The Trans Canada Trail

The Trans Canada Trail isn’t a single trail. It’s the world’s longest multi-use trail network consisting of greenways, waterways, and roadways stretching across Canada from the Pacific to the Arctic and the Atlantic oceans. It crosses every province and territory and connects more that 15 000 communities.

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Last week, while camping at Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park on Alberta’s Lesser Slave Lake, we had the opportunity to hike a couple of short portions of the trail that follows the north shore of the lake.

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It was while we were hiking there that I reached the 150 km point on my 150 day walking challenge. I’m halfway to my goal well ahead of schedule!

In the summer of 2021 , award-winning Canadian filmmaker, photographer, author and multimedia artist Dianne Whelan, became the first person to complete the entire Trans Canada Trail. Over a six year period, she travelled by foot, bike, and canoe chronicling her remarkable journey in her film, 500 Days in the Wild.

While I can’t even imagine attempting such a daunting venture, it did occur to me while we were hiking that if I were younger, I would plan to visit all 13 Canadian provinces and territories and hike a section of the trail in each one!

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Now that we’re home and getting back into routine, I just need to ensure that I keep on walking. I still have 147.3 km (91.5 miles) to go before October 5th!

3 thoughts on “The Trans Canada Trail

  1. Wow, how exciting that would be….if only I was younger and started this journey then. But alas, I am as you say to old to embark on something this big at my age. It would be something to really think about though.

    • If I hadn’t already visited every province and territory except Nunavut, I’d be tempted. Not to do the whole trail, but bits and pieces across the country. There are just so many other places that I’d like to travel and I have to accept that time is limited.

      • I too have been fortunate enough to have seen all the provinces of our beautiful country. I do however need to see the territories to make this a complete journey. Maybe one day. Right now we are planning a trip to Germany and Norway to trace our roots. More on that when we have more. I’m more excited than Rich as I’m the traveler not him. Lol

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