What's the Canadian countryside like?
May 8th 2009, 7:54 pm
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 63
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Thanks 
We're probably looking at Ontario for our new home. Apart from the couple of links above, does anyone have any more links to info on the parks in Ontario?
The Provincial parks seem to be closed during winter. Are there any parks open during the winter months... or is it just too b***dy cold to go out then?
We're probably looking at Ontario for our new home. Apart from the couple of links above, does anyone have any more links to info on the parks in Ontario?
The Provincial parks seem to be closed during winter. Are there any parks open during the winter months... or is it just too b***dy cold to go out then?
Remember Canada is all about HUGE distances - quick jaunts to the country from the city are not the same as back home .
May 8th 2009, 8:23 pm
#32
Bring on the snow!
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,420
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Hi all,
I read a thread on the MBTTUK forum comparing the thousands of miles of countryside footpaths, bridleways, etc. that we have free access to in the UK to having to "pay to go for a stroll in Canada". I asked the OP to explain further, but haven't got much in the way of a reply yet, so I thought I'd post something here.
Can anyone enlighten me to what they were referring to? Is Canada similar to the USA, where you seem to have to drive to a National Park for a countryside experience? Or is it more like rural UK, where you can get on your bicycle or put your walking boots on at home and go into the countryside from your own doorstep?
I know, it will ultimately depend on where you live. But generally speaking, what's the countryside access like in Canada?
I read a thread on the MBTTUK forum comparing the thousands of miles of countryside footpaths, bridleways, etc. that we have free access to in the UK to having to "pay to go for a stroll in Canada". I asked the OP to explain further, but haven't got much in the way of a reply yet, so I thought I'd post something here.
Can anyone enlighten me to what they were referring to? Is Canada similar to the USA, where you seem to have to drive to a National Park for a countryside experience? Or is it more like rural UK, where you can get on your bicycle or put your walking boots on at home and go into the countryside from your own doorstep?
I know, it will ultimately depend on where you live. But generally speaking, what's the countryside access like in Canada?
From my front door I could hike on a free trial system that runs across the whole country, or down to mexico!
It all depends on location, the only cost on more poular locationsis parking, but thats no different from the uk.
May 8th 2009, 8:38 pm
#33
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 362
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
The vast majority of Canada does not have "countryside" in the British way.
Vast Forrest's, massive fields, Mountains & Lakes sums up 95% of the Country. Parks are the way that these are normally accessed, they are very nice parks, but its just not as simple to go for "an afternoons stroll in the countryside" here as it is in the UK.
Vast Forrest's, massive fields, Mountains & Lakes sums up 95% of the Country. Parks are the way that these are normally accessed, they are very nice parks, but its just not as simple to go for "an afternoons stroll in the countryside" here as it is in the UK.
Last edited by Essex_Man; May 8th 2009 at 9:12 pm.
May 8th 2009, 8:47 pm
#34
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 172
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Really depends where you end up living. Where I stay in Canada, I just step off the back deck & I'm way out in the bush- dont step too far though cos I can hear the bears frequently ...
May 8th 2009, 9:17 pm
#35
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Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,685
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
There are no right-of-ways across farmers' fields as there is in the UK. In urban or suburban areas you generally have to stick to the trail systems. Otherwise 95% of BC is Crown Land, so that is 346,525 square miles where you can wander at will.
May 8th 2009, 9:27 pm
#36
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Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
May 9th 2009, 8:22 pm
#37
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I reckon I could get away with that!
May 10th 2009, 10:49 pm
#38
Bristolish expat
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Bristol ~ Nanaimo, BC ... It's a bit like Salem's Lot!!
Posts: 1,699
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Just come back from a walk in the countryside actually ........ it was free to park as well
May 11th 2009, 5:26 am
#39
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Location: Kelowna
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Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
It's bloody great here in the Okanagan. Don't beleive all you read on here about "nowhere to walk" or "nothing like the UK countryside"
These pics were taken today. The first is a view of Coldstream in the distance behind lake Kalamalka the second two are taken from Kalamalka provincial park which is accessible "free of charge" and has a huge amount of hiking and biking trails. This is just one very small example of what is around and as you can see it's all quite green and almost "English" looking.
These pics were taken today. The first is a view of Coldstream in the distance behind lake Kalamalka the second two are taken from Kalamalka provincial park which is accessible "free of charge" and has a huge amount of hiking and biking trails. This is just one very small example of what is around and as you can see it's all quite green and almost "English" looking.
Last edited by printer; May 11th 2009 at 5:28 am. Reason: pictures weren't there
May 11th 2009, 7:45 am
#40
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Hi all,
Can anyone enlighten me to what they were referring to? Is Canada similar to the USA, where you seem to have to drive to a National Park for a countryside experience? Or is it more like rural UK, where you can get on your bicycle or put your walking boots on at home and go into the countryside from your own doorstep?
I know, it will ultimately depend on where you live. But generally speaking, what's the countryside access like in Canada?
Can anyone enlighten me to what they were referring to? Is Canada similar to the USA, where you seem to have to drive to a National Park for a countryside experience? Or is it more like rural UK, where you can get on your bicycle or put your walking boots on at home and go into the countryside from your own doorstep?
I know, it will ultimately depend on where you live. But generally speaking, what's the countryside access like in Canada?
If you want to fork out a few dollars (and buy a small sailboat) you can cruise the gulf islands even, or sail the inside passage (up to Alaska) the sea will be calmer than on the west coast of UK.. you will find (much calmer as a matter of fact)
If you are just looking for a quiet trail, in order to ride your old British Raleigh though, you will not be disappointed I promise
May 11th 2009, 7:50 am
#41
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Location: Manchester, UK
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Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Thanks for all the info and pictures :-)
Most of the replies seem to be about the west side and maritimes. Anyone got anything similar to share about Ontario?
Most of the replies seem to be about the west side and maritimes. Anyone got anything similar to share about Ontario?
May 11th 2009, 1:15 pm
#42
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Plenty more in my gallery here;
http://britishexpats.com/photopost/s...=16059&cat=500
Check out the Canada gallery for what everyone else has posted...
http://britishexpats.com/photopost/s...ry.php?cat=519
May 11th 2009, 1:20 pm
#43
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
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Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rHmRYyinWn...12+x+2475).jpg
http://upperappalachia.blogspot.com/...-november.html
May 12th 2009, 1:09 am
#44
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Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Canadian countryside vs. British countryside? No comparison . . .
May 12th 2009, 1:13 am
#45
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Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,021
Re: What's the Canadian countryside like?
Canadian countryside vs. British countryside? No comparison . . .
http://www.westlakes.org/projects/en...eld_Aerial.jpg
http://www.cobblestonelodge.ca/images/bearhunting.jpg
http://www.yusef.co.uk/chav.JPG
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http://www.westlakes.org/projects/en...eld_Aerial.jpg
http://www.cobblestonelodge.ca/images/bearhunting.jpg
http://www.yusef.co.uk/chav.JPG
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4...rattacken9.jpg
Don't you miss chavscum.co.uk? Such lovely pictures of our young people.