The NWT's toughest trail
In all of North America, there’s nothing like the Canol Trail. The continent’s roughest and most rewarding trail begins across the river from Norman Wells and ends 371 kilometres later on the banks of the Mackenzie. In the three weeks it takes to get from start to finish, the trail weaves through a world of infinite mountains, creatures with no fear of man, glacier-fed rivers, rich World War II history – and other than a lodge and an outfitter likely not a single soul.
A living history
The Canol may be the strangest war-story ever told. Back in World War II, America needed oil to fuel the battle for the Pacific. So, in the course of a few short and brutal years, U.S. troops and Canadian contractors laid a pipeline through impossibly rough country clear from Norman Wells to Whitehorse. Excruciatingly hard to maintain, the line moved little oil and was abandoned after just 13 months. Eventually, the pipe was hauled out, but military barracks, telephone poles and rusting trucks and heavy equipment like dozers, and excavators remain, giving mute testimony to one of the most heroic and absurd of wartime endeavours. There are also pump houses which were used to keep the oil flowing through the pipe.
The world like when it was new
Elsewhere on Earth, nowadays, what passes for wildlife is usually fenced in, driven out, or hiding from human beings. Not here. Like a track through Eden, the Canol is flanked by moose, mountain sheep, caribou, grizzly bears, wolverines, and who knows what all else. This is their virgin kingdom – “a world with the dew still on it.” That’s why the Canol is like going back through time.
remote wonders
The Canol is pretty country. I mean, real pretty. Along the trail are famous landmarks like Dodo Canyon, the Twitya River, the Intga Valley, Devil’s Pass and Carcajou Falls. These remote wonders remain rarely seen to this day.
Intriguing tales from Canada's Northwest Territories
Member
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
Member
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Member
Commercial air charter service providing air support for hikers on Canol Road, sightseeing in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains, and fly-in fishing......
Member
Destination NWT Limited is a tourism operator located in Yellowknife, Canada. DNWT specializes in outdoors adventures, aurora photography, and cultural experiences: Best rated Snowmobile Tour, winter gears included, exciting trail riding Aurora Tour in a Luxurious lakeside Lodge Unique Aurora tour while Ice Fishing indoors Full panoramic moonroof vehicle for Aurora Viewing DNWT’s tours allow […]...
Member
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Member
Join us for an unforgettable experience on the mighty Mackenzie River. Day trips are available for a full or half......
Member
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
Member
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Member
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
Member
For over 50 years, Black Feather has had the opportunity to operate canoe, hiking and sea kayaking expeditions throughout the......
Member
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
Member
Gana River Outfitters is a family owned and operated outfitting business offering remote wilderness hunts in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains......
Create your own story. We offer a variety of services to make your Sahtu adventure a reality! We offer everything from......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
For 35 years, Sambaa K’e has offered world-class fishing on Trout Lake just north of the Northwest Territories-British Columbia border.......
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......
Member
Beaufort Sea Adventures is a family-owned and Indigenous-operated business, proudly offering Arctic experiences in Tuktoyaktuk. Our family lives and breathes the North, giving us a unique insight into the hidden gems that make Tuktoyaktuk truly special. We offer guests an authentic cultural immersion, sharing our Inuvialuit heritage, stories, and deep connection to the land and […]...
