Canol Heritage Trail

The Canol Heritage Trail traces the abandoned WWII oil pipeline from Norman Wells to the Yukon border, cutting 372 kilometers through some of the most unforgiving terrain in the Northwest Territories. Built in 1942-44 as a wartime supply line, the route was abandoned after just 13 months of operation, leaving behind rusted infrastructure and a legendary track that eats vehicles for breakfast. You’ll ford dozens of creeks, navigate massive washouts, and crawl over truck-sized boulders while following the ghost of one of North America’s most ambitious—and failed—military projects.

This isn’t a trail for weekend warriors. You need serious armor, recovery gear, and wilderness experience. The route demands everything from technical rock crawling to deep water crossings, with zero cell service and resupply options hundreds of kilometers away. Summer’s your only window—July through early September—and even then, expect to get hammered by weather. Those who complete the full route earn bragging rights in the most exclusive club in Canadian overlanding, having conquered what many consider the country’s ultimate backcountry challenge.