Facts About The Trail

• What is the Trans Canada Trail?

  Initiated in 1992 as a project to celebrate Canada’s 125th year, the Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of multi-use recreational trails. When completed, it will stretch 23,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans, through every province and territory, linking over 1000 communities and all Canadians.

  The Trans Canada Trail is made up of close to 400 individual trails, each with unique and varied features. This contributes to the diversity and grandeur of Canada’s national Trail. For day trips or multi-day adventures, the Trail offers countless opportunities to explore and discover.

• How much of the Trail has been connected?

  To date, more than 16,800 kilometres of the Trail are operational which is more than 73 percent of the proposed route. Today, four out of five Canadians live within 30 minutes of completed sections of the Trail.

• How can I find the Trail in my area?

  Explore the Trail: Use our interactive map to highlight specific activities or points of interest, mark points or sections of the Trail you have visited and upload your own photos and stories. You’ll also find printable maps and downloadable GPS coordinates for all operational trail sections.

  You can download a map for a specific trail section, or maps for an entire province or territory.

  Guidebooks and maps: Trans Canada Trail has seven official Trans Canada Trail guidebooks for Nova Scotia, P.E.I., New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. We also offer three stand-alone maps, particularly helpful for planning longer trips on the Trail in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario.

  For more information, contact us, visit our online boutique, or get in touch with your local bookseller or travel supply store.

  Visit the websites of our provincial and territorial partners. They offer a wealth of information about the Trail in every province and territory.

• How does the Trail benefit Canada and Canadians?

  • Health & fitness: The Trail inspires Canadians of all ages to get active and keep fit.
  • Environment: The Trail preserves green space, promotes conservation, and encourages active transportation.
  • Education: The Trail helps educate individuals of all ages about Canada’s history and cultural and natural heritage.
  • Economic development: The Trail promotes tourism, creates jobs and contributes to economic growth in large and small communities.
  • National legacy: Together we are building a treasured resource for Canadians today and a legacy for generations to come. The Trail has captured the hearts of Canadians. People from coast to coast to coast are working together to fulfill a common goal and make the dream of Canada’s national Trail become a reality.

• Who owns, builds and maintains the Trail?

  The Trans Canada Trail is a community-based project. Trail sections are owned, operated and maintained by local organizations, provincial authorities, national agencies and municipalities across Canada. The Trans Canada Trail does not own or operate any trail.

  The Trans Canada Trail is represented by provincial and territorial organizations that are responsible for championing the cause of the Trail in their region. These provincial and territorial partners together with local trail-building organizations are an integral part of the Trans Canada Trail and are the "driving force" behind its development. Their collective membership represents approximately 1,500,000 volunteers across Canada.

• Who funds the Trail?

  The Trans Canada Trail has the support of Canadians from all regions and all walks of life. More than 125,000 Canadians have helped build the Trail by donating to the development and promotion of the Trail. Donors and sponsors are recognized in the Trail’s 86 red-roofed pavilions.

  Major corporations, foundations and all levels of government have contributed to the Trail. The Government of Canada has provided over $35 million in funding, including $15 million from the Department of Canadian Heritage for trail construction, and $10 million from Parks Canada in October 2010.

• When will the Trail be fully connected?

  Our goal is to connect the Trail as a continuous route from coast to coast to coast by 2017, the 25th anniversary of the Trail and Canada’s 150th anniversary since Confederation. With 6,200 kilometres of Trail to go—many in unpopulated areas with difficult terrain—this is a bold and ambitious goal. With the dedication and support of all Canadians, we can collectively make it happen. Join us today.