If you’re yearning to take a break from the 24/7 news cycle, or at least from scrolling Instagram, we’ve got a fun activity for you and your horse to take part in. The second annual Great Canadian Hike has begun. Running from September 15 through to October 31, the event is a national challenge that encourages Canadians to get off the sofa and into nature to embrace their local trail in the company of friends, family, and yes, horses (and dogs!)
Organized by Trans Canada Trail (TCT), the Great Canadian Hike has a big goal: to get people from all 13 provinces and territories to disconnect from screens and reconnect with our great outdoors by collectively spending 28,000 hours on Canada’s 28,000 km national trail. It’s all part of trying to create a positive experience after the last 18 months of Covid-19 isolation. And yes, you can also choose to hike, walk, run, skip, paddle, roll, stroll, or bike. Naturally, we at Horse Canada think sitting on a horse is the best way to view the country.
Certainly, people from all walks of life have embraced outdoor activities in the last year and a half. According to the TCT, the use of the national trail has increased 50% since the pandemic, with loads of fellow Canadians desperate to leave their homes and get some fresh air and exercise.
In fact, last year’s event saw over 10,000 Canadians collectively hiking the length of the Trans Canada Trail to amass a combined distance of 108,000 km – equivalent to almost three times the earth’s circumference. That’s a lot of locomotion.
Since the inaugural event was such a massive success, the folks at TCT have created prizes for participants who refer friends and family to join in.
Now the part you really care about: where to ride your horse. There are 133 horse-friendly trails throughout the country and in nearly every province and territory including the Yukon. Some of the trails are mixed use, but there are plenty strictly for horses and humans (and yes, dogs).
While there are too many to name here, a few examples include Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail, which traverses 176 km in North-Eastern Alberta. Talk about a long ride! This trail has existed in its relatively natural state since approximately 1920. The trail follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way that connects many local communities.
On the trail in Lake Louise, AB. (Photo courtesy TCT)
In British Colombia, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail offers 183km out of 495km for horseback riders. This historic rail trail was built on the route of the Kettle Valley Railway and opened in 1915 to transport silver ore to the coast. On parts of this trail, you’ll see trestles and tunnels built by early pioneers.
There’s also Manitoba’s nearly 200km Crow Wing Trail, all horse-friendly, and is the longest section of the Trans Canada Trail in the province.
Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces also have loads of horseback riding trails to make any trail rider or hacker happy. But given the length of some of these trails we suggest you pack a lunch for you and your horse and for safety’s sake, bring a cell phone and a riding buddy. Trail riding alone can be dangerous, especially if you fall off and can’t reach your phone, or worse, are unconscious. As well, all participants must abide by local public health guidelines and recreate on the Trail safely and responsibly.
Okay, enough of the warnings, it’s time to saddle up, hit the trails and enjoy the fall weather!
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