Icefields Parkway, Alberta

It’s just 227km, linking tourmaline-blue Lake Louise and mountain town Jasper, but this route features some of the most breathtaking scenery in the whole country. Weaving between the Rockies’ soaring mountain peaks, past dense pine forest, glittering lakes, rushing waterfalls and dozens of ancient glaciers, the Icefields Parkway drive technically takes only a few hours, but with so many sublime photo ops, it’ll swallow a whole day. Keep eyes peeled for wandering moose, grizzly bears and elk on the roadside, and don’t miss a tour at Athabasca Glacier – you can even stroll across its frozen surface. 

Song: Heart of Gold, Neil Young 

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St Lawrence Route, Quebec

French-speaking Quebec has a flavour all its own, and this 78km drive along the immense St Lawrence River sews up some of its most picturesque villages – providing a prime way to get a taste. Idyllic, hillside Les Éboulements, with its sweeping views; Saint-Irénée, with its nearby sandy beach; and Baie-Saint-Paul, with its glut of art galleries, are all sandwiched between the blue expanse of the river and the jagged Laurentian Mountains. The winding road – taking in some serious hills – is glorious in summer, but even better in autumn when the surrounding greenery shifts to a riot of reds, oranges and golds.

Song: 1234, Feist 

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Niagara Parkway, Ontario

Short – just 55km – but very sweet, Niagara Parkway was supposedly once described by Sir Winston Churchill as ‘the prettiest Sunday drive in the world’. Tracing the Niagara River from historic British outpost Fort George to Fort Eerie, it pulls together some of the region’s essential sights: Niagara Escarpment, ideal for hiking; an antique cable car; and thunderous, horseshoe-shaped Niagara Falls, one of Canada’s most iconic stops. But don’t end there: carry on exploring the Niagara wine region, stocking up on its fruity red Gamays and sweet, winter-harvested icewine. 

Song: A Case of You, Joni Mitchell 

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Sea-to-Sky Highway, British Columbia

Winding from Canada’s west coast city of Vancouver to the village of Pemberton, the Sea-to-Sky Highway is rightly named – it climbs from the vast blue swathe of the Pacific Ocean to dramatic, snow-dusted inland peaks. Scenery changes by the minute, so you’ll constantly be tempted to stop for selfies – exactly why you should budget at least two days to make the 163km journey. Soaring above forest greenery, heart-in-mouth Capilano Suspension Bridge is a must-do, as is hiking in Squamish and dining in the sophisticated eateries of Whistler, the world-famous ski resort. 

Song: Electric Pow Wow Drum, A Tribe Called Red 

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Dinosaur Trail, Alberta

In contrast to the lusher Rocky Mountain peaks of western Alberta, the austere Badlands are a Grand Canyon-esque landscape of baked earth and ancient sandstone columns. Home to some of the greatest dinosaur bone discoveries ever, this prehistoric landscape is easily explored on a 48km loop, running from the town of Drumheller past lynx and cougar-studded canyons, hoodoos (strange rock formations) and rivers. Got more time? Tack on the 25km Hoodoo Drive, on Highway 10 – you’ll see the best of these eroded sandstone figures, as well as the atmospheric remains of former coal-mining communities.

Song: Life is a Highway, Tom Cochrane 

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