When it comes to the great outdoors, there’s nowhere quite like Canada. Cycling is a great way to see its highlights, whether you’re seeking a leisurely ride or want to get far off the beaten track. So, we’ve ranked what – in our opinion – are Canada’s most beautiful cycle routes. Our choices span the provinces, taking in stunning national parks, rugged coastline and historic sites. The routes vary in length and difficulty, so there’s something for cyclists of every ability to enjoy.
Click through this gallery to explore our ranking of Canada's most beautiful cycle routes…
Head north from Montreal to cycle Canada's longest linear park, running between Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier through Québec's Laurentian Mountains. The 145-mile (234km) route was created from a decommissioned rail track, built in the early 20th century, and forms part of the 17,000-mile (28,000km) Trans Canada Trail, or Great Trail.
Le P’tit Train du Nord (Little Train of the North) offers a leisurely ride, with some sections suitable for families. It snakes through forests and picturesque towns and alongside gently flowing rivers, making this a pleasant way to enjoy the scenery.
Vancouver’s most popular bike route, this 17.3-mile (28km) greenway is also the longest uninterrupted waterfront path in the world. Stretching from the Vancouver Convention Centre to Spanish Banks Park, highlights include the Coal Harbour marina and scenic False Creek.
Part of the Trans Canada Trail, the greenway includes the 5.6-mile (9km) Vancouver Seawall, which circles Stanley Park and offers stunning views of the city and waterfront. This flat, paved route is suitable for cyclists of all levels.
This 74-mile (119km) route along the Nova Scotia coast dates back to the days of Prohibition. During the 1920s and 1930s, local sailors engaged in rum-running, smuggling alcohol into the United States. The trail's name reflects this history, with museums along the route showcasing this intriguing past.
The gentle and mostly flat cycle trail starts in Halifax, then meanders through charming coastal towns, including Mahone Bay and Chester, before concluding in the historic port town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Canada’s rugged Northwest Territories is not a province known for cycling. However, for intrepid adventurers, the 458-mile (737km) Dempster Highway – connecting Dawson City, Yukon, to Inuvik in the Mackenzie Delta – promises an unforgettable challenge.
Taking in the Klondike goldfields and the Arctic Ocean, this is one for experienced cyclists. The route is sparse in terms of amenities and comforts. However, riders can expect awe-inspiring scenery and maybe an encounter with a wild caribou or grizzly bear.
Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration
This 8.4-mile (13.5km) urban route between Montreal’s Old Port and Lake Saint-Louis is a scenic way to get a glimpse of the city’s industrial heritage. Opened in 1825, Lachine Canal is a national historic site and a popular tourist attraction. The canal has five locks, which operate daily.
The route is suitable for beginners, with plenty of amenities and sightseeing opportunities along the way and grassy areas for picnicking. The canal is accessible year-round but is best cycled in the spring, summer or autumn, as Montreal is prone to harsh winters.
The Gulf Islands located between Vancouver Island and the mainland are a paradise for cyclists, with the Southern Gulf Islands an especially popular option. Mayne Island offers a beautiful and accessible 14-mile (22.5km) loop.
Reachable by ferry from Vancouver or from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, Mayne Island is suitable for casual and more experienced cyclists. The route also offers a tour of the highlights of this compact eight-square-mile (21sq km) island, including Georgina Point Heritage Park and its lighthouse.
This 66.4-mile (107km) urban trail takes riders along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, a major tributary of the 1,205-mile (1,939km) Saskatchewan River system. The Meewasin Trail starts and ends at Saskatoon, known as The City of Bridges. The landscape also includes prairie, parks and conservation areas.
The trail runs up one side of the river and down the other. However, the east side of the river is best for less experienced cyclists as it’s paved, while the west side features more uneven terrain.
Known as the Blueberry Route or ‘Veloroute des Bleuets’, due to the abundance of wild blueberries which are farmed here, this is a 159-mile (256km) loop around Lac St Jean.
Located north of Québec City in the Saguenay region, this vast lake is surrounded by 15 municipalities, including those home to Pointe-Taillon National Park, the historic ghost town of Val-Jalbert and miles of sandy beaches The paved and flat route starts and ends in Alma. Visit during blueberry harvesting season from July to September to sample the local produce.
This historic 120-mile (193km) section of the Trans Canada Trail follows the route of a mid-19th-century Red River Ox-Cart Trail, which once extended into the United States. Highlights along the trail include St. Malo Provincial Park and the Senkiw Suspension Bridge, which spans the Roseau River. The landscape also features the Tall Grass Prairie, home to a variety of wildflowers and grasses.
The Crow Wing Trail extends from Winnipeg to Emerson at the Canada-US border. While mostly flat, it includes a mix of terrains, such as gravel roads, dirt paths and some overgrown sections.
This 28.5-mile (46km) trail offers a leisurely tour of Whistler, a popular ski resort with year-round appeal. The trail snakes around the town’s neighbourhoods and its five scenic lakes, including Alta Lake, the largest, which has three beaches and views of Whistler, Blackcomb and Wedge mountains.
The flat route comprises paved trail and boardwalk – visitors just need to watch for the occasional black bear crossing. Cycling here in winter requires a ‘fat bike’ or ‘snow bike’, which has wider tyres and is built for off-roading.
Used during the 1898 Gold Rush migration, the 441-mile (709km) Klondike Highway is one of the more accessible ways to explore the rugged beauty of Yukon by bike. The route consists of the 98-mile (157.7km) South Klondike Highway, running from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, and the 333-mile (536km) North Klondike Highway from Whitehorse to Dawson City.
Southern highlights include White Pass summit, Emerald Lake and Carcross Desert, while the northern section is more remote, snaking through hilly terrain and passing the Five Finger Rapids on the Yukon River. While mostly paved, the highway features a mix of terrain, and wildlife encounters with bears, foxes and moose are common.
This 27-mile (43.5km) section of the Trans Canada Trail extends from the Isadore Canyon Trailhead near Cranbrook to Wardner Community Park. The route offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and the Kootenay River, as well as the chance to see black bears, elk and eagles.
Part former rail track and part gravel path, the route is best for riders of moderate ability. Within the route, there are separate trails. The four-mile (6.5km) Rampart Loop is good for families, while the 10.5-mile (17km) Mayook Trail is for mountain bikers.
This 185-mile (298km) scenic trail snakes around the northern tip of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island, known as Unama'ki (‘land of fog’) in the native Mi'kmaw language. Highlights include Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where those who follow the Skyline Trail footpath are greeted with views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and maybe a glimpse of migratory whales.
The Cabot Trail is a loop, taking in hilly terrain with steep ascents and roadway. Baddeck is the typical start and end point, with the trail taking riders past beaches and fishing villages against a mountainous backdrop, which is especially spectacular during autumn.
The 34.4-mile (53.8km) Kawartha section of the Trans Canada Trail extends from Peterborough to Durham. Highlights include the Couchiching Conservancy, which is home to osprey, foxes, deer and turtles. The trail takes riders through a landscape of woodland, farmland and wetland.
Mostly flat, the trail is suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. It’s best cycled in spring, summer or autumn, when visitors can enjoy the seasonal colours, such as the blooming wildflowers and the rich autumnal foliage.
Built for the Kettle Valley Railway, this multi-use recreational trail now provides a scenic 400-mile (650km) route through vineyards, historic mining towns and forests. Among the highlights are the Myra Canyon Trestles, a series of 18 trestle bridges and two tunnels, originally constructed between 1912 and 1914 and rebuilt after the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Fire.
Extending between Midway and Hope, this diverse trail winds through the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys and the Cascade Mountains. The 7.5-mile (12km) Myra Canyon section is suitable for families, while other segments cater to more experienced riders and mountain bikers due to varying terrain.
Built in 1920, the 30-mile (48km) Bow Valley Parkway links Banff and Lake Louise. It runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway, offering a quieter route against the backdrop of The Rockies. Highlights include Storm Mountain Lookout, with its views of the Bow River and Johnston Canyon.
The parkway also takes visitors close to one of the most photographed places in Banff National Park, Morant’s Curve – a bend in the Bow River where trains rumble through the mountainous landscape. The parkway is flat and paved but shared for much of the year with other vehicles.
Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the maritime province of Prince Edward Island is known for its beaches, lighthouses and as the setting for L.M. Montgomery’s 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables. The Confederation Trail spans 170 miles (273km) from Tignish to Elmira, with additional branch trails extending the total network to 279 miles (449km).
The route runs west to east across the island and is divided into sections. One of the easier stretches is the 11.2-mile (18km) segment from Emerald to Borden-Carleton, making it ideal for casual cyclists and families. From December to March, the trail is exclusively used by snowmobiles.
The 76-mile (122km) Cowichan Valley Trail on southern Vancouver Island includes the 613-foot (187m) Kinsol Trestle. Completed in 1920, it is one of the world’s tallest free-standing timber rail trestles, soaring 144 feet (44m) above the Koksilah River. Other highlights include Stocking Creek Park, known for its scenic waterfall, and Malahat Ridge, which offers panoramic views.
The route is moderately challenging, but there are shorter trails of varying difficulty. The Malahat Ridge Connector is steep and rocky, while an easier option is the 6.8-mile (11km) West Shawnigan Lake Park to Kinsol Trestle trail, popular with families and casual hikers.
The 68-mile (110km) Harvest Moon Trailway winds through the towns, orchards and farmland of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. It starts in the historic seaside community of Annapolis Royal and ends at the Landscape of Grand Pré, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, riders can enjoy spectacular views across the Bay of Fundy.
The easy, flat trail was created on a former train route of the Dominion Atlantic Railway. It takes visitors on a leisurely trip through the heart of Nova Scotia’s wine country and offers ample opportunities to enjoy the local farmers’ markets and independent eateries.
Extending from St. John’s to Port aux Basques, this 547-mile (880km) stretch of the Trans Canada Trail runs the entire length of Newfoundland. The historic trail follows the old route of the Canadian National Railway, which started running in 1898.
The trail offers experienced riders the chance to take in the wide-open wilderness, rugged coastline and dense forests of Newfoundland. Birdwatchers should keep alert for bald eagles and short-eared owls, while the resident wildlife includes moose, black bear and Newfoundland marten.
This 144-mile (232km) scenic parkway runs between Lake Louise and Jasper, passing through Banff and Jasper National Parks. Highlights include the turquoise waters of Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the Rocky Mountains. The route also ascends to Bow Summit, the highest point along a public road in the Canadian Rockies. The surrounding area is home to 53 mammal species and 260 bird species.
While the parkway is fully paved, it features steep climbs and is shared with other traffic. Though open year-round, winter conditions can be challenging, and sections of the road may temporarily close due to avalanches.
Starting in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, this 2,237-mile (3,600km) route promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario, it passes the Niagara River, including spectacular Niagara Falls, continuing to lakes Erie, Huron and St. Clair, ending in Sault Ste. Marie.
From here, 621 miles (1,000km) of cycling routes are being added along Lake Superior. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail includes the 87-mile (140km) Greater Niagara Circle Route, a series of scenic trails between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie along the Welland Canal.
Part of the Trans Canada Trail, this 64-mile (103km) route extends from Squamish to Pemberton, passing through Whistler and offering stunning views of the Coast Mountains. The trail starts in Squamish, home to the Sea to Sky Gondola and Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, before continuing through the Sea to Sky Corridor.
In Whistler, it connects with the Whistler Valley Trail, a 29-mile (46km) network of car-free, paved trails. The route then extends to Pemberton, passing Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, known for its spectacular waterfall. The trail consists of gravel and paved sections, with some steep climbs. While certain portions are accessible to all skill levels, others require more experience due to varying terrain.
The Gaspe Peninsula (or ‘Gaspesie’), on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, boasts mountains, salmon-filled rivers, dramatic valleys and cliffs. Highlights include the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island National Park, home to a gannet colony.
Cycle routes in the Gaspé Peninsula include the 550-mile (885km) Tour de la Gaspésie, which loops around the peninsula following the paved Route 132. For experienced cyclists, La Transgaspésie is a 277-mile (446km) bikepacking route that cuts through the interior of the peninsula, with a mix of gravel roads, forest tracks and singletrack trails, making it a more challenging off-road adventure.
This epic 210-mile (330km) route promises an unforgettable journey through The Rockies, and is our pick for Canada's most beautiful cycle route. Taking riders on a scenic loop through Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks, highlights include the emerald waters of Lake Louise and the towering Takakkaw Falls. Riders can also take a well-earned dip at Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park.
The route features some steep climbs, and while winter brings the chance to see the Northern Lights, the best time to cycle it is between May and September.