Five epic Canadian drives

Canadian journalist Norris McDonald spent most of his career as a newspaper columnist and administrative head, but his passion had always been cars. After ‘getting roped into’ writing about motorsports, he embarked on a decade-long career racing on track, earning a place in the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. To coincide with Canada’s 150th anniversary this year, he shares the best drives from all over his home turf.

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Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

When people talk about driving in Nova Scotia, in the southeastern corner of Canada, they always mention the Cabot Trail, but this is a more interesting drive. The scenery of rolling hills, fields and fruit orchards is almost as impressive, but you come across some of the oldest civilisations in North America and Canada, dating back to the 1500s. I drove this once in a Ford Crown Victoria and the ride was as smooth as silk.

Car of choice: Ford Crown Victoria

Photo: Adobe Stock

Bow River Parkway, Banff to Lake Louise, Alberta

This route runs between the Bow River and the highway for around 80km. It’s a real driving road, up hill and down dale, with long, sweeping S-bends and hairpins. It’s a combination of driving pleasure and spectacular scenery, with coniferous woodland in the foreground leading to foothills and jagged mountains. The trick is to be able to drive and look around – I’ve become good at that over the years.
Club tip: Don't forget that entry into Canada's national parks is free throughout 2017.

Car of choice: Chevrolet Corvette

Photo: Getty Images

Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario

Try to go off the beaten track on this journey, because it’s more fun to take your time and enjoy the surroundings. From Toronto, you travel along the shore of Lake Ontario, over the Welland Canal, which links Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. Huge, lake-based tankers and freight ships go through here, which is a fascinating sight.

Car of choice: Mercedes E-class

Photo: Getty Images

Trans-Canada Highway, Fredericton to Moncton, New Brunswick

As the name suggests, this highway stretches across the country from British Columbia up to Vancouver and all the way across Canada’s 10 provinces to Nova Scotia. Just outside the historic town of Fredericton, the road goes through a beautiful part of the country called the Saint John River Valley. Here, you can leave the highway and go back and forth over the river, especially to see the Hartland Bridge, the world’s longest covered bridge.

Car of choice: Honda Civic

Photo: Alamy

Route 10, Newfoundland

To get to Newfoundland, you have to put the car on a ferry. It takes eight hours from Nova Scotia, but it’s a great place to go for a motoring holiday – everyone is your friend there. To get to St John’s, capital of Newfoundland, just follow the road around the coast. There are some interesting place names, such as Heart’s Desire and Placentia Junction, and people have a wonderful accent that takes some getting used to.

Car of choice: BMW 6 Series

Photo: Alamy

Norris McDonald

Five epic Canadian drives

Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

Bow River Parkway, Banff to Lake Louise, Alberta

Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario

Trans-Canada Highway, Fredericton to Moncton, New Brunswick

Route 10, Newfoundland

Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

Bow River Parkway, Banff to Lake Louise, Alberta

Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario

Trans-Canada Highway, Fredericton to Moncton, New Brunswick

Route 10, Newfoundland

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