The Great Trail: Stories celebrating the world's longest, most diverse path

OTTAWA, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Is summer already on your mind? Canadian Geographic has a few ideas in its January/ February issue to get you outdoors and onto The Great Trail! Inside this issue, you'll find stories and photographs that perfectly capture the essence of what makes this 24,000-kilometre trail a national treasure. The magazine provides great examples of how any Canadian can take advantage of it to explore our country, no matter their capabilities or interests.

Cover of the January /February issue of Canadian Geographic magazine (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Geographical Society)

Cliffs along New Brunswick's southern shore shape the Fundy Footpath, part of the province's coastal Great Trail system. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Geographical Society)

The Milky Way meets the Spray Lakes Reservoir south of Canmore in Spray Valley Provincial Park, Alta. Beneath the slopes of Windtower Mountain runs the High Rockies Trail, a section of The Great Trail that follows the reservoir and heads south to the British Columbia border. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Geographical Society)

"I know first-hand the power of The Great Trail, having used it daily to commute to work," says Aaron Kylie, Editor-in-chief of Canadian Geographic magazine. "This issue celebrates its importance to Canada with a range of stories that speak to its diversity of landscapes, uses and users."

Vancouver's Stanley Park played a big role in Rick Hansen's life when he was getting ready for the Paralympics. Not everyone's training course can offer a glimpse of a seal or a killer whale. Stanley Park is a well-known section of The Great Trail and with its beautiful ocean views, rose gardens and forest paths, it's easy to see why it's so popular.

For those who prefer to take the path less traveled, Baffin Island's Itijjagiaq Trail, which connects Iqaluit and Kimmirut, is the perfect trek to explore. The 120-kilometre trail is for more advanced hikers that can rough it in the Arctic and aren't afraid of meeting up with locals of the furry animal variety.

New Brunswick's Fundy Footpath is another challenging hike for the adventurous explorer, with extreme elevation climbs and descents that pass through some of Eastern Canada's most pristine wildness. Timing your hike to take in the natural spectacle of the world's highest tides can be a big payoff. From thick forest canopies to grand coastal vistas, the Fundy Footpath has it all.

If a relaxed stroll through the forest is more to your liking, then the historic Cowichan Valley Trail, built on former rail lines, is a perfect match for you. Make sure to cross the Kinsol Trestle, one of the largest trestle bridges in the world, over the Koksilah River — the view is spectacular!

You don't have to stick to land to enjoy The Great Trail. If you'd rather paddle, why not check out the jade-green, 1,000-kilometre Lake Superior Water Trail? You'll visit caves and beaches, as well as places that few people have seen before, like the Till Creek waterfall.

Need some inspiration to get active? The magazine is packed with stunning photography to lure you outside. One look at our Photo Club's Exposure photo, featuring a stunning shot of the Milky Way from the High Rockies Trail, will take your breath away. This edition of Canadian Geographic proves that The Great Trail is one path that can proudly, without reservation, stand by its name.

SOURCE Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Media information: Deborah Chapman, Communications Manager, Royal Canadian Geographical Society, O [phone] ext. 160, C [phone], Email: [email protected]