Canada's awe-inspiring landscapes are hard to perfect. Words are not enough to fully capture what you see with your eyes.

Canada was built for hikers.

Even if you only take a few hiking holidays in Canada, you will always find a reason to return. The best hikes in the country are listed here.

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Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia 

Best overnight hike

25 km one-way, 2 days.

There are five different trailheads to choose from and 90 km of trails at varying degrees of intensity. The area was established as a provincial park in 1927.

You can easily get to Garibaldi via a long day trip from the other side of the country. There is a hike from the Cheakamus Lake parking lot to the Garibaldi Lake parking lot.

The best time to attempt the route is over the course of two days. The Cheakamus Lake parking lot has a 3 km trail that goes to Cheakamus Lake.

The opening of the park's trails can be affected by weather on the morning of your hike.

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Kinney Lake & Berg Lake Trails, British Columbia 

Best scenic hike 

It's easy to travel 4.5 km one-way.

The easiest way to get to the gorgeous Kinney Lake is by hiking north from the Visitor Centre.

The route from Kinney Lake to Berg Lake is currently closed due to flood damage, but will be re-opened in three years.

All Berg Lake hikers have to check into the Mt Robson Visitor Centre before they leave, so check with the park authorities for the most up to date information.

The lighthouse on the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet, Canada
Pretty coastal views abound on the Wild Pacific Trail © Shutterstock / John Fader

Wild Pacific Trail, British Columbia 

Best informative hike

It is easy to intermediate on a 10 km round trip.

The citizens of Ucluelet built a 10 km trail that is equally spectacular in the sunshine and the rain.

The route begins with a 2.6 km loop that winds past a lighthouse built in 1915 at Amphitrite Point.

The trail is easy to navigate. You need to follow a couple of paths along quiet roads to complete the trail.

The path is dotted with benches, lookouts and so-called "Artist's loops" with viewing platforms for those taking time to record the scenery.

Lake Agnes & the Beehives, Alberta 

Most iconic Canadian hike

10 km to the Big Beehive round-trip takes 2 hours and 412 minutes.

The most popular hike in the park is at Lake Louise. Hikers have been going to the Lake Agnes Teahouse for a long time. Tea, sandwiches, and baked goods can be found at the 3.4 km mark.

The second wow feature is the amazing view over the lake from the top of Big Beehive. Be sure to check out the Canada Parks page before you go to make sure the roads are open.

The Johnston Canyon Waterfalls frozen over in winter, Canada
Johnston Canyon's waterfalls become icy sculptures in winter © Matthew Skubis / Getty Images

Johnston Canyon & the Inkpots, Alberta 

Most popular Canada hike

The round-trip is easy to challenge.

The wide, paved Johnston Canyon Trail is the most popular trail in the park. The canyon has dramatic cliff faces that compete for your attention with two beautiful waterfalls.

The walk to the Lower Falls takes about half an hour and the hike to the Upper Falls is a little more difficult with a slight increase in elevation. The Inkpots are two pools in a high mountain valley.

The area is prone to extreme weather, so be sure to check the Canada Parks website for up-to-date information.

Grey Owl Trail, Manitoba 

Best hike for birding

There is a round trip of 8.6 miles.

There is a chance to visit a historic Canadian site in Prince Albert National Park on the Grey Owl Trail if you choose to.

At the end of the trail, you can see Grey Owl's cabin, which is located under a dense canopy of forest. The house was once the home of a writer and a member of the Kanienkehkaor tribe.

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Cup & Saucer Trail, Ontario 

Best hike for families 

It is easy to travel 9 km in a day.

The trail has a wide range of possible hike durations and is popular with families.

The trail that leads to the highest point on Manitoulin Island is located southwest of Little Current.

Hikers are able to see the crinkled shoreline along the North Channel from a distance. There is a way back along the 500m Adventure Trail that involves descending on rickety wood ladders and climbing over and down huge boulders.

People hiking on the Bruce Trail, Ontario
The Bruce Trail offers endless days of scenic hiking © Shutterstock / Bob Hilscher

Bruce Trail, Ontario 

Best route for hiking in stages

Hike durations are moderate.

The Bruce Trail goes from Queenston Heights Park on the Niagara Peninsula to Tobermory harbor on the Bruce Peninsula in a distance of 900 km. During the summer months, this path is great for hiking, while those with cross-country skis are able to use it in the winter.

People tackle the Bruce Trail in small groups. Ontario has some of the prettiest colors in the world in the fall and it is the best time to hike here.

It's a good idea to book your parking before you go hiking. You can show up on weekdays if you want to. There is a guide on the Bruce Trail Conservancy's website.

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Parc d'Environnement Naturel de Sutton, Quebec 

Best summertime hike

It takes 2 hours up to several days to complete 80 km.

In the summer, Sutton Park is a great place to hike. 80 km of trails have been carved through the mountains.

Backpackers can unfold their tents at three primitive campgrounds, and the trails cover everything from 2 hour loops to multi day excursions.

Purchase your park tickets ahead of time on the website to guarantee entry on bank holiday weekends and warm weather days. The park is a good place to play year-round, but sometimes the trails are closed due to icy winter weather.

Lower Little Harbour Trail, Newfoundland 

Best hike for spooky vibes

Moderate to difficult 3 mile walk.

The Newfoundland loop takes in historic root cellars, a natural sea arch, rocky cliffs, scenic stretches of coast, green forests and the remains of a community that was abandoned. There are empty houses on parts of this trail.

Male moose in the velvet antler stage in northern Newfoundland, Canada
Keep an eye out for wildlife as you hike Newfoundland's East Coast Trail © Wildnerdpix / Getty Images

East Coast Trail, Newfoundland 

Best multi-day hike

It's easy to travel around the country for six days.

With each national historic site, coastal village, forest, cliff, and bridge you can see more of the country's natural beauty.

You can either stay at local B&Bs and inns on the way or at one of the designated campgrounds on the way.

All of the wilderness trails are linked and arranged in a linear fashion. The majority of people choose a trail based on how comfortable they are. The stages run from 2.5 miles to 20 miles.

The East Coast Trail website can be used to help you decide which path is best for you.

Cape Split, Nova Scotia 

Best coastal hike

There is a 13 km round trip.

Located on a finger of land jutting into the Bay of Fundy, this 13 km trail from Scots Bay takes five hours to complete. It is one of the most popular hikes in Nova Scotia, with little elevation change as you travel through a tunnel of forest cover.

The hike ends in a clearing on the cliffs above the Bay of Fundy.

At the rocky outcrop at the vertiginous end of the trail, you can see waves that flow through a group of rock pinnacles. There are agate stones on the beach at Scots Bay.

Hikers on the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Canada
The Skyline Trail follows a boardwalk to wonderful coast views © Shutterstock / Rob Crandall

Skyline Trail, Nova Scotia 

Best boardwalk hike

The 8.7 km loop is easy to navigate.

The James Bond-sounding name for the Skyline Trail is as dramatic as it sounds.

The hike follows a boardwalk that spans the entire length of the route to protect the area's delicate flora and fauna.

The wildlife spotting opportunities here are amazing if you ignore the views. We are talking moose, bald eagles, bears, and many other birds.

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Fundy Footpath, New Brunswick 

Best wilderness hike

It's a one-way journey of 30.6 miles.

One of the best hikes in the world is the Fundy Footpath. There are steep changes in elevation along the trail.

Despite the fact that some of the trail falls inside the national park, the route is rarely maintained.

It can take up to five days to complete the trek, and the route should only be attempted in the warm months. The Fundy Hiking Trail Association planning guide can be used if you want to tackle this once-in-a-lifetime trail.

A hiker pauses at a campground near Grizzly Lake, Canada
The Grizzly Lake Trail is a fun Yukon adventure © Scalia Media / iStockphoto / Getty Images

Grizzly Lake Trail, Yukon 

Best adventure hike

It took 11 km to travel 6 hours.

The views of the Grizzly Valley along the route of the Grizzly Lake Trail will stay with you long after you've left the park.

Adding another 37 km on the Divide Lake & Talus Lake trail will require you to stay overnight if you plan to stay longer.

Squirrels are the most likely predator of campers in the park. They like sweaty backpack straps and the tops of hiking poles, so make sure to pack them away when you camp.

It's a good idea to book hiking passes in advance as they sell out quickly. Even if you are a seasoned hiker, you need to complete a mandatory hiking orientation because this is a difficult hike.

Canol Heritage Trail, Northwest Territories 

Best multi-week hike

It's a one-way trip of 358 km.

The Canol Heritage Trail traverses peaks, canyons and barrens to reach the border with Canada. The only shelter is provided by old Quonset huts and there are many deep river crossing.

The trail takes three to four weeks to hike, and most people arrange food drops along the way.

During World War II, the trail was built to bring oil to Whitehorse, the capital of the Whitehorse Territory. The war ended in 1945, and cheaper sources of oil were found.

This is not a hike to be undertaken lightly, so contact Northwest Territories Tourism to find out more.

The article was last updated about 6 hours ago.