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Trans-Canada Trail
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Submitted by by
Kim Kinrade
1 year(s) ago
(via
travelmills.com
) |
Two hundred years ago the huge expanse of the Canadian wilderness could only be traversed by horse and canoe. The water arteries and tributaries stretched from ocean to ocean and up through the Arctic regions providing a transportation route like no other in the world.. The Canadian Pacific Railway changed this mode of transport as a lifeline for Canadian life forever but less than seventy-five years later this ribbon of steel was surpassed by the automobile and air transport. Many hundreds of miles of railroad beds lay unused, many on the traditional trails of the early inhabitants of the land. A few years ago an energetic proposal to begin a Trans Canada Trails was begun, a project that would see much of the unused rail right-of-way turned into part of a national hiking highway in the manner of the old native trails.
When it is completed the Trans Canada Trail will be 21,500 kilometres long following the old railway beds and game trails through every province and territory from the Atlantic to Pacific, and from the U.S. border to Arctic Ocean. In fact it will be the world's longest recreational trail and will pass through around 1000 communities and touch almost the whole population of the country. As of late 2008 almost 70 percent (14,500 kilometres) has been completed allowing thousands of people to hike, bike and walk the Trail as well as ride on horseback and snowmobile. In addition the spirit of the original peoples can be experienced through canoeing through rivers and streams that accompany the trails.
What this means to the traveler is a total experience. Imagine following the railroad right-of-ways through the Rockies where laborers drove spikes into the wooden ties to hold the steel rails. As well, hike around the cliffs of Lake Superior, the lake the Ojibwa natives called “Gitche Gumee” and supplied grist for Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha.”
The trails are not just wild bush country or flat plains. It goes through communities and there are interpretive centers to explain what went on in this part of the country – sort of like a traveling history lesson. In some parts of the trail, like the Pacific Coast Trail, there are shelters and hostels. So, in a few years it will be possible to backpack or bike across the country using the Trail.
To access the Trail at any point just contact the local tourism information booth and you will be put on the right track with a trail map.
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