Five of the best road trips in Canada are revealed in this article, ranging from lush national parks to dreamy coastal highways and wind-beaten cliffs.
In a country dominated by natural perfection and bewitching landscapes, the quickest route is almost never the best. To fully unravel the gorgeousness of the Great White North and its incredible diversity, chuck away that plane ticket and pick up a road map.
From glistening white peaks that adorn the western skylines to seas of green that flow through the ethereal Boreal, you’ll find a huge variety of colours and flavours to discover in Canada. And the best way to explore the hidden wonders of this vast and magnificent country is by taking a road trip.
Big city lights, sleepy stretches of coastline, stunning wildlife and fantastic views at every bend – Canada is the ultimate destination for those drawn to the lure of the road. And even while road accident fatality rates in Europe are the lowest we’ve ever known them to be, driving around Canada’s ice-riddled roads is not a job for the fair-weather driver.
You might need to drive long hours, but the thrill of seeing pristine sights so rarely seen by other travellers makes the journey worth it. Here are five of the best road trips you can take in beautiful Canada.
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5 Best Road Trips in Canada
1. Icefields Parkway
A spellbinding forest drive boasting views of lush forest lands and glorious waterfalls, the Icefields Parkway is one of the best road trips you can enjoy in Canada.
Careering through jagged mountain passes, remarkable wildlife habitats and the secretive shadows of the Rocky Mountains, this road is all about epic landscapes and quiet beauty.
You’ll find Banff National Park and Jasper National Park on the way, where you can stop to explore the region’s finest geological offering – the Columbia Icefield.
2. The Cabot Trail
Arguably Canada’s most popular road trip, this stunning 300 km long highway loops around the north of Cape Breton Island carving its way along the coast, allowing truly spectacular views of the North Atlantic waters.
The island is a prime destination for hiking with plenty to discover beyond the beaten track, great wildlife and photogenic sights all around. This is also where you’ll find the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, a nature reserve that looks sublime at any time of the year.
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3. Montreal to Gaspé Peninsula
Another blissfully scenic drive, the road from Montreal to the Gaspé Peninsula is quite possibly the best in the eastern reaches of Canada.
Aside from the raw natural beauty here, which includes four picturesque wildlife parks, wind-beaten cliffs, walking trails and a vast expanse of pine trees; the peninsula’s seafood delicacies are an unmissable highlight.
While you’re here, you can also check out the infamous Percé Rock lying just off the peninsula’s main body.
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4. The Sea to Sky Highway
If it’s picturesque seascapes you’re looking for, the Sea to Sky Highway won’t disappoint. Taking you on a delightful adventure along Canada’s western coast, this road connects the popular tourist stops of Vancouver and Whistler with plenty of extraordinary attractions in between.
Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver is a particularly celebrated stop among scuba divers and beach lovers. You can also stop to check out the famous Shannon Falls, British Columbia’s third largest waterfall along the way. Other unmissable attractions you’ll find on the road include the Britannia Mine Museum and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
5. Regina to Saskatoon
The Saskatchewan (good luck trying to pronounce it!) province is a beautiful green prairie full of grasslands to the south and the Canadian Shield plateau to the north.
Begin your road trip from the capital city Regina, where you can visit the Royal Saskatchewan Museum if you like. In the summers, you may also get to witness the Sunset Retreat ceremony by the RCMP Academy.
Continue onward to Moose Jaw, which has an interesting history of Chinese immigrants. As you drive west, you will end up at Lake Diefenbaker, where you can try sailing and fishing.
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Saskatchewan
(Sa – Skatch – a – wan) Wan pronounced as dawn without the d
🙂
Ah, good to know June 🙂