Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Winter 2009/2010 Outback | Page 14

FEATURE

RADISSON HECLA RESORT,
HECLA ISLAND, MB

WEST COAST TRAIL
VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC

SIGNAL HILL,
ST. JOHN’S, NL

country to explore on foot
than Canada! The Web site
www.besthike.com lists two Canadian
trails on its top 10 hikes of the world list.
Referred to as “a near perfect hiking experience in pristine
Canadian wilderness,” Vancouver Island’s 75 km West Coast Trail
takes the list’s top spot, while Alberta’s Sunshine to Mt. Assiniboine
trail comes in at number five on the list.
And hiking does not necessarily have to mean wilderness.
Depending on what suits your style, you can explore a more urban
landscape on foot and learn some interesting things about the
history and evolving culture. Being on foot is simply a great way
to see EVERYTHING. Why not drive to a city you’ve never been to
before and then head out on foot?
If you want to get fit, St. John’s, Newfoundland, is a great city
to explore. There is loads of history here and there are also loads
of hills. St. John’s is home to Signal Hill, the reception point of the
first transatlantic wireless signal by Guglielmo Marconi. Signal
Hill is also the start of the North Head Trail, a difficult 1.7 km hike
from Cabot Tower to Lower Battery Road, which descends almost
500 feet over stairs, boardwalk and footpath and rewards with an
incredible view of St. John’s harbour. If you would like to hike in
a more non-traditional way, consider the leg-toning benefits of
walking or running on Prince Edward Island’s long, sandy beaches.
One trail that combines both urban and wilderness landscapes
is the Trans Canada Trail, a 21,500 km recreational trail winding
its way through every province and territory, from the Atlantic

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to Pacific to Arctic Oceans. When the trail is completed, it will
be the world’s longest recreational trail, linking close to 1,000
communities and over 33 million Canadians. Today almost 70%
(an amazing 14,500 km) is already developed. And the trail is not
just for hiking. Depending on the location, there are opportunities
to walk, hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride and canoe. To check it out,
visit www.tctrail.ca.
With any luck, you will have a perfectly fine place to go for
a walk or a hike close to your home. Keeping it simple is the best
way to build walking into your everyday lifestyle. Going further
afield, there are countless Web sites dedicated to great places to
explore. Each of the provincial tourism Web sites have a spot
where you can pop H