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Family-Friendly Hikes in Canada

770 routes in Canada qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 2.7 km and 60 m (197 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.5 km.

That is 67 percent of the 1,141 routes we map in Canada. They are shorter than the local average, 2.7 km against 14.1 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 60 m (197 ft) against 317 m (1,040 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

Sommet Singer

Quebec · Canada

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
47 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Easy

Mica Hill Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
185 m
Typical duration
58 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Easy

Stoney Lookout

Alberta · Canada

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
190 m
Typical duration
1 hr 8 min
  • Waterfall
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Easy

Smelt Brook Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
28 m
Typical duration
46 min
  • River
Easy

Manitou Lake Beach Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
6.1 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
134 m
Typical duration
1 hr 28 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Middle head

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
53 m
Typical duration
35 min
Easy

Port Joli Head Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
99 m
Typical duration
1 hr 5 min
Easy

Voyageur Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
44 m
Typical duration
29 min
Easy

Lower Falls Side Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • Waterfall
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Salt Mountain Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
28 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Sentier Frontalier 2

Quebec · Canada

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
100 m
Typical duration
1 hr 6 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Des Cascades

Quebec · Canada

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
61 m
Typical duration
40 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
Easy

Hidden Falls Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
10 m
Typical duration
7 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
Easy

Le Sommet

Quebec · Canada

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Easy

Arab Lake Gorge Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Lake
  • Canyon and gorge
Easy

Mayflower Lake Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Lake
Easy

Brook Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • River
Easy

Sentier des Sommets (nord)

Quebec · Canada

Distance
6.3 km
/ 3.9 mi
Elevation gain
138 m
Typical duration
1 hr 31 min
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

West River Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
6.2 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
136 m
Typical duration
1 hr 30 min
  • River
Easy

Cavell Meadows Trail

Alberta · Canada

Distance
4.3 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
94 m
Typical duration
1 hr 2 min
  • Forest
  • Glacier
Easy

Sentier Les Cascades

Quebec · Canada

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Waterfall
  • Forest
Easy

Sentier les Parages

Quebec · Canada

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Forest
Easy

Northern Traverse Trail

Newfoundland and Labrador · Canada

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
122 m
Typical duration
1 hr 20 min
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Comeau Lake Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
70 m
Typical duration
46 min
  • Lake
  • River
Easy

Chute à Ovide

Quebec · Canada

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
39 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Grande Chute Trail

Quebec · Canada

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
12 m
Typical duration
8 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Luskville Falls Trail

Quebec · Canada

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Sentier Chute Parker

Quebec · Canada

Distance
4.0 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
88 m
Typical duration
58 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Sentier des Chutes

Quebec · Canada

Distance
6.4 km
/ 4.0 mi
Elevation gain
141 m
Typical duration
1 hr 33 min
  • Waterfall

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
International Appalachian Trail, QuébecQuebec6.2 km137 m1 hr 30 minEasyApril to October
Sentier de l'Estrie, Mont ÉchoQuebec3.5 km77 m50 minEasyApril to October
Sommet SingerQuebec2.1 km47 m31 minEasyApril to October
Mica Hill TrailNova Scotia3.3 km185 m58 minEasyApril to October
Sentier de l'Estrie, Zone Chapman, AccèsQuebec1.1 km24 m16 minEasyApril to October
Stoney LookoutAlberta4.1 km190 m1 hr 8 minEasyApril to October
Smelt Brook TrailNova Scotia3.5 km28 m46 minEasyApril to October
Manitou Lake Beach TrailOntario6.1 km134 m1 hr 28 minEasyApril to October
Sentier de l'Estrie Zone Brompton, accèsQuebec2.2 km48 m31 minEasyApril to October
Sentier de l'Estrie, Zone Kingsbruy, AccèsQuebec4.7 km103 m1 hr 8 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with International Appalachian Trail, Québec, Sentier de l'Estrie, Mont Écho, Sommet Singer. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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