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Home Story The Canol Trail, one of Canada’s wildest realms
The rugged and untamed wilderness on the Canol Trail, in Canada's Northwest Territories

The Canol Trail, one of Canada's wildest realms

The Canol Trail is the longest, toughest hiking trail in North America, cutting a path through the world’s last great mountain range. It follows the footsteps of history, where hardened men performed an even harder mission.

Here are five things that make the Canol Trail so remarkable.

A string of historic WWII relics awaits on the Canol Trail in Canada's Northwest Territories.

Historic Structures

Starting at the Northwest Territories border, the Canol strikes out through the Mackenzie Mountains, carrying backpackers 371 foot-wearying, eye-popping, soul-stirring kilometres. The trail follows the defunct Canol Road and Pipeline – a wildly ambitious effort during the Second World War to pump oil from Norman Wells to the allied forces on the Pacific Front. Today the pipe is long gone and the “road” is an overgrown path. But all along the way, there are relics from the war like Quonset huts such as those above …

Old military barracks along the Canol Trail, a legendary hike through Canada's Northwest Territories.

… and a pumphouse like this one at Mile 36 used to keep the oil flowing to the refinery in Whitehorse.

Nicky Lynn Richards Carcajou Falls

Waterfalls

Carcajou Falls are a jewel of the Canol, splashing over a stony escarpment and sending spray into the mountain air. It’s considered one of the most idyllic waterfalls in the North…

Carcajou Falls along the Canol Trail in Canada's Northwest Territories.

… and certainly one of the most remote.

The Canol Trail is sprinkled with canyons carved into the land.

Canyons

Then there’s famous Dodo Canyon. Like a bit of the Desert Southwest transported to the Arctic Circle, it’s a red-rock badlands – a deep, scenic gulch carved out by a meandering river …

Ancient hoodoos carved by the elements along the Canol Trail in Canada's Northwest Territories

… with walls featuring spires and hoodoos that would make Arizona proud.

Old trucks from the 1940s line the Canol Trail, relics from the era the road went in.

Old vehicles

Army trucks and tractors from the 1940s line the Canol route.

Old trucks from the 1940s line the Canol Trail, in Canada's Northwest Territories, relics from the era the road went in.

It’s like a trail that winds through an outdoor museum, memorializing the monumental efforts of the war.

Old trucks from the 1940s line the Canol Trail, relics from the era the road went in.

The machines bear messages from a bygone era.

Dall's Sheep along the Canol Trail in Canada's Northwest Territories.

Wildlife

These Dall’s Sheep have likely never seen a human being living in such remote and pristine lands …

Caribou along the Canol Trail, an epic hike in Canada's Northwest Territories

… nor have these Alpine Caribou. The fact is, wildlife still rules the roost along the Canol Trail. This is nature at its most unperturbed, thriving much like it did 500 or 5,000 years ago.

Nahanni, NWT, Canoe, Nahanni Park_2024_Nahanni River Adventures

Nahanni Canyons from Virginia Falls - 12 Day Rafting Trip

Nahanni River Adventures

Activities

Arctic Char Arctic Grayling Aurora Birding Boat Tours Camping Canoeing and Kayaking Experienced Paddling Fall Aurora Fishing Fly Fishing Hiking Tours Inconnu Lake Trout Nahanni to Dehcho Nature and Wildlife Nature Photography Nature Tours Northern Pike Novice Paddling Paddling Rafting Road Trips Tours White Water

This trip takes you through some of the iconic features for which this historic river is renowned, including Canada's deepest canyons and Nailicho / Virginia Falls - twice the height of Niagara! Our Nahanni River 12-day trip covers the same distance as our seven day trip but allows more time for additional hiking and exploring, as well as savouring the beauty of the Nahanni Valley area because… why rush if you don’t have to?...

$10,595

CAD + 5% GST + $220.48 CAD National Park fees.
View this Package
Okpik Arctic Village_Western Arctic_Winter_2024_1

Great Northern Adventure Signature Package

Tundra North Travel

Activities

Arts and Crafts Tours Arts and Culture City Tours Cultural Demonstrations Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean Dogsledding On the Land Road Tours Road Trips Tours Western Arctic Winter Activities

Day 1 Catch your morning flight from Dawson City to Inuvik crossing the Arctic Circle and enjoying the amazing Arctic scenery. Meet your guide at the airport in Inuvik, collect your bags and start your adventure. You will experience a town tour of Inuvik, learning about the Northern community before we take you on a […]...

Starting at

$6,000

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
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Nature's North Wildlife Gallery

Nature's North Wildlife Gallery Guided Tours

Nature’s North Wildlife Gallery

Activities

Arts and Crafts Tours Arts and Culture Nature and Wildlife Tours Workshops

Nature’s North Wildlife Gallery is much more than just a specimen gallery. You will take part in an artistic experience with many of the animals who call the Northwest Territories home – over 60 species of birds and mammals! Our tours are led by guides with extensive knowledge and experience of the fauna of the […]...

$30

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Trail Blazer Tours aurora trip with the purple and green aurora in the sky over the lake and trees in Yellowknife NWT.

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Blachford Lodge

Summer Winter

What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......

Aurora Viewing Cabins

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Trail Blazer Tours

Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......

Hunters on horseback in the Mackenzie mountains with Ram Head Outfitters hunting big game in the Dehcho region in the NWT.

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Ram Head Outfitters Ltd.

Commercial air charter service providing air support for hikers on Canol Road, sightseeing in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains, and fly-in fishing......

Destination NWT

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Destination NWT Ltd.

Day Trips Northern Lights Winter

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 […]...

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Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......

Yellowknife Tours Spectacular Aurora green and purple in the sky in the NWT.

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Yellowknife Tours

Northern Lights Summer Winter

Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......

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Diamonds de Canada

Day Trips Summer Winter

Canada has a deep love for our natural resources with diamonds being the highest expression of love.  Thanks to Canada’s world class standard for sustainable mining, we are custodians of our precious lands and take great pride and care releasing these rare gems.  From the moment our land is surveyed to the final reclamation (the […]...

My Backyard Tours city tour with visitors on a trail in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.

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My Backyard Tours

We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......

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Arctic Tours Canada

Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......

Black Feather - the wilderness adventure company logo with picture of a yellow canoe and a paddler in the Nahanni National Park.

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Black Feather - The Wilderness Adventure Company

Multi-day Trips

For over 50 years, Black Feather has had the opportunity to operate canoe, hiking and sea kayaking expeditions throughout the......

Narwal Northern Adventures voyageur canoe on Great Slave Lake

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NARWAL Northern Adventures

Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......

Old Town Glassworks in Yellowknife and some cool glassware with animal etching made there.

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Old Town Glassworks

Etching popular northern designs on unique 100% recycled glass, since 1994. Visit our gift shop in Old Town or come......

A Dall Sheep peeking its head out of the brush in the Mackenzie Mountains in the Northwest Territories.

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Gana River Outfitters Ltd.

Gana River Outfitters is a family owned and operated outfitting business offering remote wilderness hunts in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains......

Pehdzeh Ki First Nations picture of picnic benches on a cloudy day in Wrigley with the Mackenzie mountain range in the background in the NWT.

Pehdzeh Ki First Nation

Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......

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To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......

Three hikers resting on a hill overlooking mountains near Dechenla Wilderness Lodge in the NWT

Dechenla Wilderness Resort

Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......

Beaufort Sea Adventures

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Beaufort Sea Adventures

Indigenous Northern Lights Summer Winter

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 […]...

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© Northwest Territories Tourism 2024

Land Acknowledgement

Northwest Territories Tourism acknowledges that we are located in Chief Drygeese territory. From time immemorial, it has been the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and more recently, the homeland of the North Slave Métis Alliance. We respect the histories, languages, and cultures of Inuit, First Nations, Metis, and all First Peoples of the NWT and Canada, whose presence and cultures continue to enrich our vibrant communities.

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