Jessica Reid | 17 July 2023
4 wild walking trails in Atlantic Canada
For local culture, whale-watching and wilderness, try one of these long-distance walks across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island...
For local culture, whale-watching and wilderness, try one of these long-distance walks across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island...
There's no better way to experience the rugged landscape of Atlantic Canada than on foot. From New Brunswick to Newfoundland, this area is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Offering some of the world's top walks – both old and new – you can expect to meet land and marine wildlife, iconic landmarks and vibrant communities along the way. We've picked some of the provinces' top long-distance hikes for slowing down and taking in the wild coastlines and dense forests in this incredible part of Canada.
West Point Lighthouse (Shutterstock)
It may be Canada’s smallest province, but Prince Edward Island (also known as P.E.I) now has one of the most epic walks. The 700km trail opened in September 2021 and loops around the entire island, traversing a mixture of coastal paths, red dirt roads, beaches and quiet streets. Highlights include P.E.I’s iconic lighthouses, a visit to its two cities – Charlottetown and Summerside – and experiencing the island’s culture in its smaller, local communities, from its fantastic art scene to culinary delights. After all, it is dubbed ‘Canada’s Food Island’, with oysters as its local delicacy. Due to the track's easy terrain and low difficulty, the Island Walk should be a high-contender for beginners who have always wanted to take on the challenge of a long-distance hike. With the trail taking approximately 32 days to complete, many hotels have partnered up to provide easy luggage transportation between accommodation. It's also possible to tackle smaller sections of the track if visiting for a shorter period.
More information: The Island Walk
Incredible views on the East Coast Trail (Shutterstock)
Made up of 25 wilderness paths, Newfoundland and Labrador’s East Coast Trail has created 336km of hiking opportunities. Lining North America’s easternmost shoreline, the trail combines the province's rugged and wild natural landscape with communities of rich history. It has been 28 years in the making, with the Northern section only opening on the 19 May 2022. This new section is made up of three paths between Topsail Beach and Cape St. Francis, with the 18km White Horse path considered the hardest route on the entire trail. Expect some superb coastal gems on the East Coast Trail: cliffs, headlands, sea stacks, deep fjords and even icebergs. Keep an eye out for wildlife too, such as moose and caribou. Come from June to August for your best chance of spotting whales along the coastline, but beware, as time also crosses over with mosquito season.
More information: East Coast Trail
Views across Cape Breton on the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail (Shutterstock)
Weaving its way from Port Hastings to Inverness on Cape Breton Island, the 92km Celtic Shores Coastal Trail is a multi-use trail most popular for its long-distance hiking or cycling. The combination of its awe-inspiring beauty with vibrant Celtic culture is the selling point for this path. Discover warm-water beaches, quaint fishing harbours and some of the best live Celtic music, especially when stopping off at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre for an afternoon of ceilidh. Of course, being Atlantic Canada, there’s wildlife highlights too, from bald eagles to pilot whales. With a mostly flat terrain, the trail is great for all levels of walkers, and is part of both the Trans Canada Trail and the International Appalachian Trail.
More information: Celtic Shores Coastal Trail
Suspension bridge at Big Salmon River at the start of Fundy Footpath (Shutterstock)
The Bay of Fundy’s unique wilderness is an ecosystem that should be appreciated on foot – this was the reasoning behind the building of Fundy Footpath back in 1994. And now, it has become one of the world’s top hiking experiences. Stretching 49.3km in length, this trail is not for beginners as sections can be quite strenuous with steep elevation changes. Starting at the suspension bridge located at Big Salmon River at Funday Trail Parkway, expect to walk through thick, foggy forests filled with century-old trees. Climb out of deep river valleys to reach some of the most impressive and rewarding views over across the wild landscape. The trail hugs the coastline of Funday National park before coming to an end at Point Wolfe.
More information: Fundy Footpath
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