Hikes in Wells Gray Provincial Park

Hiking to Helmcken Falls is a quick adventure that will take you along a 1.0 km lollipop route to a viewpoint overlooking the falls. Along the trail, you will pass through a lovely forest setting and experience some amazing views looking out across the gorge to the western escarpment of the Murtle Plateau and the torrenting water of Helmcken Falls. This trail features easily traversable terrain and is well-suited for hikers of all skill levels.

The trek to Spahats Falls follows a 3.1 km out-and-back trail that will take you along the edge of a canyon to reach several viewpoints overlooking the waterfall. Along the trail, you will experience a serene forest setting, views across the Clearwater Valley, and of course the two-tiered waterfall that stands at roughly 75 m tall. If you aren’t looking to complete the entire hike, you can utilize the main parking lot for a shorter trip to the viewpoint overlooking the falls.

Hiking the Moul Falls Trail is a great family-friendly adventure in Wells Gray Provincial Park that takes you to a viewpoint overlooking a beautiful waterfall. This 5.5 km out-and-back trail is made up of fairly easy terrain and can be completed by hikers of most skill levels; however, the descent to the falls is a bit steep and slippery so make sure to wear proper hiking footwear and watch your footing. For an added bit of adventure on this hike, make sure to head into the cave behind the falls to get the full misty experience of the water crashing down onto the rocks.

The trek to Dawson Falls is a short 1.4 km out-and-back trail that will take you to two separate viewpoints from which you can view this scenic waterfall. The trail meanders through a wonderful forest setting along the edge of the Murtle River until you arrive at the vantage point overlooking the horseshoe-shaped waterfall that is reminiscent of a miniature Niagara Falls. With a short overall distance, well-maintained trails, and breathtaking views; this trail is a perfect way to start your adventure in Wells Gray Provincial Park.

The Murtle Lagoon trail is a 4.6 km out-and-back hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that will take you through a charming stretch of forest terrain to the edge of a small lagoon that is popular with water sports enthusiasts. The trail is well-maintained and made up of east-going terrain, making it a suitable route for hikers of all skill levels. For those looking to spend a few days camping in the area, try heading a little further west to get to the Murtle Lagoon North and South campgrounds.

The Canim Falls Trail is a 2.3 km out-and-back hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that will take you to viewpoints overlooking two breathtaking waterfalls. Along the trail, you will hike through the forest alongside the Canim River to first reach the scenic Mahood Falls before continuing onto the picturesque Canim Falls. Try timing this hike for the spring when water levels are higher and the falls are even more magnificent.

The Trophy Meadows Trail is a 10.5 km out-and-back hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that will take you uphill through various types of terrain to a viewpoint overlooking Sheila Lake before descending down to its calm shores. Along the trail, you will hike through a beautiful subalpine meadow and traverse a small ridge, where you will have some amazing views of the surrounding mountains. For the moderate amount of effort required, this is a fantastic day-hike from Clearwater that should be on your list.

The trek to Bailey’s Chute follows a 1.3 km out-and-back hiking route that will take you along the edge of the Clearwater River to a waterfall with rapids. Along the trail, you will be able to experience a peaceful forest setting that contrasts with the powerful river before taking in the sights of the torrenting water crashing over the rocks. For very little effort, this is an amazingly scenic route that can be enjoyed by hikers of every skill level.

The Helmcken Falls Rim Trail is an 8km out-and-back hiking route that will take you along the edge of the canyon for scenic views of the falls. When measured by its straight drop of 141 m without a break, Helmcken Falls is one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls, making it a must-see if you find yourself in Wells Gray Provincial Park. With well-maintained trails and easy roadside access, this route is perfectly suited for hikers of all skill levels; just make sure to give yourself plenty of space from the edge of the lookout for safety reasons.

The trek to Triple Decker Falls utilizes a 0.8 km out-and-back hiking route near Clearwater, BC that passes through a charming stretch of forest to arrive at a viewpoint overlooking the falls. Along the trail, you will experience a peaceful forest setting that stands in contrast to the rushing water that cascades off the three tiers of the waterfall. Although the trail is short, it is also a fairly steep climb, so be prepared to break a quick sweat if you want to see the falls and borrow one of the hiking poles near the beginning of the trail if you need to.

The Whitehorse Bluff Trail is a 17.2 km out-and-back hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that gradually climbs uphill to arrive at a rocky lookout point. Along the trail you will hike through a scenic forest setting and experience some amazing views that sweep across the woodland valley and the snaking Clearwater River below. Although the trail is well-marked and made up of favourable terrain, it is often bogged down with mud, especially after a heavy rain or during the shoulder seasons. Make sure to wear proper hiking footwear to better traverse these conditions.

The Chain Meadows Loop is a 14.2 km hiking circuit in Wells Gray Provincial Park that traverses some pleasant forest terrain and climbs gradually uphill to reach a series of scenic vantage points. From these lookouts, you will have some amazing views that stretch out across the expanse of Clearwater Lake and the surrounding forests. Remember to bring bear spray and make plenty of noise when out on the trail, as bears and wolves are often spotted in the area.

The trek up Pyramid Mountain follows a 9.3 km out-and-back hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that provides some scenic views overlooking the Murtle River. The trail itself is well-maintained and largely forested before ascending a series of switchbacks up to the summit through some lighter, more exposed sections of woodland. Make sure to pack bug repellent for your hike, as flies and mosquitoes can be a nuisance along the trail, especially in the heat of the summer.

The trek to the Osprey Viewpoint follows a 2.4 km out-and-back hiking route that climbs uphill along a forest ridge for some nice views overlooking the Clearwater Valley. Along the trail, you will experience a wonderful forest setting as you traverse a series of mild switchbacks to the ridgetop. Although the views of the Osprey Falls are not great from this distance - they are only 3 m tall after all - the commanding sightline that sweeps across Wells Gray Provincial Park is more than enough reward for your effort.

The Silvertip Falls Trail is a 2.1 km out-and-back hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that will take you on a forested path to reach a viewpoint looking out onto the falls. Along the trail, you will hike through a peaceful forest setting that runs alongside Spahats Creek before arriving at the rugged rock formation and cascading waters of Silvertip Falls. Although this route is short and fairly straightforward, there are few markings along the trail, so you might want to bring a map or GPS in order to stay on track.

The Ray’s Farm & Mineral Springs Loop is a 3.9 km hiking circuit north of Clearwater, BC, that will take you on a scenic loop through forests and meadows to arrive at the site of a historic farm. While the historic buildings have been left to decay naturally, they stand as a testament to the pioneer way of living that was prevalent throughout the recent history of the North Thompson Valley. Make sure to bring bear spray along for this hike, as wolves and bears are often spotted in the area around the trail.

The West Lake Loop is a 5.3 km lollipop hiking route within Wells Gray Provincial Park that meanders through the forest to visit several waterfalls. Along the trail, you will hike alongside the Clearwater River and experience views overlooking Bailey’s Chute, the Marcus Waterfalls, and the Myanth Falls before working through an amazing forest setting to pass by the West Lake. This trail is packed full of highlights and is fairly easy to traverse, making it suitable for hikers of most skill levels.

The Table Mountain and Discovery Cabin Trail is a 25.3 km lollipop hiking route in Wells Gray Provincial Park that will see you summit Table Mountain before descending its southern slope to visit Discovery Hill. Along the trail, you will climb uphill through some breathtaking subalpine terrain and experience amazing views of the surrounding forests and mountain peaks.