Are you a regular Walking Challenge participant? Have you been on a team that has walked the
1,658km trip multiple times in a single season?
What if the Walking Challenge itself was to cross Canada, have you ever thought about the
distance you would have to cover? If you draw a straight line from the Alaska Yukon Boundary
to Cape Spear, St. John’s, NL it would be 5,514km long and if you follow the roads, it would be
8,176km. Taking the most direct route from Yukon to Newfoundland would equal three and a
half Walking Challenges and it would be five Walking Challenges if you follow the roads. Don’t
let these numbers create fear there is no expectation for anyone to complete the Walking
Challenge three to five times over in a season!
Walking across Canada from coast to coast would take you through a diverse range of
landscapes and environments. Here are some of the things you might see along the way:
- Coastal regions: Depending on your starting point, you might see the rugged coastlines
of the Atlantic or Pacific, with rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, and crashing waves. - Mountain ranges: The route across Canada would likely take you through the Rocky
Mountains, with towering peaks, deep valleys, and glaciers. - Plains and prairies: In central Canada, you would pass through vast stretches of flat,
rolling prairies, dotted with fields of grain and dotted with small towns and villages. - Forested areas: Large areas of Canada are covered by dense forests, including both
deciduous and coniferous trees, as well as lakes and rivers. - Urban areas: As you cross the country, you would also pass through several cities and
towns, including major metropolitan areas such as Toronto or Montreal - Wildlife: Along the way, you might see a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer,
bears, wolves, and many other species - Agricultural lands: In many regions, you would see farms and agricultural lands, with
crops and livestock, as well as farmhouses and barns.
If you are new to incorporating walking into your everyday routine, the Walking Challenge is a
great place to start. You can start by walking for as little as 15 minutes a day three times a week
and in no time, you’ll be able to increase the time and frequency of your walks. In no time at
all, you’ll be figuratively crossing Canada!