What:
Canada’s Great Trail, the world’s longest recreational trail, is now open to outdoor lovers of all kinds. The 14,913-mile trail, which runs from the northwestern corner of Canada to its easternmost coast on the Newfoundland Sea, crosses 13 different provinces and territories and links together 5,000 communities.
Why It Matters:
The Great Trail offers clients the opportunity for even more bountiful nature adventures when traveling through Canada. And with its individual trails that allow for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and even watersports (some 26 percent of the trail allows visitors to traverse waterways), travel agents can help tailor — and extend — a client’s vacation exactly to their interests.
Fast Facts:
- The Great Trail was officially completed and opened to the public on Aug. 26.
- It was 25 years in the making; it was conceived in 1992 by Canadians Pierre Camu, Bill Pratt and Paul LaBarge.
- The trail is said to be the largest volunteer project to have taken place in the country, with more than 470 volunteer groups coming together from across Canada.
- Trails allow for activities such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding and snowmobiling and take visitors through different terrains.
- For example, clients on the Mackenzie River Trail can make their way through nearly 950 miles of backcountry paddling terrain that passes through forests, sub-arctic landscapes and the tundra barrens of the Northwest Territories.
The Details
The Great Trail
www.thegreattrail.ca