I’ve done all of these trips, some of them multiple times. I’ve also done lots of other backpacking trips across BC that didn’t make the list, so you can rest assured that these are the best of the best.

For each trip, I’ve got all the details you need to make it happen: difficulty, duration, distance, best time to go, fees, reservations, and links to trail guides.

The trips on this list are:

• Vacation-worthy – you won’t mind travelling a bit to get there
• Located all over BC including near Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and in Eastern BC including the Rocky Mountains.
• For hikers of all abilities – there are trips for both beginners and experts, and lots in between. (I’ve also got a whole list of Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners.)
• Great for any vacation length from quick overnighters to long-weekend-length trips to week long epics.
• Great for planners or last-minute trips: A few of these trips require reservations, but most do not.

Here’s a handy map I made for you that shows the locations for each of my picks for the best backpacking trips in BC.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Best Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver

Howe Sound Crest Trail

Duration: 2-4 days

Distance: 31.7 km traverse

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Fees and Reservations: None.

The Trail: The Howe Sound Crest Trail is very rough and difficult. Honestly, it is more like a route in some places and requires occasional hands-on scrambling moves as you traverse a chain of rocky summits high above Howe Sound near Vancouver. If you’re up for the challenge, the views are worth it.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Watersprite Lake

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 17 km round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Both the hut and campground require reservations and fees.

The Trail: Watersprite Lake is an Instagram sensation thanks to its ice blue water and dramatic rock tower. We can credit the BC Mountaineering Club for building the trail to the lake along with a cabin and campground. I think it’s one of the best hikes in Squamish.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Make cabin reservations through the BCMC.

Elfin Lakes

Heads up: Day passes are required at Garibaldi Lake in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Distance: 22 km round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required.

The Trail: Even though the hike to Elfin Lakes is on an old road, it’s worth doing since the views are so incredible. You can see Mount Garibaldi/Nch’kay and lots of glaciers. Its worth spending more than one night at the Elfin Lakes campground or Elfin Lakes Shelter to do some of the great day hikes.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my Elfin Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and the hut through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Garibaldi Lake

Heads up: Day passes are required at Garibaldi Lake in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Distance: 18 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping.

The Trail: Located just north of Squamish, Garibaldi Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in BC. But it’s also one of the most picturesque with tumbling glaciers, alpine meadows, and unique volcanic geology. From the lake, you can tackle incredible day hikes like Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Russet Lake

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 25 to 29 km round trip

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping and the hut.

The Trail: Nestled into the mountains above Whistler, Russet Lake is home to a backcountry campground and a luxurious hut. There are two ways to get there: a steep trail from the village or an undulating traverse across mountain summits from the top of the Whistler Gondola via the High Note Trail.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my guide to hiking and backpacking at Russet Lake and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• For hut reservations, see the Spearhead Huts Society.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Joffre Lakes

Heads up: Day passes are required at Joffre Lakes in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 10 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping.

The Trail: The chain of three Joffre Lakes near Pemberton make up one of the Vancouver area’s most popular day hikes. But leave the day-time crowds behind by scoring a coveted reservation to camp at the Upper Lake. Listen for chunks of glacier crashing down the rocks on warm days. This is also one of my picks for the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my Joffre Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

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Sunshine Coast Trail

Duration: 8-14 days

Distance: 180 km traverse

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: None.

The Trail: The Sunshine Coast Trail winds through the forests along the length of the upper Sunshine Coast near the town of Powell River. Hike by the ocean, through old-growth forest, and across mountain tops, staying in rustic backcountry huts along the way.

More Info:

• Find details on shorter backpacking trips you can do on sections of the SCT in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• For full details on the trail, pick up a copy of The Sunshine Coast Trail Guide Book by R. E. Walz or visit the Sunshine Coast Trail website.
• Some sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail are hikeable all year and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Heather Trail

Duration: 2 to 5 days

Distance: 45 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for Buckhorn and Kicking Horse campgrounds. Nicomen Lake Campground is first-come, first-served and fees are required.

The Trail: The Heather Trail is Manning Park’s signature trail. With a start high in the alpine, you stay above treeline in meadows of wildflowers for nearly the entire length. Take a side trip to summit Three Brothers Mountain and dip in chilly Nicomen Lake.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
• Booking camping and pay fees and through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Frosty Mountain

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 14 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are required year-round. Reservations are required between late July and late October.

The Trail: Frosty Mountain is the highest mountain in Manning Park and it has panoramic views. Break up your hike by camping at Frosty Creek camp. Plan your visit for fall when the larch tree needles turn golden.

More Info:

• Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, and my Frosty Mountain trail guide.
• Booking camping and pay fees through BC Parks.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Best Backpacking Trips on Vancouver Island

Juan de Fuca Trail

Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail will be closed in 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit and camp at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach.

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Distance: 47 km

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are required. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

The Trail: The Juan de Fuca Trail is a gorgeous coastal trail is easier to access than the West Coast Trail thanks to first-come, first-served camping and trailheads close to Victoria. But the hike is just as challenging and spectacular, making it easy to include on a list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Juan de Fuca Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• The JDF is hikeable all year and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

West Coast Trail

Duration: 5-8 days

Distance: 75 km

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: The West Coast Trail is Canada’s premier multi-day backpacking trip. It follows the wild coastline for 75 kilometres, up and down ladders, across cable cars, through mud holes, and along beautiful beaches as it travels between the isolated towns of Port Renfrew and Bamfield.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my West Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Make reservations and pay fees with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• The West Coast Trail opens in May and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Della Falls Trail

Duration: 2-5 days

Distance: 32 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations or fees are needed for camping. But if you want to take a water taxi to the trailhead, you’ll need to book in advance.

The Trail: Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in BC at 440 m tall. (Some sources claim it’s the tallest waterfall in Canada, but that’s not true.)

The hike starts with a boat trip across Great Central Lake. From there you hike up a river valley to the base of the falls. Allow time for the 6 km side trip to Love Lake where there is an incredible view of the entire waterfall from above.

More Info:

• Get all the details in my Della Falls Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Wild Side Trail

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 22 km round trip

Difficulty: Easy

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required but you must pay trail fees and water taxi fees.

The Trail: The Wild Side Trail takes you along the shoreline of Flores Island in Ahousaht First Nation territory. Most of the hike is along incredible sandy beaches. The trail is a short water taxi ride from Tofino. This off-the-beaten-path hike doesn’t get many visitors, making it one of the quietest hikes on this list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Wild Side Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• The Wild Side Trail opens in May and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• It’s also on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Circlet Lake and Mount Albert Edward

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 31 km round trip

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: Summit Mount Albert Edward, one of the highest peaks on Vancouver Island. On the way, you’ll stay at tiny Circlet Lake. This Strathcona Provincial Park trip starts at Mount Washington and is a rite of passage for many Vancouver Island hikers.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Bedwell Lakes

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 22 km round trip

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: Climb steeply up through the forest to emerge on the granite shores of Bedwell and Baby Bedwell Lakes, each with their own campground. Intrepid hikers can continue to isolated Cream Lake, which makes a great day trip destination. The trailhead is in a remote area near Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.

Elk River Trail and Landslide Lake

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 22 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: Follow the trail through a beautiful forest alongside the shady Elk River to its terminus at picturesque Landslide Lake and great views of Mount Colonel Foster. There are two campgrounds along the river to choose from. Find the trailhead along the highway to Gold River.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.

Nootka Trail

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Distance: 35 km traverse

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required. You must pay camping fees. You also need to book in advance for the water taxi or float plane.

The Trail: Arrange a water taxi or floatplane to shuttle you to the Nootka Trail on Nootka Island near Gold River. It’s a remote coastal hike that sees few visitors but has incredible scenery. Highlights include sandy beaches, wolf sightings, Calvin Falls, and the tiny Mowachaht First Nation village of Yuquot.

More Info:

• See my trip report from my Nootka Trail hike. Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Pay camping fees to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht Nation
• The Nootka Trail made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

North Coast Trail

Duration: 4 to 5 days

Distance: 43 to 59 km traverse

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees. You also need to book the water taxi in advance.

The Trail: The rough and rugged North Coast Trail follows the coastline around the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Start with a water taxi from Port Hardy, then get ready for lots of mud, steep hills with rope assists, and rocky beaches.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my North Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• The North Coast Trail is a great destination between May and September, so it made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

Cape Scott Trail

Duration: 3 days

Distance: 47 km

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.

The Trail: The Cape Scott Trail follows an old settler’s route through the muddy forest to the wild beaches at the north end of Vancouver Island. Choose from several campsites on sandy beaches, then day hike out to the Cape Scott Lighthouse.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
• Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions. For camping fee info, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• The Cape Scott Trail is hikeable all year, so it made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.

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Best Backpacking Trips in Eastern BC and the Rocky Mountains

Kaslo Lake

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 18 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: No reservations required for camping (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees. Reservations and fees required for the hut.

The Trail: Hike into the backcountry of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson to camp next to Kaslo Lake. Follow beautiful trails through the alpine to viewpoints and peaks. You can also book the palatial Kokanee Glacier Cabin nearby.

More Info:

• See Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park for trail info.
• Pay fees through BC Parks.
• See the Alpine Club of Canada for cabin reservations.

Eva and Jade Lakes

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 12 to 18 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: This alpine hike is easily accessible thanks to the paved Meadows in the Sky Parkway at Mount Revelstoke National Park. Walk through the alpine to a beautiful campsite on the shores of Eva Lake, an easy distance for beginners and made my list of beginner-friendly backpacking trips in BC. If you want more solitude, head over a pass to Jade Lake.

More Info:

• Get the details in my Mount Revelstoke National Park guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.

Mount Assiniboine

Duration: 4 to 6 days

Distance: 52 to 55 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees if you camp in Banff National Park on the way to the trail.

The Trail: The scenery at Mount Assiniboine is postcard-worthy, but getting there can be a challenge. The hike itself is long, but not too difficult and the camping at Lake Magog is gorgeous. But it requires reservations in both a BC Park and Banff National Park, which can be tough to arrange.

More Info:

• See my huge Mount Assiniboine hiking guide for trail info and reservation strategies.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park through BC Parks.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping in Banff National Park on the way to Assiniboine with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• Join the Mount Assiniboine Facebook group for updates on trail conditions.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
• It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Rockwall Trail

Duration: 4 to 5 days

Distance: 55 km traverse

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: The spectacular Rockwall Trail traverses the mountains of Kootenay National Park near Banff, climbing up and over several high passes. There are glacier views, alpine lakes, and the best wildflower meadows I’ve ever seen. I think it has the best effort to reward ratio of all the backpacking trips in BC.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Rockwall Trail guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping with Parks Canada.
• Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• Join the Rockwall Trail Facebook group for updates on trail conditions.

Yoho Valley Loop/Iceline and Whaleback Trails

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 29.4 km loop

Difficulty: Challenging

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.

The Trail: Combine several trails in Yoho National Park near Field to make an epic loop that takes in the spectacular Iceline and Whaleback Trails. The views of nearby peaks and waterfalls are breathtaking. Choose from two backcountry campgrounds along the way.

More Info:

• Get trail details in my Yoho Valley Loop backpacking guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping with Parks Canada. Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• This hike is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Berg Lake

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Distance: 42 km round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required.

The Trail: The incredible Berg Lake Trail near Valemount follows the Robson River uphill to Berg Lake, named for the glaciers crashing into it from Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Plan to spend a few days in the area to tackle spectacular day hikes.

More Info:

• Get details on this hike in my Berg Lake Trail guide.
• Make reservations and pay fees for camping through BC Parks. Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
• You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
• It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

BC Backpacking in Your Inbox!

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Final Thoughts

So there you have it: 25 recommendations for the best backpacking trips in BC. How many of these trips have you done? Is there an amazing backpacking destination that I left off the list? Tell me in the comments.

Get My Books

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover BC’s best backpacking trips

• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• 35 backpacking trips and day hikes on Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos

Get the books

MORE BC BACKPACKING DESTINATIONS:

• 24 Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners
• 11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
• 35+ Places to Go Backpacking in BC Without A Car
• 25 Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia
• Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

BC BACKPACKING RESERVATION INFO:

• How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations
• How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
• BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know

The post 25 Best Backpacking Trips in BC appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Al’s Habrich Ridge

This Vancouver area hike is one of my favourites since it’s a bit of a hidden gem. You have to take the Sea to Sky gondola to get to the trailhead, so the trail is never busy. It starts off with a little bit of road walking in the forest, but before too long you are ascending a gorgeous granite ridge with great views of Howe Sound. After leaving the ridge you’ll explore a little bit of alpine meadow, then follow a rough loop trail to rugged Neverland Falls. It’s a beautiful area with a great variety of terrain.

Distance: 7km round trip, Elevation gain: 440m, Time Needed: 5 hours, Difficulty: Moderate, Best Time to Go: July-October, Trail Info: See my Al’s Habrich Ridget Trail guide. How to get there: From Vancouver drive 45 minutes north to the Sea to Sky gondola in Squamish. Buy a ticket to take the gondola up. (You can also walk up via the Sea to Summit Trail but that adds another 3.5 hours and 900m of elevation gain to your day.)

Heather Trail to Three Brothers

This alpine trail in Manning park is a bit of a drive from Vancouver, but it’s well worth it, especially when the wildflowers are blooming. The hike starts at the end of Blackwall Peak road, high in the alpine. You’ll walk through seemingly endless meadows before climbing gradually up towards Three Brothers Mountain. The last kilometer to the peak is a steep and rocky scramble, but the summit at an elevation of 2272m is well worth it. The hike is doable in a day, but if you have more time, consider backcountry camping at one of the sites along the way and extending your trip to beautiful Nicomen Lake.

Distance: 21.5km round trip, Elevation gain: 480m, Time Needed: 7-8 hours, Difficulty: Difficult, Best Time to Go: July-September, Trail Info: See Manning Provincial Park, hike #79 in Stephen Hui’s 105 Hikes book, and Vancouver Trails. How to get there: Drive 2.5 hours from Vancouver to Manning Park via highway 1, then highway 3. Take Blackwall Peak Road to the parking lot.

READ NEXT: Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver

High Note Trail

This trail has one of the best effort to reward ratios amongst hikes near Vancouver: the trail is never too steep or too technical and there are spectacular views the entire time. The only catch is the price. You’ll have to pay to take the Whistler gondola up to the peak to hike it. The trail drops down off Whistler peak and contours along the side of ridge with great views of Cheakamus Lake and Black Tusk. At a junction, it turns downhill to go past a couple of pretty alpine lakes and meadows to finish at the gondola roundhouse. If you have the energy, add a few extra kilometers to your trip by going right at the junction and doing an out and back section to Flute Summit or Oboe Summit on the Musical Bumps trail. The views are incredible and you’ll far fewer hikers up there. (This trail is so good it also made my list of the best hikes in Whistler.)

Distance: 9.5+km loop, Elevation gain: 300+m, Time Needed: 4+ hours, Difficulty: Moderate, Best Time to Go: July-September, Trail Info: See my High Note Trail hiking guide.  How to get there: Drive 1.5 hours from Vancouver to Whistler. In Whistler, purchase an alpine pass then take the Whistler gondola and the peak chair to the summit.

Psst! If you’re driving to Whistler from Vancouver, check out my complete guide to the Sea to Sky Highway. It includes all the best places to stop along the way.

Mount Seymour

Mount Seymour is my favourite hike on Vancouver’s North Shore. The trail to the summit starts out alongside the gravel ski runs before climbing up a rooty and rocky trail. Seymour has three different peaks, each with their own charms. In particular I love the slabby granite playground around First Peak. You can spend hours exploring the various outcrops, finding different viewpoints of the city and the surrounding mountains. After you’ve finished poking around First Peak (also called Pump Peak) be sure to hike the extra couple hundred meters to Tim Jones Peak (a.k.a. Second Peak) and the true summit (Third Peak) since the views from there are also great.

Distance: 9km round trip, Elevation gain: 450m, Time Needed: 5 hours, Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult, Best Time to Go: July-October, Trail Info: See Mount Seymour Provincial Park map, hike #1 in Stephen Hui’s 105 Hikes book, Vancouver Trails, and Outdoor Vancouver. How to get there: It’s a 45 minute drive from Vancouver.

READ NEXT: 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver

Panorama Ridge and Garibaldi Lake

Heads up: Day passes are required at Garibaldi Lake in summer 2023. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

This is one of Vancouver’s most popular and well known hikes. And it deserves the reputation – it’s spectacular. The first 6km of the trail consists of long switchbacks in the forest. Eventually you top out in the alpine at Taylor Meadows. The trail follows the meadows gradually uphill until the base of Panorama Ridge. From the junction, it’s a steep and rocky climb up to the top of the ridge. The views up here are insane: you can see Garibaldi Lake in front of you and Black Tusk behind you. Be sure to walk along the ridge a little bit to escape the crowds. On the way back, take the trail from the outhouse junction down to Garibaldi Lake. Go for a quick (and cold!) swim before descending the switchbacks to your car. This is a really long and difficult day hike with a lot of elevation gain. Most hikers will need to build up to this one. If you aren’t ready to tackle it in a day, consider booking a backcountry campsite at Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake so you can tackle the trip over a couple of days.

Distance: 30km round trip, Elevation gain: 1500m, Time Needed: 11-12 hours, Difficulty: Very Difficult, Best Time to Go: July-October, Trail Info: See hike #30 in Stephen Hui’s 105 Hikes book, Vancouver Trails,  and Outdoor Vancouver How to get there: From Vancouver, drive 1 hour, 15 minutes to the trailhead just off highway 99 north of Squamish.

Eagle Bluff

I think this is one of the best hikes in Vancouver because I think it has everything you need in a North Shore hike: great viewpoints and beautiful little alpine lakes. The trail starts with a steep climb up towards Black Mountain plateau. At the top of the climb you can go left for a loop through the lakes or right to summit Black Mountain. The two trails meet up again and head slightly down hill to Eagle Bluff. It’s an open rocky area with killer views of West Vancouver. On the way back, stop by Cabin Lake for a quick dip.

Distance: 8km round trip, Elevation Gain: 350m, Time Needed: 4 Hours, Difficulty: Moderate, Best Time to Go: July-October, Trail Info: See Cypress Provincial Park map, hike #15 in Stephen Hui’s 105 Hikes book, Vancouver Trails, and Outdoor Vancouver How to get there: The trail starts at the Cypress Mountain ski hill parking lot. It’s a 30 minute drive from Vancouver.

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Lighthouse Park

Not every hike needs to be an epic trek up a mountain. I love the trails in Lighthouse Park for a more relaxed hike. (It’s a great one for out of town visitors too.) While most people make a bee-line for the lighthouse, there are actually lots of quiet trails leading to viewpoints, giant trees and hidden beaches. My favourite hike combines a bunch of trails into a loop around the park.

Distance: 6km loop, Elevation Gain: 50m, Time Needed: 2 hours, Difficulty: Easy, Best Time to Go: Year-Round, Trail Info: See my recommended route including a map. Outdoor Vancouver also has a good guide. Bring a copy of the trail map since there are a lot of trail junctions and it can get confusing. How to get there: Drive 40 minutes from Vancouver to the park entrance off Marine Drive in West Vancouver. You can also get there via bus 250 or 253.

St. Mark’s Summit

The hike to St. Mark’s summit has a bit of a split personality. The first half is on a wide gravel trail that makes for easy walking, even on the steep parts. But suddenly, part way up some steep switchbacks, the gravel ends and a true rooty and rocky North Shore trail begins. But it’s the finale that you’re really here for – the panoramic view over Howe Sound up at St. Mark’s Summit. The granite outcroppings seem to hang directly over the Sea to Sky highway far below. Be sure to go on a clear day. If you want to extend your trip, continue along the trail to Unnecessary Mountain. The descent down from St. Mark’s, then the climb back up might seem, umm, unnecessary, but the close-up views of the Lions are pretty incredible.

Distance: 11km round trip, Elevation Gain: 460m, Time Needed: 5 hours, Difficulty: Moderate, Best Time to Go: July-October, Trail Info: See my St. Mark’s Summit hiking guide. How to get there: The trail starts at the Cypress Mountain ski hill parking lot in West Vancouver. It’s a 30 minute drive from Vancouver.

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Elk Mountain

Elk Mountain is probably the most popular trail in Vancouver’s Fraser Valley… but for a good reason. It’s a short and steep hike through the forest up to the summit. (In fact Chilliwack locals hike it instead of the Grouse Grind.) At the top you’ll find incredible views of the Chilliwack area and the mountains to the south. A gorgeous ridge-top trail extends a few kilometers further to the summit Mount Thurston as well. Be sure to head this way in the summer to see the alpine flowers blooming.

Distance: 7+km round trip, Elevation gain: 800m, Time Needed: 4-5 hours, Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult, Best Time To Go: June-October, Trail Info: See hike #64 in Stephen Hui’s 105 Hikes book, Vancouver Trails, and Outdoor Vancouver How to get there: It takes 1.5 hours to drive to the trailhead in Chilliwack.

Lynn Canyon

Lynn Canyon is my pick for the best hike in Vancouver to take visitors from out of town since it’s short and easy. There’s tons to see including a suspension bridge, waterfalls, rainforest, boardwalk, a deep canyon and a gorgeously clear pool. It’s also a great place for a short hike on a rainy day or after work when all the tourists stay away. Be sure to explore upstream of the suspension bridge to see 30 foot pool and downstream to see Twin Falls. Lots of DIY loops are possible.

Distance: 1.5+km round trip Elevation gain: 70m Time needed: 1-1.5 hours Difficulty: easy. Best time to go: All year. Trail Info: See Vancouver Trails, and Outdoor Vancouver. Bring a copy of the trail map so you can plan your route. How to get there: It’s a 30 minute drive from Vancouver or accessible by bus 227 or 228.

So there’s my list for the 10 best hikes near Vancouver. Which ones do you agree with? Which Vancouver hikes would be on your list? Tell me in the comments.

More Vancouver Hikes:

• Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver
• The Worst Hikes in Vancouver (And Where to Hike Instead)
• The Best Vancouver Hiking Books
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Alternatives to the Grouse Grind: Steep Workout Hikes Near Vancouver
• 35 Vancouver Hikes You Can Get to on Transit
• Waterfalls Near Vancouver You Can Hike To
• 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails

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