FAQ
What is the Trans Canada Trail?
Initiated in 1992 as a project to celebrate Canada’s 125th year, the Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of multi-use recreational trails. When completed,
it will stretch 22,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans, through every province and territory, linking over 1000 communities and more than 33 million Canadians.
To date, more than 15,500 kilometres of Trail are operational which is close to 70.5 percent of the proposed route. Today, four out of five Canadians live within 30 minutes of completed sections of the Trail.
The Trans Canada Trail is made up of close to 400 individual trails, each with unique
and varied features. This contributes to the diversity and grandeur of Canada’s
national Trail. For day trips or multi-day adventures, the Trail offers countless
opportunities to explore and discover.
The Trail is inspiring people to get active and enjoy the outdoors: walking/hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, canoeing, snowmobiling and horseback riding, which
are the preferred activities on the Trail.
Today millions of Canadians are using the Trail to experience Canada’s legendary wilderness; cycle historic rail trails; explore provincial and territorial capitals; canoe the routes of early explorers; visit national and provincial parks; commute to and from work; picnic in urban parks; and learn about our rich history and diverse
cultural heritage.
How can I find the Trail in my area?Trail locator: Go to our Trail Locator. You will find printable maps and downloadable GPS coordinates for all operational trail sections. There are over 1,125 maps.
On Trail Locator, click on the red Trail route running across Canada to see completed sections of the Trail. These appear dark green. To get more information on a particular trail, click on the route until it turns bright green and an information box appears with details on the length of the trail section, grade or surface, appropriate activities, GPS coordinates and printable maps.
You can also go to the Trail Locator’s tools menu to get maps or GPS coordinates.
You can download a map for a specific trail section or the maps for an entire province/territory.
Guide books and maps: Trans Canada Trail has seven Official Trans Canada Trail guidebooks – for Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. These can be purchased on-line. We also offer three stand-alone maps, particularly helpful for planning longer trips on the Trail in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario.
Visit the websites of our provincial and territorial partners. They offer a wealth of information about the Trail in every province and territory.
Who owns, builds and maintains the Trail?The Trans Canada Trail is a community-based project. Trail sections are owned, operated and maintained by local organizations, provincial authorities, national agencies and municipalities across Canada. The Trans Canada Trail does not own
or operate any trail.
The Trans Canada Trail is represented by provincial/territorial organizations that are responsible for championing the cause of the Trail in their region. These Provincial
and Territorial organizations together with the local trail-building organizations are
an integral part of the Trans Canada Trail and are the "driving force" behind its development. Their collective membership represents approximately 1,500,000 volunteers across Canada.
Who funds the Trail?The Trans Canada Trail has the support of Canadians from all regions and all walks
of life. More than 100,000 Canadians have helped build the Trail by sponsoring
metres of trail. Donors and sponsors are recognized in the Trail’s 86 red-roofed
pavilions.
Major corporations, foundations and all levels of government have contributed to the Trail. The federal government’s Department of Canadian Heritage provided $15
million for seed funding for trail construction.
What are the primary benefits of the Trail?The Trail offers many benefits:
- Health: The Trail is inspiring Canadians of all ages to get active and keep fit.
- Environment: The Trail is preserving green space, promoting conservation, encouraging active transportation and protecting the environment.
- Education: The Trail is helping educate individuals of all ages about Canada’s history and natural heritage.
- Economic development: The Trail is promoting tourism, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth in large and small communities.
- National legacy: Together we are building a treasured resource for Canadians today and a legacy for generations to come. The Trail has captured the hearts of Canadians. People from coast to coast to coast are working
together to fulfill a common goal and make the dream of Canada’s national Trail become a reality.
When will the Trail be complete?Our goal is to complete the Trail as a continuous route from coast to coast to coast
by 2017, the 25th anniversary of the Trail and Canada’s 150th anniversary since Confederation. With 6,500 kilometres of Trail to go – many in unpopulated areas with difficult terrain, this is a bold and ambitious goal. With the dedication and support of
all Canadians, we can collectively make it happen. Join us today.
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Trans Canada Trail welcomes the Olympic Flame to North Vancouver, B.C.Join us on Wednesday, February 10, from 7:45 am – 8:45 am (PST), to welcome th... [ More ] Trans Canada Trail welcomes the Olympic Flame to Fort Langley, B.C.Join us on Monday, February 8, from 10:00 am – 10:45 am (PST), to welcome the ... [ More ] See Valerie Pringle carry the Torch – Photo GalleryValerie Pringle, Trans Canada Trail Chair, carried the Olympic Torch in Squamish... [ More ] Canada Day Poster Challenge 2010!Each year, students aged 5 to 18 are invited to take part in the Canada Day Post... [ More ] The Globe and Mail – Our new national media partnerTrans Canada Trail is pleased to announce that the Globe and Mail has agreed to ... [ More ] Trans Canada Trail signs MOU with Parks CanadaNovember 20, 2009. Trans Canada Trail and Parks Canada have formalized an agreem... [ More ] Pasadena and Corner Brook, NL welcome the Olympic FlameEnthusiastic crowds lined Highway 1 just before noon on Sunday, November 15th to... [ More ] Olympic torch hand-off at Nanaimo, BC pavilionJust before 7:00 pm local time on Saturday, October 31 the Olympic Torch was pas... [ More ] Newfoundland gateway celebrations in Port aux Basques on August 5The Trans Canada Trail inter-provincial gateway welcoming trail users to Newfoun... [ More ] St. John’s, NL Trans Canada Trail Pavilion relocation ceremonySome 60 people, including trail enthusiasts and retired railway workers, were o... [ More ]
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