How to plan the ultimate Trans-Canadian Highway road trip
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Stretching from coast to coast, the Trans-Canada Highway is a ribbon of road that stitches together the vast landscapes of Canada, from the glacier lakes of Alberta to the prairies of Manitoba. But it's the British Columbia section that arguably shines brightest, offering a wealth of experiences across some 500 miles.
The real charm of driving this route is watching the scenery beyond the windscreen switch from lush rainforest to the rugged Rocky Mountains. Take your time: six days is ideal, pausing to uncover the mysteries of old ghost towns, delve into the region's Chinese heritage, or experience the thrill of whitewater rafting. Each stop offers a new perspective on Canada's wild western frontier.
The adventure begins in Vancouver, a playground for outdoorsy activities, with mountains, beaches and forests just moments from its urban core. Hop on a Mobi bike to cycle the 6.6-mile seawall of Stanley Park.
As you pedal, on one side you'll have ancient rainforest heavy with the scent of cedar and spruce; on the other, shimmering skyscrapers reflect in the waters of the Burrard Inlet and English Bay. Take a breather at Stanley Park Brewpub, a 1930s sports pavilion turned hangout, for a craft beer amid these bucolic surroundings.
Don't miss: Kitsilano Beach, south of Stanley Park, for soft sands, beach volleyball and a splash in the summer saltwater pool.
Distance: 95 milesTrade Vancouver's buzz for the countryside splendour of the Fraser Valley, two hours to the east, where laid-back vintners in flip-flops and shorts tend to roadside vineyards.
Schedule a pit stop at Singletree Winery in Abbotsford, a family-owned estate specialising in cool-climate wines. For lunch, try Restaurant 62 nearby, which serves dishes such as roasted beets with honey vinaigrette and showcases hyper-local ingredients.
En route to Hope, 55 miles north east, you'll drive by pick-your-own berry patches and rustic cideries. On arrival, film fans might recognise the picturesque small town as the backdrop in the movie Rambo: First Blood and Hope Springs.
Don't miss: The intricate wooden sculptures linked via a walking trail in Hope, aka the 'Chainsaw Carving Capital of Canada'.
Distance: 68 milesWith leafy views of the Fraser Valley receding in the rear window, the scenery approaching Lytton takes a turn for the dramatic, with granite canyons rearing on the horizon. Pull over at the Hell's Gate Airtram, where cable cars provide bird's-eye views of the peaks.
A little further along the sagebrush-fringed road is the town of Lytton. Here you can tackle the rapids with Kumsheen Rafting Resort, which offers adrenaline-filled three-hour trips. Before moving on, be sure to fill up the tank as petrol stations can be sporadic on this leg.
Don't miss: The Lytton Chinese History Museum, recently rebuilt after a 2021 wildfire, which offers a deep dive into the vital contributions of early Chinese settlers to BC.
Distance: 106 milesSteep canyons flatten out on the two-hour drive to Kamloops, with the Fraser and Thompson rivers tracing the road's winding path. Kamloops is known for its creative community, which has dotted the town with murals and independent galleries. Idle away an afternoon at the Kamloops Art Gallery, before tucking into the maple-glazed bannock (frybread) at the Indigenous-owned Kekuli Café.
Don't miss: The Kamloopa Powwow, a summer celebration of Indigenous culture, music and dance drawing over 20,000 spectators.
Distance: 132 milesRelics of Revelstoke's 1860s gold rush still dot the rugged landscape — although none as eccentric as Three Valley Gap. Here, a local entrepreneur spent decades painstakingly relocating abandoned buildings from the frontier era to create his own ghost town museum. Explore the vintage saloon, clapboard church and whistle-stop barbershop — all examples of Canada's wild west past.
Don't miss: The Nels Nelsen ski jump statue in Mount Revelstoke National Park, which pays homage to Canada's winter sports athletes.
Distance: 92 milesSaving the best for last, for its grand finale the highway cuts a path through the majesty of Glacier National Park. Keep your eyes peeled, as lumbering grizzlies and black bears roam between the pines here.
Golden, a tiny town with big attractions, delivers a fabulous finish. Feel your pulse race by stepping onto the Golden Skybridge, Canada's highest suspension bridge. Come back down to earth with a drive to the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, where springtime fields of flowering lupins and forget-me-nots explode in kaleidoscopic colour.
Don't miss: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, which has testing mountain bike trails, a snow school and Canada's highest elevated restaurant, reachable by gondola.
Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
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