6 Easy Hikes for a Victoria Day Reset

I’ve explored all 10 provinces over the years—each one left its mark. With the Victoria Day long weekend coming up, I thought it’d be fun to revisit six cities I’ve explored in May—Ottawa, Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, Québec City, and Vancouver—and run them through the GTMTB Assistant.

This time, the focus is on easy urban walks and hikes—the kind you can enjoy with family, coffee in hand, and no special gear required. From quiet forest trails to coastal loops and riverside paths, these spots brought back great memories—and the Assistant came through with new ones worth making.

Turns out, returning to a place with fresh eyes—and a trail plan—can make it feel brand new.

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The Why-Factor

🌸 What Makes These Cities Great This Spring?

• Ottawa bursts with tulips and riverside charm—ideal for a relaxed, scenic long weekend.

• Calgary offers sunny skies and mountain air, with nature woven right into the city grid.

• Halifax shines in spring with blooming parks, sea breezes, and coastal walking trails.

• Toronto comes alive with its vibrant neighborhoods, urban parks, and waterfront paths.

• Québec City delights with cobblestone charm, blooming trees, and riverside strolls.

• Vancouver blends forest, ocean, and city life—spring here is lush, mild, and endlessly walkable.

These six walks are scenic, beginner-friendly, and right inside each city.

📍 Ottawa – Rideau River Pathway
A 13 km paved trail winding past parks, rapids, and waterfalls—ideal for strollers, bikes, and riverside picnic stops.

📍 Calgary – Griffith Woods Park Outer Loop
A 6.1 km flat path through spruce forest along the Elbow River. Quiet, scenic, and stroller-friendly.

📍 Halifax – Chain of Lakes Trail
A paved, multi-use greenway with lakeside views and forested stretches. Great for walking, riding, or rolling with little ones.

📍 Toronto – Don River Trail
A 9.7 km easy route weaving through ravines and urban parks—cool, lush, and perfect for all ages.

📍 Québec City – Promenade Samuel-de-Champlain
A scenic 2.5 km waterfront trail with river views and art installations. Walk, pause, and watch the St. Lawrence roll by.

📍 Vancouver – Stanley Park Seawall
This iconic 10 km loop serves up unbeatable views of the ocean, mountains, and skyline—all on a flat, paved path.

📸 _{Image via @canadainpictures – Stanley Park, Vancouver}

🛶 Things to Do After Your Walk…

🌷 Ottawa – Stroll through the tulip beds at Commissioners Park or rent a canoe at Dow’s Lake.

🎭 Calgary – Visit the nearby Edworthy Park for picnic spots and river views.

⚓ Halifax – Climb Citadel Hill for a view, then explore the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

🌳 Toronto – Explore the Evergreen Brick Works, a community hub with markets and gardens.

🧱 Québec City – Visit the Aquarium du Québec, featuring marine life exhibits and outdoor activities.

🌊 Vancouver – Visit Granville Island Public Market for local crafts, food, and waterfront views.

🍽 Local Restaurants & Lodging Ideas…

🇨🇦 Ottawa, ON
Eat: Supply and Demand – Creative small plates and local flavors in a cozy, stylish space.
Stay: The Westin Ottawa – Views of Parliament Hill and easy access to trails and downtown cafés.

🏔️ Calgary, AB
Eat: The Wilde on 27 – Elevated dining with rooftop views and artful cuisine inside The Dorian.
Stay: Hyatt Regency Calgary – Downtown comfort close to the river paths and Calgary’s cultural core.

🌊 Halifax, NS
Eat: The Bicycle Thief – Italian-inspired fare right on the waterfront with lots of East Coast charm.
Stay: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront – Steps from the boardwalk with unbeatable harbor views.

🌆 Toronto, ON
Eat: Canoe – Panoramic city views and modern Canadian cuisine from 54 floors up.
Stay: The St. Regis Toronto – Downtown luxury with refined service and a short walk to green spaces.

🏰 Québec City, QC
Eat: Chez Boulay – Bistro Boréal – Nordic-inspired, locally sourced dishes in a warm, modern bistro.
Stay: Auberge Saint-Antoine – Boutique charm and history in the heart of the Old Port.

🌲 Vancouver, BC
Eat: Miku – Famous for sushi and waterfront views right by the seawall.
Stay: Pan Pacific Vancouver – Oceanfront luxury with harbor, mountain, and trail access all-in-one.

Why These Trips Work!

• Ottawa delivers riverside paths with historic flair—perfect for a peaceful long weekend reset.

• Calgary brings nature right into the city with sunny, spruce-lined trails and wide-open skies.

• Halifax mixes sea breeze and storybook forts for a coastal walk that feels like a getaway.

• Toronto hides surprising green space in plain sight—great for families or solo spring strolls.

• Québec City charms with blooming trees, old stone streets, and riverside walking routes.

• Vancouver lets you loop the seawall with mountains, ocean, and city views in one go.

🧭 Want a trail closer to home? Use the GTMTB Assistant to build your own spring adventure—just copy/paste the prompt below.

Want ideas closer to home—or a walk that fits your weekend vibe?

Try the GTMTB Custom Assistant —your personal trip planner for trails, walks, and weekend getaways. Whether you're after stroller-friendly paths, lakeside loops, or forest escapes, it’ll help you find the right route for your pace and crew.

📲 Click the link to open the Assistant in ChatGPT. (A free ChatGPT account is required.)

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