Sea to Summit Trail
- Physical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
- Technical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
The Sea to Summit hike takes you to the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola - from there you can enjoy a beer at the lodge and take the gondola down. It’s a steep hike and often done by locals for a workout. Hike up, and gondola down to save the knees.
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Route Description for Sea to Summit Trail
Kick off the Sea to Sky hike from Shannon Falls, where there are well marked signs for Stawamus Chief. Follow the trail as it winds away from the Shannon Falls viewing platform, following signs for the Sea to Summit trail.
From here, cross over Oleson Creek to join up with the Chief Backside trail. It may look crowded, but soon, we’ll zig off onto the Sea to Summit trail, marked by large green diamonds, and the people will thin out.
To make things easier on the steep terrain, follow the stairs upwards, until you reach a fork for Upper Shannon Falls trail. Head right, away from the crowds, following a gentle path towards the falls.
Eventually, you’ll arrive at a clearing for the Sea to Sky Gondola itself. Stop here to watch as passengers zip their way up the mountain and spot The Spit from afar.
Carry on past Upper Shannon Falls, taking in the waterfall before continuing along the trail. Continue to follow the markers through a lush forest, until you reach a map at the junction for Shannon Basin Loop.
Take a left, continuing now on the Upper Sea to Summit Trail If you want a longer, but less challenging hike, go right along the Shannon Basin Loop Trail.
Where the trail connects to the Upper Sea to Summit Trail, relax on a visually stunning section of flat forest. Pass again underneath the gondolas to reach the hardest part of the trail, snaking steeply upwards. Grab onto the chains provided to help pull yourself up as you near the summit.
From here, finish the final few kilometers on flat trail to finally reach the summit lodge, where you can grab a pint to cheers your effort! Rest for a while and enjoy the patio with stunning mountain views, then take the gondola back to the parking lot.
Insider Hints for Sea to Summit Trail
- If you plan to take the gondola down on the Sea to Sky hike, bring $10 for the return ride.
- Near the top part of the trail, you also have the option of diverting onto the Shannon Basin Loop – an alternate, easier route to reach the top.
Getting to the Sea to Summit Trail Trailhead
Take Highway #99 heading north past Horseshoe Bay towards Squamish. As you near Squamish, watch for the signs for Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola (they’re hard to miss), and simply pull into the lot right off the highway.
Route Information
Sea to Summit Trail Elevation Graph
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