Cross Canada using the Trans Canada Trail? Image credit below

Cycling from one coast to another on the Trans Canada Trail is only a dream right now. The trail is completed in some areas, but not in its entirety. The goal of the project is to reach completion by 2017 – for Canada’s 150th birthday and the Trails 25th birthday. There are certainly some areas of Canada where taking the trail is a viable option in your Cross Canada tour, and some areas where even if the trail exists, it may not be ideal.

The Trans Canada Trail is said to be of high quality, well preserved and protected in Quebec. However once you cross the border to New Brunswick, the trails almost immeidately deteriorate, no thanks to the ATV riders who use them.

From Rivière-du-Loup in Quebec, the 135km-long Petit Témis trail leading to Edmundston, New Brunswick is pure joy: well maintained, with campsites and water along the way. – TravellingTwo

General advise for planning a coast to coast tour on loaded touring bikes (not mountain bikes) is to avoid Trans Canada Trail unless you know that specific area is well maintained and appropriate.

You can use the Trail Locator to learn which areas of the country currently have a finished trail, and to see where the proposed trials are located.

If you know of any areas worth including in a Cross-Canada trip, please post them below so others know where to take it and where to choose the main road instead!

Photo Credit Calypso Orchid