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Outdoors

Miles Canyon Trail Hike

Cross the suspension bridge over Miles Canyon (Kwanlin), where the Yukon River runs between basalt cliffs, and follow the Lower or Upper Canyon City Trail to the site of Canyon City, once a First Nations fish camp and later a gold rush town. Beyond it the Yukon River Trail climbs about 70 m to Crocus Bluff, then follows open cliff tops above the river.

For The Reps · Updated

hike scenery for Miles Canyon Trail near Yukon
Photo: Miles Canyon Whitehorse by Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Yukon, Canada
Distance
10 km return
Climb
78 m
Time
2.5 hours

The route

Miles Canyon to Canyon City and Crocus Bluff (Canyon City and Yukon River trails), out and back.

Take Miles Canyon Road off the Alaska Highway south of Whitehorse (about 7 km from town) to the car park a few metres from the canyon. When that road is closed, drive through Riverdale to Chadburn Lake Road, park at the large trail kiosk about 4 km along, and walk to the bridge.

When to go

Miles Canyon Road is usually closed from October to May, but the north side of the river can be reached all year via Chadburn Lake Road.

Before you go

  • For a shorter walk, turn back at Canyon City, 2 km from the trailhead, where an old tram and interpretive signs mark the site.
  • Take the Lower Canyon City Trail one way and the Upper trail the other; they rejoin after about 1 km.
  • The Yukon Conservation Society runs free guided walks here in summer.
  • For a full day from downtown Whitehorse, Travel Yukon describes a 15 km loop via the Millennium Trail and the fish ladder.

What to bring

  • Shoes with grip that you have already worn in
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Food you will actually want to eat
  • A warm or waterproof layer
  • The route, saved offline
  • Sun cream and a hat

Getting ready for it

If your longest walk lately is under two hours, do a few longer walks first, ideally with some climbing and the pack you will carry.

Step-ups and lunges twice a week make the descents much easier on your knees.

Staying safe

  • Carry bear spray.
  • The Lower Canyon City Trail runs along the cliff edge above the river, so keep children close.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
  • Turn around if the weather turns or the footing gets sketchy. The trail will still be there.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against yukonhiking.ca, travelyukon.com and travelyukon.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.