Explore Canada

While Moraine Lake's shoreline trail is packed with tourists capturing the famous view of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, few venture onto the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass trail beyond. This moderate 10.9 km round trip hike climbs through a beautiful forest to alpine meadows and offers spectacular panoramic views without the crowds. In late September, the valley's larch trees turn a brilliant gold, creating one of the most magical landscapes in the Rockies.

Insider Tip: Start before 7 AM to avoid both crowds and potential parking restrictions at Moraine Lake (or take the park shuttle). Early mornings also offer the best light for photography and increased chances of wildlife sightings.

While the West Block of Grasslands National Park receives most visitors, the East Block remains relatively undiscovered. This area features the badlands-like Rock Creek Valley with fascinating geological formations and ancient fossils. The 70 Mile Butte offers panoramic views of the endless prairie, and the exceptionally dark skies make it one of the best places in Canada for stargazing.

Insider Tip: Visit during a new moon for the most spectacular stargazing. The park offers guided fossil tours in summer months where you might spot dinosaur remains in the eroding valley walls.

Lake Superior's northern shoreline hides one of Canada's most spectacular and least-visited wilderness hiking routes. The Pukaskwa Coastal Trail follows the rugged coastline for 60 km, featuring breathtaking views of vast inland seas, secluded cobblestone beaches, and dramatic cliffs. While the full trail is a challenging 5-7 day backpacking adventure, day hikers can experience a taste by hiking to White River Suspension Bridge (18 km return), which hangs dramatically over Chigamiwinigum Falls.

Insider Tip: Make reservations well in advance for backcountry campsites if attempting the full trail. The coastal sections can be foggy in the morning, creating ethereal photography opportunities.

While neighboring Banff gets the lion's share of visitors, Kootenay National Park offers equally stunning scenery with a fraction of the crowds. The Marble Canyon trail takes you through a dramatic limestone gorge with vivid turquoise waters. Just a short drive away, the Paint Pots feature mineral springs that have created ochre beds used for centuries by indigenous peoples for ceremonial and artistic purposes.

Insider Tip: Visit Marble Canyon in the early morning when the sun illuminates the canyon walls and creates a magical blue glow in the water. Combine this with a visit to the Paint Pots and nearby Numa Falls for a perfect half-day excursion.

At the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, Forillon National Park is already off the radar for many tourists. Within this coastal gem, the little-known La Calvaire Trail offers spectacular views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Gaspé Bay. This moderately challenging 7.8 km loop climbs to a series of wooden crosses representing the Stations of the Cross, a nod to the area's deep Catholic heritage. The panoramic viewpoints from Mont Saint-Alban tower are among the most breathtaking in Quebec.

Insider Tip: Time your hike for sunset when the coastline is bathed in golden light. Bring binoculars during summer to spot whales feeding offshore.

While Long Beach draws crowds of surfers and beachgoers, the southern section of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has hidden treasures. East Beach can only be accessed via the Cape Beale trail or by boat, making it pristine and often deserted. Nearby, the Seaside Bog Trail takes you through a rare coastal bog ecosystem with carnivorous plants and unique flora. The combination of old-growth rainforest, untouched beaches, and diverse ecosystems makes this area a nature lover's paradise.

Insider Tip: Check tide tables before visiting East Beach, as high tides can make sections impassable. For wilderness camping on the beach, obtain permits well in advance.

Canada's largest national park, Wood Buffalo, is also one of its least visited due to its remote location. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses one of nature's most unusual features: vast natural salt plains created by ancient seabeds. These crystalline flats create an otherworldly landscape where visitors can walk across what seems like a winter wonderland in the middle of summer. The park is also home to the world's largest beaver dam, visible from space, and the last natural nesting ground of the endangered whooping crane.

Insider Tip: Visit in late summer when water levels are lowest, exposing more of the salt plains. Bring rubber boots as the area can be muddy, and protect camera equipment from the corrosive salt.

While the hike up Gros Morne Mountain is a popular challenge for park visitors, few take the time to explore the hidden valley on the backside of the mountain. After reaching the summit plateau, a less-traveled path leads into a pristine alpine valley with small ponds, rare arctic-alpine vegetation, and occasional caribou sightings. This detour adds only about an hour to the standard route but offers solitude and scenery that most hikers miss entirely.

Insider Tip: This trail is closed until early July each year to protect nesting birds. Plan your hike for mid-July to early September and start early, as the complete circuit with the valley extension can take 8-9 hours.

This chain of limestone islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence remains one of Quebec's best-kept secrets. While visitors often come to see the famous monoliths (erosion-sculpted rock formations), few know about the fossil-rich beaches on islands like Île Quarry and Île du Fantôme. These shores contain perfectly preserved fossils from the Ordovician period (485-443 million years ago), including ancient corals, cephalopods, and trilobites, all accessible at low tide.

Insider Tip: Book a guided kayak tour that includes fossil interpretation. Remember that collecting fossils is prohibited, but photography is encouraged. Visit during weekdays in late June or early September to have entire islands to yourself.

As one of Canada's most remote national parks, Ivvavik receives fewer than 100 visitors annually. Those who make the journey to this Arctic wilderness can hike to Sheep Slot, a dramatic canyon carved by sheep over millennia as they traveled between mountain ridges. This narrow passage, located near the Sheep Creek valley, offers not just spectacular geology but also excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for Dall sheep, caribou, and occasionally wolves or grizzly bears.

Insider Tip: Access to Ivvavik is primarily by chartered aircraft and requires advanced planning. The park is only open in summer (June-August), with July offering the best combination of weather and wildlife viewing.

Discovering these lesser-known treasures requires some additional planning:

• Research Thoroughly: Many of these locations have limited information available online. Contact park visitor centers directly for the most current conditions and advice.
• Plan for Remoteness: Cell service is nonexistent in many of these areas. Bring physical maps, GPS devices, and emergency communication tools.
• Book Early: Some of these locations, while less visited, have very limited accommodation or permit availability due to conservation measures.
• Pack Appropriately: Weather can change rapidly in many of these environments. Layer clothing and bring emergency supplies even for short hikes.
• Leave No Trace: These pristine environments remain unspoiled because visitors respect them. Pack out all trash and minimize your impact.
• Consider Guided Options: Local guides often know hidden spots that aren't in any guidebook and can enhance your experience with their knowledge of the area's natural and cultural history.