On 26 August 2017, the world's longest uninterrupted network of land and waterways in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, was officially inaugurated. That's why I was there, too, and I was invited by Destination Canada to explore parts of the Great Trail in Ottawa (Ontario) and British Columbia.
What is the Great Trail?
The Great Trail - formerly Trans Canada Trail (TCT) - runs through all states, including 13 provinces and territories. It stretches from Yukon in the north, via Vancouver Island (British Columbia on the west coast) to the southern border with America and St. John's in Newfoundland on the east coast of Canada. With almost 24,000 km of track, the route is longer than the Great Wall of China and the largest project to be celebrated since Canada was founded in 2017 as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations.
True to its name, Canada's network of routes connects the most beautiful urban, rural and remote landscapes. Whether on water by kayak, canoe or SUP or on foot and by bike. Any means of transport is permitted as long as it has no engine.
I explore parts of this trail.
I was neither at the beginning nor at the end, but somewhere in between in Ottawa and the Kootenay Rockies in the south of British Columbia. During this trip I was often asked how long it takes to cover the whole trail. You don't (yet) know. The fact is that hikers have been on the road for more than 800 days and have still not reached their destination.
Currently, 100 % of the trail is completed in nine provinces, others will follow in the coming weeks and months. In Ontario, by the way, there is the longest network of the Great Trail. Here it is completely finished.
Tip for last-minute Canada travellers: If you want to travel to Canada in 2017, you will get the "Parks Canada Discovery Pass" for free this year. This means: free entry to 44 Canadian national parks and 168 historical sites.
More information about "The Great Trail" with detailed maps and apps: thegreattrail. ca
Ottawa - Visit to the official opening of the Great Trail
As part of the "Great Trail Connection Celebration" at the Major's Hill in Ottawa, a free party was held for everyone. Headliner was Steven Page, singer of the band Barenaked Ladies.
Thanks to Ottawa Tourism for sending this photo. The German bloggers Caro and Martin (WE TRAVEL THE WORLD), Steve (back-packer. org), Marco (Life is a Trip) and Ole (Out of Canada):
The Great Trail also runs through Ottawa. During a Biplane tour I watched the trail from the air during a sightseeing flight. It went over the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill. The flight in an open Waco UPF-7 from 1939 was fun and opened up new views of Ottawa. Duration was about 20 minutes.
Afterwards I was able to have a look around the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
Also because Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary, the Nordic Light Sound & Light Show takes place every evening. The show tells the story of Canada is free, takes about 30 minutes and I was completely thrilled.
Kootenay Rockies and The Great Trail
The Kootenay Rockies are one of the mighty Rocky Mountains that stretch across Canada and the USA. Here, on parts of the Great Trail, I have explored small charming towns surrounded by mighty forests, rivers and lakes.
I was particularly impressed by the cities of Nelson and Fernie with their special charm and very active community. On the world's longest free inland ferry on Kootenay Lake we also followed the Great Trail (tip for good food at the jetty: Cabin Restaurant). Further adventures such as ziplining, rafting, high ropes course, hiking and canoeing along the Great Trail.
Tip along your trip - buy fresh fruit from farmers!
The healthy nutrition during your trip is guaranteed! Thanks to the many sales of farmers on the street, we have bought fresh fruit such as peaches, cherries, watermelons,... every day. The fruit is very delicious. The tomatoes also looked huge and have a great taste.
I didn't have British Columbia on screen when it came to fruit and vegetables.
Nelson and the Kootenay Lake region
Outdoor paradise and stress-free town on Kootenay Lake
That's Nelson, with its almost 10,000 inhabitants on Kootenay Lake. In winter, everyone is drawn to the mountains for skiing, hiking, mountain biking and boating on the lake or in the surrounding mountains such as Whitewater
If you talk to the locals why they moved here, the answer is always "for skiing" or "mountain biking". Everyone's active here. Either in outdoor activities in this magnificent Kootenay Rockies landscape or in the community. Everyone lives and greets everyone here and the community itself drives the community idea of the small town forward.
The supermarket in the village is owned by about 14,000 members of a cooperative. For 50 CAD annual fee you are a member of this group. Only products from the region are sold here. Exceptions are fair trade products from abroad. You can even bring your own packs of oil, muesli or tea. This avoids (plastic) waste and is a great example for us. I wished for such a shop in my home country.
I've met some great people in Nelson. For example, John, who has created an oasis and a wonderful meeting place for everyone with his Café Oso Negro and its garden. It seems as if all of Nelson will stop by here tomorrow morning to buy his breakfast or sit in the small garden over a cup of coffee. John can be proud of that.
I have seldom met such a quiet and contented person with himself and his life. John radiates such serenity and calmness when he reflects on his life and tells about his path to becoming a coffee producer. John's taking it. to show us his own little roasting house, from which coffee is sent all over the world.
Or Peter Moynes, a passionate mountain biker, skier and photographer. He publishes the Kootemay Mountain Culture Magazine twice a year and at dinner together, he doesn't want to miss out on a spontaneous tour of the Great Trail with us on a mountain bike for the next day.
Time doesn't seem to matter in Nelson. The inhabitants have their work-life balance firmly under control. I like that one.
Things you can do in and around Nelson:
Kokanee Mountain Zipline
For adrenaline junkies I can really recommend this zipline. Nowhere else in the world have I seen such long and high ziplines - towering over the forest. And I've already tested a few. The longest Zipline takes 45 seconds, is 735 m long and reaches over the Kokanee Creek Canyon, located underneath us, at an altitude of 91 m. You get your knees shaking.
- Adult's fee: 89 CAD
Red salmon spawning at the Kokanee Creek Spawning Channel
A special attraction takes place year after year at the end of August at Kokanee Creek Spawning Channel. Then thousands of red salmon (Red Spawning Salmon) swim up the river and if you're lucky you can catch one or two bears catching their breakfast or dinner.
Unfortunately we were there in the afternoon, so we didn't meet any bears. To see dead salmon lying around everywhere, which he didn't completely eat. The road to the lake was closed. Probably "only in Canada" a friendly ranger will accompany you along the way and make sure that you don't meet a bear.
"The Beach" at Lakeside Park
If you ask Locals what you can do in Nelson in the summer, everyone answers:"Go to the beach". Now you're probably as surprised as I am, the sea's far and wide no trace. The beach is located at Kootenay Lake below the bridge. It is really sand and lies in Lakeside Park.
Take a walk along the river or take the old tram for only 3 CAD. Especially children love this jingle track which looks like an old cable car in San Francisco. I walked to Lakeside Park and sat down for the tram ride back to the Lakeside Park.
Thank you for your attention :)
Tomorrow I post part 2.