Exploration

500 Days in the Wild: Walking the Trans Canada Trail with Dianne Whelan

Episode 72

The award-winning Canadian filmmaker, photographer, author and multimedia artist discusses her epic six-year journey across the world’s longest hiking trail 

  • Published Nov 28, 2023
  • Updated Dec 01
Dianne Whelan during the early days of walking the Trans Canada Trail. (Photo: Brandon Foreman)
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“The question would be, “Why not?” 

We love a good journey here on Explore, and Dianne Whelan went on a doozy of one with lots of great stories to share.

Whelan became the first person to travel the entire Trans Canada Trail across Canada, the longest hiking trail in the world stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific. She travelled by bike, foot and canoe, through all seasons. Throughout her journey, she focused on reconciliation, honouring First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People who have been an essential part of the story of this land for thousands of years, long before Canada was created. Her six-year, 24,000-kilometre odyssey is now captured in her new documentary, “500 Days in the Wild.” It premieres at the Whistler International Film Festival in early December 2023.

Enjoy!

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