Filled with diverse cities and breathtaking natural scenery, Canada is the perfect place for a backpacking adventure. From the bustling streets of Toronto to the spectacular beauty of the Canadian Rockies, the country is simply packed with incredible sights and fascinating destinations. In a country as large as Canada, seeing every backpacking destination can be tricky. However, there are a number of must-see destinations and attractions that every backpacker should make a point to visit.
Vibrant Cities to Explore
Canada is home to a number of fascinating and historic cities worth visiting on a backpacking trip. Many cities in Canada play host to affordable eateries and places of lodging such as hostels and bed-and-breakfasts.
Toronto is a top destination for backpackers in Canada thanks to its multicultural population, rich history and wealth of attractions to explore. The city hosts must-see attractions like the iconic CN Tower and Casa Loma as well as world-class museums and cultural institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Ontario Science Centre. Backpackers should also make a point to explore sites like Yonge-Dundas Square, the Toronto Islands and the Scarborough Bluffs.
Montreal is another fascinating city worth exploring. Here, visitors will find historic districts like the beautiful Old Montreal area as well as sites like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Mount Royal, a park that offers spectacular views of the surrounding scenery.
Vancouver boasts beautiful scenery and plentiful recreational options like skiing, snowboarding, boating, fishing, hiking and camping in the nearby mountains. Top sites of interest in the city include the scenic Stanley Park, Chinatown, the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology and much more. Other great cities worth visiting on a backpacking excursion to Canada include Halifax, Ottawa and Quebec City.
Breathtaking Landscapes to Discover
In addition to its beautiful and historic cities, Canada is home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes and scenery to discover. From serene lakes to snow-capped mountains, verdant forests to remote beaches, the Canadian countryside offers plenty of beautiful places to explore.
The Canadian Rockies, renowned for their natural beauty, are a top destination for backpackers. Here, backpackers can discover places like Banff National Park, one of the world’s most beautiful nature preserves, and the idyllic Lake Louise. Jasper National Park is another spectacular and beautiful destination, hosting some of Canada’s best skiing, fishing, hiking and mountain climbing opportunities. Other top national parks in the Canadian Rockies include Kootenay National Park and Yoho National Park, known for its rugged beauty and breathtaking mountain vistas.
The Canadian Maritimes are another fantastic destination for backpacking. Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, the Canadian Maritimes consist of the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Top sites of interest here include the magnificent Bay of Fundy and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador, a region of rugged mountains, dense forests and scenic wonder. Another must-see destination is the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the site of a Viking settlement dating back to at least 1000 A.D. Finally, be sure to see Prince Edward Island National Park, a nature preserve known for its sweeping coastal views and unspoiled forests.
Quebec also offers many beautiful rural places to explore. Intrepid backpackers should make a point to see locales like the beautiful Spt-Iles region and the rugged yet scenic Gaspe Peninsula. Quebec also offers 22 provincial parks to discover as well.
Canada: A Backpacker’s Dream
With its wealth of scenic areas, unspoiled national parks and fascinating cities, Canada is the perfect place of a memorable backpacking trip. From the Canadian Maritimes to the rugged coast of British Columbia, backpackers have plenty of unforgettable places to explore during their journeys.
[Photo by: Garry Knight]
This article was updated on 4-19-2018
No Comments