Top 6 active experiences to do in Canada for every season

From the mountains to the coast, there are so many active travel experiences to choose from across Canada. So to help you decide what to include in your next adventure up north, we've listed our top picks for the most memorable and iconic Canadian experiences.

1. Answer the call of the mountains

If there is something everyone knows about Canada, it’s the majestic mountains. It's with good reason, too – it’s hard not to rave about the light blue alpine lakes, the towering peaks and the plethora of outdoor activities the region offers.

From hiking amongst wildflowers in the spring and summer and seeking out golden larches in autumn, to snowshoeing during the quiet magic of winter, the mountains of western Canada beckon year-round.

2. Wave to whales on Iceberg Alley

How about spotting icebergs from your hiking trail? Talk about an iconic Canadian experience! Head to the island of Newfoundland where you can hike along Canada's beautifully rugged Avalon Peninsula and watch icebergs of all shapes and sizes float by.

If you hike the self guided East Coast Trail in May or early June, you’ll have the best chance of spotting some of these 10,000-year-old giants. And if that wasn't amazing enough, remember that the whales are migrating north in the late spring and early summer too, so you might just get lucky and see both icebergs and whales from your hiking trail.

For an even higher chance of spotting these natural wonders, head to the northwest tip of the island, discover an ancient Viking settlement and keep a lookout from your cozy lighthouse accommodations.

3. Taste the sugary goodness

Speaking of essentials, it’s hard to think of anything more essential than maple syrup. You can put it on almost anything, and we’d be surprised if you didn’t come across some maple candy, maple ice cream or maple lattes while in Canada.

The province of Quebec is where most Canadian maple syrup comes from and as luck would have it, Quebec also produces wild blueberries. Blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, anyone? You can then burn off the calories by biking the Blueberry Bicycle Route circling the picturesque St-Jean lake. Or, if going around in a circle isn't your thing, try cycling the linear Petit Train du Nord instead. 

4. Discover the Great White North

Firstly, we should clarify that much of Northern Canada is not eternally covered in a wintery white blanket. There are plenty of experiences to be had from spring through autumn that are completely snow-free and even downright warm, such as hiking and paddling in Yukon Territory and experiencing the ‘midnight sun’.

Of course, you can’t deny the truly iconic Canadian experience of watching the northern lights dance above a frozen lake in the deep dark winter skies of the Northwest Territories, one of the best places in the world to see nature’s spectacular show due to the flat, unobstructed views directly under the auroral oval. While you are tucked away in a remote lodge, try your hand at igloo-building, snowshoeing, skating, skiing, or even fat biking.  

5. Experience a warm Maritime welcome

Worldwide Canadians are known as being oh-so-polite. Nowhere is this more true than in the small communities of the Atlantic provinces, and there’s no better way to get to know the locals than on a self-guided, active holiday in the Maritimes.

A series of converted ‘rails to trails’ such as Prince Edward Island’s Confederation Trail and Nova Scotia’s Rum Runner’s Trail make it possible for even the novice cyclist to hop from one picturesque coastal community to another with plenty of time to taste the abundant seafood (fresh lobster, anyone?), take a beach break (or two), and chat with the friendly Maritimers (friendly banter is a regional pastime). 

6. Go off-the-grid in the backcountry

Canada has incredibly large expanses of wilderness. It’s easy to go days and even weeks without seeing another soul. Each season, Canadians rush out to the woods to escape the daily grind and get back to nature at lake-side cabins, remote wilderness campsites, backcountry huts, and protected parks and reserves.

Strict regulations are often in place to keep numbers down and protect these wild places, but you can still go remote on an organised adventure that leaves a small footprint in the places you visit, such as a self-guided hut-to-hut hike, a guided backpacking trip or on a classic Canadian winter adventure in an off-grid log cabin.