Top Greenways in Canada
Canada has some of the world’s very best greenways just waiting for you to explore. Enjoy stunning scenery and discover the top Canadian Greenways right here.
Canada has some of the world’s very best greenways just waiting for you to explore. Enjoy stunning scenery and discover the top Canadian Greenways right here.
Planning a walk along a greenway is the perfect way to explore a destination. Travelling on foot allows you to take in the scenery at your own pace and fully immerse yourself in your surroundings. The world is full of beautiful greenways ready and waiting to be explored, but one location that is home to some of the very best greenways is Canada.
Planning a walk along a greenway is the perfect way to explore a destination. Travelling on foot allows you to take in the scenery at your own pace and fully immerse yourself in your surroundings. The world is full of beautiful greenways ready and waiting to be explored, but one location that is home to some of the very best greenways is Canada.
Canada is famous for its greenways and boasts many fantastic trails. Modern Canada was founded along its waterways and trails, which people used to travel and transport goods. The arrival of roads saw many trails left forgotten. However, the rise of the greenway movement has seen Canadians and visitors from across the world fall back in love with the greenway.
Canada is famous for its greenways and boasts many fantastic trails. Modern Canada was founded along its waterways and trails, which people used to travel and transport goods. The arrival of roads saw many trails left forgotten. However, the rise of the greenway movement has seen Canadians and visitors from across the world fall back in love with the greenway.
The greenway movement has achieved great success in Canada, and alongside the United States, the country was one of the first to recognise the importance of greenways and to reclaim its trails so that they can be enjoyed on foot. Many of these pedestrianised trails were originally railway tracks and now have a new lease of life, allowing Canadians to once again escape into nature and travel through it in all its glory. In Canada, these natural corridors are unique, as they are not only used by hikers and cyclists but also by cross-country skiers and snowmobiles.
The greenway movement has achieved great success in Canada, and alongside the United States, the country was one of the first to recognise the importance of greenways and to reclaim its trails so that they can be enjoyed on foot. Many of these pedestrianised trails were originally railway tracks and now have a new lease of life, allowing Canadians to once again escape into nature and travel through it in all its glory. In Canada, these natural corridors are unique, as they are not only used by hikers and cyclists but also by cross-country skiers and snowmobiles.
Canadians have embraced the need for greenways and enthusiastically engaged with initiatives such as Rails to Trails, where former railroads are transformed into greenways for walkers and cyclists. Canada’s greenway network has expanded rapidly in recent decades, and the country now boasts the world’s longest multi-use recreational trail, The Great Trail, which stretches across an incredible 24,000km. Read on to learn more about the top Canadian Greenways just waiting to be explored.
Canadians have embraced the need for greenways and enthusiastically engaged with initiatives such as Rails to Trails, where former railroads are transformed into greenways for walkers and cyclists. Canada’s greenway network has expanded rapidly in recent decades, and the country now boasts the world’s longest multi-use recreational trail, The Great Trail, which stretches across an incredible 24,000km. Read on to learn more about the top Canadian Greenways just waiting to be explored.
Bruce Trail
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail has two claims to fame as it is credited as being the oldest greenway in Canada and the longest marked footpath. The Bruce Trail was created by volunteers as a way of protecting a beautiful stretch of land known as the Niagara Escarpment located in Ontario. Work on the greenway began in 1962, and it officially opened in 1967.
The Bruce Trail has two claims to fame as it is credited as being the oldest greenway in Canada and the longest marked footpath. The Bruce Trail was created by volunteers as a way of protecting a beautiful stretch of land known as the Niagara Escarpment located in Ontario. Work on the greenway began in 1962, and it officially opened in 1967.
Today, the Bruce Trail attracts many visitors and is used for snowshoeing, walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Today, the Bruce Trail attracts many visitors and is used for snowshoeing, walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
If you like a challenge, grab your walking boots and attempt the Bruce Trail End-to-End. The End-to-End involves walking the entire 900km trail on foot. If you were to focus on completing the trail all at once, it would take you 30 days. However, some people prefer to break the End-to-End challenge down into smaller sections, which can be completed over several years.
If you like a challenge, grab your walking boots and attempt the Bruce Trail End-to-End. The End-to-End involves walking the entire 900km trail on foot. If you were to focus on completing the trail all at once, it would take you 30 days. However, some people prefer to break the End-to-End challenge down into smaller sections, which can be completed over several years.
The Great Trail, aka the Trans Canada Trail
The Great Trail, aka the Trans Canada Trail
As mentioned above, The Great Trail or Trans Canada Trail is the longest recreational multi-use trail in the world. Work to create this impressive trail was started shortly after Canada’s 125th-anniversary celebrations in 1992.
As mentioned above, The Great Trail or Trans Canada Trail is the longest recreational multi-use trail in the world. Work to create this impressive trail was started shortly after Canada’s 125th-anniversary celebrations in 1992.
The Trans Canada Trail spans Canada, stretching from the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. As the trail incorporates such a vast expanse of terrain, it features not just greenways but also waterways and roadways. Now more than 400 community trails make up the Trans Canada Trail. In 2017, many of the community trails were connected to the network, making the Trans Canada Trail the impressive greenway it is today.
The Trans Canada Trail spans Canada, stretching from the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. As the trail incorporates such a vast expanse of terrain, it features not just greenways but also waterways and roadways. Now more than 400 community trails make up the Trans Canada Trail. In 2017, many of the community trails were connected to the network, making the Trans Canada Trail the impressive greenway it is today.
While walking the entire 24,000km may be a little ambitious, you may want to focus on exploring some of the highlights of this vast trail. The High Rockies Trail in Alberta is an impressive section worth exploring.
While walking the entire 24,000km may be a little ambitious, you may want to focus on exploring some of the highlights of this vast trail. The High Rockies Trail in Alberta is an impressive section worth exploring.
Central Valley Greenway
Central Valley Greenway
One of the best greenways currently in Vancouver is the Central Valley Greenway, which covers 25km of on-street and off-road walks. If you like walking greenways that combine urban landscapes and scenic countryside, the Central Valley Greenway is a perfect choice.
One of the best greenways currently in Vancouver is the Central Valley Greenway, which covers 25km of on-street and off-road walks. If you like walking greenways that combine urban landscapes and scenic countryside, the Central Valley Greenway is a perfect choice.
The Central Valley Greenway is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists and was officially opened in 2009. Following the Central Valley Greenway will take you from Vancouver onto Burnaby and into New Westminster.
The Central Valley Greenway is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists and was officially opened in 2009. Following the Central Valley Greenway will take you from Vancouver onto Burnaby and into New Westminster.
The Chrysler Canada Greenway
The Chrysler Canada Greenway
The Chrysler Canada Greenway has a long history and is based on a branch line first built in 1882. Over a century later, the branch line was abandoned, and with the help of a donation from Chrysler Canada, work began to transform the abandoned railway line and create a bike trail. The Chrysler Canada Greenway was finally finished in 1997.
The Chrysler Canada Greenway has a long history and is based on a branch line first built in 1882. Over a century later, the branch line was abandoned, and with the help of a donation from Chrysler Canada, work began to transform the abandoned railway line and create a bike trail. The Chrysler Canada Greenway was finally finished in 1997.
This extensive greenway spans 42km and is located in Essex County, Ontario. The trail stretches to Oldcaste and Leamington. While the Chrysler Canada Greenway may have been originally designed with bikes in mind, nowadays, you can travel this scenic route by hiking, walking, and skiing. If you are a keen bird watcher, The Chrysler Canada Greenway is home to a host of species, making it ideal for nature photographers too.
This extensive greenway spans 42km and is located in Essex County, Ontario. The trail stretches to Oldcaste and Leamington. While the Chrysler Canada Greenway may have been originally designed with bikes in mind, nowadays, you can travel this scenic route by hiking, walking, and skiing. If you are a keen bird watcher, The Chrysler Canada Greenway is home to a host of species, making it ideal for nature photographers too.
North Alouette Greenway
North Alouette Greenway
If you are in Metro Vancouver and want to grab some fresh air and scenic views, head to the North Alouette Greenway at Maple Ridge. Maple Ridge is home to many walking trails, and the North Alouette Greenway is one of the best in the area.
If you are in Metro Vancouver and want to grab some fresh air and scenic views, head to the North Alouette Greenway at Maple Ridge. Maple Ridge is home to many walking trails, and the North Alouette Greenway is one of the best in the area.
The North Alouette Greenway is an excellent choice if you are looking for wheelchair-friendly trails in Vancouver, and it offers an easy route through some beautiful scenery. The path is multi-use and popular with horse-riders, joggers, and dog walkers.
The North Alouette Greenway is an excellent choice if you are looking for wheelchair-friendly trails in Vancouver, and it offers an easy route through some beautiful scenery. The path is multi-use and popular with horse-riders, joggers, and dog walkers.
At just 2.3km, you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the greenway, taking in views of the North Alouette Lake, and on a clear day, you can see the Coastal Mountains. If you want to continue your walk, the North Alouette Greenway connects with surrounding trails, including Tim’s Trail and Pitt Meadows, so there is plenty to explore and see on this Canadian Greenway.
At just 2.3km, you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the greenway, taking in views of the North Alouette Lake, and on a clear day, you can see the Coastal Mountains. If you want to continue your walk, the North Alouette Greenway connects with surrounding trails, including Tim’s Trail and Pitt Meadows, so there is plenty to explore and see on this Canadian Greenway.
More Greenways to Explore
More Greenways to Explore
Taking a walk and exploring a greenway is the ideal antidote to a world where everyone is in a rush and life is lived at lightning speed. Canada is continuing to invest in its greenways, which means you will soon have even more beautiful greenways to explore.
Taking a walk and exploring a greenway is the ideal antidote to a world where everyone is in a rush and life is lived at lightning speed. Canada is continuing to invest in its greenways, which means you will soon have even more beautiful greenways to explore.
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