8,000 kilometers, 19 days and 4 time zones, with the goal of crossing Canada and living an unforgettable experience accompanied by Mark, my travel partner.
First, I'll share some of the highlights of this trip, followed by a checklist to help you plan a road trip to Canada.
Itineraries of our road trip from Eastern to Western Canada
We first travelled north, from Montreal to Chicoutimi passing by Quebec City. Then we returned to Montreal for our departure to the far west.
Across Ontario
Our journey across Canada, the country with the most lakes in the world, starts in Montreal on one of the longest and most scenic highways on the planet: the Trans-Canada Highway. To make up for lost time, we decided to drive non-stop through the Val d'Or to Marathon, where we stopped at Pukaskwa National Park before lunching in a typical American roadside restaurant.
Val d'Or and Pukaskwa National Park
In this park we had a warm encounter with an Ontario resident who had come to paint the landscapes of these grandiose and majestic environments, where hills, beach, transparent water and clouds lapping the surface of the water meet.
A young black bear, curious, crossed on the road
Here are a few highlights from this first part:
› A bear came to say hello on the road, and other animals crossed our route,
› Eating by quiet lakes,
› Straight roads through fir forests as far as the eye can see.
› The park on the shores of Lake Superior, whose surface represents 10% of the world's drinking water.
Excerpts from vlogs produced mainly by Mark (@markdcaribe)
Regina, Capital of Saskatchewan
After a break in Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, we drove to Regina. Our plan was to enjoy a Regina pizza, then camp out.
At the pizzeria, we got to know the waitress, Aesha. Originally from India, she came to Vancouver for her medical studies before continuing them in Regina, in the middle of Canada's desert plains, where temperatures easily reach -40°C in winter and 40°C in summer.
She then advised us against camping as, unfortunately, the wind that day was bringing back smoke from the forest fires and this would have been dangerous for our health. She very kindly invited us to sleep at her place and, as a bonus, we were offered a home-made Chai Tea.
A great encounter!
From right to left: Aesha, Mark and I
Dinosaur territory
Shortly after leaving Calgary (Alberta's capital), passing Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and crossing a few oil wells, we stopped at Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Somwhere between the Badlands Trail and the Fossil Hunters Trail
This new territory, the badlands, was trodden by dinosaurs millions of years ago. As we climbed upwards, we were confronted by a desert landscape of spectacular geological formations. Eroded hills and ridges, with strata of sediment ranging in color from red to beige, bear witness to a long geological history.
With the smoke of forest fires and vehicles banned from the park, we felt like we were taking a trip back in time. Dinosaur fossils have been discovered here since the 19th century, and numerous paleontological excavations continue to be carried out. It's not uncommon for tourists to find fossils that are obviously forbidden to preserve.
Dinosaur Provincial Park Southern Nature Reserve
The badlands are interspersed with deep valleys, sculpted by water and wind erosion, creating a complex network of canyons and ravines. The Red Deer River also cuts through this arid landscape, allowing areas of greenery along its banks. Among the sage and cacti, deer, coyotes and bald eagles thrive.
I was surprised by a doe that emerged from a grove along the river before continuing on its way.
Archaeological dig site preserved on display
Bear country
No sooner had we left the desert plains than we entered bear country, in Alberta's Banff National Park. It's one of the most majestic places in the country.
Bow Valley, Banff National Park
Snow-capped mountain peaks, even in summer, dominate the horizon. The feet of the mountains are engulfed by dense coniferous forests, which stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a green carpet that contrasts with the whiteness of the peaks. Water is omnipresent, whether in crystalline, deep-blue rivers winding through the valley, tumultuous rapids or cascading waterfalls.
Hidden between the mountains are numerous lakes of exceptional beauty. Their intense turquoise color is caused by the sliding of the surrounding glaciers, eroding the rock and leaving very fine rock particles (called rock flour) suspended in the water.
On the way from Lake Louise to Lake Agnes
In addition to bears, you can spot deer, elk, bighorn sheep (which we met in a herd along the way), mountain goats and even wolves.
In the park, the two activities that stoud out the most for me were :
› The via ferrata ascent of Mont Norquay, four hours, 2,133 meters, an excellent guide and imposing rock walls, offering, in addition to the thrills, a stunning panoramic view of the Bow valley and surrounding mountains.
› The chain of Lake Louise, Lake Mirror and Lake Agnes. The first is one of Canada's most photographed lakes. It is surrounded by majestic mountains and the Victoria Glacier, which are reflected on its surface. Lake Agnes is 3.5 kilometers further away and 500 metres higher. Two different but equally breathtaking natural landscapes!
From left to right: Lake Louise and Lake Agnes
To conclude this section, here's a tip for camping in bear country. You need three pitches, all at least fifty meters apart, one for sleeping, one for storing food (hermetically sealed) and one for eating. This will give you peace of mind, without the risk of being disturbed by a bear. However, keep bear spray with you in case a grizzly gets a little too curious.
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