Cat Lake Trail

Route Description for Cat Lake Trail

The Cat Lake Trail is a short hiking route just north of Squamish that meanders for 1.4 km around the shores of the lake. This trail is more of a leisurely walk through the Cat Lake Recreation Site than a true hike, so if you are looking for a longer or more challenging trail, you might consider tackling other nearby routes like those around Brohm or Alice lakes.
While this trail might not be very long, it does offer some scenic woodland views, as well as the opportunity to experience the beauty and tranquility of Cat Lake. Here, you can meander along the forested path as you gaze out over the calm, mirror-like waters of the lake before wrapping up your quick hike and jumping in for a swim. The Cat Lake Trail is a great little hike to get out and stretch your legs along the trail during a long weekend of camping at the nearby recreation site.

Setting out from the parking area, pick up the trail off of Cat Lake Road and follow it south, heading right at the fork to follow the trail in a counterclockwise direction around the lake. Here, you will pass through the campsites of the Cat Lake Recreation Site before arriving at a five-way intersection in the trail. Take the second trail on your left to continue south around the shores of the lake.

Passing by the beach access point and wooden dock stretching out into the water, hikers will continue south, following the trail as it eventually turns east and arrives at a fork along the southern shore of Cat Lake. Head straight through the fork and cross over the creek to continue on the trail as it leads north, running parallel to Cat Lake Road and the shore of the lake itself.

From here, you will cross over another creek and pass by a beach access point along the final stretch of the trail. This will once again pass through the campsites found within the recreation site on the way to return to the parking lot. Having completed the Cat Lake Trail, take some time to explore the network of hiking routes in the area or jump in the cool waters of the lake for a quick swim. There is a lot to do in the surrounding area, so make a camping weekend of it and hit the trails around Cat Lake.

Insider Hints for Cat Lake Trail

• Several washroom facilities can be found near the campsite area.
• There are several beaches and docks around the lake that you can use to access the water.
• The area is home to a decent network of trails. If you are looking to extend your hike, there are several routes that branch off around the camping area.