The Great Trail: The longest trail in the world is in Canada

Can you imagine cycling across a country like Canada, following a marked route of thousands of kilometres through its wildest nature? Well, don't imagine it because this route already exists, and it is called The Great Trail.

This trail, also known as the Trans Canada Trail, is, in fact, the longest marked trail in the world free of traffic. It is 24,000 kilometres long and crosses Canada from its east coast to the west coast through some of the most iconic Canadian landscapes.

What is The Great Trail?

The Great Trail itinerary represents a network of trails, as it has been created by the union of more than 400 trails and is made up of paths, bike paths, roads, tracks, and even waterways.

As you can understand, such a project is not created overnight and its development took more than 25 years, from 1992 until last year, 2018, when it was completed, representing 24,000 kilometres of pure pleasure.

There are two main reasons why this great project was created. First of all, since cycling is among the most popular Canadian sports, it was planned to give Canadians more opportunities to enjoy this activity in person. With more and more interest in betting on cycling races and tournaments comes a general increased interest in the sport - more Canadians are looking to get out there and cycle! That, in turn, bumps up the interest in sports in Canada, so we’re likely to see this continue snowballing. Secondly, this project is not only for Canadians but also to promote active tourism from other countries, since Canada is a beautiful land full of natural places to visit and tell about.

However, the route is designed to be done also on foot, on horseback, or even by kayak, as there are some alternatives through lakes and rivers for paddling. As a cyclotourist route, it is becoming increasingly famous, both for saddlebags and backpacking. Thanks to the spectacular Canadian landscapes and well-preserved nature, it could easily be placed in the top 10 worldwide, and without exaggeration, it covers some truly stunning scenery! There are lots of reasons people like going for bike rides - and the Great Canada Trail is only adding to those.

To learn more about this trail, you can access their website, Trans Canada Trail, where there is extensive information. If you go to the map and click on the route, you will find: description of the route, landscapes that the trails cross, photos, points of interest to visit, and much more. 

For the brave backpackers who are thinking of walking it, there is an app that serves as a planner and guide, among other things. It is an open and collaborative app in which people can upload photos of the road, update information on the sections, etc. Using such an app is especially useful for newcomers who feel the need for guidance.

Great trail: 7 routes for bikers

Here is a list of 7 bike routes that include trail sections already open to the public. Read the description of each trail carefully to decide which one to try. Are you ready? Let's go!

Waterfront Trail - Ontario

In recent years, the municipality of Toronto has invested heavily in the infrastructure around Lake Ontario. The result? An ideal path for cyclists that goes from Burlington and continues around the city. For those who would like to take a shorter route, you can ride the Martin Goodman Trail, an integral part of the Great Trail, for 56km.

Le petit train du nord - Québec  

This is the favourite route of Montreal's residents, which runs along an old railroad passing through small towns, with lots of wildlife to see. This way, you will not only get some exercise in nature and see beautiful scenery, but you will also learn a bit of history about these small Canadian towns! 

Confederation Trail - Prince Edward Island

This 435 km long trail runs along the route of an ex-railway and goes from Tignish to Elmira, passing through several small urban centres. This is ideal for those who love birdwatching and getting lost in the hills.

Fundy Trail Parkway - New Brunswick

10 km of trail where the Atlantic Ocean begins, a unique trail for experienced cyclists ready to sweat. When on this trail, perhaps consider stopping off at one of the four beaches along the way!

Pinawa Trail - Manitoba

Starting from Pinawa Dam Provincial Park and continuing to Seven Sisters Generating Station, this trail is a must for those who are in the area - only an hour's drive from Winnipeg, and it is possible to see many animals like bears, as well as some of Canada’s volcanoes.

Millennium Trail - Yukon

5 km of car-free trails for those who want to take a short bike ride without giving up the view. There is a lot to see along the way, including the Rotary Centennial Bridge, which is reserved for pedestrians and is rich in beauty and scale. Visitors can see the fish in the river from close by.

Edmonton River Valley Trail - Alberta 

This trail runs along the Saskatchewan River Valley, passing through Edmonton and circumnavigating the surrounding forested regions. You can choose to cycle the entire 29 km or select a single segment based on the scenery, such as the botanical gardens of the Muttart Conservatory, the University of Alberta, or the Whitemud Nature Reserve.