While it may be a challenge to Prepare and budget for a Backpacking trip across Canada, it is more than worth it for the unique cities and beautiful scenery along the way. If you are looking to backpack across this expansive country, it is crucial to plan ahead and have all of your ducks in a row before heading out on your adventure.

You’ll need to know things such as what to pack, where you’d like to stop, how to prepare for the physicality of the trip, and more. Read on for four tips on making your next Canadian backpacking journey.

Packing Tips

Canada’s Climate can be pretty harsh for travelers who aren’t used to it. It can be boiling in the summer and downright freezing in the winter. So packing the appropriate attire for you trip isn’t going to be the easiest of challenges and it’s going to be dependent on what time of year you’ll be there. Be sure to look at the weather conditions while packing.

You may also want to look into getting address labels for your more expensive items. In the event that something gets lost, you might get lucky and get it back. Plastic bags are also a good idea for storing dirty clothes and keeping them separate from clean clothes. You should also consider bringing along photocopies of your security details. Copies of things such as flight information, your passport, and other personal documents will come in handy if you happen to lose something along the way.

Prepare for an Emergency

As with any trip, it’s crucial to prepare for an emergency. However, backpacking does pose more of a risk than relaxing on the beach. Let your friends and family members know exactly where you’ll be and give them a map or outline of your planned route. Check in with them every few days so they’ll know if they don’t hear from you, something could be wrong. Additionally, consider purchasing medical travel insurance online before you leave. This way, you know you’ll be taken care of in the event that you fall, break a bone, get cut, etc.

Where to Stop

Image via Flickr by vic_206

Because Canada is the second biggest country in the world, it would be fairly costly to see all of its major cities and national parks. So it’s imperative that you pick out your must-visit destinations and plan around them accordingly. It might also be beneficial to choose between Eastern and Western Canada.

With that being said, some of the most popular outdoor destinations are Gros Morne National Park, Bruce Trail, Lake Louise, Mont Megantic, and the Highland Backpacking Trail. If you’re looking to see some of the country’s booming cities, consider Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec. In any of these destinations, you’ll find plenty to do, see, and explore.

Prepare Physically

The best way to prepare for this kind of physical adventure is to mimic what you’ll be doing as best as you can. You can start out slow by just walking. Begin taking short, slow impact hikes with a light backpack. You can then gradually increase your distance, incline, and the amount of weight you’re carrying. You can also start going to the gym. If you don’t live close to any trails or outdoor walking areas, then stair steppers, ellipticals, and treadmills are the next best thing. Swimming is another great way to train since it’s so good for your lungs and heart.

You can also change up your daily routine to use what’s around you to train. For example, you can start taking the stairs over the elevator or opt to walk or bike rather than driving. Getting into shape for this kind of physical challenge will be different for everyone. The difficulty and the amount of time it will take to be ready depends on how in shape you are before you start training.

Preparing for a trip such as this might seem like a big undertaking. But with a little research and effort to plan ahead, you’ll be ready to jump into a life-changing adventure. Backpacking through Canada will certainly be well worth the stress of getting there.