After spending the workweek trudging through traffic, there's nothing more satisfying than heading out on the open road, pushing the pedal to the metal and taking in the views of the countryside. From coast to coast, Canada is full of them -- take, for instance, the tree-lined Ontario cottage country or the Maritimes' awe-inspiring Atlantic-ocean view. It's just a matter of getting there.
The Countryman is MINI's first-ever plug-in hybrid Sports Activity Vehicle, a sleek and sustainable ride tailor-made to take on any adventure. Whether you've got a couple of hours to spare on a Sunday, or are looking for a cross-Canada roadtrip, it's about time to leave the city behind. These are just some breathtaking, scenic drives the Great White North has to offer.
Alberta's Icefields Parkway
While the Trans-Canada Highway pilots you through the Rocky Mountains, the Icefields Parkway (the 232 kilometre stretch otherwise known as Hwy. 93) is one of the country’s most stunning roadways. The jaw-dropping journey through both Jasper and Banff national park offers up views of the powder-dusted Columbia Icefield, surrounding glaciers and its cascading waterfalls.
The Maritimes' Fundy Coastal Drive
Driving along the coastal landscape of the Bay of Fundy puts you near one of North America’s seven wonders. The impressive 460-kilometre ride through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia heads past Hopewell Cape, home to the highest tides in the world. Reaching upwards of 15 metres, the waves cause erosion in the surrounding red sandstone and volcanic rock that has uncovered dinosaur fossils, in addition to creating some unique, geometrically stunning sea cliffs.
Discover Muskoka on a Driving Tour
Tucked up just a couple of hours north of Toronto, the rustic District of Muskoka is a dream for cottage-country lovers. A network of single-lane country highways offer hours of idyllic autumnal drive-time, bringing you to the shorelines of Lake Muskoka and waterfront spots like the boat-building township of Gravenhurst, home to the world's oldest operating steamship. The fall is also the best time to get out of the city for a picturesque drive to pick up a fresh bushel of Ontario apples at a local farmer's market.
Piloting the Pacific Rim Highway
If you don't have enough time in your schedule for a trip across Canada, consider a trip across Vancouver Island? The 150-kilometre trek along B.C.'s Pacific Rim Highway (otherwise known as Highway 4) should get you from Parksville to Tofino in about two hours. Along the way, you will see a family of bearded goats enjoying a grassy snack on the rooftops of the Coombs' Old Country Market and the rolling waves of Mecca, Tofino. No matter where you take your MINI, you'll be exploring a Pacific Coast paradise.
Pack up the trunk, start piling into the new MINI Countryman, MINI's Sports Activity Vehicle, and take on these stunning country drives. It’s a spacious and sleek ride, perfect for any adventure-seeker.