When a Trail Isn’t Just a Trail

The Trans Canada Trail has reached an incredible new milestone: it’s now 30,000 kilometres of connected trail linking people, places and nature from coast to coast to coast. Built over three decades by thousands of communities, volunteers, governments and supporters, the Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest multi-use trail network. 

But the Trail has always been about more than kilometres. It delivers economic, social, health and environmental benefits across Canada. It’s a testament to what’s possible when Canadians come together to make a vision a reality, and a reminder that its future depends on all of us. 

Photo credit: The Heist

Today, we’re asking Canadians to help protect that future by calling on the federal government to renew its investment in the Trans Canada Trail. Through our Not Just a Trail campaign, it’s easy to make your voice heard by sending a letter to your Member of Parliament.  

Sharing what the Trail means to you can help ensure it continues connecting Canada to nature for generations to come. 

It’s Not Just a Trail 

In addition to offering countless ways for people to spend time in nature with their friends, family and fellow community members, the Trans Canada Trail supports local economies and tourism thanks to more than 200 million annual visits that support 221,000 jobs. It also provides accessible opportunities for recreation and active transportation.  

It’s an iconic shared national asset and an essential part of Canada’s national infrastructure that thousands of people rely on every day. 

Photo credit: Trevor Hunsberger

Share your love for the Trail with your Member of Parliament  

We’ve come so far together but current federal funding for the Trans Canada Trail ends in 2027. You can help protect this national asset. 

With a couple of clicks on your keyboard, you can send a letter to tell your Member of Parliament how much the Trail means to you and why you support the renewal of the Trail’s funding. 

It’s quick and easy:

The process takes just a few minutes, but sharing your voice will help demonstrate the importance of the Trail to people and communities across Canada. 

And if you want to share your thoughts with even more people, we’d love to see you post on social media too! Tag us and include these hashtags: #TransCanadaTrail #NotJustATrail

Thank you for speaking up to help keep the Trans Canada Trail funded after 2027! 

History timeline 

1992 – The Trans Canada Trail was first envisioned by Albertan Bill Pratt and Quebecker Pierre Camu. They let themselves think big, aiming to create a coast-to-coast-to-coast trail connecting Canadians to nature and to one another. 

2017 – The Trail was fully connected from coast-to-coast-to-coast. However, it was not complete as we’re always working to develop and connect new sections to the Trans Canada Trail. 

2026 – Across 30,000 kilometres, you can walk, run, cycle, canoe, kayak, horseback ride, cross-country ski, or snowshoe (and more!) on different sections of the Trans Canada Trail in all ten provinces and three territories. It offers countless ways to get to know the diverse landscapes, people and cultures of this incredible country.

Photo credit: Brent Harrewyn

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“The Trans Canada Trail is the greatest project in the history of the world.”  
– Valerie Pringle 
Longtime Volunteer and Former Chair of both Trans Canada Trail and the Trans Canada Trail Foundation 

“As we celebrate reaching 30,000 kilometres, we’re asking Canadians to help ensure it remains strong for generations to come.”  
Mathieu Roy 
Chief Executive Officer of Trans Canada Trail