The Canol Heritage Trail is a 355 km trail running from Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, through the Mackenzie Mountains, to the Yukon border. Because of its remoteness, length and river crossings, it is considered one of the most challenging trails in Canada. It should only be undertaken by experienced, physically fit hikers.
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The trail is made up of that part of the Canol Road which lie within the NWT. This part of the road is not maintained by the territory government. The road was constructed during the Second World War by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to build and service a pipeline bringing oil from Norman Wells to a refinery in Whitehorse, Yukon. Though built at huge expense, the pipeline suffered from shoddy workmanship and technical difficulties. It was abandoned after only thirteen months of operation. The steel pipe was salvaged, but abandoned trucks, pump stations and buildings remain along the trail.
The trail’s eastern terminus is across the Mackenzie River from Norman Wells, so arrangements have to be made to cross the river by either air or boat. The western terminus, a small airstrip at McMillan Pass on Yukon border, can be reached by plane from either Norman Wells or Whitehorse. In summer, it can be reached by road along Yukon Highway 6/North Canol Road. The road receives minimal maintenance and can be a rough ride. The road ends 26 km before the trailhead, bringing the total distance to the McKenzie River to 381 km.
Most sources recommend allowing 22 days to complete the trail. There are no services along the trail and, though it has been hiked with no resupply, most people arrange for one to three food drops to be made by aircraft.
The trail has been traversed by snowmobile in winter. The western portions of the trail are suitable for mountain biking.
There are three major river crossings along the trail, in addition to innumerable smaller ones. Crossing the Twitya River, which has turned back many hikers, requires swimming.
The trail crosses grizzly bear and black bear habitat, so precautions should be taken.
The trail is in the process of becoming a park and is a portion of the Trans Canada Trail.
Hawkings, Tim: “Hiker’s Guide to the Canol Heritage Trail”, Government of the North West Territories, 1996.
