Hikes in British Columbia

The Parkhurst Ghost Town Trail is a 6.0 km loop northeast of Whistler that takes hikers to the remnants of an old logging settlement that was abandoned in 1966. The trail follows along a set of rail tracks before passing through the woodlands on the way to a few derelict buildings that are located next to the beautiful waters of Green Lake. With a relatively short distance and minor changes in elevation, this is a fun day trail that will appeal to all hikers, especially those with historical interests.

The Alpine Walk Trail is the perfect route for getting the whole family out into the mountains to experience the stunning alpine views that surround Whistler. This short 1.4 km loop trail can be accessed by taking the gondola up to Blackcomb Peak and takes hikers to several scenic lookouts over the area. The easy terrain, gorgeous views, and beautiful wildflowers make this route a quick jaunt through the mountains that hikers of all skill levels will enjoy.

The Harmony Lake Trail is a 2.7 km lollipop trail near Whistler that offers stunning mountain views and the chance to hike around the alpine waters of Harmony Lake. The trail is very well-maintained and is composed of easy terrain, making this an ideal route for families and hikers of all skill levels. Make sure to bring a camera to capture the amazing views of Whistler and the surrounding area.

The Hike to Conflict and Ring Lakes is a 17.9 km out-and-back trail with a nice variation of woodland and alpine terrain. The route passes through Callaghan Lake Provincial Park and climbs through the forest before breaking into a scenic alpine meadow. From here, hikers will make their way to Conflict Lake before the tough uphill climb to Ring Lake. This is an amazing, if rugged, route that will allow you to disconnect from the rest of the world and blend in with the natural wilderness around Whistler.

The Rainbow-Sproatt-Flank Trail is a 7.9 km route northwest of Whistler that travels alongside Twenty-One Mile Creek and visits the peaceful cascading waters of Rainbow Falls. From here, hikers will head north along a path through the dense tree cover before arriving at a scenic vantage point overlooking Alta Lake. This route has a bit of an incline, so be prepared to earn the amazing views by working up a sweat while out on the trail.

The Crater Rim Trail is a 9.8 km moderately trafficked trail that loops through the Whistler Interpretive Forest along a scenic woodland path. Along the route, hikers will visit the tranquil waters of Logger’s Lake that sits nestled within a 10,000-year-old volcanic crater before crossing over a swaying suspension bridge that spans the Cheakamus River. This is a beautiful route with some nice variation in terrain, making it perfect for a weekend outing along the trails.

Pika’s Traverse to Whistler Mountain is a moderately trafficked out-and-back route that travels up some fairly steep terrain on the way to some amazing panoramic views from the peak. Experience clear sightlines east to Blackcomb Peak, south to Cheakamus Lake, and north down to Whistler Village below. This is an excellent hike if you are looking for a bit of a workout to accompany the stunning scenery available from Whistler Mountain.

The Half Note Trail to High Note is a moderate hiking loop that utilizes the network of trails atop Whistler Mountain. Experience the beauty of the Whistler area as you look out over the surrounding mountain ranges and gaze down at the turquoise waters of Cheakamus Lake. This is a great trail for exploring the mountain, with easy to navigate terrain and some amazing viewpoints over the alpine landscape.

The Emerald Forest Trail is a short 2.7 km hiking route located just northwest of Whistler that is set in a beautiful woodland setting. Characterized by easy-to-navigate terrain and scenic forest views, this trail is a perfect option for families that are looking to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The route is also located between the River of Golden Dreams to the east and a marshy area to the west, making it a great place to spot some local wildlife.

The Comfortably Numb Trail is a multi-use route near Whistler that starts to the northeast of Green Lake and travels southwest through the forest along a meandering route that eventually ends up in the city. Popular as a mountain bike trail due to its changes in elevation, this route is also great for hiking, as the variation in terrain and views of Green Lake make for a pleasant trek through the woods. Make sure to arrange transportation to get back to your car at the trailhead!

The A River Runs Through It Trail is a 9.0 km out-and-back hiking route in Whistler that features scenic views and a good variation in terrain. This route winds through the woodlands that can be found west of the village and crosses over several creeks to reach a marshy area that provides the opportunity to view some of the local wildlife. With well-maintained trails, a modest elevation gain, and nice views of the valley and surrounding mountains, this route is a pleasant trek for hikers of all skill levels.

The Jane Lakes Trail is a lightly trafficked 10.0 km out-and-back hiking route through the Whistler Interpretive forest that climbs uphill through dense tree cover to arrive at two beautifully scenic lakes. Although the trail itself is largely forested, there are some nice views of the surrounding area, including an awesome picture of Black Tusk near the start of the hike. With a moderate elevation gain and a few sections of technical trail, this is a great weekend hike for casual and more experienced hikers.

Travel along the Shadow Lake Loop for a quick and easy hiking route just off the Sea to Sky Highway, near Whistler, that loops around Shadow Lake and offers scenic woodland views. As you make your way through the forest, you will have nice views over the water and a sightline that reaches out to the ancient lava dam rock formation known as The Barrier. This hiking route is great for families and dog walkers.

Lumpy’s Epic is a moderate hiking route near Pemberton that travels along a forested loop and offers scenic views of the lake and nearby mountains. Along the trail, you’ll experience the tranquil woodland landscape and take in sweeping views of the valley. Make sure to bring your swimwear and spend the rest of the day around the beautiful waters of One Mile Lake.

The Cloudbase grind is a difficult uphill hiking route northeast of Pemberton that can be likened to Vancouver’s Grouse Grind in its intensity. The point-to-point trail climbs sharply uphill through the forest to provide amazingly scenic views over the valley from a paragliding launch point. Make sure to bring lots of water for this leg burner of a trail.

The Lizzie Lake Trail is a 23.7 km out-and-back hiking route southeast of Pemberton, BC, that climbs uphill through the forest to reach the scenic shores of the lake. Along the trail, you will pass between rugged peaks and through calming alpine meadows that are blanketed with wildflowers in the late summer. This trail is a great option for a long day hike or broken up into a multi-day adventure.

The hiking route leading up to Copper Mound is a fantastic out-and-back trek into the alpine north of Pemberton. Along this scenic 5.6 km route, you’ll experience beautiful views over Tenquille Lake and pass through charming meadows before climbing uphill to summit the peak. From there, you will have a great sightline over the surrounding mountain peaks that make up the rugged landscape.

The Cool Creek Canyon Hike is a 2.1 km loop route near Pemberton that features spectacular mountain views and a majestic waterfall. Hike along this forested trail and spend some time at the picnic area, where you can admire the beautiful views overlooking the valley before continuing to gaze at the cascading waterfall. This short trail offers a good variety of terrain and can be enjoyed by hikers of most skill levels.

Blowdown Pass to Gott Peak is a difficult out-and-back trail that climbs uphill to summit Gotcha and Gott Peaks. Along the trail, you’ll climb through the beautiful woodlands and pass by a scenic alpine lake before scrambling up Gotcha Peak and working along a ridgeline to Gott Peak. This is a great day hike if you’re looking for a bit of a challenge along varying terrain without an overly technical trail.

The Mill Lake Loop is a charming lakeside circuit in Abbotsford that travels around the edge of Mill Lake and provides multiple viewpoints for spotting local wildlife. This 2.3 km trail passes by the numerous picnic areas that can be found within the park and offer the perfect place for taking in the waterside atmosphere. This trail is predominantly on easy terrain, making it perfect for hikers of all skill levels and ages.