UKC

Anyone know of any good long distance footpaths (more than 100 miles) in Canada? I've been searching the net and not found much. Near Calgary would be good.

https://johndburns.wordpress.com/

In reply to John Burns:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Divide_Trail

In reply to John Burns:

There are numerous long distance paths in the Rockies, many of them well maintained, but not really set up in a Pennine way manner. You could do something from Kananaskis near Calgary, all the way up to Jasper if you wanted (about 300k). Funnily the best resource for this might be Chic Scott's ski trail in the Rockies, which sets out some monster journeys.

The best map resource is probably the Gem Trek maps, which has the best info on trails, but the topo maps for the whole of Canada are available for free - one good gateway to this is the Calgary Mountain Club site:

http://www.calgarymountainclub.com/main.php?page=topomaps

Other than that the Parks (Banff National Park) are useful source of info - you will require back country permits to camp, but you can get an annual one which is good value. Apart from a few back country sites closest to the road you will have absolutely no problem getting space.

In reply to John Burns:

Thanks for the comments, very helpful.

In reply to John Burns:

Plenty in the NE USA, not sure about Canada, Long Trail for example.

In reply to Roadrunner5:

If 560 miles is not too long for you and if you like trees, them maybe the Bruce Trail? Just celebrated its 50s anniversary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Trail

In reply to RockingKatja:

I've heard that there is a superb coastal walk which goes right around Vancouver Island.

In reply to Trangia:

On Vancouver island there are the west coast trail, Juan de Fuca trail and North Coast Trail. I think there may also be more but I'm unfamiliar with them. You may well be able to link some of these together, but most of them on their own are a bit shorter than the 100 miles you mentioned. They're coastal trails, but largely in old growth forest, so you get views of the sea and forest woodland. I've been on the west coast trail which was excellent, especially for wildlife.

In reply to John Burns:

Seconded the West Coast Trail, which is arduous and for fit walkers only. Adverse weather makes it quite a serious proposition. You should be able to yomp it in 4 days though some like to take longer.

In reply to John Burns:

http://www.summitpost.org/the-rockwall-trail/761989 That's not long enough for you, but I did it a few years ago and it was great.

I have a book of Canadian trails somewhere which I could flick through and see if any fit the bill for you if you like - email me if you are interested and I will look tonight.

In reply to John Burns:

This is the book I was talking about.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canadian-Rockies-Trail-Guide-Patton/dp/0981149189
I have the 1992 edition.

It has the North Boundary Trail (107 miles) and the South Boundary trail (103 miles) - both in Jasper NP, which is about 6 hours from Calgary I think.

As well as the Rockwall trail which I mentioned earlier. It also has some detail of the great divide trail, but only 5 pages, so I think you would need a lot more detail to follow that one! You could just do a bit of the Great Divide trail, the Caribou section is mentioned in my book at 164km from Norman Creek To Maligne Lake Road. But I don't have much more detail on the Great Divide. http://www.clubtread.com/routes/Route.aspx?Route=431

In reply to John Burns:

Or you have a look at TrailDino. Find it very useful to get an idea about all the trails in a region. It's a very comprehensive list. Many with link to official websites etc. Not all of them though, but with such a list you can do your own research.

http://www.traildino.com/trace/continents-North_America/countries-Canada