Welcome to the Canol Trail, one of Canada’s most remote wilderness routes, an expedition that blends history, solitude, and breathtaking mountain terrain.

The Canol Trail stretches 371 kilometres through the Mackenzie Mountains in the Sahtu region of the Northwest Territories. It begins across the river from Norman Wells and travels west toward the Yukon border. For expert hikers, it is one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys in North America. Few trails anywhere offer the same mix of rugged nature, distinctive Northern wildlife and historic remnants from the Second World War era.

Along the route, trekkers encounter glacier-fed rivers, wild canyons and peaks, as well as wildlife rarely seen by people. For many adventurers, the sense of vast wilderness and absolute quiet is what makes the Canol unforgettable.

The Canol Trail follows the route of a wartime pipeline road built in the early 1940s. The project was intended to secure a northern oil supply for Allied forces and involved the construction of a pipeline, refinery, winter roads, telegraph lines and airstrips. Local Dene and Métis provided essential knowledge and guidance for routing the line through a landscape that few outsiders understood.

The pipeline operated for only a short period and was later dismantled. Today, what remains are relics scattered through the mountains: pump houses, Quonset huts, telephone poles and rusting vehicles. This open-air historical corridor has become one of the most intriguing features of the Canol Trail, where the wilderness is slowly reclaiming the past.

The Canol Trail follows the old roadbed through the Mackenzie Mountains. Vegetation has overgrown much of the route, but the sense of adventure is part of the draw. The experience often feels like moving through an outdoor museum, with mountains, rivers and history layered together.

The trail reveals some of the North’s most dramatic natural features. Devil’s Pass winds between jagged peaks. Dodo Canyon cuts a deep arc through polished stone. Hoodoos, carved by wind and rain, rise in silhouettes across the valley slopes. Carcajou Falls drops through rugged rock and sends spray into the alpine air. These landmarks are separated by wide river crossings, tundra plateaus and quiet valleys where wildlife moves undisturbed.

Hikers may spot Dall’s sheep on the rocky slopes and, occasionally, caribou in the higher valleys. Moose, bears, wolves and other Northern wildlife travel through a mountain landscape shaped by rivers, seasons and long ecological cycles.

In 2021, the Canol Trail joined the Trans Canada Trail network and has since been recognized as a National Historic Site. Despite its designation, the Canol remains a serious undertaking. There are no established campsites and there is little sign of other travellers. Navigation is essential and river crossings require care. The Twitya River, for example, is roughly 60 metres wide and cannot be forded. Most hikers carry pack rafts, which offer a safer and more practical way to cross large rivers.

Expeditions normally take 14 to 21 days to complete, depending on weather, route choice and river levels. In recent years, a small number of mountain bikers have attempted the trail, although the terrain and wildlife present unique challenges.

Along the trail there are nine basic emergency shelters at regular intervals. These are simple structures with woodstoves and sleeping bunks, and there are no developed campsites or services provided. The shelters are intended for safety use only, and most travellers carry full backcountry camping gear.

You do not need to hike the full trail to learn its story. The Norman Wells Historical Centre offers an engaging introduction to the Canol Project, including artifacts, photographs and displays about the region’s long oil history. The Government of the Northwest Territories has also produced a detailed Hiker’s Guide to the Canol Heritage Trail, which outlines key sections, river crossings and route considerations for future expeditions.

Whether approached through history or through the wilderness itself, the Canol Trail offers a rare adventure and a closer connection to one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Northwest Territories.

Learn more about the Canol Trail and other incredible Northern hikes in our Top of the World Trails guide.