The Best Hiking And Beer Tasting Combinations In Canada

Hiking and hops… a match made in heaven, correct?  

Is there a better way to spend your day than going on an amazing hike and topping it off with a cold craft beer?

Canadians are blessed with a backyard that is perfect for hiking with thousands of world-class hiking trailss stitching our country together.  In fact, this country is so big and spaced out that we would be out of luck if we didn’t enjoy hiking! 

Canadians are also blessed with an amazing selection of craft beer.  Really good, artisanal craft beer, made with love and care by brewers.  Brewers who take pride in crafting a beer so good it doesn’t just quench your thirst… it feeds your soul. 

Here’s the best part of it all:  Many of the best hikes in Canada are very close to some of the best breweries too!  

We’ve put together the ultimate list of hiking and brewery combinations in Canada.

Ontario Hikes And Hops

Scenic Caves and Side Launch Brewing Company

Collingwood, Ontario
1-15 km | Easy | Hiking + Caves + Suspension Bridge

Collingwood’s most popular hiking area could only get better with a side of locally crafted beer.  The Scenic Caves adventure park in Collingwood attracts hiking enthusiasts from all over Ontario, to explore the incredible trail system.  If the hiking trails aren’t enough, rest assured, because there is a massive suspension bridge to cross, numberous viewpoints and a network of caves to explore along the way.  

The Scenic Caves are one of the classic bucketlist activities in Collingwood.  If the admission for the park isn’t your thing there are plenty of amazing stretches of the Bruce Trail in the area too, which also pair very well with the local brewery of choice. 

Speaking of which!  What could be better than comparing photos from the day while sipping a frosty brew from Side Launch Brewing Company, just a few minute drive from the Scenic Caves?  Try their wheat beer, or something a little funkier like the hibiscus sour! 

Metcalfe Rock And Thornbury Cidery and Brewhouse

Thornbury, Ontario
2.5 km | Easy | Hiking + Caves 

One of the lesser known and amazing hiking trails near Collingwood and Blue Mountain is Metcalfe Rock.  The trail is only a 25 minute drive from the bustle of Blue Mountain, but feels like a quiet oasis in the middle of nowhere.

Hike through a shady forest past the base of some towering cliffs, where you might be able to see some climbers taking the short cut above you.  The trail winds above the cliff and forms a loop, returning back to your car along the road, or turn back and retrace your steps.  

The views from the cliff top can be amazing, and this is a great place for sunset.  You can also find some caves along the base of the cliff and try out some spelunking, if you feel up to it.  

Perhaps one of the best things about Metcalfe Rock is its proximity to the whimsical town of Thornbury, which is home to Thornbury Cidery and Brew House.  This is a seriously underestimated brewery and one that should be on your hit list!  Try the Dam Dark Lager to shake off the winter chills or the Ladder Run Amber Ale!  They have a sweet patio and currently have patio igloos to help you socially distance yourself! 

Rattlesnake Point And Orange Snail Brewers

Milton, Ontario
1.5-10 km | Moderate | Hiking 

Some of the best hiking trails in Ontario lie in Milton, just West of Toronto.  Hiking at Rattlesnake Point offers several different options and is suitable for a variety of hikerrs. 

Do the Vista trail for a quick stroll with some views, or the Buffalo Crag Trail to stretch your legs a bit more and enjoy some extra view points.  

More ambitious hikers can go for the Nassagaweya Canyon trail, which is roughly 10 km return, heading towards Crawford Lake.  There are also waterfall and lake trails nearby and Rattlesnake Point is a popular destination among climbers. 

An excellent pairing for your hike is a visit to Orange Snail Brewers in Milton.  Reward yourself with a visit to their tap room after your hike and try some of their seasonal beers on tap, or stick to the originals, like the cream ale, or the lagered ale for a tried and true craft beer.  

Best Hike & Hops Combinations in BC

Quarry Rock and Deep Cove Brewery

Deep Cove, North Vancouver
~5 km | Moderate | Hiking 

Deep Cove is one of the most beautiful areas to explore in Vancouver and the Quarry Rock trail is the perfect day hike to get out and explore the rain forest.  Quarry Rock hike ends at a lookout (the rock) and features amazing views of the wilderness in Indian Arm, as well as the quaint seaside hamlet of Deep Cove. 

The hike is fairly easy, with the suual slippery rocks and streams found on Vancouver’s north shore hikes.  This hike is connected to the Baden Powell Trail, which traverses the entire stretch of North Vancouver, from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. 

Deep Cove Brewery is just a few minute drive, just before Second Narrows Bridge.  Deep Cove Brewery also recently expanded to include a distillery as well.  Come on by for a fresh pint after your rain forest hike in Vancouver and you couldn’t ask for a better day.

Stewamus Chief Hike and Howe Sound Brewery

Squamish
 9 km | Difficult | Hiking 

Something about hiking up high with a bird’s eye view on the ocean that takes one’s breath away.  And on that note, there are few hikes that accomplish this better than the Stewamus Chief hike in Squamish.  Known for the steep trail that resembles more of a ladder than a hiking trail, this hike climbs quickly from sea level to just over 2000 feet (700 meters). 

You have a choice between first, second and third peaks, or go for all three for a busy day.  There is a scenic area to stop for some water and gasp for air about halfway up and then it’s straight into the steep and windy bits, with a few ladders and chains to keep things interesting.

Once you’ve enjoyed the amazing views in all directions and headed back down to the car, you’ll be sorely ready for a frothy cold one, and there are few better places to do this than Howe Sound Brewery.  Make it in time for Happy Hour and you’ll be in for some relatively cheap pints and delicious snacks.