The sunrise marks a new day and another chance at a new beginning. It’s a symbol of health, hope, and productivity, all of which are meaningful themes of the sober lifestyle. With this powerful symbolism in mind, we’re sharing some of our favourite places across Canada to watch the sunrise.
Moraine Lake, Alberta
Located in Banff National Park, Moraine Lake is known for its sparkling turquoise waters surrounded by a beautiful alpine landscape of pine trees and the summits of the Ten Peaks mountains. The Rockpile, a dramatic viewpoint on the lake’s northern shore, is a popular spot for watching the sunrise.
Trillium Park, Ontario
Located in Toronto, Trillium Park offers stunning views of the city skyline and the Lake Ontario waterfront. It’s a lovely place to take in an urban sunrise and watch the sunlight gradually spread across the towering rooftops of downtown Toronto.
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Saskatchewan
Stretching across Alberta and Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is Canada’s first interprovincial park and home to one of the largest Dark Sky Preserves in the world. The
Conglomerate Cliffs, located on the Saskatchewan side of the park, feature sweeping views of Adams Lake, with the prairie sunrise casting an enchanting glow on the surrounding cliffs.
Mount Seymour, British Columbia
Located a short drive from downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour offers a range of hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty. You’ll find a number of lookout points with views of Vancouver, the Strait of Georgia, Indian Arm Provincial Park, and Washington State’s Mount Baker, which are especially spectacular at sunrise.
Sunrise Trail, Nova Scotia
The aptly named Sunrise Trail, which runs along the northeastern coast of Nova Scotia, is home to picturesque fishing villages, pretty beaches, and serene pastoral landscapes. The trail is particularly wonderful to explore at sunrise when the soft lighting highlights the landscape’s lush, green fields and forests.
Dufferin Terrace, Quebec
Another excellent spot to take in a city sunrise, the Dufferin Terrace is set on a clifftop that runs parallel to the Château Frontenac and the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City. A beloved viewpoint any time of day, the Dufferin Terrace is especially gorgeous at sunrise, offering striking vistas of Quebec’s Lower Town, Île d’Orléans, and the St. Lawrence River.
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
There’s truly no bad place to take in the sunrise in one of Canada’s largest provincial parks, which features over 7,600 sq km of rugged cliffs and glistening lakes. The Lookout Trail is a particularly scenic spot, offering a sky-high view over several hundred square kilometres of parkland. As a bonus, waking up at dawn also gives you the best chance at spotting the park’s wildlife.
Cape Spear, Newfoundland
The easternmost point in North America, Cape Spear marks the location of the first sunrise on the continent each morning. A bucket list destination for all Canadians, Cape Spear is also home to the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland, which is set on a windswept cliff overlooking the ocean.
Read more about the sunrise and its meaning for Sobrii here.