British Columbia has officially connected its section of the Trans Canada Trail.

Also known as the Great Trail, the path runs clear across Canada. It begins on Vancouver Island, runs east into Alberta, and up into the Yukon and Northwest Territories. It then doubles back south, on to Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Ontario, and continues east, all the way to Newfoundland and Labrador.

An event in Victoria this morning (October 19) celebrated crews having connected nearly 3,000 kilometres of trail that comprises our province’s section of the project.

“The Great Trail in B.C. is spectacular,” said Valerie Pringle, co-chair of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) foundation board and Chapter 150 Campaign, quoted in a media release. “From incredible desert scenery to magnificent mountain ranges connecting communities from northern B.C. to Vancouver Island.”

The entire trail is more than 24,000 kilometres long.

With every section now connected, planners are already working on how to improve it.

“After this momentous year, we will continue to build upon what we have accomplished,” said TCT president and CEO Deborah Apps. “We will add loops and spurs and convert roadway to greenway to create new adventures for trail users.

“The future of the Trail still depends on the commitment and generosity of communities across Canada,” she continued. “The cross-Canada connection celebration marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that will see the trail grow, improve and thrive for years to come, benefitting future generations. We invite you to continue on this journey with us.”

Would-be hikers interested in learning more can explore a map of the trail at TheGreatTrail.ca.