elevation gain/loss
Difficulty: challenging

Photo: ChokChic-chocs Trail encompasses a 96 km point-to-point trail near Rivière-Bonjour, Que., located within Gaspésie National Park. Generally considered a tough route, you have a multitude of well-mapped options to run sections of the trail or to fastpack it overnight if running it in a single push seems like too much. The park suggests hikers allow for 32 hours of moving to complete the entire stretch. Reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance if you plan to stay overnight on the trail. Transportation is always offered one way (east to west), from the discovery and visitors centre (Mont-Albert section) to Mount Logan.

Gaspesie National Park, QB
Photo: Sepaq

Montreal-based and TNF ultrarunner Anne Bouchard says she loves this trail. “Above all others, this is my favourite. The most beautiful mountains in Quebec. It is actually a section of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT/SIA) that covers almost the entire Gaspésie region. It is possible to do it in segments or in its entirety.” Bouchard, who holds the FKT on the 650K SIA trail in totality, says this area is a part of Canadian history that should be seen by all. She adds that sections of this are “very special in the winter, with stunning views of giant pines full of snow.”

The gear you’ll want: Flight VECTIV™ x Elvira Shoes

TNF Vectiv FLIGHT shoes
Photo: TNF

These light, responsive trail shoes are made for exploring deeper into the wild. Rugged enough to keep you grounded when running on diverse trail systems, these shoes will let you cross streams, climb mountains and fly down hills. The reinforced toe cap protects your feet on rough terrain.

Rockwall Trail, Kootenays, B.C.

Details: 56 km, 2,438 metres elevation gain
Difficulty: moderate

Rockwall Trail, B.C. Photo: Instagram/bejudifulThe Rockwall Trail is a 56 km trail in the Kootenay National Park, on a section of the much longer Great Divide Trail. The running route is typically from Floe Lake Trailhead to Paint Pots Trailhead and is sometimes completed as a three- to four-day hike. Renowned ultrarunner Ailsa MacDonald says Rockwall is a favourite. “I have done it in both directions, and prefer starting at Floe Lake and running to Paint Pots. It’s a much nicer and easier run or hike out. It’s net downhill for the final miles, no matter which direction you do it, but it’s a much more technical descent coming down from Floe Lake.”

Rockwall Trail, B.C. Photo: Instagram/jpelletierMacDonald adds that the trail is easy to navigate and the views are spectacular. “Other than from Floe Lake to the parking lot, the trail is pretty well groomed, just lots of elevation. There are always people travelling from one parking lot to the other, so not necessary to do a car drop–easy to bum a ride if you’re comfortable with that,” MacDonald says. This is a popular section of trail year-round, but it’s also most definitely bear country, so stay aware and carry bear spray.

The gear you’ll want: Flight Race Day Vest 8

This vest is ideal for long days of running. It’s lightweight and sweat-wicking, but durable enough to stuff all your essential items in. You’ll be surprised at how much you can carry with you, and grateful when you pull out that much-needed snack.

Skyline Trail, Cape Breton Island, N.S.

Details: 6.5 km return; 8.2 km loop/290–405 metres elevation gain/loss
Difficulty: Easy

Photo: Instagram/verpaul3This is by far the shortest route on our list, but it’s arguably the most essential and certainly the most accessible. Head to the trail at sunrise or sunset for an indescribable experience. This is an easy trail, partially boardwalk–but even the most FKT-obsessed ultra-endurance athlete will find themselves awestruck with its beauty, and full of respect for the vastness of Canada on this quick jaunt. A dramatic headland cliff overlooks the rugged coast from the end of the trail. You’ll savour an eagle-eye view of the Cabot Trail as it winds its way down the mountain. Watch for whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence from the viewing decks, and be on the lookout for moose and bald eagles.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Keeley Milne (@keerunsfar)

I’ve been lucky enough to run in different countries and race in astounding locations, and this quick run was still the highlight of the last few years. I timed my arrival at the parking lot for sunrise and was entirely alone at the trailhead. It was an hour I won’t be able to replicate or forget–and it made me long to explore even more of this vast country. Skyline is at the highest point of the Cabot Trail and was a quick drive from the town of Inverness.

The gear you’ll want: First Dawn Packable Jacket

TNF packable jacket
Photo: TNF

Pull this waterproof, breathable shell out for the pre-dawn kilometres and take the edge off of the ocean breeze. When it warms up, stuff it in your vest or even a pocket: it packs down to next to nothing.

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