Another trail is about to join the ranks of the world's great trails, such as America's Appalachian Trail, Turkey's Lycian Way, or South America's Inca Trail:
Cyclists in Canada will soon be able to pedal from Newfoundland on the Atlantic coast to Vancouver Island in the Pacific Ocean, without having to share a road with a single car. The Great Trail, as it's known, is set to open in 2017 in time for Canada's 150th birthday. Once complete, the trail will stretch 15,000 miles (24,000km) through each of the country's 13 provinces and territories and touch three oceans, becoming the longest recreational trail in the world.
Besides biking, hiking and horseback riding, the path will be open in winter for cross country skiing and snowmobiling. And with a quarter of the trail on water, canoes, kayaks or other water craft can also be used.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 14 2016, @03:33PM
TFA has a great map, but since I'm unfamiliar with Canada I'm curious about the little squiggle of trail in the far north, unlikely to ever connect to the rest. Is there something worth packing up and driving up there to hike/bike it?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by vux984 on Wednesday September 14 2016, @03:59PM
Heh... I almost didn't see it, you're referring to the isolated piece on baffin island. The reason for that bit of trail is to give credence to the claim that their is trail in all provinces and territories; since that is also the only bit of trail in Nunavut. That bit of trail is also near Iquluit, the capital of Nunavut. (And the extra little wing on the western trail reaches to connect to Yellowknife (the capital) of the Northwest Territories. So it appears not only does the trail run through all the territories, but also connects all the capitals, which is kind of cool.
Although, as you noted Iqaluit isn't really connected... but Iqaluit isn't really connected to anything. It has no roads going in or out, its not connected to any highways; it's on an island, and there are no ferries there. The only reliable way in is air (and there aren't many places you can get flights to there); and depending on the ice conditions by sea. So...in practice if you were trying to travel the trail; you'd probably take the trail up to yellowknife and then take a flight from there to Iqaluit. Alternatively you could fly up from Ottawa (capital of canada).
(Score: 1) by korla_plankton on Wednesday September 14 2016, @05:48PM
For those obsessed with getting 100% completion, hiking the trail from Kimmirut to Iqaluit will cost you about C$3000 in air fare....
They could've gone up from Winnipeg to Arviat if they wanted to include Nunavut without requiring a flight. It's only around 1500 km, and you only really have to dodge polar bears for the last 300 or so... ;)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 14 2016, @11:04PM
Yes! Eskimos have a rule of hospitality that allows visitors to sleep with their wives.