Canada has been named the best country in the world for hiking, taking a perfect 10 score in a survey by TouchNote, the personalised postcard service. The ranking beat out heavyweight competition from the United States, Scotland, Italy's mountain ranges, the Alps, Peru's Inca Trail and the Himalayan foothills. Interest in Canadian trips is surging, too — TouchNote's Craig Law says searches for 'best places to visit in Canada' jumped more than 5,000 percent over the past year.
So what swung it? According to the survey, Canadian trails are the most photogenic on the planet, yet they tend to be shorter than average and only moderately difficult. That mix of postcard scenery and real accessibility is rare, and it means the country works for everyone from weekend walkers to through-hikers. The appeal is broad geographically as well: alpine ridges in the Rockies, Atlantic coastal paths in Nova Scotia, forest trails in Saskatchewan and old routes in Ontario. Getting there is straightforward, with Vancouver International in the west and Toronto Pearson and Montréal–Trudeau in the east.
Three trails worth knowing about. First, the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland — often called Canada's best multi-day hike. It stretches around 200 miles across 25 linked wilderness paths, with ocean views, and the chance to spot icebergs, whales and seabirds. You can sample a single section or commit to the whole thing.
Second, the Bruce Trail in Ontario runs a whopping 560 miles along the top of the Niagara Escarpment, from Queenston Heights Park to Tobermory Harbor in Bruce Peninsula National Park. Despite the length it's very approachable — well-maintained, clearly marked and broken into short sections. Autumn is the standout season, when the hardwood forest turns shades of orange, red and gold.
Third, for a classic Canadian day out, the Lake Agnes & the Beehives trails in Banff National Park, Alberta, climb from Lake Louise past Mirror Lake to Lake Agnes and up Big Beehive for sweeping mountain views. The historic Lake Agnes Teahouse at the top is a Canadian hiking institution — plan your break around it.
The timing of this ranking taps into a wider trend. Statista figures show roughly one in three adults in both the US and China hike at least occasionally, and Skyscanner reports 71% of travellers are considering or planning a mountain escape in 2026, with summer mountain trail activity up 23% since 2023. Canada sits right at the intersection of all of that.
For travellers, the practical upshot is simple: if a walking holiday has been on your list, Canada now has the data to back the daydream. Pick a base — Banff for alpine day hikes, Newfoundland for wild coastline, Ontario for a flexible long-distance option — and build a trip around trail sections rather than feeling locked into an epic through-hike. Just book Banff-area accommodation well ahead in summer, and pack layers for the coast.
