Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking
This feature now available on our Backroad GPS Maps!
The Backroad Mapbook trails section in every book offers a lifetime of opportunity for locals or area visitors. No matter your interest, whether it is hiking in Canada, mountain biking in BC, horseback riding in Alberta, trail running in the Maritimes even ATVing in Ontario, there is a trail for you to explore. We offer so much variety that even local hiking books or tourism centres can't rival what we offer.
In addition to each trail listing in the writing, the maps offer a host of other information. We label and symbol each trail and go so far as to distinguish the more notable trail systems in a given area. In particular, we clearly show long distance trails, have a unique line style for the ever expanding Trans Canada Trail, classify duo sport, ATV trails and snowmobile routes. More recently we have been updating our trails with GPS tracks given to us by readers and researchers. This helps make us one of the most reliable sources of trail information in Canada.
What to look for
Line Style/Symbol on the maps
Look for biking, hiking, or horseback riding symbols on our maps.
Symbol in the writing
Look for symbols in the write-up to find trails that are tailored to your activity.
Write-up in Reference
Look for the Trail section in our books to find the most popular spots.
Newsletter's Featured Trips For more Featured Trails check out our Blog.
Cariboo Chilcotin BC: Alexander MacKenzie Heritage Trail (Maps 19, 29, 30, 31, 41, 42, 43, 44)
The name Alexander MacKenzie resonates throughout the Chilcotin Plateau. The trail that bears his name is an east-west thread that ties the region together. Mackenzie was the first European to cross North America, reaching the Pacific in 1793. Just south of where the Blackwater River flows into the Fraser, he began his trek by land. This 420 km (260 mile) route, originally called the Grease Trail, has been mostly preserved as it cuts across the landscape of Central BC. The trail includes a variety of roads and trails, including about 100 km (62 miles) of well-preserved aboriginal footpath.
The trail is best done in late summer or early fall and can be sampled on foot, by bike, on a horse or on an ATV. Beyond the crossing of the Euchiniko River the route becomes very remote and should only be attempted by well prepared backpackers. In the east, a parking lot has been developed next to the Blackwater Road, near a viewpoint overlooking the Blackwater River Canyon. This is the main trailhead, although Kilometre 0 is found further east on the banks of the Fraser River. The 80 km (50 mile) stretch of the trail in Tweedsmuir Park (a difficult five to seven day stretch through some extremely remote territory) is perhaps the most scenic of the entire route. The trailhead is found on Highway 20. In between are some fabulous views, endless fishing holes and the odd lodge to pamper you before heading back into the wild.
It is strongly recommended to pick up a copy of In the Steps of Alexander MacKenzie Heritage Trail guidebook. It is a tremendous planning tool that still accurately maps and describes the route.
Canadian Rockies: Three Isle Lake Trail (Map 4/G6)
This is one of the most popular trails in the Kananaskis Lakes area. From the Upper parking area, a 13 km (8 mile) trail skirts Mount Indefatigable, crosses the Palliser Rockslide and winds it way through a sub-alpine forest to the mountain lakes. The trail gains 580 m (1,885 ft). For overnight hikers, there is a backcountry campground along the way (reservations made through Backcountry Permit Desk). From here, a 3 km (1.8 mile) trail leads past the north side of Three Isle Lakes to South Kananaskis Pass. The height gain is 125 m (406 ft) to the pass. Beatty Lake is a further 2 km (1.2 miles) away, in BC.
Northwestern Ontario: Kabeyun Trail–Sleeping Giant Park (Map 6/G2, 7 Inset)
Covering a total distance of 40 km (25 mi), this is the longest trail in the park. Often used as a 3 day backpacking trip, visitors can hike sections of the trail as it can be accessed from a number of other trails within the park (see Sleeping Giant Park Trails). Hiking the entire trail is quite difficult because of the rugged terrain, large boulders and treacherous footing. The complete trail begins at Thunder Bay Lookout, which offers a spectacular, 137 metre (450 foot) high view of Lake Superior and follows the coastline past Clavel Point and Hoorigan Point to Sawyer Bay. There is also a 1.3 km (0.8 mi) side trail located on the southernmost point on the mainland, which ends at the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory. Dotting the coastal trail is some of the best scenery in the province with several beaches and coves to refresh tired bodies.
Prince Edward Islands: Confederation Trail (Maps 1 – 27)
The Confederation Trail development began in 1993 by transforming the abandoned CN Rail lines into recreational trails. These trails cover approximately 350 km from Elmira in the east to Tignish at the north end of the island. In addition to the main trail through the heart of the island, branch trails lead to most major centres on the island. It is a multi-use trail that can be broken into short pieces or pieced together for a fantastic long distance route. The descriptions below describe the trail starting with the most eastern section.
Please note that mountain bikes are to stay on the compacted trail and motorized vehicles are prohibited.
For more information on this and other trails on the island, be sure to pick up a copy of Nature Trails of PEI by J. Dan McAskill and Kate MacQuarrie.
Partners, Government, Clubs and Associations
