Canada and its hidden treasures: destinations off the beaten track

In British Columbia

All Canadian provinces are beautiful, but British Columbia is particularly stunning. It is a paradise for sports enthusiasts, but also for people who just like to walk or enjoy the good weather. It is home to two of Canada's most famous parks: Banff And Jasper.

Haida Gwaii

Haida Gwaii is an archipelago located 80 km off the northern coast of the province, previously known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. Haida Gwaii is the homeland of the Haida people. They make up about half of the island's population and have lived there for over 10,000 years. Most of the population is found on the two largest islands: Graham and Moresby.

This destination is famous for its beautiful landscapes and rich indigenous culture. It deserves its nickname Northern Galapagos. With its pristine beaches, dense rainforests and diverse wildlife, it almost feels like the tropics. Getting to Haida Gwaii is a challenge, as the archipelago is only accessible by plane or ferry. However, the trip is worth it.

You can explore isolated villages, admire traditional Haida art (including ancient Haida totem poles). The must-sees of this destination are Naikoon Provincial Park and Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. You will not find public transport here: visitors are obliged to rent a car.

Othello's tunnels

This site is located near Hope, in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. These tunnels now open to the public are the remains of an ancient railway system. When the tunnel system was decommissioned, the Othello Tunnels became popular. Today it is an official trail in the Trans-Canada Trail Network.

If you wish to visit this place, inquire beforehand, as the Othello Tunnels are closed to the public during periods of high winds.

Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta

This provincial park is located in Newell County, 2 hours east of Calgary, in the Red Deer River valley.

This site is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, to ensure the protection of the place, it is only accessible with tourist guides and affiliated programs. It is one of the richest sites for dinosaur fossils in the world. It is estimated that 5 % dinosaur fossils that have been found come from there. The landscapes of the park are quite special, they have something from another world. It's not hard to imagine dinosaurs in this setting.

Several activities are possible in Dinosaur Provincial Park. You can observe fossils outdoors, take hiking trails or kayak on the river.

Ivvavik National Park, Yukon

This park in northern Canada is also one of the least visited in the country. With less than 100 visitors per year, it is even less in terms of attendance than Mount Everest. It takes several flights aboard small twin-engine planes and several days to get there from Ontario.

The park is rich in wildlife. It is a place to observe many species, such as the Yukon wolf, grizzly bear, black bear, fox, Yukon moose, lemmings and many others. Many other activities are possible in this park: hiking, rafting, camping, fishing or observing the fauna and flora.

It is the first national park created following territorial claims by indigenous Canadians.

Pelee Island, Ontario

This island located on Lake Erie, Ontario, is known for its natural beauty and tranquility.

It is a stopping point for many species of migratory birds, which will delight nature lovers. It is an ideal destination for cycling due to its flat terrain and numerous cycle paths. Many hiking trails are laid out on the island. It is also a good destination for water activities, such as fishing or boat trips.

The microclimate of Pelee Island has allowed the creation of numerous vineyards on the island. Tasting these local Canadian products is a must. Also take a trip to the Pelee Island Heritage Center to learn about the importance of the island to the region and its history.

The island is accessible by ferry from the mainland, specifically from Leamington, Ontario, from late spring to early fall. It is important to check ferry times and plan your visit accordingly.

Baffin Island in Nunavut

It is the largest island in Canada and the 5th largest in the world. It is located between Greenland and the mainland of Canada. Its landscapes are wild and grandiose. Exploring its regions often requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and extensive knowledge of the Arctic terrain and environment.

Its Auyuittuq National Park is home to Akshayuk Pass. It is only accessible by chartered flights to the small village of Pangnirtung and a difficult trekking route. After this daunting ordeal, visitors are rewarded with incredible views of the Arctic landscape.

Auyuittuq National Park is a vast and astonishing wilderness region. It is known for its towering granite peaks, massive glaciers, deep fjords and arctic wildlife

Another park is on the northern tip of Baffin Island, Sirmilik National Park.

In the Northwest Territories

These territories of northern Canada remain very little explored, as well as its two neighbours, the Yukon and Nunavut. Its relatively little-known parks are of great beauty and incredible richness.

Nahanni National Park

Visiting this park has changed the lives of more than one visitor, and it is also the best known of the parks in the Northwest Territories. It is only accessible by chartered seaplane from Fort Simpson or Nahanni Butte. The Nahanni River is an obligatory passage for kayaking enthusiasts. The park is home to Virginia Falls, known as Náilicho to the Dene. These are perhaps the largest wild waterfalls in the world. The volume of water flowing out of it is twice as large as that of the Niagara Falls. The Fairy Meadows site is the jewel of Nahanni Park.

Wood Buffalo National Park

It is the largest park in the country (44,800 km²) and it is also probably the most intriguing. It is home to the largest beaver dam in the world, so large that it is even visible from space. Other incredible places in this park: the salt flats and the Peace-Athabasca Delta (3,900 km²), one of the largest inland freshwater deltas in the world.

This national park is a place for observing the sky, especially at Pine Lake. Once the sun has set, it offers fabulous spectacles, between the aurora borealis and myriads of twinkling stars. The most pleasant period for this activity extends from the end of August to September, but it is especially during the frozen winter nights that the best observations are made.

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