Best stroller friendly trails in Canada

Simple but busy walk along the lakeshore with beautiful views along Lake Louise to the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. Accessibility: This trail is partially-paved/partially-dirt and typically at least three feet wide. It has some steep sections, with an estimated average grade of 5% and max grade above 10% at about 0.7 miles and 1.2 miles. Wheelchair and stroller users may require assistance. There are several handicapped-accessible parking spots in the parking lot and accessible bathrooms close to the trailhead. Past the lake the grade increases. Use caution in the winter as the trail may be snowy or icy. The dirt portion of the trail may also get muddy.Show more

As of August 2020, the road to the trailhead is closed. Please check with the park before visiting. Johnston Canyon is a gorgeous canyon hike with beautiful scenery. The drive from the town of Banff to the trailhead takes around 30 minutes. The trail begins along a paved pathway on a slight incline through the forest alongside the deep canyon. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and there are plenty of amazing photo opportunities. There are some sections of the trail which follow along sturdy but narrow metal catwalks attached to the rock cliffs on the side of the canyon, which is fun. At the 1.2 km mark, you arrive at the Lower Falls. There is a wooden bridge which crosses the canyon and river underneath from the main trail leading to a small cave in the rocks on the other side. The tunnel through the cave is narrow and dark to walk through but at the end, there is an opening which is directly in front of the powerful waterfall and provides a unique vantage point. Be prepared to get wet! The Lower Falls are so beautiful and there are fantastic views from along the bridge and from the main trail as well. The trail becomes slightly more difficult between the Lower and Upper Falls, as it climbs more steadily along a moderate incline and continues through the forest and along catwalks, but is still completely manageable and should not be challenging for someone of average fitness. There are lots of small waterfalls to see in the canyon on this portion of the hike and many great viewpoints overlooking the canyon. Shortly before reaching the Upper Falls, there is a well beaten but unmarked pathway stemming off from the main trail which you can follow as it leads down a steep hill and into the bottom of the rocky canyon. There is a massive cave with stunning views of a very strange and uniquely shaped large rock in the canyon with a waterfall flowing on one side of it and a variety of lush mosses and trees growing on top of it. If you have time, we recommend stopping here. At 2.4 km from the trailhead, you come to the Upper Falls. The falls aren't visible from the main trail but a metal catwalk leads over the canyon and ends at a small platform near the base of these gorgeous tall waterfalls as they fall over the edge of a cliff. You can continue along the main trail past the Upper Falls on a short and steep climb to another viewpoint at the top of the waterfalls, which provides a unique perspective overlooking the gorge and the falls. The landscape is so beautiful from this area! From this point, you can continue hiking another 3 km to the Ink Pots which makes for a full half-day hike and are amazing to see though this portion of the trail can be very crowded. Johnston Canyon gets incredibly crowded during the summer months and is one of the busiest hikes in the Banff area. Get there early in the morning in order to beat the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Even though it is extremely popular, this hike is definitely a must-visit and both the Lower and Upper Falls are worth seeing. Remember to bring a camera to capture the amazing scenery and take advantage of the many wonderful photo opportunities, as well as water and snacks. There are modern washrooms in the parking lot at the beginning of the trail and wooden benches along the pathway to stop. It should take between 1.5 and 2 hours to complete the hike to and from the Upper Falls. Accessibility: The trail to the Lower Falls is paved and mostly flat with an estimated average grade of 4%. It is typically at least two feet wide. The steepest areas are between 0.3 and 0.4 miles where the grade is greater than 12% so this trail may not be fully accessible for wheelchair/mobility equipment and stroller users due to the steep portion or narrowness of the trail.Show more

Note: The road leading to this trailhead closes seasonally. For more information, please see https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho These are some of the highest waterfalls in Canada with beautiful Yoho hiking around them. Accessibility: Although this trail is paved and typically over four feet wide, there are a couple of steep sections of this trail that have a grade greater than 8% such as near the bridge. Assistance may be required for wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users at these points. The estimated max grade is 12% at about 0.3 - 0.4 miles. The estimated average grade for the trail is 5%.Show more

As of June 2020, this park runs one-way due to COVID 19. This easy coastal path is great walk around the coastal headlands. There are views of the Barkley Sound, Amphitrite Lighthouse, Inspiration Point, and He-Tin-Kis Beach. There are no stairs on this route and motorized wheelchairs may be able to navigate the path (there is a paved pathway to the lighthouse only). Check with Ucluelet's Wild Pacific Trail.Show more

Parts of the sea wall have been reported closed due to restoration work (November 2020). As Vancouver's largest and most famous, historic park, Stanley Park is extremely popular with both locals and tourists all year around. The heavily trafficked Seawall Loop Trail that surrounds the park hugs the perimeter shoreline and offers beautiful views from beginning to end. This trail is open 365 days a year which brings us to what is perhaps its only drawback. When temperatures reach freezing, the paved path can accumulate very slippery black ice, so extra caution is required. A park conditions search is highly recommended during the winter months.  Accessibility: The trail is smoothly paved all around with two separate side-by-side paths - the beachside for foot traffic and the inner one for bikes and rollerblades. Despite being so busy, the footpath is typically at least four feet wide and there is usually enough room to pass when needed. The grade is mostly gentle (most of the trail estimated at 5% or less), but there is a steep section by Siwash Rock after 2.3 miles with a grade about 15%. The restrooms by Stanley's Bar and Grill and by Third Beach are wheelchair accessible. Water wheelchairs are available for free loan on a first-come-first-served basis at the Second Beach Pool between noon and 8 PM. Reservations for water wheelchairs can be made by calling at least 24 hours in advance.Show more

Goat Island features several family-friendly and accessible paved trails around the island, as well as bridge access to sites such as Luna Island where you can see the American Falls and Bridal Falls close up. On the other side of the Island, Terrapin Point and Horseshoe Falls also have great views. The Rainbow Bridge can be used to cross over into Canada and see the Falls from a different angle. There is a $5 fee to park. In the winter, weather at Niagara Falls transforms the Park into an icy wonderland. Many Park attractions close for the season, but visitors can always see awe-inspiring Niagara Falls flow to the river below as it freezes and a thick layer of ice covers every surface. During winter, some of the trails closer to the water get icy and are closed. Accessibility: These trails are paved and typically at least three feet wide. There are a few steep sections where the grade is between 8% and 12% (such as on the trail to Three Sisters Islands and when rounding the corner at Terrapin Point) but the estimated average trail grade is 6%. Wheelchair/mobility equipment and stroller users may need assistance in the steep sections or need to avoid them. Parking, bathrooms, and picnic tables at Goat Point are newly ADA-compliant.Show more

Nice, easy, paved, stroll along the harbor. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved, smooth, and it is typically at least five feet wide. It is flat with an estimated average grade of 1% and a max grade of 2%. Most wheelchair/mobility equipment and stroller users will likely find this trail navigable.Show more

Paved, family-friendly, multi-use trail with nice scenery along the Humber River. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved and it is typically at least six feet wide. It is mostly gentle with an estimated average grade of 3% and a max grade of 5%. Most wheelchair/mobility equipment and stroller users will find this trail navigable.Show more

A beautiful, partially paved walking trail through meadows that ends with a boardwalk viewpoint with great views of the ocean, cliffs, and local wildlife - keep an eye out for moose! Parts of the trail might be closed due to overgrown plant vegetation. Accessibility: The trail surface is partially paved/boardwalk, and partially gravel/dirt. It is typically at least three feet wide. It has steep sections, with an estimated average grade of 6% and a grade of 15% - 20% at 0.6 miles, 2.3 miles, and 4.5 miles. Manual wheelchair and stroller users will likely need assistance navigating this trail because it is so steep. There are boardwalk stairs to get to some of the observation decks on the end of the loop.Show more

Note: Some parts of the trail are closed however still accessible. The parking lot is CLOSED, so plan accordingly. Please check with the park page for updates.Show more