In Golden, B.C., backcountry trekking is more accessible thanks to guided lodge-to-lodge trips, which allow novice hikers to focus on the landscape instead of their gear.Supplied/Tourism Golden
Imagine this: You’re an enthusiastic hiker who wants to build on your usual, one-day treks, but you’re not sure you’re ready to take on the backcountry solo. What’s a novice thrill-seeker to do? Head to Golden, a small mountain town in British Columbia with many hiking options close by.
Hikes from Golden start in an epic fashion, says Andy Brown, executive director for Tourism Golden. “You’re hopping on a helicopter and being flown out to a lodge, then going on a circuit in a really beautiful, remote area. And each night, you’re getting a nice lodge likely with a full kitchen to cook food and get comfortable.”
Brown is describing lodge-to-lodge hiking, a best-of-both-worlds take on your typical outdoorsy adventure. A common style of outdoor adventure in Europe, it’s gaining popularity in Canada, for good reason. These hikes are multi-day, sometimes-guided experiences that feature nightly stops at a lodge, which means hikers can spend the entire day trekking without heavy gear like tents and food, and are rewarded with a stay in a cozy cabin, a warm bed and a home-cooked meal.
Hiking is one of the easiest outdoor activities to get into. Aside from some good hiking shoes, there’s no need for special equipment or extreme levels of fitness, and there are great hiking trails throughout the country, which means the barrier to entry is low. The trick is figuring out how to amp things up when you’re ready.
Back country hiking, which takes place in remote areas, can be especially thrilling, but there are also more challenges: The terrain can be more difficult, injuries are more serious since you’re further from help and it’s easier to get lost without cell service to call for help if you get stranded. That’s where lodge-to-lodge hiking can ease the way.
Stephen Cheung, a professor and senior research fellow in the department of kinesiology at Brock University, says it’s a “very accessible way of phasing into fully self-supported camping,” where a hiker carries everything they need for the trip on their back.
Brown agrees, noting that first-time lodge-to-lodge hikers should research the location they’re going to and what each lodge on their path offers. Some lodges are full-service, akin to an inn or hotel. Others might just provide a room and a kitchen for you to cook your own meals in, so you’ll need to bring your own ingredients and maybe even sleeping bags if there are no linens.
Ready to try it yourself? Check with your doctor before jumping into an intense hike. It never hurts, Cheung says, to get medical clearance before engaging in a new physical activity. Then, hit the trails.
“Any way that you can increase exercise in your life is a great thing – it’s even better if you’re able to do it outdoors and with friends,” Cheung says. “Take precautions, but it’s amazing what people can accomplish.”
In Canada, the most popular lodge-to-lodge hiking options are in B.C. and the East Coast, but there are options across the country. Here are three awesome experiences to try.
Golden Alpine Holidays in Golden, B.C.
This West Coast company runs a number of lodge-to-lodge hiking trips throughout the summer. Gear and food is heli-dropped to each lodge daily, so hikers only need to bring their day pack. Each night ends at a gorgeously managed cabin with cozy rooms and limited cell service for a true off-the-grid experience.
Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail in Ontario
Following the path of an abandoned 1907 railway line, the 82-mile journey spans the southeast shore of Lake Huron to Guelph and can be completed in a week’s time. Along the way, hikers will travel through beautiful flatland and 13 different communities, each offering ample opportunities for rest and food. All sorts of accommodations are available, from modern cabins to historic inns.
East Coast Trail in Newfoundland and Labrador
This 16-day trek goes through North America’s easternmost coastline. While you can divide up the hike into 25 different shorter paths, the full journey goes through 30 historic communities, the UNESCO-designated Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, craggy headlands, breathtaking beaches and fjords. Hikers might also spot whales and icebergs along the way. At night, rest up at one of the many inns, bed and breakfasts or cottages along the way.