What's New for 2019
Great Canadian Trails (GCT) is ringing in the new year with a fresh, new look. If you’re reading this blog, you are already taking advantage of the first of our announcements: We have improved the look and functionality of our website! It’s now even easier to plan your next adventure in Canada, and to enjoy the enticing images of landscapes, wildlife, and activities that are just waiting for you to discover across this beautiful country.
Scenic viewpoint in Prince Edward Island National Park. Photo courtesy Tourism PEI/John Sylvester
Where to begin? The answer may depend on your travel style – Are you more into small group, guided travel or do you prefer to go at your own pace with the travel companions of your choice? If you are leaning toward the latter, then self-guided travel may be for you, and we’ve sweetened the pot in 2019 with exciting new itineraries such as our Fundy Island Trails self-guided hike, Halifax to Lunenburg by Rail Trail, and an extended Prince Edward Island self-guided cycling itinerary called Tip to Tip and Beyond.
And, for those who have been eyeing our cycling trips but have been unable to commit to the physical act of cycling for multiple days at a time, we now offer e-bike rentals on almost all of our two-wheeled tours. Not sure what an e-bike is exactly? Or how electric power relates to active travel? Allow us to answer your questions.
'The Cribbies' on Newfoundland's East Coast Trail. Photo courtesy Barrett & MacKay Photo.
Another way we’ve made active travel more accessible in 2019 is with the addition of our ‘Solo Traveller Tuesdays’. The concept was designed for the self-guided solo traveller who does not wish to pay a supplement for their own local transfers and services, or who simply wishes to join up with other travellers to enjoy some of our most popular adventures such as cycling Prince Edward Island by Bike, or hiking on Newfoundland’s East Coast Trail, Ontario’s Bruce Trail, and Quebec’s Charlevoix Traverse. On these trips, the first available Tuesday of each month is designated for ‘Solo traveller Sign-Ups’ which will operate with a minimum of two participants.
Don’t see a Solo Traveller Tuesday departure on your preferred trip? It may be because the tour already utilizes shared local services, meaning solos can choose any departure date and need only pay the cost of single accommodation, as is the case for our cycling trips in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the Okanagan. You’ll find the information on our website’s trip page, under the corresponding Departure Dates calendar.
The gentle flow of the Yukon River is perfect for beginners
Of course, we also know that sometimes the best way to travel is with a small group of like-minded travellers, under the guidance of an expert local leader. That’s why we continue to expand our selection of guided adventures and, in 2019, we have added some incredibly unique experiences to the repertoire, such as: Kayaking with Orcas in British Columbia’s magical Johnstone Strait; an accommodated hiking tour in Gros Morne National Park, featuring local gastronomic delights; the multi-activity Yukon Adventure set against the backdrop of Canada’s highest peaks; and the ultimate bucket list experience of stepping foot across the Arctic Circle on an expedition to Baffin Island’s iconic Mount Thor.
Thor Peak slopes downward at an average angle of 105 degrees. Photo courtesy Parks Canada/Eric Brown