Summer may be winding down, but with 100 treasure boxes hidden along The Great Trail from coast to coast to coast, there’s never been a better time to get out and explore the world’s longest network of recreational trails. That’s why Trans Canada Trail (TCT) is joining forces with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) to launch The Great Trail Treasure Hunt. This large-scale treasure hunt starting August 26 was created to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the cross-Canada connection of The Great Trail.

Starting August 26th, Canadians can visit The Great Trail Treasure Hunt website to see segments of the Trail where they can find a treasure box. The first person to find each box will receive a $100 gift card from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and a one-year subscription to Canadian Geographic magazine.

Those that aren’t first need not despair! By following the instructions on the outside of the box, treasure hunters can gain entry into a weekly draw to win one of the following prizes: a $250 MEC gift card, a Nikon camera, a SPOT GPS device, a KEEN “free shoes” gift card, and a one-year subscription to Canadian Geographic magazine. In addition, at the end of the hunt, one grand-prize winner will receive a trip for two on a One Ocean Expeditions ship as well as additional prizes.

Over the next five weeks, clues will be released on the treasure hunt website to help treasure seekers along. The final clues will be released by Friday, September 30, but the contest will continue until October 31st. The grand-prize winner will be announced on November 1 in Ottawa.

The Great Trail Treasure Hunt will entice Canadians to get off the couch and explore over 100 trail sections, both land and water, across Canada. It’s a fun, healthy way to learn more about Canada.

TCT and the RCGS gratefully acknowledge the support of the following sponsors: One Ocean Expeditions, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Nikon Canada, KEEN Footwear, Clif Bar & Company, SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, The Globe and Mail, and Parks Canada.