Climb Anywhere (yes, anywhere) for, and in, nature!

It’s climb time! On May 2 and 3, climbers in Toronto will be taking 1,776 steps up the CN Tower for nature. Then in the fall, on the other side of the country, climbers in Vancouver will tackle the stadium in BC Place.

But did you know you can step up for wildlife anywhere (and anytime) in Canada? How and where you climb is entirely up to you. Conquer a set of steps in your neighbourhood, race up and down the stairs in your home, crank up the challenge on a StairMaster or venture farther afield for a nature-powered climb.

To help you plan your next steps, we’ve put together an inspiring list of climbable places across the country. Already have climbing plans? We’d love to hear about them. Reach out and tell us  where you’ll be climbing.

 

B.C.

1001 Steps, South Surrey: It’s actually a little under 300 steps down the bluffs to Ocean Park’s pebble beach, so fitness folks tend to go up and down a few times. It just means more chances to take in the beautiful ocean views and snag some salmonberries or blackberries, depending on the season.

Grouse Grind, North Vancouver: This challenging but gratifying climb goes straight up the forested slope of Grouse Mountain on the north shore. Colloquially known as “Mother Nature’s StairMaster,” the trail’s only 2.5 kilometres long, but ascends 800 metres and takes 1–2 hours. You’ll also be grateful a gondola brings you back down.

 

Alberta

McHugh Bluff, Calgary: The bluff is close to the city centre and is a great place to take a walk or a jog along the Bow River.

 

Manitoba

Seine River Greenway, Winnipeg: A beautiful trail along the provincial capital’s Seine River. Keep and eye out for carvings of faces and animals in the tree along your walk. If you’re there in May, look out for the Aviso team, who will be walking the trail for their Anywhere Climb.

 

Ontario

Baldwin steps, Toronto: Climb up and down the historic 110 steps at Davenport and Spadina that lead to Casa Loma, one of Toronto’s historic landmarks. Though the original stairs date back to the 1830s, the current ones were built in the 1980s and featured in the cult classic film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Old Mill subway bridge stairs, Toronto: These steps lead down to a recreational path along the Humber River.

Heartland Forest, Niagara Falls: Four kilometres of easy trails through the grasslands and wetlands of the border town’s Carolinian forest.

Hamilton Escarpment, Hamilton: This set of five stairs connects to the larger Niagara Escarpment and is a popular place to climb for local residents.

Tower Hill Lookout, Parry Sound: Take 130 stairs up to the top of this observation tower and be rewarded with a 360-degree view of Georgian Bay.

Escarpment Stairway, Ottawa: Tucked away behind the Parliament building’s Centre Block, you can climb up and down 280-ish tree-lined steps from the top of Parliament Hill to the Ottawa River.

Sifton Bog, London: While there’s not much climbing to do here, you’ll see peat bogs, boreal plants, deciduous swamps and upland forest all in one go.

 

Quebec

Luskville Falls, Gatineau Park: Visit the 4.2-kilometre trail and travel up 300 metres on the slopes of the Eardley Escarpment for beautiful nature views.

Grand Escalier du Mont-Royal, Montreal: Get a birds-eye view of the city of Montreal — and a refreshing dose of nature — after ascending through the forest on Mount Royal’s “grand staircase.” The Holt Renfrew corporate team knows the drill: last year, they paired this urban-nature climb with a stair walk in their office tower for their Anywhere Climb.

Escalier du Cap-Blanc, Quebec City: A beautiful wooden staircase with 398 steps. Climb it a mere four and a half times and you’ll have bragging rights over everyone heading up Toronto’s CN Tower.

 

New Brunswick

Fundy National Park, Alma: This park has more than 100 kilometres of trail, with beaches, rivers and waterfalls to discover along the way. You can try the Dickson Falls trail for a 79-metre ascent and a lookout over the Bay of Fundy coastline, or the flatter Tracey Lake trail for a woodsier experience. A great way to experience nature during your Anywhere Climb.

Nova Scotia

Point Pleasant Park, Halifax: You can find 39 kilometres of trails on the south end of the Halifax peninsula, and when your climb is finished, you can still make it back to the city in minutes. It’s the perfect combination of beauty and convenience that’s inspired the Halifax TD corporate team to do their Anywhere Climb here!

 

Happy climbing, wherever you end up (and if you haven’t yet signed up, you can do so here)!