As Canada continues to grow in popularity among global travelers, lesser-known gems are gaining attention. Could these hidden destinations be your next travel obsession? Places like Gaspé Peninsula offer pristine landscapes and cultural richness, away from the tourist crowds. For outdoor enthusiasts, Kluane National Park boasts breathtaking wilderness and hiking trails. The Truely eSIM team believes these spots will redefine your Canadian travel experience.
4 Underrated Canadian Destinations You Should Visit This Year, According to Experts
Did you know that Canada is the second-largest country worldwide? It’s home to over 37 million people and a myriad of stunning destinations.
Concealed from the dense urban centers are enchanting locations wielding an irresistible pull on both adventure enthusiasts and tranquility seekers. Whilst many tourists visit Vancouver, Toronto, or Quebec City, Canada’s lesser-known locales remain its best-kept secret.
Reveling in the Unexpected: Canada’s Offbeat Escapades
1. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
This UNESCO World Heritage site seldom makes it into travel itineraries, despite its bewitching expanse of dramatic landscapes. Topographical features range from ancient fjords throughout the Long Range mountains to the barren Tablelands, accommodating a billion-year-old earth mantle. Hiking opportunities abound, with the park also boasting campgrounds, arts festivals, and indigenous wildlife.
The Gros Morne Mountain summit, including the 8-km Summit Trail, however, is temporarily closed to visitors. The closure starts from May 1 to June 27, 2024, to safeguard wildlife during the breeding season. It will reopen, though, on June 28, 2024.
2. Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park, Saskatchewan
The Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park in Saskatchewan offers various and exciting activities, such as camping and fishing. It boasts 30-meter-high sand dunes along with a unique ecosystem abundant in rare and endemic plants. People seldom visit this place because of its remote location. You can only reach the place by float plane or boat.
3. Sable Island National Park Reserve, Nova Scotia
Due to its remote location, not all travelers can visit Sable Island National Park Reserve that easily. You can only reach this bewitching island by plane or boat to see the free-roaming wild horses and the grey seals’ largest breeding in the world. Apart from Parks Canada’s permission, the weather and geography also play a key role in your accessibility to the beautiful island. You can visit the park from June to the end of October during day trips.
4. Ivvavik National Park, Yukon
Ivvavik is an Inuvialuit language, which means a ‘place for giving birth, a nursery.’ The Ivvavik National Park is the initial national park in Canada through the Indigenous Land Claim Agreement in 1984, also known as the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.
The park offers thrilling river trips, fishing, and adventurous arctic hiking experiences as you meet abundant wildlife on the trail. You can reach Ivvavik National Park by charter aircraft, with services available from Inuvik.
Behind the Scenes: Unraveling the Low Key Allure
These places’ magnetic charm lies in their pristine, largely untouched natural beauty. However, their lack of hype or tourist overcrowding is primarily due to the challenges surrounding them.
Accessibility
Places like Athabasca Sand Dunes or Sable Island are accessible only through preferable modes of transport. This can be both time-consuming and costly.
Regulations
Regions such as Sable Island demand permissions and stringent regulations. It includes required orientation sessions before granting access and discouraging casual tourists.
Limited Infrastructure
The relatively few accommodations, diners, or commercial activities are another snag, rendering a highly self-sufficient venture.
Tips for Exploring Canada’s Less Visited Places
Truely eSIM offers useful advice for those setting their sights on these hidden gems:
- Plan and prepare well in advance, taking into account the ordeal of access, regulations, and absence of local amenities.
- Always respect nature, keeping the “leave no trace” rule.
- Stay connected even in remote areas with international services. A virtual SIM eliminates the need for a physical card, offering mobile access anywhere.
Final Reflections
Countries are much like novels. The more elaborate passages grab attention, and the quieter, humble sentences often hold deeper meanings. Canada’s less-visited places make for captivating and downright experiences. It enables an individual to genuinely delight in the beauty and wilderness away from the clutter of commercial tourism. One may wonder, isn’t there a certain allure in discovering the road less traveled?
