Along the Confederation Trail, Prince Edward Island|  <i>Guy Wilkinson</i> Kayaking serene waters off the coast of British Columbia |  <i>Jenn Dickie Photography</i> Norstead Viking Village, Newfoundland and Labrador |  <i>Dru Kennedy Photography</i>

Best Adventures to Enjoy Spring in Canada

The welcome signs of spring pop up in Canada in different places at different times. You might witness flowers in bloom as early as February along the west coast, but it may be late June before their alpine cousins appear in the mountain regions and in the territories, after the snow melts. Rising temperatures and the re-appearance of plant life also mean the return of migrating birds and marine life, and the reawakening of hibernating animals who can be found actively searching for food to refuel after a long winter. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the spring season shows its face in the form of ice giants creeping into view along the watery-blue horizon. Visiting Canada during springtime not only means witnessing nature’s awesome annual displays, it also means having the longest hours of daylight to explore pristine parks and trails - just as they reopen and before the summer crowds arrive - and having these experiences largely to yourself. 

 

Protected paddling through the islands of Desolation Sound, BC

Spring Starts Here  
Winning the prize for earliest spring departures are our water-based adventures on the west coast. Starting as early as May 1st, partake in a quiet paddle in the pristine wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, off of Vancouver Island; or Desolation Sound, off of mainland British Columbia. As May is considered ‘shoulder’ season, you can enjoy the popular tourist town of Tofino before the summer vacationers arrive, and as wildlife appears along the nutrient-rich intertidal shores. May is also a very popular time to visit the Okanagan Valley, known as one of Canada’s premier fruit-growing and wine-producing regions. The annual wine and beer festivals, along with the miles of beautiful white and pink cherry, apple, peach and pear blossoms make for a lively visit; and, if you arrive near the end of the month, you can still catch nature’s colourful canvas but with fewer crowds during a scenic cycle along a gentle rail trail through orchards and vineyards. 

 

A castle-shaped iceberg floats past Cape Spear |  <i>Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism</i>

Iceberg Season
Jumping all the way across the country to the Atlantic Coast, spring is the time to watch for icebergs. The warming temperatures of April and May mean the arrival of ice from the north along Newfoundland and Labrador’s famous Iceberg Alley. For the best chances of catching a glimpse of these giants (and also for spotting whales), head to the northern tip of Newfoundland and spend your nights in a lighthouse and your days exploring an uninhabited island during our Vikings Whales & Icebergs experience. For a more active adventure with possible migrating bergs (and birds) as your backdrop, lace up your hiking boots and check out the East Coast Trail in early June. 


Summer wildflowers in the Coast Mountains, BC |  <i>Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane</i>
Summer wildflowers in the Coast Mountains, British Columbia | Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

Botanical Beauty
With 44 species of orchids and a great diversity other plant life, Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula is a botanist’s dream in the spring. Blooming season dates vary from year to year, but you can expect to see Lady Slippers and the like during your spring hike on the peninsula’s Bruce Trail. There is even a festival in honour of the orchid, taking place in Tobermory in late May/early June each year. 

Late June/early July means springtime in the alpine meadows of British Columbia’s interior. Greet waking blooms while moving from west to east through the mountains of Western Canada, or narrow your focus on the flowers with a hike through nature’s colourful canvas on our Hut to Hut in Wildflower Heaven trip. The first flowers to show their petals are typically yellow Glacier Lilies and white Spring Beauties. The only thing that competes with spring flora is the fauna. Home to grizzly and black bear, moose, deer, coyotes, wolves, and hundreds of species of birds; the chance of spotting wildlife in BC’s parks is highest at the beginning of the season, just after the winter melt. 

 

Towards the Oceanview Lookoff on the Canvendish Dunelands Trail |  <i>Caroline Mongrain</i>

The country's most active season is just around the corner, and it’s time to start making plans so you don’t miss out on the best adventures in Canada. Not sure when and/or where to go for your next hiking, cycling, and paddling holiday? Contact our team by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1-866-305-2257 and we’ll help you find the perfect trip.

 

Follow us on Instagram

Great Canadian Trails 🇨🇦  Unique active holidays in Canada 🇨🇦  ● From coast to coast to coast ● On foot or by bike ● Guided or self guided www.greatcanadiantrails.com

 

Great Canadian Trails Instagram

#greatcanadiantrails



 

Join us on Twitter @GCT_we 

Follow us on Twitter


 

Like our Facebook Page

Follow us on Facebook

Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips