Mount Finlayson

Route Description for Mount Finlayson

Mount Finlayson is one of the best hikes to do if you’re looking for a heart-pounding cardio workout—the steep elevation forces you to get on all four limbs and climb at some points. And while the orange/yellow diamonds or orange arrows mark the route, you can easily miss them as you come down from the pinnacle.

On the flipside, it’s best to avoid hiking up Mount Finlayson if it’s rainy or wet to avoid injury when you’re climbing on exposed rock with your hands and feet.

From the parking area in Goldstream Provincial Park, you’ll go back to Finlayson Arm Road and go left, crossing the Finlayson arm bridge. This bridge allows car and pedestrian traffic. Keep walking down the road to the trailhead. You’ll find the trailhead for the Mount Finlayson hike on your right, as the road curves to the right.

Coming off the road, the hiking path is easy to find. If you have any doubts, look for orange arrows or yellow triangles!

The path up Mount Finlayson is easy to see when you are walking through the forest, but as you start to get out of the trees, the trail can be a little bit more challenging to navigate due to less visible markings.

Note that the path above the trees is more challenging and may require some scrambling and use of your hands. This is not a recommended route to attempt when it’s rainy or wet (nor is it any fun)!

The views from the top are very nice, and after a break retrace your steps for the way down. On the descent be especially careful and look out for trail markers. It is easy on the way down to lose the trail. You’ll pass two junctions on your way down. Be sure to stay to the right!