Squamish Smoke Bluffs

Route Description for Squamish Smoke Bluffs

Set out on the Squamish Smokes Bluff hike with the whole family from the parking lot. You’ll find a marked trail for Smoke Bluffs, follow it and on your left, you’ll soon spot a rock wall. Follow the main trail past many more small paths leading towards the rockface, where you’ll likely spot climbers scaling the wall. Head left at a junction separating hikers and bikers, heading onto a gravel path heading uphill

In about 600 m, you’ll arrive at a playground, where little ones can stop and have some fun.

From here, follow the green signposts, marked the Loop Trail, heading left.

Climb uphill for a few minutes, until you reach the next junction. We’re going to veer off for a little detour towards Viewpoint Trail. Keep following markers for this trail, as it leads over a slightly rocky part of the path.

You will come to another split. Head away from the rock wall, to the right, and you’ll arrive at the first lookout over Squamish and Howe Sound.

Across the valley, you can see the southern end of the Tantalus Range, including Mount Murchison and Mount Lapworth.

If you continue along the trail, you’ll come to a second lookout. The views here are slightly better, with less tree growth and you can even spot The Chief from here.

Press forward, reaching a third lookout with the clearest view of The Chief and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Next, you’ll come to a marker in a tree that directs you to Ronin’s Corner, Penny Lane, and the Viewpoint Trail Loop to Pink Cliff. Keep following the trail to make a loop to where the Viewpoint Trail began.

Continue past yet another rock wall (there are a ton of them!). At the split, head right up a set of stairs, then immediately left heading back towards the rock wall and Loop Trail.

Once you reach the Loop Trail junction, go right and carry along the Loop Trail towards Octopus Garden

The kids will have fun racing up a small series of switchbacks, that zig zag as you approach the Octopus Garden. There’s a series of small, short switchbacks as the trails zigzags up. This is the steepest part of the hike as you approach the Octopus Garden.

There will be a few more junctions, but they are well-marked for the Loop Trail. When you hit one separating into the Upper and Lower Loop Trail, stay left onto the Upper Loop Trail, or you can go right if you want to shorten your hike a little.

Follow the Upper Loop Trail around Octopus Garden until it starts dropping back downhill. As long as you are heading downwards towards the playground, you’re headed the right way.

When you reach a major open area overlooking The Chief, head right down a set of wooden stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, look for the large sign. From here, head right, once again taking the Loop Trail, which is more level.

Once you hit a residential area, keep on the gravel trail to the right, passing a cul-de-sac on your left.

Finally, you’ll arrive back at the playground where you can retrace your footsteps to the parking lot. 4

Insider Hints for Squamish Smoke Bluffs

• On the Squamish Smoke Bluff hike, you’ll encounter a lot of wooden stairs. While this hike is family-friendly, it is not stroller friendly, so ensure your little ones can walk awhile.