10 Canadian Travel Books to Inspire Your Next Adventure in 2025

Where the Falcon Flies

Adam Shoalts

Adam Shoalts, a renowned modern Canadian explorer and author, has previously written several acclaimed books of his travels including Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada's Arctic and Alone Against the North. His latest work, Where the Falcon Flies, chronicles a remarkable 3,400 km solo expedition from Lake Erie to the Arctic, following the migration patterns of the Peregrine Falcon. This adventure not only showcases Shoalts' physical and mental endurance but also emphasizes the importance of conserving Canada's green spaces for wildlife. Throughout, Shoalts highlights the geography, history, and ecology of the regions he traverses, providing readers with an accessible and engaging narrative of Canada's natural wonders and wildlife.  As someone who has explored many birding hotspots across Canada, I particularly enjoy Shoalt's descriptions of birds.  Moreover, this book offers a raw and honest account of the challenges faced on this extraordinary journey, while highlighting the kindness and generosity of people across Canada, from urban centres to remote northern communities.  As a result, Shoalts' journey serves as a poignant reminder that the spirit of exploration in Canada is still alive and well, inviting readers to experience the vast wilderness of the country like never before.

Welcome Home: Travels in Smalltown Canada

Stuart McLean

Second on our list of Canadian travel books to inspire your next adventure is Welcome Home: Travels in Smalltown Canada, by Stuart McLean.  This travel narrative is a heartfelt exploration of rural communities and cultural identity across Canada. Moreover, it was written by Stuart McLean, an award-winning journalist, humourist, and writer of the much beloved Vinyl Cafe series who is noted for his iconic Canadian storytelling. In Welcome Home McLean takes readers on a journey from coast to coast, visiting small towns, engaging with local residents who in turn share their stories and perspectives. Along the way, McLean weaves together local histories and personal anecdotes. Through these tales, he highlights the commonalities that bind Canadians together, offering a deeper understanding of the national story and the unique aspects of small-town life across the country.  As such, this book celebrates the heart and soul of Canada, providing a window into the essential role of rural communities in shaping the nation's identity.  It is a personal favourite, as not only did I grow up listening to Stuart McLean on the CBC, but the places and anecdotes he shares in this book are highly relatable from my own travels on foot across Canada.

Feast: Recipes and Stories from a Canadian Road Trip: A Cookbook

Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller

For me, Feast: Recipes and Stories from a Canadian Road Trip by Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller is the perfect blend of culinary exploration and adventure travel. This book is the result of a five-month road trip across Canada, during which the authors experienced the country's diverse regions and vibrant food cultures. With over 100 recipes from coast to coast to coast, Feast captures the essence of Canada's culinary traditions, offering everything from pancakes and cinnamon buns to lobster and preserves. In fact, one of the reasons Feast earned a spot on our list of Canadian travel books to inspire your next adventure is that it even included a few of our favourite Must Try Local Canadian Foods from Atlantic Canada. Moreover, this collection is more than just a cookbook; it is a mixture of travel stories, personal anecdotes, and stunning photographs that showcase the heart of the Canadian experience. Therefore, whether you're craving classic comfort foods or seeking to explore regional tastes, Feast provides inspiring recipes and delightful stories that celebrate travel across Canada. A must-read for any foodie or adventure traveller, this book is a perfect way to explore Canada's rich culinary heritage while enjoying the beauty of the country's landscapes.  

Lillian Alling, the Journey Home

Susan Smith-Josephy

One of the most unique and inspiring Canadian travel stories we've read in years is Lillian Alling, the Journey Home by Susan Smith-Josephy. This remarkable narrative chronicles the extraordinary journey of Lillian Alling, a determined woman who, in 1926, set off on a three-year solo trek from New York, across Canada, toward her homeland in Russia. Amazingly, with almost no money and few resources, Alling navigated the vast landscapes of North America on foot, overcoming countless challenges along the way. Smith-Josephy masterfully weaves together historical research, newspaper stories, personal journals, and folk tales to bring this myth-like adventure to life, revealing not only the resilience of one woman but also offering a fascinating glimpse into Canada a century ago. As a result, this heartwarming tale affirms the boundless possibilities of human determination and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Through meticulous research, Smith-Josephy has succeeded in documenting this incredible journey, making it a compelling read that celebrates the strength of an individual willing to face the unknown.  For me, as someone who has experienced first-hand the challenges associated with hiking 14,000 km across Canada on the Trans Canada Trail, the account of Alling's journey resonated very deeply.  

The Road is How: A Prairie Pilgrimage Through Nature, Desire, and Soul

Trevor Herriot

In The Road is How: A Prairie Pilgrimage Through Nature, Desire, and Soul, prairie naturalist Trevor Herriot embarks on a journey of self-reflection and mindfulness one step at a time. After recovering from an in-house accident and feeling frustrated with the pace of life, Herriot decides to slow down and embark on a 40-mile hike from Regina to his family cottage. Over the course of three days, he treks along the rail beds and gravel roads of Saskatchewan, exploring the natural beauty of the land, typically overlooked in our fast-paced world. Having walked some of the prairie trails around Regina myself, and explored some of the birding hotspots of Saskatchewan, his accounts brings back many fond memories.  Furthermore, Herriot's thoughtful travel narrative blends nature study, personal memoir, and regional reflections.  In addition, he contemplates ecology, gender roles, and the rural-urban divide. In this way, he ultimately comes to believe that we all share responsibility for the current state of things, environmental challenges and the social frustrations that plague society. Moreover, as he immerses himself in nature, Herriot emphasizes the importance of spending time connected to the land, urging that spending such moments outdoors and reflecting is essential for restoring our perspective on life. As a result, this book not only highlights the beauty of the prairie but also explores the physical and mental challenges of a digital and industrial world in constant motion. If you're looking for a story that balances adventure with profound personal reflection, The Road is How is a must-read.

The Great Lakes at Ten Miles an Hour: One Cyclist's Journey Along the Shores of the Inlands Seas

Thomas Shevory

The Great Lakes at Ten Miles an Hour: One Cyclist's Journey Along the Shores of the Inland Seas by Thomas Shevory is an exhilarating travelogue that chronicles a four-summer cycling adventure around the Great Lakes of Huron, Erie, Michigan, Superior, and Ontario. Beginning in 2011, Shevory embarked on a exploration of these "inland seas", the lands around them, and their influence. The Great Lakes at Ten Miles an Hour offers a captivating narrative of his daily biking experiences supplemented with rich details about the lakes' geology, wildlife, peoples, and history. The book takes readers through diverse terrains, from the Canadian Shield to the Niagara Escarpment, while delving into the natural and human histories of the region, including Indigenous peoples, the fur trade, and the shipping industry. Shevory's journey provides an authentic and reflective look at the beauty and challenges of long-distance cycling, alongside encounters with local cultures and wildlife as well as the unpredictable elements of weather and equipment failure. With detailed descriptions of his routes, landscapes, and the people he meets along the way, The Great Lakes at Ten Miles an Hour is a compelling adventure for anyone interested in long distance cycling or the natural wonders of the Great Lakes.

Canoeing a Continent: On the Trail of Alexander Mackenzie

Max Finkelstein

Max Finkelstein's Canoeing a Continent: On the Trail of Alexander Mackenzie offers an engaging personal account of the author's 1999 paddling adventure, which retraced the historic route of Alexander Mackenzie, the first European to cross North America in 1793. Over the course of two seasons, Finkelstein embarks on an ambitious journey to canoe from Ottawa, Ontario to the Pacific Ocean, exploring Canada's vast network of rivers that have long served as lifelines for Indigenous peoples, trade routes, and colonial exploration. This captivating narrative combines the physical challenges of paddling with historical insights, personal reflections, and even excerpts from Alexander Mackenzie's original journals to provide rich context for the author's own adventure. Finkelstein's journey is not only a thrilling account of paddling but also a thought-provoking exploration of Canada's natural beauty and history. With moments of humour, observation, and an inspiring look at the great river systems of Canada, Canoeing a Continent is a must-read for paddlers, explorers, and anyone curious about the country's waterway heritage.

Carving the Western Path, Routes to Remember

T.G. Harvey

Next on our list of top Canadian travel books to inspire your next adventure is Carving the Western Path: Routes to Remember by T.G. Harvey, which is a must-read for road trip enthusiasts. Specifically, this Canadian travel narrative delves into the history and development of transportation routes in the remote and rugged interior of British Columbia, from railways and roads to the ferry system. Harvey expertly details the challenges of navigating and building transportation routes across such a difficult landscape to access the province's resources and move people and goods across vast distances. With a blend of humour and factual storytelling, Carving the Western Path not only highlights the surprisingly fascinating history of BC's transportation systems but also shares inspiring tales of human determination and ingenuity in overcoming the geographical obstacles of this stunning province. Exposing political intrigue and routing errors of early surveyors, the author asks provocative questions like were the likes of Andrew McCulloch really worthy of the praise they received? If you've visited the Myra Canyon Trestles, or seen the Othello Tunnels, you'll probably agree he was.

The Road Across Canada

Edward McCourt

Published in 1965, The Road Across Canada by Edward McCourt is a captivating travel memoir that chronicles the author and his wife's journey along the Trans-Canada Highway. Interestingly, as they traverse the vast landscapes of Canada, McCourt offers rich descriptions, historical details, and personal reflections about the towns and regions they encounter. While the book is dated, it nonetheless provides a fascinating glimpse into Canada in the 1960s, offering insights into the country's expansive geography and diverse communities. Having walked across Canada on the Trans Canada Trail, I can still recognize the places McCourt visits.  Moreover, through its tales of Canada's natural beauty and cultural landmarks, McCourt's narrative broadens readers' understanding of the nation and serves as an inspiration for future road trips. The book captures stunning snapshots of locations across Canada, making it an essential read for anyone interested in exploring the country's vast and varied landscapes.

The Last Train to Toronto: A Canadian Rail Odyssey

Terry Pindell

In The Last Train to Toronto: A Canadian Rail Odyssey, Terry Pindell takes readers on a captivating journey across Canada, exploring the once-thriving passenger train service that was central to the country's development. While the Transcontinental Railway is well-known, Pindell's book delves into the lesser-known story of passenger trains and their transformation. Interestingly, he rides iconic routes such as the Skeena, Malahat, and The Canadian, providing rich descriptions of the landscapes, history, and culture of each train line. Moreover, as he travels, Pindell offers insight into the impact of the railway and trains on local communities and Canadian identity. As such, the book is a wonderful blend of travelogue and historical reflection, making it a must-read for those interested in Canada, its rail history, and the social and cultural impact of train travel.  Written in the vein of George Galt's classic Whistle Stop: A Journey Across Canada and Tom Allen's Rolling Home: A Cross-Canada Railroad Memoir, Pindell's travelogue brings train travel in Canada to life. Filled with vivid portrayals of Canada, The Last Train to Toronto is a great read for anyone planning a trip between Halifax and Toronto on The Ocean, or between Toronto and Vancouver aboard Via Rail's The Canadian.