I’ve lived in the Vancouver area my whole life and have been hiking here since I was a child. These days I’m a hiking guidebook author and a full-time outdoor writer so I know lots about Vancouver’s trails. I’m also a four-season and all-weather hiker so I get out on the trails regularly in the winter.

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

8 Best Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver

This post has dozens of options for Vancouver area hikes that are snow-free all year. Many of the hikes are short and easy nature walks, but there are a few gems.

Here are my picks for the 8 best snow-free hikes in Vancouver:

• Lynn Loop/Cedar Mills Trail
• Whyte Lake
• Lighthouse Park
• Jug Island
• Buntzen Lake
• East and West Canyon Loop
• Steelhead Falls
• Mount Crumpit

Vancouver Winter Hiking Safety Tips

Winter hiking requires more preparation than summer hiking: the weather is cold, the trails are often in poor condition and there are less people on the trails to help you if you get into trouble.

• Make sure you leave a trip plan with a friend or family member before you go.
• Always bring the 10 essentials and check out my tips for winter hiking to make sure you keep warm and stay safe.
• Check the weather before you go and bring appropriate clothing and gear. Use my picks for the Best Weather Apps for Hiking.
• Some of these trails might get a dusting of snow a few times of year (especially if it snows down at sea level), but none of them will get enough snow to require snowshoes. They can still be icy though, so microspikes are a good idea. (Read my guide to the difference between microspikes and snowshoes.) Check trail conditions ahead of time so you know what to expect. 

Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is an urban park that has a beautiful forested interior with one of the best short and easy hikes in Vancouver. I recommend using the park map to plan a route. My personal highlights include Beaver Lake, the Siwash Rock Trail, and the big trees along Tatlow Walk.

Distance: 1 to 15 km

Time: 30 minutes to 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Pacific Spirit Park

Pacific Spirit Park is a great patch of wilderness almost right in the city with tons of trail options. I used to trail run here a lot when I lived closer. My favourite trails are Lily of the Valley and Sword Fern because they feel a bit more wild than the multi-use trails.

Distance: 1 to 20 km

Time: 30 minutes to 6 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Point Grey Foreshore Trail

This beautiful walk goes along the coast past several out-of-the-way beaches in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. You’ll need a low tide to complete this trail. Check the tide table before you go.

Note: This trail passes through Wreck Beach, a nudist beach. While there are far fewer nude sunbathers in the winter than the summer, be prepared to see naked people any day of the year.

Distance: Up to 12 km round-trip

Time: 3 to 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in North Vancouver

Quarry Rock

A short forest walk to a beautiful viewpoint on Quarry Rock over Deep Cove. This is a great hike to do in the winter. In the summer the trail is REALLY busy since Quarry Rock is pretty Instagram-famous.

Distance: 4 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Rice Lake

The easy walk around tiny Rice Lake in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve is popular with families and fishers. I love it on a calm day since you get great reflections in the lake’s surface. Keep your eye out for side trails that take you to hidden viewpoints along the shoreline.

Distance: 3 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Fisherman’s Trail

The Fisherman’s Trail is easy walk on a gravel trail along the banks of the Seymour River. Start the hike from the Rice Lake parking lot. Watch for the hidden tunnel part way along.

Distance: 16 km round-trip

Time: 3 to 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Homestead/Twin Bridges Loop

The Homestead/Twin Bridges Loop is a short hike to the Seymour River from the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve parking lot near Rice Lake. Start downhill on the Twin Bridges Trail to the river and a suspension bridge, then turn left to follow Fisherman’s Trail upstream. Head back uphill to the parking lot on the Homestead Trail.

Distance: 4.7 km

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Seymour and Lynn Canyons

The hike around the best parts of the Seymour and Lynn Canyons is one of my favourite winter hikes. It’s low enough to avoid snow but it has lots of waterfalls, bridges, rainforest, and canyon viewpoints. You can start from a few different places, but it’s easiest to get parking at the Rice Lake Parking Lot.

Distance: 8 km loop

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Baden Powell Trail from Deep Cove To Lynn Valley

The Baden Powell Trail stretches across the width of the North Shore. In the winter, I think the section between Deep Cove and Lynn Valley makes a great hike. You can do it as an out-and-back or use the bus or an Uber to do it one way. Or extend it all the way to the base of Grouse Mountain (see below).

Distance: 12 km round-trip

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Baden Powell from Lynn Valley to Grouse Mountain

I think the section of the Baden Powell between Deep Cove and Lynn Valley is a little nicer than the one between Lynn Valley and the base of Grouse Mountain. But it’s still worth doing if you want a snow-free winter hike in Vancouver.

The trail stays in the trees and has tons of small ups and downs. It also crosses countless mountain bike trails – watch for signs and use an app like AllTrails or Gaia GPS to stay on track. You can do it as an out-and back from either end. Or take the bus, a taxi, or an Uber to do it as a one-way.

Distance: 15.1 km round-trip

Time: 6 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Twin Falls

The hike to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Twin Falls is a tourist hot-spot in the summer (it’s one o the best easy hikes in Vancouver), but in the winter it’s much less crowded and usually snow-free. This short loop includes the suspension bridge, Twin Falls and Twin Falls bridge, and 30 foot pool – all the highlights in the area.

Distance: 2.3 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Lynn Loop

This short Lynn Loop in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is usually snow-free in the winter. It heads through the forest and the loops back along Lynn Creek. You can also extend the hike along the Headwaters Trail towards Norvan Falls, but you will likely encounter snow as you head upstream.

Distance: 5.5 km

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in West Vancouver

Capilano Canyon Trails

The Capilano Canyon Trails are fun to explore in the winter since they don’t get snow. The huge network of trails leads to views from the top of the Cleveland Dam, bridges over the Capilano River, views of the canyon, and lots of rainforest.

Distance: 6 km (but you can add on more trails)

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Mountain Path and Cypress Trestle Bridge

The Mountain Path and Cypress Trestle Bridge trail is a new trail on the lower slopes of Cypress Mountain. It starts at Cypress Village, which is a great viewpoint and has a coffee shop and pizza truck. (It’s actually a real estate sales office, but it’s worth a visit for the views.) From there, it heads uphill through the forest to a beautiful trestle bridge with great views of Vancouver.

Distance: 6.5 km round-trip

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Cypress Falls

The short hike to Cypress Falls is perfect in the winter since the waterfalls really get flowing when it rains. But stay back from the edge – there have been accidents here! The trail heads uphill through the canyon to visit several waterfall viewpoints.

Distance: 3 km round-trip

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Whyte Lake

I’ve done the hike to Whyte Lake at least a dozen times. It’s beautiful in all seasons and it doesn’t have snow in the winter. It’s an easy hike uphill through the forest next to a beautiful little canyon. It ends at a picturesque lake that often has good reflections and is home to Vancouver’s nicest outhouse.

Distance: 5 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Lighthouse Park

The trails in Lighthouse Park are so scenic: rainforest, bluffs with ocean views, a tiny beach, and great views of Vancouver. It’s on my list of Vancouver best easy hikes.

With tons of trails, you can make your own route. However, the loop around the park’s perimeter takes you to all the best viewpoints.

Distance: 5.3 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in Burnaby

Velodrome Trail

There are lots of snow-free hiking options on Burnaby Mountain. One of my favourites is the Velodrome Trail, which climbs steeply up the north side. Some people call it the Burnaby Grind. You can extend your hike by incorporating some of the other trails on the west side of the mountain.

Distance: 3 km round-trip

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Burnaby Lake

Even though this trail is in the middle of an urban area, it feels wild enough to call it a hike. The Burnaby Lake Trail makes a big loop around Burnaby Lake through forests and along well-built trails through the bog. You can barely tell you are close to Metrotown!

Distance: 10.5 km loop

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Richmond and Delta

Iona Beach

Most people heading to Iona Beach stick to the paved and gravel walkway on top of the Iona Jetty. It’s a nice walk, but I wouldn’t describe it as hike. Instead, head further along the road to Iona Beach. You can follow a trail behind the beach and then come back along the sand (as long as it is low tide). It has good views of the river and you might spot seals on the log booms.

Distance: 4.5 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Deas Island

The hike on Deas Island is another gem of a trail hidden in the middle of the city. The trail actually goes right over to top of the Highway 99 tunnel. But for most of the hike, you’ll just enjoy a sandy trail and views of the Fraser River.

Distance: 4.7 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Delta Watershed Park

The Delta Watershed Park has a maze of trails sandwiched between Highway 91 and residential neighbourhoods. Many of the trails are mountain bike trails, so expect to share the trail. It’s a fun place to explore, but it’s easy to get turned around. The best option is a loop around the perimeter.

Distance: 6.3 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Belcarra

Jug Island Beach

I love the quiet Jug Island Beach trail through the forest in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park. Along the way it has some good views of Bedwell Bay It ends at tiny Jug Island Beach on Indian Arm.

Distance: 5.5 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Admiralty Point

The Admiralty Point trail is another great hike in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park – it starts from the same parking lot as the Jug Island Beach Trail so you can do them back to back if you want more distance. The hike to Admiralty Point follows the coast to lots of little pocket beaches and viewpoints of Indian Arm.

Distance: 5.5 km

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Sasamat Lake

In the summer Sasamat Lake is so popular that the parking lot is usually totally full, but you won’t have to fight crowds in the winter. It’s a short and easy walk around the lake, including walking over a floating bridge. If you want to extend your hike, you can add on a trip to Woodhaven Swamp or Sugar Mountain.

Distance: 3.2 km loop

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Buntzen Lake

The loop around Buntzen Lake is a Vancouver classic. It goes through rolling forest with lots of viewpoints of the lake. It has both a suspension bridge and a floating brige, which is why its one of my favourite snow-free hikes. You can add on some of the other trails in the area, but many of them will have snow in the winter.

Distance: 10 km

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam

Coquitlam Crunch

The Coquitlam Crunch is Coquitlam’s answer to the Grouse Grind, this steep trail is great for a workout and stays snow-free all year. It heads steadily uphill under the powerlines with lots of stairs.

Distance: 5.8 km round-trip

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Coquitlam River Trails

The Coquitlam River Trails are hidden behind houses in Coquitlam. The network of trails stretches along both sides of the river. In the fall, you can spot salmon in the river and the side channels. My sister lives nearby and this is one of her favourite winter hikes in Vancouver.

If you want to extend your hike, this trail is part of the 23.5 km Taboulay Poco Trail that makes a loop around Port Coquitlam.

Distance: 5.8 km loop

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Minnekhada Regional Park

Minnekhada Regional Park has a wonderful network of trails that goes through forest and past marshes. The highlight is the climb up to a viewpoint over the Pitt River.

Distance: 6.8 km loop

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Hikes in Maple Ridge

UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

The UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest near Golden Ears Provincial Park has a huge network of trails in a working forest. The most popular option is an 8 km loop that includes a lookout and a little log cabin shelter.

Distance: 7.9 km

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Lower Falls/Gold Creek Falls

The walk to Lower Falls (also called Gold Creek Falls) is probably the most popular hike in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Thankfully, it is at low elevation so it is usually snow-free all year. It’s an easy hike beside Gold Creek to a great waterfall viewpoint.

Distance: 5.3 km

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

East and West Canyon Loop

This loop heads up the east side of Gold Creek, crosses a bridge, then heads back down the west side. Parts of the trail are old logging roads, but you can barely tell since the mossy forest and grown so much over the decades.

These East and West Canyon Trails didn’t used to connect, but BC Parks built a bridge here about 10 years ago, making a loop possible. If you want to extend your hike, you can take a rough side trail to Upper Gold Creek Falls. (This trip is also in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.)

Distance: 10.3 km

Time: 3 to 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls

The highlight of the short hike to Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls is the waterfall. It cascades over a set of sandstone ledges that form curved pools. If possible, visit during cold and dry weather to see the pools at low water.

Distance: 2.3 km

Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Kanaka Creek/Cliff Falls: A short walk to a picturesque waterfall with curved pools.

Snow-Free Hikes in Langley

Campbell Valley Regional Park

There are lots of trails to explore in Campbell Valley Regional Park. The best ones are on boardwalks next to the tiny river. It’s a great spot for bird watching.

Distance: 7.6 km loop

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Brae Island Regional Park

The Tavistock Trail at Brae Island Regional Park is a great short hike in Fort Langley. The trail heads through the forest alongside the Bedford Channel. There are a few side trails leading down to the water and a great view of the Fraser River at Tavistock Point.

Distance: 4.7 km

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Aldergrove Regional Park

Aldergrove Regional Park has a huge network of trails through wetlands beside Pepin Brook. There are also great views of Mount Baker.

Distance: 10.8 km loop

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Mission and Harrison

Rolley Lake and Rolley Falls

There is a popular campground at Rolley Lake, but it’s closed in winter so you might have the area to yourself. (And you’ll have to walk an extra kilometre into the park from the gate. But your reward is a lovely easy hike around the lake along with a steeper hike to a waterfall.

Distance: 4.8 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Hayward Lake and Steelhead Falls

This trail follows the shoreline of Hayward Lake, which is actually a hydro power reservoir. You can continue along the entire eastern shoreline. But don’t miss the side trip to Steelhead Falls, just a one kilometre from the parking lot.

Distance: 9.7 km round-trip

Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Cascade Falls

The hike to Cascade Falls is very short, but the scenery is worth it. The steep trail leads to a suspension bridge in front of a spectacular waterfall.

Distance: 0.6 km round trip

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Whippoorwill Point

The hike to Whippoorwill Point starts in Harrison Hot Springs and follows the shoreline of Harrison Lake. It then heads up over a ridge before descending to a tiny sandy beach.

Distance: 3.7 km round-trip

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Spirit Trail

If you’re in Harrison Hot Springs in winter, don’t miss the Spirit Trail. It’s a shot hike, but it features dozens of hand carved masks mounted on trees. It’s kinda creepy and kinda cool at the same time.

Distance: 1 km loop

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Abbotsford

Abby Grind

The steep Abby Grind is also known as the Glen Ryder Trail. It climbs up to Taggart Peak and is a well-known alternative to the Grouse Grind.

Distance: 3.4 km round-trip

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Downes Bowl

Downes Bowl in Abbotsford has a great trail system through a marsh with lots of boardwalks. It is a bit of a maze, but you can make a loop that uses most of the trails.

Distance: 4.3 km loop

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Chilliwack and Hope

Tea Pot Hill

The hike up Tea Pot Hill in Cultus Lake Provincial Park is one of the most unique hikes in Vancouver thanks to the literal teapots along the sides of the trail. Even though the trail goes up a small hill, it’s low enough to be snow-free most winters.

Distance: 4.8 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Seven Sisters Trail

The Seven Sisters Trail is another great short hike in Cultus Lake Provincial Park. It goes to a beautiful grove of old growth trees known as the Seven Sisters.

Distance: 3.2 km

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Chilliwack Community Forest

The new volunteer-created trail network in the Chilliwack Community Forest includes several short loops through the forest. You can string a few of them together to make various loops.

Distance: 4 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Cheam Lake Wetlands

Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park is hidden in farm land in between Chilliwack and Hope. It’s a great place to go birding. The trails along the lake and through the marsh are my favourite – some of them feature floating walkways.

Distance: 4.5 km round-trip

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Bridal Veil Falls

The gate to Bridal Veil Falls is closed in winter, but you can still hike it if you park outside the gate and walk a few minutes along the road. It’s a short hike, but the falls are incredible. Be sure to stay away from the base – in the past visitors have been seriously injured when rocks fell on them.

Distance: 1.3 km loop

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Flood Falls

The hike to Flood Falls is a good leg-stretcher if you’re driving along Highway 1. The falls is really spectacular after heavy rains.

Distance: 1 km round-trip

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Snow-Free Hikes in Squamish

Mount Crumpit

The hike to Mount Crumpit is one of my favourite local hikes in Squamish. It’s low enough to avoid snow but it’s high enough to have incredible views of the Stawamus Chief and downtown Squamish. The hike is steep in places!

Distance: 7.9 km round-trip

Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate.

Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake

As a Squamish local, the Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park is one of my go-to winter hikes. It’s relatively easy, but the forest is gorgeous and there are four lakes to check out along the way.

Distance: 6.3 km loop

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Brohm Lake

I love the trails at Brohm Lake. You can do the easy 4 km loop around the lake or add on a great viewpoint. I also love the off-the-beaten path trails in the southern part of park. My recommended loop takes in the best spots in the park.

Distance: 8 km loop

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Starvation Lake on the Sea to Sky Trail

The Sea to Sky Trail stretches from Squamish to Whistler. Most of it is too snowy in the winter. But you can hike the short section from the end of Paradise Valley Road to Starvation Lake.

Distance: 6.4 km round-trip

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Snow-Free Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver

With snow in the mountains between November and June, you’ll have to look to low elevation trails to go backpacking in Vancouver in the off-season. See my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia for recommendations on where to for a snow-free backpacking trip in March, April, and May.

Final Thoughts

How many of these snow-free hikes in Vancouver have you done? Do you have even more to add to my list? Let me know in the comments?

MORE VANCOUVER HIKES:

• 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver
• Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver
• Alternatives to the Grouse Grind: Steep Workout Hikes Near Vancouver
• 35+ Vancouver Hikes You Can Get to on Transit
• 40+ Waterfall Hikes Near Vancouver

WINTER TIPS:

• What to Wear Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
• 9 Tips for Winter Hiking (You Don’t Have to Freeze!)
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver

The post Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: 50+ Year-round Trails appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve day hiked the various routes to Russet Lake several times each, and I’ve backpacked to the lake three times over the last 20 years. (The photos in this post are from various trips.) I keep coming back since it is one of my favourite areas – the mountain and glacier views are amazing (maybe the best in Garibaldi Park!) and access to the alpine is easy if you take the Whistler gondola.

I’m a hiking guidebook author and have backpacked all over BC, so I’ve put together a detailed Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide for you. It includes:

• Quick facts about hiking to Russet Lake, including distances, how long it takes, best time to go, and more
• Map and elevation profile, plus a downloadable GPX file
• Detailed trail descriptions for each of the three options for hiking to Russet Lake plus tips for skiing and snowshoeing in winter
• Tips for which route to take and taking the gondola, including how to ride it for free
• Extending your trip – day hikes and scrambles from Russet Lake
• Camping and the hut – details on staying at the campground and Kees and Claire Hut, including reservations and fees
• How to get to the Russet Lake trailhead – including parking and bus info
• Russet Lake hiking tips – advice for bears, what to bring, food storage, weather, and more

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

Russet Lake Quick Facts

Route Options: Russet Lake is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park in the mountains above Whistler, BC. You can get there via two different trails from the top of the Whistler Gondola or by the Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village. I’ve got details on all three below.

Distance: 11.7 to 14.6 km one-way, depending on route choice

Elevation Gain: 665 to 1,450 m, depending on route choice

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 9 to 12 hours or overnight

Best Time to Go: Mid-July to mid-September to avoid snow and take advantage of Whistler Gondola’s summer service.

Reservations and Fees: Day hiking is free and does not require a day pass. You must make reservations with BC Parks to backcountry camp. If you camp, you must pay camping and reservation fees. More details in the camping section below.

Indigenous Context: This area is in the traditional territory of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) and Lil’wat Nations. To learn more, see the info sign in the Elfin Lakes campground or visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Russet Lake Trail Map and Elevation Profile

For the most part, the main trails to Russet Lake are well-marked and easy to follow. There are signs at all junctions.

I used the Gaia GPS app on my hikes. It is helpful to know where I am on the trail to figure out how much higher I have to climb and where the next viewpoint is. All Trails+ is also great.

I also made you a trail map using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in and explore. You can also save it to your routes in Gaia GPS or export the GPX file.

PS: Want to save 10% on a premium subscription to Gaia GPS (the app I use for all my hikes)? Use my link – the discount appears in cart.

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Russet Lake Trail Options

There are three ways to hike to Russet Lake: the Singing Pass Trail, the High Note Trail from the top of the Peak Chair, and the High Note Trail from Whistler Roundhouse. You can also ski or snowshoe to Russet Lake in winter. Below, I’ve got details on each one.

Note: While I usually list distances as a round-trip, this time I‘ve listed distances one-way since this is a hike where you can take different routes there and back. I’ve also included elevation loss stats for the trip to Russet, which become elevation gain stats if you take that route back to the trailhead.

High Note Trail from the Top of the Peak Chair

Distance: 11.7 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 665 m

Elevation Loss: 940 m

Practicalities: Requires taking the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and then the Peak Chair.

This is by far the most scenic route to Russet Lake and the route I recommend. You start by taking the Whistler Gondola up to the Roundhouse and then Peak Chair. (More gondola tips in the section below.)

You’ll hike the High Note Trail to Flute Junction, then continue along the Musical Bumps to Singing Pass, then up Cowboy Ridge to Russet Lake.

As you can see in the elevation profile above, the route has some ups and downs, but in general, it is mostly downhill. There are no reliable water sources on this route, so pack all the water you will need for the day.

Key Locations

Route Description

Ride the gondola and then the Peak Chair to the top of Whistler Mountain. Walk across the suspension bridge, then go left and down the stairs to the signed trailhead for the High Note Trail. My High Note Trail Guide has a more detailed description of this trail.

Follow the trail steeply downhill through a rocky section, then across a ski area access road. The trail follows the hillside through beautiful meadows with great views of Black Tusk Peak. Pass the junction with the Half Note Trail at 2.9 km and the Cheakamus Lake Lookout at 3.7 km.

At 4.5 km, arrive at Flute Junction. From here, you’ll go across the Musical Bumps: Flute and Oboe Summits. Go straight and gain 120 m up the hill to Flute Summit at 5.1 km. Be sure to detour south from the summit for the best views of Cheakamus Lake. Continue across the broad summit plateau and then down into a dip 160 m below Flute Summit.

On the other side, gain 150 m uphill to Oboe Summit at 7.2 km. The view from the ridge crest is gorgeous, but frustrating. You can see your trail dropping 225 m down into Singing Pass and then climbing up the other side.

Drop down off the summit and head downhill through meadows and clumps of trees to Singing Pass Junction at 8.7 km. Turn right and begin your ascent of Cowboy Ridge. The 240 m climb has a few switchbacks, so it is never very steep, but it feels tiring at the end of the day. There are great views the higher you climb.

Reach Kees and Claire Hut at 10.9 km in very rocky terrain on the ridge crest. Follow the trail down through rocks and then meadow to the end of the trail at the Russet Lake campground on the north shore of the lake at 11.7 km.

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High Note Trail from Whistler Roundhouse

Distance: 11.7 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 765 m

Elevation Loss: 707 m

Practicalities: Requires taking the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Does not include the Peak Chair.

This is another scenic option, but it isn’t quite as picturesque as the main part of the High Note Trail. You can use this option when the Peak Chair isn’t running. (It opens later/closes earlier than the gondola and doesn’t run at all in the fall.) I’ve also used this route when I’m with people who are afraid of heights and therefore don’t want to ride the Peak Chair.

From the Whistler Roundhouse, you’ll hike the bottom part of the High Note Trail in the reverse direction that most people take. Once you arrive at Flute Junction (and meet up with the High Note coming from Whistler Peak), you’ll follow the same route across Flute and Oboe Summits as the High Note Route from Whistler Peak.

While this route doesn’t have much more total elevation gain than the High Note Route from the Peak Chair, it does have a lot more ups and downs.

Key Locations

Route Description

From the Whistler Roundhouse, follow the signs to Harmony Lake, 1 km away and 90 m lower. On the far side of the lake, head uphill, passing under a chairlift, to gain 160 m on a ridge crest.

Drop steeply down from the ridge, losing 90 m, to arrive at Symphony Lake at 3.2 km. This is the last reliable water source on this route, so fill up here just in case.

Head gently uphill, gaining 80 m to Flute Junction at 4.5 km. Turn left to begin the ascent of Flute Summit. From here, you can use the High Note Trail from Peak Chair description above since the route is the same.

Singing Pass Trail

Distance: 14.8 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1,446 m

Elevation Loss: 263 m

Practicalities: This is the only route to Russet Lake that does NOT require taking a gondola. You start right from Whistler Village.

If the gondola isn’t running, you don’t have the budget for it, or you just like the idea of getting to Russet Lake under your own power, you can take the Singing Pass Trail. While it gains a LOT of elevation, it’s pretty gradual. It is entirely in the forest – you won’t get any views until you get to Cowboy Ridge.

The route starts in Whistler Village, crosses through the Mountain Bike Park, then follows an old road and then a trail uphill to Singing Pass Junction. From there, you take the same route up Cowboy Ridge as you would if you came from Whistler Mountain.

There are lots of water sources on this route, so you don’t have to worry about carrying much with you.

Key Locations

Singing Pass Trail Description

The trailhead is on Blackcomb Way in Whistler Village next to the Gondola bus stops. From the info sign, walk around the yellow gate into the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Follow the access road up the hill through the bike park. Watch for service vehicles on the road.

When the road forks at the top of the open area, go left on a road into the forest. Watch out for a bike trail crossing the road. Follow the road gently uphill past a reservoir building with glimpses of bike trails on both sides of the road. Watch for another bike trail crossing the road at 1.5 km.

Past here, you’ll be walking on an old road that is overgrown and eroded in places. In places, there are wide bridges over creeks and ditches. These bridges help keep the route open for skiers in winter.

About 3.8 km from the start, pass through an area overgrown with alder. If you look carefully, there is an old outhouse on the left. Until the late 1990s, you could drive up this old road. You are now at the former trailhead and parking area.

Continue the trail, passing under the Peak 2 Peak Gondola at 4.6 km. Cross Harmony Creek at 5.3 km. This area is the site of a huge washout and is unstable, so use caution, especially during times of snowmelt or heavy rain.

A few minutes later, cross an unnamed creek in a steep gully and then pass a sign welcoming you to Garibaldi Provincial Park. Cross Flute Creek on a sturdy metal bridge at 7.1 km. At 8.2 km, cross Oboe Creek on a deteriorating Bridge. This crossing can also be difficult at higher water.

Past here, the vegetation begins to change and transition to more alpine species like Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir. You can also hear Melody Creek downhill to your left.

As you approach Singing Pass junction at 11.9 km, the trees start to thin out and patches of meadow start to appear. From Singing Pass junction, turn left and follow the directions above for the final ascent of Cowboy Ridge.

Skiing and Snowshoeing to Russet Lake in Winter

Russet Lake is a popular spot for backcountry skiing in winter. It is part of the Spearhead Traverse, a multi-day backcountry ski trip between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. As well, many people ski or snowshoe to the Kees and Clair Hut in the winter.

If you’re coming to Russet Lake in winter, you need to have avalanche training and experience since both routes to the lake travel through avalanche terrain.

Skiers can pay to take the Whistler Gondola and lifts, ski across the Musical Bumps to Singing Pass, and then head up Cowboy Ridge to Russet Lake. The Spearhead Huts site has advice on which chairlifts and routes to take through the ski resort. Snowshoers are not allowed on the lifts or in the resort, so they can’t take this route.

The other option in the winter is to come in via the Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village. This route is open to both skiers and snowshoers. Depending on snow levels, you may have to hike the bottom section of the trail. Skiers should use caution if descending this way because there are lots of tight turns with drop-offs as well as narrow bridges.

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Whistler Gondola Tips and Route Choice

If you have the cash for it, the Whistler Gondola has by far the best views in the Whistler area and is a great way to start your hike to Russet Lake.

If you’re splashing out on the gondola, you should get your money’s worth. I recommend riding the Blackcomb Gondola first, then the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to the Whistler Roundhouse. That way, you can get the most views before you start hiking to Russet Lake.

I do recommend taking the Peak Chair up to Whistler Peak to enjoy the Suspension Bridge and views from there. (And because the High Note Trail has the best views.) However, it’s not a great option for people who are afraid of heights since it is an open chair (your legs dangle) and it goes over a cliff. (More details on that in my High Note Trail Guide.

If the price of the gondola is too steep for you, you can ride the gondola for free! There is a bit of a catch, though: you have to hike up the Singing Pass Trail for free, then up across the Musical Bumps and along the High Note to the Peak Chair or to the Whistler Roundhouse.

From there, you can go down the Peak Chair and the Peak 2 Peak, Whistler, and Blackcomb gondolas for free – as of 2025, they don’t check for tickets for downloading – only for uploading! I’ve heard this policy may change next year, but it’s been free to download every year as long as I’ve been hiking here (over 20 years).

Extending Your Trip: Hikes From Russet Lake

There are no official trails starting from Russet Lake. However, if you are comfortable with scrambling and off-trail travel, you have a few options for exploring from the hut or campground.

Adit Lakes

An informal cairned route leads from the campground to the Adit Lakes to the north, nestled in a rocky bowl. From the outhouse, pick up a faint trail across the bottom of the scree slope. Watch for cairns as the trail contours along the side of the ridge before arriving at the lakes. It’s about 1 km each way.

Cowboy Ridge

The gentle ridge above the lake makes for easy off-trail travel and exploring. The easiest place to gain the ridge crest is near Kees and Claire Hut. There are great views from the top as well as lots of wildflowers and curious marmots. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also head over to Russet Ridge to the north.

Whirlwind Peak and Overlord Peak Scrambles

While Gaia GPS and AllTrails show a trail from the campground to Whirlwind Peak and beyond to Overlord Peak, there is no trail. In places, there is a cairned route. However, you must be comfortable with route finding and exposure on steep slopes if you choose these routes. Unless you are an experienced scrambler, you may find these routes too challenging and scary.

It’s 6.5 km round-trip to Whirlwind with 600 m of elevation gain. Add another 4 km and 500 m of elevation gain if you continue to Overlord.

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Where to Stay at Russet Lake: Camping and Hut

Russet Lake Backcountry Campground

The Russet Lake campground has 20 tent pads spread out around the creek on the north side of Russet Lake.

The tent pads are simple clearings in the grass and gravel with low rock walls to block the wind. Each campsite has a metal post with a number on it. Many are a bit lumpy or slanted.

While BC Parks policy permits up to 2 tents per pad, this won’t be easy or possible at many of the Russet Lake campsites. In most cases, the second tent will be on a very lumpy, rocky, or slanted area or won’t fit at all.

There is a urine-diversion outhouse next to the campground. Store your food on the food storage poles, which have cables and pulleys. Collect drinking water from the lake or the stream. Avoid the algae-choked parts of the stream.

Fires are never allowed in Garibaldi Park. This is a fragile alpine ecosystem, and fire scars can take decades to regrow.

Camping Reservations and Fees

Since Garibaldi Park has some of the most popular backcountry campgrounds in BC, advance reservations are required. Camping costs $25 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee for each tent pad.

Reservations open three months before your trip. That means if you want to camp on August 1, you can reserve starting on April 1.

See my tips for booking backcountry camping for pointers on how to navigate the site. Be ready to book as soon as reservations open because popular dates will sell out in minutes.

Your booking can include up to 3 tent pads on the same reservation. Keep in mind that you are allowed to have up to two tents and four people per pad.

If you didn’t get a reservation, keep checking back as people cancel and spots open up, especially within a week or two of their trip. A more efficient way is to sign up for a camping cancellation notification app like Campnab or Schnerp. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps to find out how they work and which one I recommend.

Kees and Claire Hut at Russet Lake

Opened in 2019, the Kees and Claire Hut is a large, modern, and frankly, kinda fancy, backcountry hut. It sits at the top of Cowboy Ridge above Russet Lake. A group of local mountaineering clubs run the hut as part of the Spearhead Hut Society.

The hut has 38 bunks spread across 6 rooms. Cooking and eating supplies and sleeping mats are provided. The hut also has LED lighting and urine-diversion toilets. While the hut has heaters, it is kept cold at night, so you will need a 3-season sleeping bag.

Reservations are required at Kees and Claire Hut. Hut reservations open 60 days before the first day of your trip. Bunks cost $60/night. If you are a member of BCMC, ACC Vancouver, or ACC Whistler, you can book 90 days in advance and use a promo code to get a discount.

How to Get to Russet Lake Trailhead

The Russet Lake Trailhead is in the heart of Whistler Village, right next to the gondola. It’s easy to get to by car or on the bus.

Driving Directions

From Vancouver, drive Highway 1, then Highway 99 north to Whistler. The drive takes about 1.5 hours. Once in Whistler, take the Lorimer Way exit to get to the parking lot. (More on parking below.) Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Russet Lake Parking

If you are doing a day hike, you can park in any of the parking lots. Day Lot 1 is the most convenient, but I usually park in Day Lot 4 since it is cheaper. There is no free parking in Whistler Village. Here is more info about locations and rates for parking in Whistler.

If you are staying overnight at the campground or hut, there is a special area of Day Lot 4 you need to park in. You must display your hut or camping reservation number on your dash and pay for each day you will be parked using Lot #4078 in the Pay by Phone app. Here is more info about overnight parking.

Getting to Russet Lake By Bus

Russet Lake is one of the best car-free backpacking trips in BC. You can get to Whistler from Vancouver using the Epic Rides or YVR Skylynx buses. They drop you off at Gateway Bus Loop in Whistler. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk through the village to the gondola and trailhead.

Tips for Hiking to Russet Lake

Check gondola hours and trail status: Check to make sure that the gondola and chairlifts are open and the alpine trail conditions, if you plan to come in from Whistler Mountain.

Food Storage: The campground has a pole with pulleys for food storage. Bring a waterproof bag to store your food in case it rains overnight. I always keep my food in a lightweight dry bag. The pulleys have clips, but some are broken – carry a carabiner as a backup.

Mosquitos and Black Flies: Bugs can be bad on the trail in July and early August. Bring bug spray and a head net.

Bears: This is black bear country. Bring bear spray, make noise while hiking, and store your food securely. See my bear safety tips for more info.

Dogs: Not allowed in Garibaldi Park.

Fires: Not allowed in Garibaldi Park.

Check the weather before you go: The high mountains are notorious for fickle weather. Rainstorms can blow in at any time. Expect overnight lows near freezing on some summer days. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Russet Lake like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)

Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder and rainier in the mountains than in the city. If you are staying overnight, you will need to bring typical backpacking gear. Use my backpacking checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots. The trail is rocky and loose in places. Regular running shoes don’t have enough grip or ankle support.

Bring water and snacks. It is not safe to drink the water from the lakes without boiling, filtering, or treating it because you never know if people or animals have pooped or died upstream. Gross! (I use a Katadyn BeFree.)

Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.

Final Thoughts

The Garibaldi Lake, Elfin Lakes, and Cheakamus Lake areas of Garibaldi Provincial Park get lots of attention (rightly so), which means that many people miss out on visiting Russet Lake. Honestly, I think the glacier views from the High Note Trail and Musical Bumps on the way to Russet Lake are actually even better than the views at Garibaldi and Elfin.

While Russet Lake does get booked up on weekends, it’s easier to book than Garibaldi Lake. And you are almost guaranteed to see adorable marmots near the lake. These furry guys are my favourite! I love watching them munch on alpine plants or take naps on the rocks.

If you’ve got questions about visiting Russet Lake, ask me in the comments. I’m happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• High Note Trail in Whistler (By a Season’s Pass Holder)
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer (By a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• 30 Best Backpacking Trips in BC

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The post Russet Lake Hiking and Backpacking Trail Guide appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

In the winter this area is known as the Sunshine Village Ski Resort, one of the three ski areas in Banff. But in the summer the wildflowers bloom and it turns into an epic hiking destination.

On my last trip to Banff, I spent a day hiking high in the mountains at Sunshine Meadows. I’m a hiking guidebook author, so I’m always thinking about the optimal way to do each hike. So I’ve put together a custom route for you plus lots of tips for enjoying your time in this special place.

This Sunshine Meadows hiking guide includes:

• Is hiking at Sunshine Meadows worth it? Spoiler: my answer is definitely yes.
• Tips for hiking at Sunshine Meadows: What to bring, how to prep, and how to protect this gorgeous but fragile ecosystem
• Sunshine Meadows hiking basics: How far, how much, how difficult, etc.
• Sunshine Meadows hiking map – I made a custom hiking map for you
• How to get there – driving, bus, and gondola info
• My recommended Sunshine Meadows hiking route – it hits all the highlights
• Other hikes at Sunshine Meadows in case you want to extend your hike
• How to hike at Sunshine Meadows for free (without taking the gondola)
• Other things to do at Sunshine Meadows – restaurants, the Interpretive Centre, and more

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: Thanks to Sunshine Meadows for hosting me on my visit. All opinions in this post are my own and I would happily pay out of my own pocket to hike here again. 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

Is Hiking at Sunshine Meadows Worth It?

You might be wondering if it’s worth spending money to ride the gondola up to Sunshine Meadows to go hiking. The short answer: YES!

The gondola takes you high up into the mountains, above the treeline and in the alpine with gorgeous mountain lakes. That means there are views in every direction and wildflowers everywhere.

Sunshine Meadows is the only accessible place near Banff to go for an easy or moderate hike in the mountains. All of the other easy and moderate hikes are in the valley bottom.

The only other way to get to that kind of terrain is to hike steeply uphill for literally hours. Other hikes that take you to this type of terrain are rated difficult.

Sunshine Meadows vs. Banff Gondola and Lake Louise Gondola

With three summer sightseeing gondolas near Banff, you might wonder how Sunshine Meadows stacks up compared to the Banff Gondola and the Lake Louise Gondola.

The Banff Gondola is the closest to the town of Banff. It goes up Sulphur Mountain, which is tree-covered (unlike the alpine landscape at Sunshine). It has great views of Banff and the Bow Valley. There is a short boardwalk through the trees, but no hiking trails or wildflower meadows. It’s a bit more expensive than Sunshine.

The Lake Louise Gondola takes you up through the Lake Louise ski resort so you get views of ski runs, although sometimes people do spot bears from the gondola. There is a small viewing platform at the top where you can look across the valley to Lake Louise and the surrounding mountains. There are no hiking trails. Tickets are slightly cheaper than Sunshine Meadows.

Tips for Hiking at Sunshine Meadows

Tips for Planning Your Trip

• The best time to go to Sunshine Meadows is between mid-July and early September when the trails are snow-free. For peak wildflowers, go in late July or early August. Plan to go on a clear day so you can enjoy the views. (I visited in late August and most of the flowers were done but it was still pretty.)
• Check the weather before you go. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Sunshine like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.) It’s also worth checking current conditions at Sunshine and the Rock Isle webcam.
• Check gondola hours and trail status. Make sure the trails are open and the gondola and chairlifts are running by the Sunshine trail report.
• Arrive in the morning: That gives you lots of time to hike and explore. As well, it’s more likely to be cloudy in the afternoon. Don’t go any later than 2 or 3 pm because you won’t have enough time before they close.

What to Pack

• Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder and rainier in the mountains than in the valley.
• Wear sunscreen. The sun is bright up here and there isn’t much shade.
• Bring water and snacks. You can fill up your water bottles at the Centennial Lodge at the top of the gondola and grab snacks at the cafe.
• Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.
• Bring a camera – it’s gorgeous and you will want tons of pics! But leave the drone at home. Drones aren’t allowed at Sunshine or in Banff National Park without a commercial filming permit.
• Bring bear spray. Black bears and grizzly bears live here and are sometimes sighted on the trails. The staff are great about closing trails and warning hikers if there is a bear around. Bring bear spray just in case because bears go where they want, when they want.

How to Respect This Fragile Ecosystem

• Pack out all your garbage. There are garbage cans at Centennial Lodge – please pack out your trash.
• Use the toilets. There are toilets at the Centennial Lodge and outhouses near Rock Isle junction and Grizzly/Laryx junction, but there are no other toilets on the trails.
• Don’t pick the wildflowers. It can take years for each plant to produce a single flower. Leave the flowers for everyone to enjoy. Take photos instead. Visit the Interpretive Centre near the gondola for help identifying all the wildflower species you spot.
• Stay out of the lakes. While you might be tempted to take a dip on a sunny day, swimming isn’t allowed. The lakes are very shallow and sensitive ecosystems.
• Dogs aren’t allowed on the gondola or chairlift. You can hike up the access road with your dog on leash, but it’s 5.5 km each way with 510 m of elevation gain. Dogs are allowed on the Sunshine trails on leash.
• Respect Indigenous traditional territory. The Sunshine Meadows area is in the traditional territory of the Tsuut’ina, Michif Piyii (Mestis), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi), Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney) and Ktunaxa ɁamakɁis. The government forced Indigenous people to leave soon after Banff National Park was created in 1885 and prohibited them from accessing their traditional territory to hunt, fish, gather, and conduct cultural practices.

Sunshine Meadows Hiking Basics

Sunshine Meadows has 6 hiking trails that you can combine to make various loops. The must-do is the Standish Viewing Deck Loop. But I’ve got a recommended route at the bottom of this post that hits all the highlights.

Here are some stats for the hikes at Sunshine Meadows:

Duration: 30 minutes to four hours

Distance: 0.8 km to 9.8 km

Difficulty: Very easy to moderate

Elevation Change: Up 300 m

Cost: As of 2025, it’s $68/person for adults (kids and seniors are cheaper). This includes rides on both the gondola and chairlift.

Sunshine Meadows Hiking Trails Map

The Sunshine Meadows trails are easy to follow with lots of signs and maps at every junction. When you buy your gondola tickets, they will give you a paper map.

The map is pretty, but it doesn’t show a lot of the small ups and downs the way a topographic map does. I made you a custom trail map using Gaia GPS, my favourite mapping app. It shows all the locations I mention in this post. Click through to zoom in and explore (and to download the GPX file).

PS: Want to save 10% on a premium subscription to Gaia GPS (the app I use for all my hikes)? Use my link – the discount appears in cart.

How to Get to Sunshine Meadows

Sunshine Meadows is located at the Sunshine Village ski area 15 minutes west of Banff. It’s easy to drive yourself and there is lots of free parking. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

If you don’t have a car, Sunshine also runs a free shuttle bus several times a day.

Once you arrive at the parking lot and gondola base, head inside and buy your gondola tickets. From there board the high-speed eight-passenger gondola and enjoy mountain scenery on the 25-minute ride up into the mountains. The gondola tops out at 2,159 meters.

When you get off the gondola staff will greet you to give you a brief overview of the area and explain how to respect this beautiful place by staying on trail, not picking flowers etc. They will also give you some bear safety tips.

I recommend going inside the Centennial Lodge to use the bathroom before you hit the trails. It’s also worth visiting the Interpretive Centre inside the lodge to check out the wildflower displays. That way you can try to recognize some of the flowers you will be seeing on your hike.

Sunshine Meadows Hiking Directions (My Recommended Route)

There are six trails at Sunshine Meadows, but if you just want the highlights, follow my recommended route (below). It has step-by-step directions to ensure you see the highlights.

Here are the stats for this route:

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Distance: 6.9 km

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Change: 312 m

Below are step-by-step directions for each part of the hike.

Standish Express Chairlift and Standish Viewing Deck

To start the hike, walk from the gondola over to the Standish Express Chairlift. This is an open chairlift where your feet dangle, so some people may find it unnerving to ride compared to the gondola. However, it’s not that steep and it doesn’t take long so I think you’ll be fine. You’ll also have beautiful scenery to distract you.

The chairlift will bring you to the top of Mount Standish, also called Standish Hump. This is the highest point of your hike so enjoy the 360-degree views.

When you are ready to start hiking, you can take either the left or right path – they meet up in a few minutes at the Standish Viewing Deck 300 m from the chairlift.

The Standish Viewing Deck has the best views at Sunshine Meadows. In my opinion, this is one of the best viewpoints anywhere in the Banff area. Don’t miss it!

From the two-level deck, you can look south to Rock Isle, Grizzly, and Laryx Lakes. On a clear day, you can also see the pointy top of Mount Assiniboine, nicknamed Canada’s Matterhorn. To the east you can spot the ski runs on Brewster Rock and Mount Howard Douglas. And to the west, you can see the rocky peaks of Two Cairns.

Standish Viewing Deck to Rock Isle Viewpoint

From the viewing deck, follow the trail down the stairs and then down the hill through a few clumps of trees. Arrive at Two Cairns junction about 400 m from the viewing deck.

Turn left and follow the trail towards Rock Isle Junction. The trail continues downhill, although not as steeply as before. About 300 m from Two Cairns Junction, arrive at Rock Isle Junction. There are views of Rock Isle Lake here, but continue straight for even better views.

Pass a spur trail on your left leading to an outhouse, and arrive at Rock Isle Viewpoint about 400 m from Rock Isle Junction. The benches here have an incredible view of Rock Isle Lake so it’s a great spot for a snack break. It should be pretty obvious to you how the lake got its name – the island in the lake is a big rock!

Rock Isle Viewpoint to Grizzly/Laryx Junction

When you are finished at the viewpoint, retrace your steps back to Rock Isle Junction and turn left. Follow the trail along a ridge beside Rock Isle Lake. There are more photo opportunities here too including a short spur trail to the right that takes you to a bluff top viewpoint.

At the end of the lake, the trail drops downhill on a staircase and winds through patches of trees and meadow. Arrive at Grizzly/Laryx Junction about 900 m from Rock Isle Junction.

Grizzly/Laryx Loop

At Grizzly/Laryx junction turn right to start the loop. There is an outhouse just past the junction in the trees. (FYI Laryx is the Latin name for the larch tree – there are lots of them in this area.)

Continue along the trail as it heads gently downhill through a meadow to Grizzly Lake, about 500 m from the junction. The trail follows the east shore of the lake, then heads through an open meadow which is a great place to see wildflowers.

After a few minutes in the forest, watch for the Simpson Viewpoint on your left, about 500 m after leaving Grizzly Lake. The viewpoint sits on the edge of a deep canyon. You can see the Simpson River basin, which burned in forest fires in 2017.

From the viewpoint, continue along the trail to Laryx Lake, 100 m away. The trail loops around the south and east sides of the lake. A bench on the peninsula partway along makes a good break spot.

Past the end of the lake, the trail heads through another wildflower meadow and then an open forest to arrive back at the Grizzly/Laryx junction.

Grizzly/Laryx Junction Back to Standish Chairlift

From the Grizzly/Laryx Junction, you’ll be retracing your steps back to the Standish Chairlift. Unfortunately, this section is all uphill. You’ll hike another 1.9 km and gain 180 meters. Thankfully the views are great – just remember to turn around to look at them!

Starting from Grizzly/Laryx Junction, hike back uphill through the forest and up the stairs to the shores of Rock Isle Lake. From there, turn left at Rock Isle Junction. Head uphill to Two Cairns junction, then turn right and go uphill again to the Standish Viewing Deck and the Standish Chairlift just past that. Ride the chairlift back down to Sunshine Village.

Other Hikes at Sunshine Meadows (Extending Your Trip)

The route above hits all the highlights and has the best views. However, if you want to try some of the other trails or extend your trip, here are some options I recommend:

Twin Cairns Trail and Monarch Viewpoint

This option adds 4.2 km to your hike and takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Follow the instructions in the recommended route above, but when you reach Twin Cairns junction the second time, don’t go up the hill to Standish Viewing Deck.

Instead, go left down the hill on the Twin Cairns Trail. This route works its way through a rocky valley between Twin Cairns Peak and Mount Standish. About 2 km from the start, arrive at a junction.

Go left for a few minutes to the Monarch Viewpoint. From the viewpoint, look west down the Healy Creek Valley to Healy Pass and the Monarch Ramparts. Picturesque Egypt Lake lies behind them along with pointy Pharaoh Peak.

Retrace your steps back to the junction and go left, following the Meadow Park Trail down the hill into the forest. Continue along the trail as it winds downhill and finishes at the gondola.

Rock Isle Road

If you don’t feel like climbing back up to Mount Standish to ride the gondola down, you can walk down via the Rock Isle Road. The road is 1.75 km long and loses 60 m of elevation.

The Rock Isle Road starts near Rock Isle Viewpoint and makes its way through the ski resort to the bottom of Standish Chairlift. It’s wide and dusty and not very scenic, so I don’t recommend it unless you don’t want to climb the hill back to Standish Chairlift.

Citadel Pass and Mount Assiniboine

If you want to venture further into the backcountry, follow the Citadel Pass Trail southeast from near Rock Isle Junction. It leads all the way to Mount Assiniboine, one of the most popular (and gorgeous) backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies. It’s also one of my favourite trips.

It’s 27.5 km one way to the campgrounds at Mount Assiniboine, but you don’t have to hike the entire way to get good scenery. Citadel Pass, 7.8 km from Sunshine Meadows makes an excellent day trip destination.

The route goes into Banff National Park and has great views as you go up and over Quartz Ridge. Stop at Howard Douglas Lake just off the trail for a break, then continue on the pass for beautiful views of Mount Assiniboine.

READ NEXT: Mount Assiniboine Hiking Guide

Healy Pass and Egypt Lake

Another long day hike or backpacking trip option is the trip over Simpson Pass to Healy Pass and then Egypt Lake.

This hike starts from the Monarch Viewpoint. From there, it’s 10.4 km to Healy Pass. The route goes over Simpson Pass and then skirts below the Monarch Ramparts. Healy Pass has incredible views of Pharaoh Peak and beautiful golden larch trees in the fall.

If you want to camp overnight, Egypt Lake is a further 3 km downhill from Healy Pass. I loved the Egypt Lake area – there are so many beautiful little lakes nearby you can hike to from the campground.

READ NEXT: Egypt Lake in Banff Hiking and Backpacking Guide

How to Hike at Sunshine Meadows For Free (Without Taking the Gondola)

I get it – the Sunshine Meadows gondola is expensive. It’s possible to here without taking the gondola, but it’s a very steep and boring hike so I don’t recommend it.

But if you really want to hike at Sunshine Meadows without taking the gondola, I’ll help you do it. You can hike via the gravel access road from the parking area to the top of the gondola. This is also the only way to hike at Sunshine Meadows with a dog.

Here are the key stats:

• Duration: 2.5 hours up, 1.5 hours down
• Distance: 5.6 km each way
• Difficulty: Very Challenging
• Elevation Gain: 511 m

The gravel access road starts behind the gondola buildings in the parking lot. It is free to hike but biking is not allowed. It is not open to the public, but you may encounter resort vehicles on the road, so be prepared to step to the side and let them pass.

The road climbs steadily and steeply in between the gondola and Sunshine Creek. The first 4 km are at a steady grade, but the last part isn’t as steep. The road is wide and dusty. As you get higher you’ll pass several ski runs and ski resort buildings.

Other Things to Do at Sunshine Meadows

I think the number one thing you should do at Sunshine Meadows is follow my recommended hiking route, above. And if you don’t do that, you should at least visit the Standish Viewing Deck via the Standish Chairlift to enjoy the views.

But if you’re looking to maximize your time at Sunshine Meadows, here are a few other activities I think are worthwhile.

Guided Hikes

If you want to learn more about the local flowers and mountain scenery, book a Hosted Trail Walk. There are one- and two-hour options. These are fairly short hikes so they are great for beginners or those with less stamina. These hikes are also a great way to work on your wildflower ID skills.

Both walks take in the scenery between the Standish Chairlift and the Standish Viewing Platform. The two-hour version also passes by Rock Isle Lake Viewpoint. Neither hike goes to Grizzly and Laryx Lakes.

Interpretive Centre

If you have time, I recommend visiting the Interpretive Centre both before and after your hike. It has displays about the local wildflowers, animals, and other parts of the ecosystem.

If you visit before your hike you can get an idea of which flowers are in bloom and tips for identifying them. And if you visit after, you can check to see if you identified the flowers correctly.

Restaurants and Cafes

You can bring your own food and drinks to Sunshine Meadows, but they also have several restaurants and cafes. On my visit, it was lovely to grab a coffee from the Java Lift cafe inside Sunshine Mountain Lodge and then enjoy it in the sunshine after our hike.

We ate lunch out on the trails, but I was a bit envious of people sitting on the patio outside the log-cabin-style Old Sunshine Lodge at Mad Trappers Grill. The menu includes pub staples like burgers, wings, and poutine.

There’s also a sit-down restaurant called The Chimney Corner in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge that mostly caters to overnight guests, as well as a coffee shop at the base station at the bottom of the gondola.

Stay Overnight

Did you know you can stay overnight at Sunshine Meadows? The Sunshine Mountain Lodge is right next to the gondola, so you can hike right from your hotel room. (Guests at the lodge get there via the gondola.)

Prices for winter ski season are insane (rightly so!) but summer rates are pretty reasonable considering you are staying at the only mountain-top hotel in Banff! All of the rooms have mountain views.

Final Thoughts

Most visitors to Banff stay down in the valley, looking up at the mountains. I think they are really missing out – you need to get up close to the alpine scenery to really appreciate it. If it’s in your budget, I really recommend hiking at Sunshine Meadows.

I’ve done all kinds of tough backcountry hikes around Banff, and the scenery at Sunshine is just as spectacular, except that I didn’t have to spend hours (or even days) hiking uphill through the forest to get there!

If you’ve got questions about planning a trip to Sunshine, hit me up in the comments. I’m happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• Egypt Lake in Banff Hiking and Backpacking Guide
• Mount Assiniboine Hiking Guide
• Things to Do in Yoho National Park
• Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit Hiking Guide

The post Hiking at Sunshine Meadows in Banff – Is it Worth It? appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Unlike the popular Overland Track, Walls of Jerusalem is a lot more wild with less facilities. However, it definitely isn’t short on beauty.

It’s located in Tasmania’s central highlands and boasts some spectacular views, rocky peaks, and kilometres of well-laid-out trail. I spent three days in the area, which was enough to see all the major sights, but I could have spent weeks more exploring off-trail.

If you’re looking to explore Tasmania’s wilderness on a multi-day bushwalk, a trip to the Walls of Jerusalem is a great option.

In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know to visit this gorgeous destination including:

• Walls of Jerusalem basics including best time to go, weather, and fees
• Maps of Walls of Jerusalem showing all the trails and campgrounds
• How to get to to the car park from Devonport, Launceston, and Hobart
• Walls of Jerusalem walk notes including track descriptions, distances, elevation gain, difficulty, and time for each section
• Info on camping including facilities
• Day walks in the park (the best way to get good views)

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.

Walls of Jerusalem National Park Basics

Overview: Walls of Jerusalem National Park is located in Tasmania’s central highlands near Cradle Mountain National Park. It’s a hike-in only wilderness park made of up rocky peaks and tiny crystal blue lakes.

While you can do a day walk into the area, most hikers opt to camp for a night or two. That way they will have enough time to tackle some of the nearby peaks. I made a short video that gives you a great overview.

What’s With the Name? The park takes its name from two prominent cliff bands that early Europeans thought looked like the walls of Jerusalem. In later years, subsequent bushwalkers including local legend Reg Hall gave other geographic features in the area Biblical names.

Distance: At least 20km return. More if you add on peaks.

Elevation Gain: At least 700m. More if you add on peaks.

Difficulty: If you stick to the main Walls of Jerusalem track, the hike is of moderate difficulty. If you venture off onto any of the other unmarked tracks or off-trail areas, the difficulty jumps up to challenging.

Time: 1-4 days

Best Time To Go: Tasmania’s highlands are usually snow-free between November and March. However, the best weather is in December, January, and February.

Weather: Walls of Jerusalem National Park is high up in Tasmania’s central highlands. It can be cold, wet, and windy up there at any time of year. We experienced 1C temperatures at night and 50km/h winds in early January! Check out my list of the best weather apps for hikers to get the best forecast.

Cost: You must have a Tasmania National Parks pass to enter the park, but there are no other fees. You can buy one online, at visitor centres, or at Service Tasmania. Daily passes are expensive – the best deal is the two month holiday pass.

Registration: You must register your walk on the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website.

What to Bring: Everything you need to be self-sufficient. Use my simple backpacking checklist to get your gear prepped for the hike.

Rules: This is a fuel stove only zone so campfires are prohibited. No dogs or drones.

Animals: Possums and other wildlife are bold in this park. Keep your food inside a sealed dry bag to minimize smells. We also hung our food between two trees on a thin cord to keep possums from getting at it.

Plants: The region is also home to some unique plants including a pencil pine forest near Dixon’s Kingdom. In late December and early January the scoparia bushes bloom. I was lucky enough to catch the tail end of the flowers. Keep an eye out for the remarkable cushion plants in the central walls and near Dixon’s Kingdom. These bright green oddities can grow up to 3m across and look like giant pin cushions. Be careful not to step on them though, as they are very fragile.

Further Resources: The best guide book to the area is Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, and Walls of Jerusalem National Parks by John Chapman, Monica Chapman, and John Siseman. You can find it at bookshops in Tasmania.

Walls of Jerusalem Maps

If you want a paper map, you can pick one up from Service Tasmania – look for TASMAP 1:25,000 Walls of Jerusalem National Park Map.

I used the Gaia GPS app on my hike. It was helpful to know where I was on the trail to figure out how much higher I had to climb and where the next campsite or landmark was. All Trails+ is also great.

I also made you a bunch of trail maps using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in and explore. You can also save it to your routes in Gaia GPS or export the gpx file.

Getting to Walls of Jerusalem National Park

There is no public transport to Walls of Jerusalem National Park so you will need to drive yourself or hire a shuttle.

Cradle Mountain Coaches offers shuttles from Hobart, Devonport, and Launceston. I used them to get to the Overland Track and they were easy to deal with.

On this trip, we drove ourselves to the Walls of Jerusalem trailhead. It’s a long drive, but it’s easy. It’s entirely on sealed (paved) roads except for the last few kilometres. However, even the gravel portions are fine for all cars.

There is no mobile phone reception on the last portion of the drive, so make sure you bring a map or a copy of the driving directions below so you don’t get lost.

Driving from Devonport

It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to the car park from Devonport.

Take Highway B19 north from Devonport. In Spreyton, turn right onto the B14 and follow it to Sheffield. From Sheffield, turn right onto the C136 to Gowrie Park. Continue on the C136 past Mount Roland, then turn left onto the C138. Turn right onto the C171, which becomes gravel part way along. 

Continue south to Lake Rowallan, then along the lakeshore to the bridge over the Fish River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and follow the road uphill for 1km to the car park. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Driving from Launceston

It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive from Launceston to the car park.

Follow Highway 1 west to Deloraine. From there continue on the B12 west through Mole Creek. Turn left onto the C138, then left again onto the C171, which turns to gravel part way along.

Continue south to Lake Rowallan, then along the lakeshore to the bridge over the Fish River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and follow the road uphill for 1km to the car park. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Driving from Hobart

Head north on Highway 1 to Deloraine. Then follow the directions from Launceston above. Here are Google Maps driving directions. It takes about 3 hours and 34 minutes to get to the car park from Hobart.

Walls of Jerusalem Walk Notes

Most people will walk into Walls of Jerusalem from the main car park and camp at either Wild Dog Creek or Dixon’s Kingdom on their first night. Below I’ve got kilometre-by-kilometre walk notes for that section of the park. Scroll down for info on the Walls of Jerusalem/Lake Adelaide Circuit as well as day walks from Dixon’s Kingdom.

Car Park to Trappers Hut

Distance: 2.5km

Elevation Gain: 380m

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

The first section of the track to Walls of Jerusalem is the hardest part of the hike. It gains 380m in just 2.5km. The steep hill, combined with a heavy backpack, can be quite a challenge. Thankfully, it’s over quickly. Pack lots of water as this section is usually dry.

There’s an info kiosk at the car park with a map. It also houses the walkers’ logbook. Make sure you sign-in at the start of your hike and sign-out at the end. There’s also a toilet here. It’s the last one until Wild Dog Creek, so be sure to use it. If you drove yourself to the trailhead, make sure to leave your national parks pass on the dashboard of your car.

The start of the walk to Walls of Jerusalem actually begins with a boot cleaning station. There are brushes to scrub your boots, plus a cool pump-operated disinfectant station. Tasmania’s wilderness is under threat from invasive diseases and plants, so cleaning your boots is super important.

After the boot cleaning station, the trail starts to climb uphill. In the first kilometre you’ll pass by an old info kiosk that used to hold the walkers’ logbook before the new car park kiosk was built.

You’ll also formally enter Walls of Jerusalem National Park. The park boundary is marked with a big blue sign. There are a few small streams in this section that may be running in spring and early summer but expect them to be fully dry by late summer.

The next 1.5km of the trail is fairly unremarkable. The path continues to climb through the forest, although there are a few flatter sections where you can catch your breath a bit. The final bit up to Trappers Hut is quite steep.

Pause for a snack at Trappers Hut. Be sure to go inside to read the info panels about this historic building. While it used to be a cozy home for fur trappers, the hut is now a historic structure so you aren’t allowed to sleep in it. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to either as it’s full of holes!

Trapper’s Hut to Wild Dog Creek

Distance: 4.5km

Elevation Gain: 110m

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Unfortunately, the climbing isn’t over after Trapper’s Hut. A few minutes past the hut, you’ll arrive at a junction. The track to the right leads to Lake Adelaide while the main Walls of Jerusalem path heads left. Turn left and continue uphill. About 1km and 100m of elevation gain after leaving the hut, the grade eases up.

From here, the track undulates up and down over a rocky plateau. The track underfoot is rarely smooth with lots of rocks and roots, so watch your step. You’ll pass lots of small tarns sprinkled throughout.

These are known as Solomon’s Jewels. About 2.5km from Trapper’s Hut the track dips down next to the largest lake. It’s a great spot for a break if you need one.

After leaving the lakeshore, the track continues along the plateau. Just past the 4km mark, you’ll catch sight of the Wild Dog Creek campsite across the valley and King David’s Peak up ahead. Descend a small hill into the flat-bottomed creek valley. The campsite is just uphill to the right of the track. The campsites are arranged along three side trails. The toilet is on the highest trail if you need to use it.

Wild Dog Creek to Dixon’s Kingdom

Distance: 4km

Elevation Gain: 140m

Time: 1.25 hours

Difficulty: Easy

From Wild Dog Creek, continue up the hill for another half kilometre and 50 m higher to a pass known as Herod’s Gate. This is where you will enter the Walls of Jerusalem proper and start to enjoy the most spectacular scenery in the park.

The sheer walls of King David’s Peak rise up to your right and the valley stretches out in front of you. The walk through the valley is mostly on smooth boardwalk that makes for fast and easy travel.

Past Herod’s Gate the track curves around the walls, passing above Lake Salome. Next, it traverses across the valley towards a stand of trees. Just past the trees, a boardwalk path goes left. It’s a short 100m walk to the Pool of Bethesda, a beautiful little tarn that makes a great snack spot.

Back on the main track, the boardwalk swings to the right and begins a gentle climb up to another pass. This one is called Damascus Gate. There are great views from here. At the top of the pass, you’ll reach a 4-way junction.

Your path to Dixon’s Kingdom goes straight. The track to the left leads to the summit of the Temple while the one to the right goes to Solomon’s Throne and King David Peak.

Descend from Damascus Gate on a boardwalk and stone path that is usually as smooth as a sidewalk. The route curls around the side of the Temple and descends 70m into the forest to reach the hut and camping area at Dixon’s Kingdom.

Walls of Jerusalem Circuit/Lake Adelaide Route

Distance: 11.2 km

Elevation Gain: 215 m

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

The route from the Walls of Jerusalem car park to Dixon’s Kingdom is definitely the most popular way to hike in Tasmania’s Walls of Jerusalem National Park. However, making a circuit via Lake Adelaide is also a good option.

This route used to be unmaintained and require some off-trail travel, but in 2022, Tasmania Parks and Wilderness improved it and installed a permanent campground at Lake Adelaide. I haven’t hiked this route since I visited before the upgrades.

To complete the loop, follow the usual route from the car park to Dixon’s Kingdom, described above. Then, head south to Lake Ball. Pass the historic Lake Ball hut on the shores of the lake, and continue west to Lake Adelaide and the nearby Lake Adelaide campground.

From there, the trail heads north through a grassy valley before rejoining the main trail just south of Trapper’s Hut.

Camping in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

There are three established camping areas in Walls of Jerusalem National Park with toilets: Wild Dog Creek, Dixon’s Kingdom, and Lake Adelaide. Wilderness camping outside of designated sites is now officially discouraged to protect the fragile environment.

Please remember to register with Parks and pay National Parks fees if you camp in the park.

Wild Dog Creek Camping Area

This campsite is located 7 km from the carpark on a hillside above Wild Dog Creek.

The Parks and Wildlife Service have done a lot of work to this site: there is a toilet and 19 raised tent platforms (some of which are large enough for two tents). There are more platforms on the third level of the site, but they are reserved for commercial guided groups.

There are water taps throughout the campground, piped in from Wild Dog Creek. The water is untreated, so filter or purify it before drinking.

Wild Dog Creek is a logical base camp for groups that find the ascent into the park exhausting. It’s an easy walk to Herod’s Gate, the core Walls area, and Damascus Gate. However, it’s a longer hike to Mount Jerusalem from here.

On my hike, we found Wild Dog Creek to be too short of a walk from the car park so we kept going to Dixon’s Kingdom.

Dixon’s Kingdom Camping Area

Dixon’s Kingdom is the name for a historic hut set in a grassy valley 10km from the car park. It used to be the summer home of the Dixon family in the 30s and 40s when they grazed cattle here. These days the hut is in pretty rough shape and should only be used in an emergency. Be sure to go inside the hut to check out the info board about the area’s history.

In the last few years Parks has created a new tenting area to the southwest of the hut. On my visit, we camped at the old camping area which was northeast of the hut, so that’s what’s in the photo below. But now you must camp at the new camping area.

the new camping area has room for 16 tents on raised platforms. It also has a toilet. There are two rain water tanks or you can get water from Dixon’s Creek. However, all water is untreated, so filter or purify it before use.

Lake Adelaide Camping Area

I haven’t visited this camp site, but I’ve heard that Tasmania Parks has recently turned what was an informal camping area into a designated campground.

It has a toilet but no raised tent platforms. Instead, there space on the grass to pitch your tent. There is a rain water tank as well, but of course filter or purify the water before drinking. This is a good campground to use if you are doing the Circuit, but it’s not convenient for any of the day walks.

Day Walks in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

While you can walk into the Walls of Jerusalem in one long day, most hikers plan to stay overnight to tackle one of the excellent day walks in the area. There are four peaks to climb. Here’s everything you need to know about each one.

Solomon’s Throne

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Gain: 120m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 40 minutes return

This short but spectacular hike gets you to some of the best views in Walls of Jerusalem. It’s a steep climb, but the Parks Service has done an amazing job of arranging the jumble of rocks into stairs that are straightforward to ascend.

From the saddle at Damascus Gate head southwest towards the steep rock face of Solomon’s Throne. The first few meters are on boardwalk before the track changes to stone stairs to ascend a scree slope.

The track turns left to traverse under the rock face before ascending a steep and rocky cleft on more stone stairs. You’ll pop out of the shaded gully onto the summit plateau which is startlingly flat after the steep ascend you just made.

Follow markers northwest for a few minutes to reach the summit at 1446m and its incredible viewpoint.

King Davids Peak

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 4km return

Elevation Gain: 160m

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Time: 2.5 hours return

King Davids Peak is the most prominent mountain in the core Walls of Jerusalem area. Its pointed peak is the first thing you see from Wild Dog Creek.

The sheer walls of this peak and the ridge it shares with Solomon’s Throne are the defining features of the area. So of course, lots of hikers want to climb it. I didn’t have time on my trip, but it looks worthwhile.

To hike to King David’s Peak, follow the directions to Solomon’s Throne, above. (There used to be other trails to reach the peak, but they have all been closed for ecological reasons.)

From Solomon’s Throne continue along the ridge crest. There’s no formally marked trail so you will need to find your own route through the boulders and scrub. However, other walks told us that there is a faint trail to follow most of the way to the summit.

The Temple

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Gain: 110m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 40 minutes return

From Damascus Gate, the Temple looks like an indistinct pile of rocks. Compared to the rock walls of Solomon’s Throne is pretty unimpressive. In fact, I was so unimpressed I almost didn’t climb it. But OMG I’m so glad I did.

It turns out that the whole point of climbing the Temple is the amazing view you get from the top. It’s by far the best place in Walls of Jerusalem to get a photo of the actual walls! You can see all the eastern wall from Solomon’s Throne all the way to King David’s Peak.

To get to the top, follow the track northeast from the saddle at Damascus Gate. At times it looks like a master stonemason has been at work here, painstakingly moving the rocks into place to create a beautiful staircase through the scree and rubble.

The track winds its way up to the summit. Along the way, you’ll crest a false summit. The photos of the central walls area are actually better from here. But continue onward for five more minutes to tag the peak, just to say you did.

Mount Jerusalem

Starts from: Dixon’s Kingdom

Distance: 5 km return

Elevation Gain: 200 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 1.5 hours return

The hike to Mount Jerusalem is longer and has more elevation gain than others in the park, but it’s actually quite easy thanks to the moderate grade of the climb. From the top you get a unique view to the southeast  of Tasmania’s Central Plateau spotted with what looks like a million tiny lakes. It’s a great contrast to the towering peaks of Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

From Dixon’s Kingdom, follow the track as it heads north and slightly uphill to a saddle called Jaffa Gate. From there, the track begins to climb up onto a ridge and passes several small tarns. After a short descent, the trail climbs a bit more steeply onto the shoulder of the peak.

Follow the track up the long summit ridge before finally reaching a cairn at the peak. Be sure to explore the summit area as there are great vantage points in all directions.

Final Thoughts

So there’s everything you need to plan your trip to Walls of Jerusalem, Tasmania. I really enjoyed my trip to this area. I had thought it would be a bit like the Cradle Mountain National Park since they are geographically close to each other.

But I was pleasantly surprised to find that Walls of Jerusalem has a beauty of its own thanks to the towering rock walls. And for me, the wilderness feel of the area was awesome compared to the slightly more luxurious experience you get with the huts on the Overland Track. Honestly, I’m glad I have now done both. Just don’t ask me to pick a favourite!!

Do you have questions about hiking in Walls of Jerusalem National Park? Ask me in the comments as I’m always happy to help.

MORE TASMANIA POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Maria Island, Tasmania
• 22 Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur
• How to Spend the Weekend in Hobart, Tasmania: 2-day Itinerary
• 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West
• The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia
• The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• The Best Things to do in Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast

The post Hiking in Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

What we do have, however, is a pretty unique fall sight: the Frosty Mountain larches in Manning Park. These rare coniferous trees look like a regular pine tree until fall. And then… BOOM! They turn a gorgeous gold colour. Want to find out how you can hike to them? Read on!

This guide to hiking to Frosty Mountain in larch season includes:

• What are larch trees?
• What time of year do the larches change colour?
• What to pack
• Hike overview with stats including info for getting to the larches and to the summit
• Driving directions
• Hiking directions

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

What are larch trees? Why are they special?

The golden larches that grow near Frosty Mountain in Manning Provincial Park are more formally known as alpine larches. (Or larix lyallii if you’re into fancy latin names.) They are a VERY unique tree. Alpine larches are coniferous trees, just like a pine tree or a Christmas tree.

But, they are NOT evergreen: they actually change colour and shed their needles each fall the way a maple tree does. (Well a maple tree does it with leaves, not needles. But you get the picture.)

Alpine larches are also pretty bad ass. They live at high elevations with rocky soil and cold temperatures. The ones on Frosty Mountain live at about 2000m above sea level. The larches can live incredibly long – over 1000 years – which is surprising since they aren’t particularly large trees.

Alpine larches grow mostly in the Rocky Mountains and in the eastern parts of BC and Washington since they need a dry and cold climate. But Manning Park has a teeny tiny pocket of prime larch habitat. It’s high enough, dry enough, cold enough and rocky enough to support larch trees. And it’s waaaay up on the side of Frosty Mountain, so you have to hike up there to see them.

What time of year can you visit the Frosty Mountain larches?

The hike to Mount Frosty and the larch plateau is snow free from about mid June until early October. However, the best time to go is late September or early October when the larches change colour. If you go too late, the larches will already have dropped their needles and they’ll be all naked and sad. If you go too early they will still be green.

The trail is busy on weekends in prime larch season. Try to plan your trip for a weekday if possible.

You do not need a day pass, but if you want to camp at the backcountry campground, you need a reservation to camp between late July and late October (dates vary each year). You can make a reservation on the BC Parks website up to three months before your trip. See my guide to making backcountry camping reservation for tips.

What to pack to hike to the larches?

If you visit in fall, be prepared with cold weather gear. (Read my tips about what to wear for hiking in the winter). It can below zero at the larch plateau and on the summit of Frosty Mountain, even if it is sunny and warm in the parking lot.

City forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic weather forecast for Frosty Mountain using a app like Spotwx or Mountain Forecast. (Both are on my list of the best weather apps for hikers.)

You can’t see it in any of my pictures, but it did snow slightly the day I took these, and the wind was bitterly cold. I was glad for my warm jacket, hat and gloves.

It’s pretty common for it to snow when the larches are changing. The trail can be slippery and icy so it’s a good idea to bring microspikes.

I like the Kahtoola Microspikes. They are pointy enough to grip most moderate ice and the rubber straps stretch to fit both my trail runners and my bigger backpacking boots.

(Curious about what microspikes are? My guide to microspikes vs. crampons explains it all.)

Frosty Mountain Larches Hike Overview

Distance: 18km round trip to the larch plateau, 22km round trip if you go all the way to the peak of Mount Frosty)

Elevation gain: 800m to the larch plateau, 1150m to the peak of Mount Frosty

Time Needed: 7 hours round trip to the larch plateau, 9 hours round trip to the peak of Mount Frosty (You can also make it into an overnight trip by camping at the Frosty Creek campsite. See the description below for more info.)

Dogs: Permitted but dogs must be on a leash. The last time I hiked this trail on a busy fall day we ran into 2 different people who had lost their dog!

Note: This trip is also possible as a loop that will add a bit more time and distance to your trip. The trip described here is an out and back to the summit of Frosty Mountain via the larch meadow. For more info on the loop option, see the hiking section of the E.C. Manning Provincial Park website.

Frosty Mountain Larches Driving Directions

From Vancouver take highway 1 and highway 3 to the Manning Park Lodge. Turn right off the highway onto Gibson Pass Road. Follow Gibson Pass Road for about 3km to a fork. Take the left (lower) fork. Arrive at the Lightning Lake day use parking lot a few hundred meters after the fork.

Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Frosty Mountain Larches Hiking Directions

Starting the Hike

From the Lighting Lakes Parking lot head to the left/east side of the lake. Walk across a bridge and across an earthen dam.

At the other side of the lake, take the trail going uphill, marked Frosty Mountain. The trail ascends the slope in a long series of switchbacks for about 5km. The climb is steady but never exceptionally steep.

After the first few kilometers you’ll start to get some small peek-a-boo views through the trees of Lightning Lake and the surrounding mountains.

After the switchback section the trail levels off for a few kilometers and rambles through the forest. At about the 7km mark you will reach the Frosty Creek campsite.

This campsite has an outhouse, nine tent sites and a bear cache to store your food. It also has a rough dirt-floored emergency shelter. There is a small creek at the campground, but it may be totally dried up in the fall. You must make a reservation to camp here between late July and late October each year.

To the Larch Plateau

After passing the campsite, the trail climbs steeply for another kilometer or so. It is around this point that you will begin to see the first larch trees.

You’ll know you’ve arrived at the larch plateau when you spot an interpretive plaque about the larch trees. (There will also be big larch trees everywhere!). The trail rambles through the larches along the flattish plateau for about a kilometer before starting to climb again. If you don’t plan to climb Frosty Mountain, turn around here.

To the Summit

The trail gets rockier and starts to climb above the treeline at about the 9.5km mark. You’ll have to follow a worn path up a scree slope to attain a ridge. The rocks here can be a bit loose and slippery so if you are afraid of heights, you may want to skip a trip to the summit.

Once you get to the top of the ridge, you’ll see the sign that marks the junction with a trail that descends to the east to the Pacific Crest Trail. Stay on the ridge and follow it south towards the summit of Frosty Mountain. You have only half a kilometer to walk but it is slow going: the ridge is narrow and the trail is rocky.

Once you reach the summit you will be at an elevation of 2408m! You are on the east summit of Frosty Mountain. The true summit of Frosty Mountain is just to the west of you and about 20m higher. Either way, you are on the highest peak in Manning Provincial Park. The mountains to the south of you are in the USA, just 1 kilometer away. Make sure you take a look back down to the larch plateau.

After you’ve enjoyed the views on Frosty’s rocky summit, retrace your steps to your car. Make sure to leave time for more photos at the larch plateau on the way down.

Final Thoughts

I first heard about Frosty Mountain larches years ago, but I didn’t really know what to expect until I visited them myself. I couldn’t believe these hardy little trees could grow in such an inhospitable environment. And that they could grow so old!

The golden colours of the larch needles against the blue sky are so stunning. It’s simply something you have to experience for yourself. Have you hiked to the Frosty Mountain larches or to golden larches in other areas? Tell me about it in the comments.

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The post Frosty Mountain Larches Fall Hiking Guide appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve hiked all over the province. While I haven’t been everywhere in Newfoundland (yet!), I have been to most places. And on my most recent two trips, I hiked every day, sometimes on two or three different trails a day! (Honesty check: I didn’t hike a few of the days I was attending a conference in St. John’s, but that was out of my control.)

Most of the hikes in this post are easy or moderate, but there are a few tough options, especially in Western Newfoundland. I’ve also got tips for hiking in Newfoundland at the end of the post. This list of the best hikes in Newfoundland includes:

• Quick picks: My top 5 best hikes in Newfoundland
• Newfoundland hiking map that shows the location of every trailhead
• Hikes on the Avalon Peninsula near St. John’s
• Hikes in Eastern Newfoundland near Bonavista and Trinity
• Hikes in Central Newfoundland in Terra Nova National Park and near Twillingate
• Hikes in Western Newfoundland in Gros Morne National Park and near Corner Brook
• Newfoundland hiking tips including fees, weather, gear, and more

Planning a trip to Newfoundland? I’ve got a big list of the best things to do Newfoundland plus lots of travel tips for the province.

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: Thanks so much to Go Western Newfoundland for hosting me during part of my trip to Newfoundland. All opinions in this post are my own. 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 Hikes in Newfoundland Quick Picks

Best Easy Hike: French Head, Twillingate

Best Moderate Hike: Green Gardens, Gros Morne National Park

Best Challenging Hike: Tablelands, Gros Morne National Park

Best Hike Close to St. John’s: North Head (Signal Hill)

Best Hike Close to Corner Brook: South Head Lighthouse

Newfoundland Hiking Map

Most of the hikes on this list are easy to follow. But sometimes the trailheads can be hard to find or there are lots of confusing unmarked trails that can lead you astray. As well, cell service can be spotty. I recommend using a hiking app like AllTrails+ to stay on track.

I also made a custom Google Map for you that shows you the locations of the trailheads for all of my picks for the best hikes in Newfoundland. But DON’T use Google Maps once you are on the trails. There is often no cell service and Google doesn’t show the trails correctly (or at all in some cases).

Best Hikes on the Avalon Peninsula

North Head Trail (Signal Hill), St. John’s

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

Distance: 3.5 km loop

Elevation Gain: 160 m

You can hike to the top of Signal Hill right from downtown St. John’s. It’s one of the best urban hikes I’ve ever done and is on my list of the best things to do in St. John’s. I actually started my hike right from the front door of my hotel – I dipped out for a sneaky hike between sessions at a conference!

The loop is 3.5 km long, but if you hike from downtown, that adds another 1 to 2 km. You can start the loop hike from Battery Road, from the Signal Hill Visitor Centre part way up, or from the top of the hill. I went counter-clockwise, but either direction is fine.

Since I started from downtown, I walked through the colourful cliffside houses in The Battery neighbourhood first. (It’s pronounced batt-ree in Newfinese, not batt-er-ee.) The trail begins at the end of North Battery Road and curls around North Head. There is one narrow section with a chain, but it’s not really needed.

From there, you’ll arrive at a set of Parks Canada red chairs, since this is a National Historic Site. Enjoy the view and take a rest before beginning the big climb up lots of stairs to the top of Signal Hill. The view of downtown St. John’s from the top is incredible.

There are a few ways to descend. I followed the Queen’s Battery Trail downhill, then took an informal trail towards Deadman’s Pond. I used an informal trail back down to Battery Road to close the loop.

If you’re walking back to downtown St. John’s, stop at The Battery Cafe on your way back. Their iced coffee really hit the spot at the end of my hike!

Bay Bulls Lighthouse/Spout Path, Bay Bulls

Difficulty: Moderate or Challenging

Time Needed: 3 or 8 to 10 hours

Distance: 7.2 or 22 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 320 or 1040 m

While I have hiked the West Coast Trail and North Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, I haven’t hiked Newfoundland’s iconic East Coast Trail yet. It follows the rugged Atlantic Coast for 270 km on the Avalon Peninsula. (The North Head Trail, above, is actually part of the ECT!)

If you’re looking to get a taste of the ECT on a day hike, try the Spout Path in Bay Bulls. My friend Gemma hiked this section as part of her multi-day trip along the East Coast Trail.

She hiked the Spouth Path from end to end (16.2 km total), but she says “most day hikers start at the Bay Bulls trailhead and turn around at the Spout (11km one way). It makes for a long but rewarding day for experienced hikers.” The Spout is the highlight of the trip. It’s an impressive wave and river-powered geyser.

If you don’t have time to go all the way to the Spout, Gemma recommends stopping at Bay Bulls Lighthouse about 3.6 km from the trailhead. “The exposed trail offers sweeping views of the ocean and intricate coves,” Gemma explains. She also says that people often see whales!

If you are in Bay Bulls, don’t miss taking a puffin and whale watch trip. I did this tour on my first trip to Newfoundland and it was so fun. You’ll cruise through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. For me, the highlight was spotting puffins and lots of other seabirds. But whales are also common, and sometimes you can see icebergs too!

Mistaken Point, Portugal Cove South

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 4 hours

Distance: 6 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 65 m

Mistaken Point UNESCO World Heritage Site is a special place. Located at the southern end of the Avalon Peninsula, it protects a huge collection of ancient marine fossils, preserved in the prehistoric ocean floor for over 565 million years.

Since the fossils are so important, the only way to see them is on a guided hike, which is fairly easy but lasts for four hours since you make so many stops to look at fossils. I haven’t made it out to Mistaken Point yet, but my friend Stephanie who runs The World as I See It just came back from a visit.

“I highly recommend booking the guided hike,” Stephanie says. “The knowledgeable guide shared interesting details about this unique environment as we hiked along the scenic coastline. At Mistaken Point we took our shoes off to walk out on the rocks that hold the fossils which made this hike a truly unique experience.” Sounds super cool! I can’t wait to see the fossils on my next trip to Newfoundland.

Chance Cove Coastal Trail, Chance Cove

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 1.5 to 2 hours

Distance: 4 km loop

Elevation Gain: 150 m

This gorgeous coastal trail is located on the edge of the Avalon Peninsula and has incredible views of some sea stacks and islets. It starts in the small community of Chance Cove and immediately heads up a big hill into the forest. The path can be muddy, so wear waterproof boots.

About 15 minutes from the start, the path heads back down to sea level to a viewpoint on the edge of Chance Cove Point. Next the trail forks. Take the left path which follows the coast out to a headland. There are several cliffside viewpoints along the way.

Once you round the headland, a stairway leads down to a small beach. Back on the main trail, you can follow two spur trails to more viewpoints atop Green Head. Just past the spur trails a steep trail with a rope leads down to another beach if you are up for a challenging scramble. After the rope, the trail goes inland and up and over a small hill to rejoin the main trail. Turn left and follow the trail back to the start.

Best Hikes in Eastern Newfoundland

Skerwink Trail, Port Rexton

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 1.5 to 2 hours

Distance: 5 km loop

Elevation Gain: 150 m

Several online sources call the Skerwink Trail the best hike in Newfoundland. The day I hiked it was foggy with sideways rain, so I can’t say I agree. But despite the weather, it was pretty spectacular. The trail starts in Port Rexton near Trinity and makes a loop around Skerwink Head.

In places, the trail sticks close to the cliff edge with lots of views of the coastline and Trinity Harbour. But in other places it heads inland through thick forest and bog, using boardwalks and stairs to carry you over the more challenging terrain. The two ends of the loop are on old gravel roads, which make for easier walking than the rest of the trail.

After your hike, get beers at Port Rexton Brewing. Or grab coffee and a sandwich at Two Whales Coffee Shop. I was happy for their delicious veggie soup to warm me up after our soggy Skerwink experience. If you want to support the organization that maintains the trail, you can buy Hike Discovery merch and trail maps online or at local shops.

The Chimney/Klondike Trail, Bonavista

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 45 min to 2 hours

Distance: 2 to 6.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: Up to 100 m

Maintained by Hike Discovery, this trail near Bonavista is actually an old horse and cart route between the communities of Spillar’s Cove and Elliston. You can walk the entire route through the forest and wetlands between the two towns. But if you’re short on time, I think the section from Spillar’s Cove to The Chimney is the best part. We hiked it on a foggy day and it was still gorgeous.

It’s an easy walk on an old gravel road out to the coast. From there, you’ll have a great view of The Chimney, an incredible sea stack off to the left. You can follow faint paths off to the left to get closer to the sea stack, but the view doesn’t get any better.

There is also a small islet in the centre of the cove with a puffin colony! The views of puffins aren’t quite as good as at the nearby Elliston Puffin Viewing site, but it’s still pretty awesome to watch them hopping and flapping about.

After your hike, head to Ragged Rocks Gastropub in Bonavista. I had the best seafood chowder of my life there. Such huge scallops! It’s on my list of the best things to do in Bonavista.

Best Hikes in Central Newfoundland

Coastal Trail, Terra Nova National Park

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 3 to 4 hours

Distance: 9.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 80 m

This trail leads along the shoreline of Newman Sound in Terra Nova National Park. There are trailheads at the visitor centre and at the day-use area in the Newman Sound Campground so you can start at either end. We were staying at the campground so we started from that end.

The trail parallels the coastline, periodically dipping down to small beaches or viewpoints between the trees. It’s a great place to watch for birds in the mud flats or eagles overhead. You might even see moose along the trail… although might only spot their tracks and poop. About halfway along a side trail leads to Pissamere Falls.

Don’t miss the displays at the Visitor Centre either before or after your hike. They have great displays about the flora and fauna of the park, including touch tanks where you can interact with marine life. But my favourite part was the huge bale of sticks that was a great visual representation of how many twigs moose eat every day – about 40 to 60 pounds worth!

Nanny’s Hole, Twillingate

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Time Needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

Distance: 2.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 100 m

This short trail starts at the Long Point Lighthouse near Twillingate. From the viewing platform near the parking lot, you can look down to a rugged and rocky peninsula sticking out into the ocean. If you look carefully, you’ll see tiny hikers walking along an undulating trail – that’s the Nanny’s Hole Trail.

To start the hike, follow the path downhill from the parking area. There are a couple great viewpoints from the top of the bluff, but soon you begin descending on sets of wooden stairs. At the bottom, follow the trail across the grassy meadow to the coast. Then, turn right and hike along the path out to Nanny’s Hole. The trail ends at a great viewpoint on the edge of the headland.

When you are done, retrace your steps back up the stairs to the parking lot. If you hike here, consider donating to the Rockcut Twillingate Trails, which maintains the paths in this area.

After our hike, we went for dinner at Annie’s in Twillingate. They have a great view of the harbour and lots of great seafood on the menu. Try the cod tongues as an appetizer. They are a bit chewy, kind of like calamari, but really tasty.

French Head (Rock Cut Trails), Twillingate

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 hour

Distance: 2.5 km loop

Elevation Gain: 100 m

In the last few years, the town of Twillingate has created an incredible trail system on the east side of Twillingate Island called the Rockcut Trails. Please donate to support their work if you are able. I only had time to hike a short part of the network so I chose the quick, but beautiful French Head section.

From the trailhead, you walk a short distance to French Beach, which is so beautiful. From there, the trail loops up and over several small hills out to the end of French Head and then back to the beach.

The views of the coastline are incredible: To the east, you can see Spillers Point with Fogo Island in the far distance. To the west, you can see Carter Head, Burnt Island, and Twillingate Lighthouse, which you can visit at the start of the Nanny’s Hole hike (above). We actually did both Nanny’s Hole and French Beach on the same day since they were both short and easy.

The Rockcut Trails actually include a few backcountry campgrounds, so that’s on my list for my next visit. But if you’re looking for drive-in camping, I recommend Dildo Run Provincial Park. It’s an easy 20-minute drive from Twillingate, has oceanfront campsites and showers… and a hilarious name.

Brimstone Head, Fogo Island

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Distance: 2 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 90 m

Fogo Island was one of my favourite places in Newfoundland. The stark landscapes were otherworldly. Thanks to investment from a local girl turned tech millionaire, Fogo Island has a unique social enterprise and arts community. For hikers, one of the benefits is the great hiking trails all over the island.

Brimstone Head provides the best effort-to-reward ratio of all of Fogo’s hikes. It’s a short but steep climb with the help of stairs to the top of Brimstone Head. There is a great view from the top of the town of Fogo.

Brimstone Head is also considered to be one of the four corners of the Earth by the Canadian Flat Earth Society, so don’t fall off since you’ll never be seen again! On the way down, be sure to take the detour onto the “scenic route” to loop around to a viewpoint overlooking Back Cove and the Brimstone Head RV Park. We spent the night in our tent here and were treated to an incredible sunset.

There are lots of other great short hikes on Fogo, and I honestly had trouble picking just one to include in this guide. I also recommend the Joe Batts Arm Trail and Shoal Bay Trails. They both have an artsy surprise!

Best Hikes in Western Newfoundland

Green Gardens, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 3.5 to 4.5 hours

Distance: 9 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 350 m

Green Gardens is one of the best hikes in Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland. It starts in the open barrens of the Tablelands before descending through the trees to the coastline. As the trail works its way downhill the vegetation changes and becomes more and more lush thanks to the fertile volcanic soil – a real contrast to the desolate rocks of the Tablelands.

The trail ends at a backcountry campground a bluff above Old Man’s Cove. The tops of the cliff have dense meadows of grasses and wildflowers. You can follow a rough staircase downhill to the beach. The normally frigid Atlantic is tempered by a warm current here, so you might even want to swim. (Sticking my feet in was enough for me.)

You can also continue down the beach to a waterfall tucked into a small canyon. Save your energy for the hike back to the trailhead – it’s all uphill.

After your hike, be sure to make the short drive to the village of Trout River to have a delicious cod dinner at the Seaside Restaurant, which has been in the same family since 1981. Time your visit for sunset – it’s spectacular.

Tablelands, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Easy or Challenging

Time Needed: 1 or 5 hours

Distance: 4 or 7.5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 90 to 530 m

The Tablelands are one of the most interesting parts of Gros Morne National Park. The barren moonscape rocks here is actually part of the Earth’s mantle – the middle layer of the planet below the crust.

There are two ways to do this hike. The first is the easy Tablelands Trail. It’s a gentle 4 km hike on an old road bed that skirts around the base of the mountain. It has great views of the Tablelands and ends at glacier-carved Winter House Brook Canyon.

The other option, (and the one that I did) is an off-trail hike to the top of the Tablelands. This hike follows the main trail for the first 0.7 km then veers uphill and off trail to a viewpoint overlooking Winter House Brook Canyon.

There is no trail or established route so you need to be comfortable with route finding, loose rock, and steep slopes. You can pick your own path, but the rough track on Gaia GPS or AllTrails+ is a good starting point. (You don’t have to do the full loop on there – just go to the top of the canyon, and head back down.)

I did this hike with guides from Wild Gros Morne and they were great at explaining the unique geology. They also pointed out some really cool plants, including carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews. Before the hike, they took us out on a Zodiac tour in Bonne Bay so we could see the Tablelands from the water. Oh, and the best part: the packed lunch included the most delicious lobster roll sandwich I’ve ever had!

Gros Morne Mountain, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Time Needed: 7 to 9 hours

Distance: 17 km loop

Elevation Gain: 868 m

When I hiked to the summit of Gros Morne Mountain on my first trip to Newfoundland I thought it was the tallest mountain in Newfoundland. But on a more recent trip, I learned that it is actually the second tallest mountain! Gros Morne tops out at 806 m, but The Cabox a few kilometres away is 812 m tall. I’ll have to do that one next time!

Despite being number two, Gros Morne Mountain is a great hike, albeit a long and challenging one. The first half of the trail is a steady climb through the forest to the base of the peak. From there, you head up a steep and rocky gully full of boulders to the summit. The summit has a strangely flat and rocky summit. But it has incredible views of 10 Mile Pond and the ocean. I actually spotted caribou from the top too!

To descend, you follow stairs down the backside of the mountain and then loop back around, passing the backcountry campsite at Ferry Gulch, which is the end of the Long Range Traverse.

There is a seasonal closure each May and June to protect wildlife and prevent erosion. As well, it’s not a great place for dogs due to the fragile ecosystem, the likelihood of stressing wildlife, and the rocky terrain that can cut dog’s paws.

Long Range Traverse, Gros Morne National Park

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Time Needed: 3 to 5 days

Distance: ~35 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1270 m

The first time I went to Newfoundland we planned our trip specifically to hike the Long Range Traverse. It’s a spectacular multi-day backpacking trip through the Long Range Mountains in Gros Morne National Park.

There is no official trail – instead, you have to use a map and compass or GPS to navigate. The route starts with the tourist boat across Western Brook Pond. From there, you bash your way through a thickly vegetated valley and up a steep glaciated headwall. The next few days see you finding your own route through bogs, around lakes, and across tundra. The traverse ends on the Gros Morne Mountain Trail, which makes a logical add-on to the trip.

My Long Range Traverse trip was spectacular. We had days of gorgeous sun and thick fog. We saw moose, caribou, and a bear. I stepped into a mud puddle that was up over my knees. And I came away with so many fond memories.

I didn’t have time to do the Long Traverse on my most recent trip to Newfoundland, but I know if I go back it will be at the top of my to-do list since it is the most epic backpacking trip in Newfoundland.

Bottle Cove/South Head Lighthouse Trail, Lark Harbour

Difficulty: Easy or Challenging

Time Needed: 30 minutes or 4 to 5 hours

Distance: 1 km or 8 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 30 m or 500m

The Bay of Islands region outside of Corner Brook was an area I hadn’t heard about until my most recent trip to Newfoundland. It’s a gorgeous area with little fishing towns in sheltered coves, windswept headlands, and big views. The trails starting at Bottle Cove were some of my favourites in Western Newfoundland.

From the trailhead, you can hike the short and easy trail to the lookout above Bottle Cove. It has a great view of the rocky headland and sea cave across the cove.

But I suggest continuing onward (and upward) on the steep South Head Lighthouse Trail. At the top, there are incredible views of the islands at the mouth of the Bay of Islands. You can also look down at the location of the former South Head Lighthouse, which must have been a very inhospitable place to live so exposed to the weather.

Keep in mind that this trail is in the Blow Me Down Mountains, and they live up to their name. I was nearly blown off my feet on the top!

Volunteers from Outer Bay of Islands Enhancement Committee have built and maintained several trails in the area including the Bottle Cove and South Head Lighthouse Trails. Please consider making a donation if you hike here.

Be sure to stop at the Saltbox Restaurant in Benoit’s Cove for great seafood on their waterfront patio. The restaurant is the home of Everoutdoor Adventures, a hiking and guiding company, as well as an interpretive centre for the Cabox Aspiring Geopark, a proposed UNESCO Geopark. They have lots of great maps and info boards about the local geology and history.

Man in the Mountain (Humber Valley Trail), Corner Brook

Difficulty: Challenging

Time Needed: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Distance: 5 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 360 m

If you’re driving Highway 1 just east of Corner Brook, look up and see if you can spot the face in the rocks, known as Man in the Mountain. If you’re a hardy hiker, you can also hike to the top of the man’s face for a great view of Corner Brook and the Humber Valley.

The Man in the Mountain viewpoint is actually part of the 14.5 km-long Humber Valley Trail, which itself is part of the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland and Labrador. So you can just do the short hike up to the Man in the Mountain viewpoint… or you can continue for days.

I did a short loop using the steep Bear Head Trail and part of the Humber Valley Trail to visit Arne’s Lookout with Glen from Everoutdoor Adventures. You can also continue to the top of Man in the Mountain (a face in the rocks you can see from the Highway below).

Newfoundland Hiking Tips

National Park Entry Fees

You need to pay park entry fees to hike in Terra Nova and Gros Morne National Parks. All other hikes in Newfoundland are free. Here’s the fee breakdown for the National Parks:

Terra Nova National Park: $6.50/adult/day

Gros Morne National Park: $11/adult day

Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $75.25/adult or $151.25 for a group of up to 7 people in the same car. Valid for one year. This is the best deal if you plan to spend more than a few days in the parks.

Weather in Newfoundland

Newfoundland has a temperate marine climate which means it is never too hot but is often wet and chilly. The best time of year to hike in Newfoundland is between mid-June and early October when the weather is warmest and there is less rain. The snow in the mountains will all be melted by then too.

I think the best time to hike is in the fall. I spent 10 days hiking in Gros Morne and Western Newfoundland in fall. I was treated to mostly sunny weather and gorgeous fall colours.

Wet weather is a reality in Newfoundland. Read my tips for hiking in the rain to get ready.

Watch the forecast carefully when you are in Newfoundland. Even if it is calling for rain, it often will only rain for a few hours out of the day, leaving the rest of the day open for dry hiking!

Cell Phone Service in Newfoundland

Cell phone service can be spotty or non-existent in parts of Newfoundland. You’ll probably have at least some signal near towns, but away from towns, you often won’t have any service. Look up all the info you will need for your hike while you still have service. I like the use the Gaia GPS app or AllTrails+ to download offline maps of the trails before I go.

Also, keep in mind that without cell service you won’t be able to call for help in an emergency. We brought our Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite messenger as a just-in-case backup.

What to Bring Hiking in Newfoundland

Just like on any hike anywhere in the world, you need to be prepared. Don’t forget the 10 Essentials, a list of key items you should bring on every hike.

You’ll also want moisture-wicking and quick-drying synthetic hiking clothes. Skip the cotton – it doesn’t dry and will make you cold and uncomfortable.

Bring a good rain jacket. On this trip, I wore my MEC Flashcloud, but it is discontinued. I also love my Mountain Hardwear Minimizer because it is super light and compact but still breathable. For a budget option, I recommend the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket.

Make sure that your jacket has a fresh waterproof treatment to stop it from wetting out. (Read my guide to why rain jackets wet out for more info.)

On most hikes in Newfoundland I usually also pack my rain pants, just in case. I’ve gotten caught out in unexpected rain a few times and was glad I had them. I use the basic MEC Hydrofoil Stretch pants and they’ve held up well, including on my incredibly wet Skerwink Trail hike.

You’ll also want waterproof footwear because even if it isn’t raining, a lot of the trails have lots of mud and deep puddles. I wore my Salomon XA Pro Goretex Trail runners and they were great – lightweight, lots of traction, and waterproof.

If your backpack came with a rain cover, that’s great. But if not, you can buy one separately. I like the MEC silicone rain cover since it packs down so small. Or use a dry bag to protect gear inside your pack. I use Sea to Summit Lightweight dry bags.

It can also be chilly in Newfoundland so a fleece or synthetic insulated jacket is a great idea. Skip down jackets since they don’t provide any warmth when wet. I brought my Arc’teryx Proton insulated jacket and Outdoor Research Trail Mix Fleece and wore them both a lot.

Leave No Trace

Learn the Leave No Trace principles before you hike in Newfoundland. This is a sensitive ecosystem with a short growing season. Pack out all your trash. Use toilets at trailheads or villages before you hike. If you have to go on the trail, dig a cat hole or bring a WAG bag to pack our your poop.

Guided Hikes

If you’d rather have a local show you around, there are lots of guided hiking tour operators in Newfoundland. Going with a guide can be a great way to learn more about the local plants, animals, geology, and history. Guides can often show you off-the-beaten path hikes you wouldn’t otherwise have heard about – that’s how I heard about the South Head Lighthouse Trail.

In Western Newfoundland, I recommend Gros Morne Adventures, Tour Gros Morne, Wild Gros Morne, and EverOutdoor Adventures. I did a hike with each of these companies thanks to Go Western Newfoundland.

In Eastern Newfoundland, I’ve heard good things about Great Canadian Trails guided trips on the East Coast Trail. You can find more regional tour operators through Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism.

Give Back to Trailhead Communities

Many hikes in Newfoundland are located in small towns and villages that depend on tourism for their livelihood and have spent lots of money and time on building trails to attract tourists. Often hikers visit a community, hike a free trail, and then leave.

Where possible, be sure to give back to trailhead communities by shopping at local stores, eating at local restaurants, and staying at local hotels or campgrounds. You can also make donations to local trail maintenance groups.

Indigenous Context

Newfoundland is the traditional territory of the Beothuk and Mi’kma’ki. It is important to be respectful of this land.

Final Thoughts

So that’s my big list of the best hikes in Newfoundland. I’m already dreaming of going back to Newfoundland someday to hike more! Do you have questions about Newfoundland? Ask me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• 20 Incredible Things to Do in Newfoundland
• Things to Do in Gros Morne National Park
• 18 Best Things to Do in St. John’s, Newfoundland
• 12 Things To Do in Trinity, Newfoundland
• 10 Things To Do in Bonavista, Newfoundland
• 10 Things To Do in Twillingate, Newfoundland
• Things to do on Fogo Island, Newfoundland
• Things to Do in Corner Brook, Newfoundland
• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• 40+ Tips for Hiking in the Rain
• Why Do Rain Jackets Wet Out?

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If you’re interested in hiking to Joffre Lakes I bet you’ve seen incredible photos of Gatorade-blue lakes on Instagram or Tiktok. And you’re probably wondering: Where is that? Is it a hard hike? Is it as busy as everyone says? Do you need a day pass? And when is Joffre Lakes closed?

I live just down the road in Squamish and I’m a hiking guidebook author so I’ve got all the locals’ insight on Joffre Lakes and can help you out with all your Joffre Lakes questions. This Joffre Lakes hiking guide includes:

• Why hike Joffre Lakes? Why is it so special?
• Joffre Lakes trail stats including distance, time needed, and best months to go
• Tips for hiking Joffre Lakes including what to bring
• How to get a day pass for Joffre Lakes (You can’t hike the trail without one.)
• When is Joffre Lakes closed? Details on annual closures
• A Joffre Lakes trail map with all the key locations marked
• How to get to Joffre Lakes by car or bus or tour and info on where to park
• Where to stay near Joffre Lakes – recommendations for hotels in Whistler and Pemberton
• Step-by-step Joffre Lakes hiking directions with info on the best places to get views
• How to go backcountry camping at Joffre Lakes including how to get reservations
• Info for winter hiking and snowshoeing at Joffre Lakes including avalanche safety info
• Info for swimming and paddling at Joffre Lakes – it’s allowed but be careful
• The Indigenous context for Joffre Lakes so you can be respectful of Lil’wat and N’Quatqua land
• A Joffre Lakes FAQ that answers all your questions

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

Why Hike Joffre Lakes

Joffre Lake is one of the most popular hikes in BC. In fact, it is currently number one on my list of the most Instagrammed hikes near Vancouver.

But why is it so popular? There are three main factors:

First, it’s undeniably gorgeous – it’s on my lists of the best hikes in Whistler and best backpacking trips in BC. The hike leads past three bright turquoise glacial lakes with views of snow-capped mountains. Unlike many other hikes where you spend a long time in the forest to get to one good view at the end, on the Joffre Lakes hike you get views almost the whole time.

Second, the hike isn’t that difficult. Anyone with a moderate fitness level can do it and the trail is easy to follow. It’s on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC for that reason. On my most recent trip, I saw toddlers, seniors and everybody in between on the trail. Some were fast, some were slow, but almost everyone was able to complete the hike.

Third, the trail is an easy three-hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia’s largest city. It’s easy to get there by car or bus. (More details in the Getting There section below.)

Joffre Lakes Trail Stats

Distance: 9.5 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 360 m cumulative elevation gain

Duration: 3.5-4.5 hours (but allow more time for breaks and photos)

Difficulty: Moderate

Best Time to Go: June to October

Toilets: At the trailhead, Middle Joffre Lake Viewpoint, Upper Joffre Lake Viewpoint, and the Upper Joffre Lake Campground

Dogs: Not allowed.

Distance from Vancouver: About 3 hours

Permits: Day-passes are required from mid-May to late October each year. See the day pass section below for more details.

Closures: The trail has several closures during the summer and fall months for Indigenous use. See the closures section below for more info.

Tips for Hiking Joffre Lakes

• Get a day pass and check for closures. Joffre Lakes is a popular place so at some times of year day passes are required. And the park also has scheduled closures for Indigenous use. See the day pass and closure sections below for more info.
• Check the weather before you go. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Joffre Lakes like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)
• Check trail conditions online using AllTrails or Instagram. This is especially important in the spring or fall when the trail can be icy or snowy.
• Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder and rainier in the mountains than in the city.
• Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots. The trail is steep, rocky, and loose in places. Regular running shoes don’t have enough grip or ankle support. (I wear Salomon XA Pro 3D trail runners.)
• Bring water and snacks. There is nowhere to fill up your water bottle. It is not safe to drink the water from the lakes without boiling, filtering, or treating it as you never know if people or animals have pooped or died upstream. (Gross!)
• Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.
• Bring a camera – it’s gorgeous and you will want tons of pics! But leave the drone at home. Drones aren’t allowed in BC Parks without a commercial filming permit.
• Pack out all your garbage. There are garbage cans in the parking lot, but if they are full, take your garbage home with you. Leaving it in the park attracts animals.

Joffre Lakes Day Passes

Since Joffre Lakes is so popular, you need to get a free day pass to visit in spring, summer, and fall. In 2025 you need a day pass from May 17 to October 26.

Each person needs their own pass. Passes are available on the BC parks website starting at 7 am two days before your trip. Act fast: passes run out fast on summer weekends.

Print out your day pass or save it as a screenshot on your phone. There is no cell service at the trailhead so you won’t be able to pull it up from your email. Parks staff will check for passes at the trailhead. If you don’t have a pass, you won’t be allowed to hike.

Read my guide to BC Parks day passes for more info including tips for getting a pass.

When is Joffre Lakes Closed?

Joffre Lakes is jointly managed by BC Parks and the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua Nations. These Indigenous Nations have lived in this area since time immemorial. Joffre Lakes is a sacred place for their community and is used for harvesting and ceremonies.

There are several park closures each year to allow Indigenous people exclusive access to the park.

In 2025, Joffre Lakes is closed to support Indigenous cultural practices during the following periods: (Note these dates are subject to change – I’ll keep this post up to date as best I can.)

• April 25 to May 16
• June 13 to 27
• September 2 to October 3

Joffre Lakes Trail Map

I made a map of the Joffre Lakes Trail for you using Gaia GPS, my favourite GPS and mapping app. It also includes an elevation profile. Click through to zoom in.

How to Get to Joffre Lakes

The Joffre Lakes hike is about 3 hours from Vancouver. You can get there by car or bus. In this section, I’ve got everything you need to know for driving, parking, and taking the bus to Joffre Lakes.

Driving Directions to Joffre Lakes

From Vancouver, head over the Lions Gate Bridge, then go west on Highway 1. Follow the signs to switch to Highway 99 North just before Horseshoe Bay. Stay on Highway 99 North through Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.

Reach a T-junction in Mount Currie and turn right to stay on Highway 99. After you cross the bridge over the Lillooet River just outside Mount Currie, the road starts to climb steeply on curving switchbacks.

About 10 minutes after the switchbacks end, look for signs for Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. The main parking lot is on the right side. The overflow parking lot is on the left side just before the main lot. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.

Joffre Lakes Parking

There are two parking lots for Joffre Lakes. The main parking lot is at the trailhead. There is also an overflow parking lot on the left side of the highway just before the main parking lot. The overflow parking lot is larger and is a better option if you are driving an RV.

A gravel trail on the side of the highway connects the overflow parking lot to the main parking lot. Don’t walk on the highway and please use the crosswalk to stay safe.

Both parking lots are gravel and don’t have painted lines, so park close to the car next to you so there will be room for everyone. There used to be issues with full parking lots leading people to park illegally on the highway, which was really dangerous. Now that day passes are required, there is enough parking for everyone.

Caution: Since the parking lot is right next to the highway, sometimes people parking overnight return to find that their car has been broken into. If you are parking overnight, do not leave anything in your car.

Joffre Lakes Parking Passes

You do not need a parking pass for Joffre Lakes. While other BC Parks require parking passes, at Joffre Lakes, you just need a day pass for each person in your group – you don’t need a parking pass.

Buses to Joffre Lakes

2025 Update: In previous years, you could get to Joffre Lakes using the Parkbus. It was the only bus going to Joffre lakes from 2021 to 2023. However, Parkbus did not run in 2024 and it looks like they will not run in 2025.

In previous years, Parkbus ran dozens of scheduled departure dates from Vancouver in the summer and fall. Most dates were on weekends, but there are were weekday trips too. As a bonus, you didn’t need to get a day pass if you go with Parkbus.

You might find old info online about a different bus to Joffre Lakes that let you park at Cayoosh Lot and then take a shuttle to the trailhead. That info is not up to date or correct. That bus service has not operated since 2019 and there do not seem to be any plans to bring it back.

Tours to Joffre Lakes

You can also visit Joffre Lakes on a guided hiking tour. Your guide will provide transportation and can help you learn about the fascinating glaciers you will see on your hike. They can also point out plants and animals you might otherwise miss.

• This Joffre Lake guided hike is led by a professional photographer and includes pro photos of your trip.
• This Joffre Lakes guided day trip includes transportation from Vancouver or Squamish as well as lunch and snacks.

Getting to Joffre Lakes Without a Car

If you don’t own a car, you can still get to Joffre Lakes. Taking a tour is the easiest way since you don’t have to worry about driving. You can also rent a car. I use Discover Cars because it lets me compare car rentals across different companies to get the best rate.

If you belong to a car-sharing service like Evo or Modo, you can drive one to Joffre Lakes. Keep in mind that you will need to pay the date rate which can work out to more than a rental car.

You can also use a ride-sharing service like Poparide to try to find people who are driving to Joffre Lakes and want to make a few extra dollars by taking passengers. Or post on local Facebook hiking groups or with hiking clubs to find people to carpool with.

Where to Stay Near Joffre Lakes

While you can drive to and from Vancouver and Joffre Lakes in one day, it is 3 hours each way, which means 6 hours in the car. I recommend staying nearby so you don’t have such a long drive.

Joffre Lakes makes a great day trip from Whistler since it is 1 hour from Whistler. (Joffre Lakes is also on my list of the best things to do in Whistler in summer). The cute town of Pemberton also makes a great place to stay near Joffre Lakes.

Here are a few hotels I recommend:

• Pemberton Valley Lodge: An all-suite hotel near downtown Pemberton and just 30 minutes from Joffre Lakes. Check prices.
• Summit Lodge: A boutique hotel in Whistler Village with slightly eclectic decor. (This is my favourite place to stay in Whistler.) Check prices.
• Glacier’s Reach: Condos in Whistler Village with full kitchens. The best part? Private hot tubs! Check prices.
• The Westin Resort & Spa: Luxury hotel in Whistler with luxe rooms and a cool pool that is part indoors, part outdoors. Check prices.

Joffre Lakes Hiking Directions

Trip Planner

0 km Trailhead, Day Pass Check-in, and Toilets

0.2 km Lower Joffre Lake Viewpoint (5 min from trailhead)

2.8 km Middle Joffre Lake Viewpoint and Toilet (1-1.5 hours from trailhead)

3 km Floating Log (1-1.5 hours from trailhead)

3.3 km Holloway Falls Viewpoint (1.25-2 hours from trailhead)

3.8 km Upper Joffre Lake Viewpoint and Toilet (1.5-2.5 hours from trailhead)

4.8 km Upper Joffre Lake Campground and Toilet (2-3 hours from trailhead)

Starting the Joffre Lakes Hike

The hike to Joffre Lakes starts at the far end of the main parking lot. There is an info kiosk with informative signs about plants, animals and Indigenous culture. You will also find four pit toilets here.

If you visit between May and October, there will also be a temporary building that houses the BC Parks staff members who check day passes. For more info about day passes including why they are required, read my guide to BC Parks day passes and the day pass section above.

Lower Joffre Lake Viewpoint

After you have had your day pass checked you can start the trail. The path heads very slightly downhill to an intersection. For now, go straight for one minute to the Lower Joffre Lake viewpoint.

The viewpoint has a bench and is a great place for photos. You can see the glacier-topped peaks far above you up the valley. The shallow water is very clear so you can easily see the bottom. If you are short on time or stamina, the Lower Joffre Lake viewpoint may be as far as you get.

If you want to continue on the trail, retrace your steps to the junction and turn left. The trail is fairly flat for a few minutes as it parallels the lakeshore. The lake is out of sight behind some bushes.

After you cross a wooden bridge over the lake outlet stream, the trail begins to head uphill a little bit. You can catch glimpses of the lake through the forest to your left.

About 30 minutes from the start the trail emerges from the forest in a more open area with lots of low bushes. This area is a rock slide. Until 2013 you had to clamber from boulder to boulder, avoiding the huge drops in between.

But huge loads of gravel have been dumped in between the rocks to create a smooth path that’s easy to hike. These days the only hazard is sun exposure.

After the boulder field, the trail heads back into the forest and the steepest part of the trail begins. Many people find this part very tiring.

Take your time as you follow the steep trail up many wood and rock stairs and a few eroded sections. If you need to take breaks, move off to the side so other hikes can get by. In a few places, you can look back down to Lower Joffre Lake and across the valley to Cayoosh Mountain.

Middle Joffre Lake Viewpoint and the Floating Log

About 1-1.5 hours from the trailhead you will get your first view of the turquoise waters of Middle Joffre Lake. Continue down the trail for another minute to the main viewpoint. This is a great spot for a snack and some photos.

After you have enjoyed the viewpoint, continue along the trail to cross a bridge. On the other side, you will find a trail to the left that leads to a toilet. The trail to the right leads to some benches in the shade and the lakeshore with a slightly different viewpoint.

Keep hiking for another minute to reach the famous floating log. Unless you arrive early in the day, there will likely be a line-up of people waiting for photos of themselves standing on it.

The log is quite stable and easy to walk on as you long as stay close to shore. The farther out you go, the more bouncy and slippery it gets. Be careful because the water is frigid and falling in can cause hypothermia.

Holloway Falls

Follow the trail around the lake and into the forest again. The path climbs a small hill. About 5 minutes later, take a spur trail to the right for a great view of Holloway Falls. This waterfall wasn’t on the original Joffre Lakes trail – it was rerouted in 2013 to include this great viewpoint. (Psst: Holloway Falls is on my list of the best waterfalls near Vancouver.)

Upper Joffre Lakes Viewpoint

From the waterfall, climb a short set of wooden stairs on the main trail and continue up the hill. The terrain starts to flatten out as you cross a bridge and some boardwalks.

You will start to get views of Upper Joffre Lake through the trees. Stay on the main trail since the lakeshore is marshy here and going off-trail can cause ecological damage. In any case, there are better views up ahead.

About 10 minutes after the waterfall, reach a junction. The main trail goes straight but you should go left to the Upper Joffre Lake Viewpoint. The viewpoint is on a short trail that loops back to the main trail. The viewpoint trail scrambles over rocks in a few places, but it is fairly easy to follow along the lakeshore.

This is the best view of Upper Joffre Lake and the mountains behind it, so plan to take a break here. As you look across the lake the main peak you see is Slalok Mountain with the Stonecrop and Matier Glaciers hanging from its flanks. Joffre Peak is on the left. At one time, the huge glaciers extended all the way down the valley to the present-day highway. Today’s lakes fill bowls in the rocks that the grinding ice of the glaciers carved out.

For some people, the Upper Joffre Lake viewpoint is as far as they want to go. After enjoying the view follow the viewpoint trail around to a second junction with the main trail in a rocky area. Turn left if you want to continue onwards. Turning right will take you past a spur trail to an outhouse and then back down to the trailhead.

Joffre Lakes Campground

If you are continuing to the campground, follow the trail beside the lake. It is much rougher than it was lower down with lots of small ups and downs and scrambling over rocks and roots. A bridge about 2/3 of the way along is the only smooth footing.

About 20-30 minutes after leaving the viewpoint, scramble down a short ladder, and then pass an outhouse up some stairs. A spur trail to the left leads to a helicopter pad. Rock hop across a small creek to arrive at the Upper Joffre Lake campground. The campground is spread out in this area. Find more details in the camping section below.

This is the end of the official Joffre Lakes trail. Head down to the lakeshore to take a break and enjoy the view. You can look back across the lake to Cayoosh Mountain on the other side of the highway. When you are ready, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

Take care on the steep sections on the way down. Some of the dirt and gravel is loose so it can be easy to slip.

Continuing Beyond the Campground

There are no official trails beyond the Joffre Lakes campground. On some maps or apps, you may see trails continuing past the campground. These are unmarked, unmaintained, and unofficial mountaineering routes.

It can be tempting to want to scramble up towards the glaciers and you’ve probably seen photos on social media of people doing it. However, if you spend any time hanging out at Joffre Lakes you will probably see and hear rocks and chunks of ice falling off the glacier.

The routes up to the glacier are all in the path of falling rock and ice. Some of the falling chunks can be car or bus sized. Please don’t scramble up to the glacier without mountaineering training. You could be injured or killed.

There is a faint path through the rocks and bushes to a small waterfall cascading over a rock outcrop and then down into the back of the lake. The route to the waterfall does occasionally get hit by falling rock and ice, but it is a much safer option if you really want to explore beyond the campground.

You may also see a path on some maps leading to Tszil Mountain. This is an unmarked scramblers route that involves off-trail navigation through boulder fields and snowfields. Do not attempt it without off-trail navigation and scrambling experience.

Backcountry Camping at Joffre Lakes

The backcountry campground at Joffre Lakes is a popular destination so it requires reservations. You can book online up to 3 months before your trip. See my guide to making backcountry reservations in BC for tips on getting a spot. Camping costs $25 per person per night plus a $6 reservation fee for each tent. Note: You don’t need a day pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation.

The campground has 26 gravel campsites spread out along the lakeshore and hillside. There is a large metal food locker in the center of the campground. The toilet is 100 m away back down the main trail. Collect drinking water from the stream between the outhouse and the campground but be sure to filter or treat it.

Camping is not allowed between mid-November and mid-June since the campground is in an avalanche path. As well, campfires are never allowed to protect the fragile environment.

You can find more info about backpacking to Joffre Lakes in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

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Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

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• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
• Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
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Hiking and Snowshoeing Joffre Lakes in Winter

With easy access to a plowed highway, Joffre Lakes makes a good winter hiking and snowshoeing destination. I’ve got all the details in my guide to snowshoeing near Whistler.

However, it is a much more challenging and potentially dangerous trip in winter. The trail is not marked in winter so you will need to be comfortable with navigation. I use the Gaia GPS app.

The trail will also be very snowy and icy. Depending on trail conditions, you will need snowshoes or microspikes. I recommend microspikes in April, May, late October, and November and both snowshoes and microspikes between January and March. (Read my guide for tips on how to choose snowshoes and my guide to the differences between snowshoes and microspikes).

As well, the trail is in serious avalanche terrain so you will need avalanche training and rescue gear. Check the avalanche forecast before your trip.

However, I don’t recommend you visit Joffre Lakes in winter for one big reason: You won’t be able to see the gorgeous blue lakes because they will be covered in snow and ice. You will just see snowy mountains, which you can see lots of other places in BC.

Paddling and Swimming and Joffre Lakes

You are allowed to swim in all three Joffre Lakes but it is not a great idea. The BC Parks website says: “The glacier-fed lakes are very cold and are not recommended for swimming.”

They are right – the water is just above freezing. It is easy to get hypothermia and you are a long way from help. Bring some warm clothes to put on afterward. The best places to swim are at the viewpoints at each lake as well as at the campground.

BC Parks does not have any rules about paddling SUPs, floaties, or inflatable boats at Joffre Lakes. So yes it is allowed to paddle at Joffre Lakes. However, I honestly don’t think it’s a good idea.

The same caution about the frigid water temperature applies. You should bring a wetsuit or drysuit and wear a PFD for safety. If you capsize, the water is cold enough to incapacitate you quickly and could lead to drowning. You are a long way from help.

Indigenous Context

Indigenous people have lived and travelled in the area around Joffre Lakes since time immemorial. Joffre Lakes is in the traditional and unceded shared territories of the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua people.

In 2021 the Joffre Lakes Provincial Park Visitor Use Management Strategy was released. It is a joint project between BC Parks, several arms of the BC government, the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua.

Historically, the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua used the park for hunting, gathering, and spiritual ceremonies. They refer to the entire Duffey Lake corridor as a “banquet place” where they can harvest minerals, plants, berries, and animals such as mountain goats, deer, and fish. The Joffre watershed was also an important place for vision quests.

The Lil’wat and N’Quatqua call the area Pipi7íyekw and the park has been renamed Pipi7íyekw/Joffre lake Park. (Pipi7íyekw is pronouced “pee-PEE-yow”.)

The influx of hikers as well as the designation of the area as a provincial park have negatively impacted the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua people since they are unable to continue to harvest and conduct spiritual practices they way they could before settlers arrived.

The Visitor Use Management Plan seeks to protect important Indigenous cultural resources and sites. It also strives to celebrate Indigenous culture and allow Indigenous people access to the park for cultural practices.

Starting in 2024, there are three closure periods each year where there is no public access to Joffre Lakes Park. These closures allow the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua to conduct cultural celebrations and engage in harvesting.

When you visit Joffre Lakes, be respectful. Remember that you are a visitor on Lil’wat and N’Quatqua land. Stop to read the info boards at the trailhead to learn more about the Indigenous context of the area.

I also recommend visiting the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. It’s a beautiful museum and the guides do a great job of explaining their culture both historically and today. (It’s also one of my top picks for things to do in Whistler.

Joffre Lakes FAQ

Final Thoughts

That’s everything you need to know about the Joffre Lake hike. Did I miss something? Do you have more questions about the Joffre Lakes trail? Ask them in the comments – I’m happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• The Best Hikes in Whistler
• Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer (By a Local)
• 80+ Things to Do in Whistler (By a Local)
• 31 Best Backpacking Trips in BC

The post Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I recently spent a week in Moab and did a ton of hiking. As a long-time hiker and guidebook author, I’m used to tackling long and difficult hikes. But on this trip I was recovering from an injury so I focused on short and easy trails that would be kind to my body.

I was worried that the easier hikes wouldn’t be as good… but I was so wrong! We saw incredible scenery every day from arches to canyons to rock formations. We also visited must-sees like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.

Now that I’m back from my trip, I’ve put together my list of the 15 best easy hikes in Moab for you. While all of these hikes are on the easier side, some of them are harder than others. I’ve rated them either “super-easy“, “easy” or “moderate” so you know what to expect.

Most of the hikes take less than 1 hour, but a few take up to 3 hours. In general, these trails aren’t too steep – most climb less than 100 feet. But a few have more hills. Some also contain slickrock sections, stairs, ladders, and ledges that some people will find challenging.

This guide to short hikes in Moab includes:

• Quick picks – my top 4 easy Moab hikes
• Moab hiking map that shows the location of every trailhead
• Hikes in Arches National Park
• Hikes in Canyonlands National Park
• More hikes near Moab
• Moab hiking tips including fees, reservations, weather, dogs, and more

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

Easy Hikes in Moab Quick Picks

Best Easy Hike to an Arch: Double Arch

Best Easy Hike to a Canyon Viewpoint: Grand View Point

Best Super-Short Easy Hike: Balanced Rock

Best Longer Easy Hike: Corona Arch

Moab Hiking Maps

All of the hikes on this list are easy to follow with lots of signs and trail markers. But using a hiking app like Gaia GPS or AllTrails+ can help if you’re worried about getting off track.

If you want a paper map, we bought the Classic Moab Trails Recreation Topo Map which shows tons of hiking, biking, and OHV trails.

I also made a custom Google Map for you that shows the locations for the start of all the easy hikes in Moab. But don’t use Google Maps once you are on the trails – in some places, there is no cell service and Google doesn’t have all the trail details anyway.

Easy Hikes in Arches National Park

One of the main places to hike near Moab is Arches National Park. You’ll find lots of easy hikes there.

• Entry Fees: Entry to the park costs $30 per vehicle and is good for one week. Annual passes are also available.
• Reservations: Between April 1 and October 31 visitors entering the park between 7 am and 4 pm need to make a reservation for a timed entry ticket. (You don’t need a reservation at other times.)

Park Avenue Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 hour

Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 322 feet

This trail starts at the paved Park Avenue viewpoint platform. From there, it goes down a set of stairs and follows a wide canyon between tall rock towers… kind of like walking down Park Avenue in New York!

The trail heads downhill to the Courthouse Towers viewpoint, which means the way back is entirely uphill so save your energy for that.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Park Avenue trailhead.

Balanced Rock

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 15 minutes

Distance: 0.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 35 ft

Balanced Rock seems to defy gravity. When you see it from the road it looks precarious, but it isn’t until you walk the short loop trail around the base that you really understand how crazy it is that it’s still standing. The hike is short and easy, but worthwhile.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Balanced Rock trailhead.

Windows Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 minutes

Distance: 1 mile loop

Elevation Gain: 99 ft

This short and easy trail has a great payoff – these are some of the most spectacular arches in the park. It’s a loop hike that starts and ends with a few stairs. I recommend going counterclockwise. On this route, you will start at Turret Arch. Next, you will visit South Window and North Window.

Since this hike is so short, you can do Double Arch at the same time – it starts from the other side of the parking lot.

Pro tip: This is a great place for a sunset hike since the North Window frames the setting sun.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Windows trailhead.

Double Arch

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 20 minutes

Distance: 0.6 mi round-trip

Elevation Gain: 30 ft

Double Arch was one of my favourite arches – it’s two arches stretching across the same alcove. It’s also the tallest arch in the park at 112 ft. The hike to Double Arch is one of the easiest trails in Moab.

You can see the arch from the parking lot, but you will still want to follow the path downhill to get closer. There is a great view from the base but you can also scramble up into the arch.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Double Arch trailhead.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 to 45 minutes

Distance: 0.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 171 feet

This trail is the easiest way to see the famous Delicate Arch. But to be clear, this trail does not take you TO Delicate Arch (info on that trail is below). Instead, this trail takes you to two different viewpoints where you can see Delicate Arch.

The first viewpoint is only 100 feet from the parking lot and is wheelchair accessible. It’s worth continuing up a hill to the Upper Viewpoint where you can look across a deep canyon to Delicate Arch a mile away.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint trailhead. Note that this is a different parking lot than the Delicate Arch parking lot.

Delicate Arch

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours

Distance: 3 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 538 feet

Fair warning: This trail isn’t easy – it’s the hardest trail on my list. However, since it is the most popular trail in Arches National Park and most hikers (even beginners) are determined to visit it, I included it on my list.

If you bring lots of water, avoid hot weather, and go slow, this hike is doable for most people with reasonable fitness. There are lots of unprepared hikers on this trail and unfortunately, lots of rescues (especially when it’s hot out). If you aren’t sure about your ability to complete this trail, go to Delicate Arch Viewpoint instead.

The first few minutes of the trail are flat (don’t miss the detour to the petroglyph panel here), but the rest is a fairly relentless climb up a steep rock. At the end, you’ll have to walk along a wide ledge with a sharp drop-off. People who have a fear of heights may not like this trail.

You won’t get to see Delicate Arch until the very end, which is frustrating as you climb, but it makes it even more special when you finally arrive.

Pro tip: This is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset. It’s a great place to watch the sunrise. You won’t see the sunset, but it does light up the rock – the arch turns red!

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Delicate Arch trailhead.

Sand Dune Arch

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 15 minutes

Distance: 0.4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 0 feet

Sand Dune Arch is a short and easy walk from the parking lot. Although the hike is short, there are patches of deep sand, so it takes a little longer than you might think. You won’t see the arch until you get there since it is tucked away in steep rock fins.

Since this hike is so short, it’s worth combining it with the hike to Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch (below). They share a parking lot.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Sand Dune Arch trailhead.

Broken and Tapestry Arches

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes

Distance: 1.2 to 2.4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 59 to 150 feet

Broken Arch isn’t actually broken – but it does have a big crack in it that shows where it will break eventually! The trail to Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch starts at the same parking lot as Sand Dune Arch. You have a few route options. The shortest choice is to hike out and back to Broken Arch.

If you want to extend your hike, you can hike the Broken Arch Loop past Broken Arch. It includes a side trip to Tapestry Arch (one of my favourite secluded arches). Watch for markers carefully on the Tapestry Arch trail as it is less travelled.

If you are camping in Arches National Park, this is a great trail to do right from your campsite since the Broken Arch Loop goes through the campground. We did it after dinner and had it almost to ourselves.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Broken Arch trailhead. (It’s the same trailhead as for Sand Dune Arch.)

Landscape Arch

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes

Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 40 feet

At 306 feet across, Landscape Arch is the longest arch in North America. Until you see it in person, it’s really hard to understand just how huge it is. Photos really don’t do it justice.

Landscape Arch is located in the Devil’s Garden section of Arches National Park. Hiking the entire Devil’s Garden Trail is very challenging, but you can just do the easy first section up to Landscape Arch.

The trail winds between towering rock fins. Near the beginning, take a quick side trip to the right to visit Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. Once you reach Landscape Arch be sure to explore the various viewpoints – but stay behind the barriers as pieces of the arch can fall at any time!

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Landscape Arch trailhead.

Easy Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is close to Moab and offers lots of great easy hikes. (The other districts are a few hours’ drive away.)

• Entry Fees: Entry to the park costs $30 per vehicle and is good for one week. Annual passes are also available.
• Reservations not required: While reservations are required at some times of the year at Arches National Park, you do not need a timed entry reservation for Canyonlands. The park is open 24/7 to anyone.

Mesa Arch

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 30 minutes

Distance: 0.6 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 56 feet

While the arches in Arches National Park bridge gaps between rock fins, the ones in Canyonlands National Park perch on the ends of big drops. Mesa Arch sits at the edge of the Colorado River canyon. It’s a short and easy loop hike, but it does require walking up and down a rocky hill with some uneven stairs.

When you look through the arch you can see the White Rim and canyon bottom far below. You can also use the arch to frame rock pinnacles and the distant La Sal Mountains. It’s a popular sunrise spot, especially for photographers, since the sun shines under the arch.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Mesa Arch trailhead.

Upheaval Dome Overlook

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 minutes

Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 100 feet

The hike to the Upheaval Dome Overlook is short but steep with lots of stairs. At the top, you can look down on the collapsed dome. There are also info displays explaining two possible scientific theories for how the dome formed: A meteorite impact or a salt dome.

You can also hike a little further to the Second Overlook. This adds 1 mile and 50 feet of elevation gain.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Upheaval Dome Overlook trailhead.

Grand View Point

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

Distance: 1.8 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 73 feet

You can get a great view of the canyons of the Colorado and Green Rivers from the paved platform by the parking lot at Grand View Point. But walking the Grand View Point trail will give you an even better perspective.

The trail follows the edge of the cliff but stays far enough back that even people with a fear of heights won’t mind it. It has by far the best views in the Island in the Sky district. You can see The Maze and The Needles far across the canyon. Stunning.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Grand View Point trailhead.

Other Easy Hikes in Moab

There are lots of other easy hikes near Moab on BLM land or in state parks.

Mill Creek Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 hour

Distance: 1.6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 59 feet

Mill Creek is a great hike for a hot day. The trail follows the Mill Creek canyon upstream to a small pool below a waterfall where you can swim.

Within a few minutes of the parking lot, the trail passes an old dam and a few small pools. But continue onwards up the canyon. The trail crosses the stream multiple times so be prepared to get your feet wet. Hiking sandals are a good idea.

Your turn-around point is a pool and waterfall about 30 minutes from the trailhead. If you have more time and good route-finding skills, you can follow the trail above the waterfall up the canyon for about 3 more miles.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Mill Creek trailhead.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Time Needed: 45 minutes to 3.5 hours

Distance: 1.2 to 6.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 65 to 630 feet

Dead Horse Point State Park occupies a spectacular mesa top with incredible views. A network of trails snakes around the edge of the mesa and gives you incredible views from the cliff tops. I actually enjoyed the views from here better than most places in Canyonlands National Park.

You have two choices for hikes: The shorter option is to do an easy 1.2-mile loop from the main viewpoint, around to the neck where you cross the road, then follow the trail on the other side back to the viewpoint.

But if you have more time, the longer 6.1-mile loop leads around the south end of the park from the viewpoint to the visitor center, then back to the viewpoint. Be sure to follow the signed side trails to great viewpoints. While the loop is long, it’s never very steep.

Heads up: Utah Parks charges $20 per vehicle per day to enter the park. Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Dead Horse State Park trailhead.

Corona Arch

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours

Distance: 2.3 to 3.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 462 to 765 feet

Corona Arch is a great short hike near Moab that leads to a spectacular arch, nicknamed Little Rainbow Bridge. The trail climbs up above a canyon to a sandy area. At a fork, you can go left on a spur trail to Pinto Arch or continue straight toward Corona Arch. (I recommend doing Pinto Arch on the way back if you have the energy.)

From the fork, the trail climbs up over slickrock. There is one section with a chain and stairs carved out of the rock and then a ladder. But it is fairly straightforward and most people won’t struggle here. After the ladder, you’ll pass Bowtie Arch and then arrive at Corona Arch.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Corona Arch trailhead.

Moab Hiking Tips

Park Entry Fees

You will need to pay park entry fees for most of the easy hikes in Moab.

Arches National Park: $30 per vehicle per week

Canyonlands National Park: $30 per vehicle per week

Dead Horse State Park: $20 per vehicle per day

There are no fees to hike anywhere else in Moab outside of these parks.

Pro tip: If you plan to visit both Arches and Canyonlands Parks, you can buy a Southeast Utah Annual Pass that covers both parks and is a bit cheaper. Or you can buy an America the Beautiful Pass that covers all National Parks for a year.

National Park Reservations

Between April 1 and October 31, visitors entering Arches National Park between 7 am and 4 pm need to make a reservation for a timed entry ticket. (You don’t need a reservation at other times.)

You do NOT need reservations for Canyonlands National Park or Dead Horse Point State Park.

Weather in Moab

Moab is in the desert so it is blazing hot in the summer and chilly in the winter. In general, spring and fall are the best times to hike in Moab since the weather is just right – not too hot or too cold. It also rarely rains all-year – about 3 days a month.

The chart below has Moab’s average high and low temperatures for each month. The temperature plummets at night so the average lows are nighttime temps.

In Mob, it’s always a good idea to start your hike early in the day to beat the heat and the sun. Avoid hiking if it’s over 90°F – it can be dangerous. Every year people suffering from dehydration or heat exhaustion need to be rescued. Read my tips for hiking in hot weather before you go.

What to Bring Hiking in Moab

It’s important to stay hydrated. The National Parks Service recommends drinking 4L (one gallon) of water per person per day. It’s a lot of water, but since it’s so hot and dry here, you’ll need it. You can get water at Park Visitor Centres and campgrounds.

You also need to protect yourself from the sun. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. I also like to cover up in a long-sleeved sun hoodie. The fabric provides sun protection so I don’t have to worry about reapplying sunscreen! My guide to the best sun hoodies for hiking has six great options.

And just like on any other hike, you need to bring the 10 essentials. These are key safety items you need on the trail including food, a first aid kit, etc.

If you plan to do a sunrise or sunset hike, pack a headlamp or flashlight for each person. Make sure your batteries are fully charged!

For lots more advice, check out my tips for hiking in the desert.

Hiking with Dogs in Moab

Dogs aren’t allowed on hikes in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks.

In Dead Horse Point State Park, dogs are allowed on trails but they must be on a six-foot leash.

Dogs are also allowed on leash at Corona Arch, but some dogs will struggle with the slick rock and the ladder section. You can also take your dog on the Mill Creek Trail.

Drones

Drones are not allowed in Canyonlands or Arches National Parks. In Dead Horse State Park drones are allowed from November to February by permit only. Drones are prohibited the rest of the year and are never allowed at the main Dead Horse Point viewpoint.

Stay Off the Arches

It is illegal to walk on top of the arches in Canylonands and Arches National Parks. It’s also pretty dangerous since rocks can fall at any time! In the 1990s, huge sections of Landscape Arch fell into a visitor viewing area. Thankfully no one was hurt, but now that area is closed.

Leave No Trace

Learn the Leave No Trace principles before you hike in Moab. This is a sensitive desert ecosystem. Pack out all your trash. Use toilets at trailheads before you hike. If you have to go on the trail, bring a WAG bag to pack our your poop.

One of the most important things to remember is to stay on the trail so you don’t Bust the Crust. The fragile biological soil crust here is alive and a single footstep can destroy it for decades.

Indigenous Context

The Moab area is the traditional territory of the Diné Bikéyah (Navajo), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Timpanogos. It’s important to be respectful of this land.

If you’re looking for an easy hike in Moab, you’ll find one on this list. What’s your favourite short trail in Moab? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• Tips and Tricks for Hiking in the Desert
• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather
• Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking
• Take an Epic Outdoors Arizona Road Trip
• 14 Best Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas

The post 15 Best Easy Hikes in Moab appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve hiked this trail countless times and the view at the end always amazes me. While the first half of the trail is fairly straightforward, the second half is rough and if you aren’t paying attention, you might get off track.

Since I’ve hiked this trail so many times (and it’s in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia), I can help you plan the best route to St. Mark’s Summit and give some tips on how to find all the viewpoints.

In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know to hike to St. Mark’s Summit. It includes:

• Trail stats including how long it takes, difficulty, best time to go, and more
• Tips for hiking to St. Mark’s Summit including what to pack and how to prep
• Trail map that shows all the key locations I mention in this post
• How to get to St. Mark’s Summit – detailed driving directions
• Step-by-step hiking directions so you know what to expect
• Winter hiking and snowshoeing tips for St. Mark’s Summit

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

St Marks Summit Trail Stats

Here are the basic stats that you need to know about hiking the St. Mark’s Summit Trail:

Location: The St Marks Summit Trail is located on the southern part of the Howe Sound Crest Trail in Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver. It starts next to the lodge at Cypress Mountain Ski Resort.

Duration: 3.5 to 4.5 hours

Distance: 11.5 km

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Change: ~600 m of elevation gain

Best Time to Go: Mid-June to early November when the trail is snow-free. Pick a clear day to enjoy the views. The trail has significant avalanche danger in the winter (see the snowshoeing section below.)

Day Passes: As of 2024, you do NOT need a BC Parks day pass to hike to St. Mark’s Summit. A few years ago, you did need a day pass for Cypress Provincial Park, but that hasn’t been the case since 2021. Read my guide to BC Parks day passes for more info.

Toilets: There are toilets in the Black Mountain Lodge and Cypress Creek Lodge next to the parking lot. There are no toilets on the trail.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on this trail but BC Parks rules require them to be on a leash. Use caution near the viewpoints – a dog nearly died here a few years ago when it slipped out of its harness and went over the edge of the cliff.

Bears: This area has black bears. Hike in a group, make noise, and carry bear spray.

Indigenous Context: The St Marks Summit Trail is in the traditional territory of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

What’s with the name? Sometimes spelled “Saint Mark’s Summit”, the peak got its name because for many years St. Mark’s Anglican Church operated a summer camp in Lions Bay below the mountain.

Tips for the St Marks Hike

• Check the weather before you go. City weather forecasts are useless in the backcountry. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Saint Mark’s Summit like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)
• Check trail conditions online using AllTrails or Instagram. This is especially important in the spring or fall when the trail can be icy or snowy.
• Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder, windier, and rainier in the mountains than in the city.
• Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots. The trail is very rocky and rooty in places. It can also be muddy. Regular running shoes don’t have enough grip or ankle support.
• Bring water and snacks. It is not safe to drink the water from the creeks without boiling, filtering, or treating it because you never know if people or animals have pooped or died upstream. Gross! (I use a Katadyn BeFree to filter water.)
• Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.
• Pack out all your garbage. There are no garbage cans here so you must take your garbage home with you. Leaving it on the trails attracts animals.
• Bring a camera – it’s gorgeous and you will want tons of pics! But leave the drone at home. Drones aren’t allowed in BC Parks without a commercial filming permit.
• Be Bear aware: There are black bears in this area. Hike in a group, make noise, and carry bear spray. Read my bear safety tips for more info.

St Marks Summit Trail Map

While the first half of the trail is easy to follow, the second half is rough and can get confusing. Pay close attention to trail markers, especially on the switchbacks. There have been lots of Search and Rescue call-outs for hikers who accidentally went off-trail. I recommend using a GPS mapping app like All Trails+ Gaia GPS to stay on track.

I made a map of the St Mark’s Summit Trail for you using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in (and download the GPX track).

You can also use the Cypress Provincial Park map, but it isn’t very detailed so I don’t find it very helpful.

St Marks Summit Driving Directions

The trailhead is about 45 minutes from Vancouver. There is no public transportation to the trailhead so you will need to drive yourself. You can also take a taxi or an Uber, but it can be expensive and sometimes drivers won’t want to come pick you up afterwards.

Here are step-by-step driving directions to the St Mark’s Summit trailhead:

• From Vancouver, go north over the Lions Gate Bridge.
• Follow signs along Marine Drive and Taylor Way to get onto Highway 1 westbound.
• Take Exit 8 onto Cypress Bowl Road.
• Follow Cypress Bowl Road up the mountain to its end at the Cypress Creek Lodge. There is lots of parking in the huge lot.

Here are Google Maps driving directions.

St. Marks Summit Hiking Directions

The route to Saint Mark’s Summit is mostly on the Howe Sound Crest Trail. However, there are a few different options for starting the hike.

My recommended route below adds about 0.5 km more distance than the most direct route. But it includes a walk through a unique subalpine meadow and a great viewpoint. On the way back, my route takes the most direct way to the parking lot.

To help keep you on track, here is a brief overview of the key distances on the hike to St. Mark’s Summit:

Trailhead to the HSCT Junction Info Kiosk

To start the hike, walk through the parking lot and past the lodge. Depending on when you visit, the restaurant and cafe here may be open. Just past the end of the lodge, go straight onto the Yew Lake Trail leading into the trees. A minute later, follow the trail as it goes around the bottom of the ski lift and continues into the forest.

Ignore a trail heading left a few minutes later. It goes uphill to Black Mountain, Cabin Lake, and Eagle Bluffs. Continue straight. The trail here is part of wheelchair accessible loop so it is wide and flat. The babbling waters of Cypress Creek are to your left.

A few minutes later, arrive on the shores of marshy Yew Lake, which is more of a pond. Stay on the trail as it goes around the lake and then curls right into a swampy meadow with some small ponds. Ignore a trail going right – this is the other half of the Yew Lake Trail.

Instead, to straight onto the Old Growth Trail. Walk back into the forest, which includes some huge Old Growth trees. At a fork, you can go either right or left – they meet up again less than 100 m later. A minute after the two trails meet up, emerge onto an old gravel road. This road is also known as the Howe Sound Crest Trail West (HSCT West).

Turn left and follow the road for a few minutes until the road ends and a trail goes right. Head uphill on switchbacks. This is the first real climb of the hike and it is steep in places. About 0.6 km later after gaining about 90 m, reach another junction.

Turn left and follow the trail gently downhill to Bowen Lookout. There is a great view down to Howe Sound, Bowen Island, and the Sunshine Coast. The trees are growing up a little bit and starting to block the view, but it’s still a great place to take a break.

When you are ready to continue, retrace your steps back to the HSCT West. Turn left and follow it uphill for a few minutes to a junction. There is a large info kiosk sign here with a trail map. The HSCT East heads downhill to the right.

HSCT Junction Info Kiosk to Strachan Meadows

From the info kiosk, turn left onto the main Howe Sound Crest Trail. There is a brief gap in the trees here with a distant view of the Lions.

Follow the trail down a small hill. The trail curls north and stays fairly flat for the next kilometre. Keep an eye out for some huge trees through here.

You’ll cross two creek gullies. In the early season, these will be wet, but they mostly dry up by the end of summer. When you pass through these gullies notice how there are bushes here instead of trees. That’s because avalanches roar through here every winter and spring.

About 3.9 km from the start, reach a bridge in an open area known as Strachan Meadows. If you need water, this is the only reliable place on the hike to get it. But be sure to filter or treat it first as it is not safe to drink.

Strachan Meadows to the Summit

The first few minutes after the bridge continue along on the same wide and well-maintained gravel trail you have been following since the beginning. The trail heads up a few switchbacks and eventually, the smooth gravel disappears and the trail becomes very rough, rooty, rocky, and eroded.

BC Parks has slowly been working on upgrading this trail for over 10 years, but due to chronic underfunding, they are only able to fix a few dozen meters of trail per year. And the remaining trail keeps getting more and more eroded. If you want to help make a change, write to your MLA to ask them to increase the BC Parks budget and focus on trail maintenance projects.

Pay close attention to trail markers as you work your way up the deteriorating trail. Many hikers have gotten lost in this section when they accidentally went off-trail. About 4.8 km from the trailhead, the trail reaches the top of a ridge.

The next few minutes are almost flat as you walk through the forest on a broad ridge top. But about half a kilometre later the trail starts to climb again, sometimes with the help of wooden stairs.

About 6 km from the start the trail starts to flatten out and you go through some mucky areas and past some tiny ponds. There are some sections of boardwalk to keep you out of the mud, but in other places, its unavoidable.

Reach the main viewpoint 6.3 km from the trailhead. You can scramble up onto the rock outcropping to the left of the trail to get a great view of Howe Sound and its islands. You can also look across to a clifftop perch jutting out to the north and slightly lower. That’s the lower viewpoint.

To get to the lower viewpoint, continue on the main trail for a few more minutes, then follow a faint trail to the left. This trail is not officially maintained and in a couple of places is very steep. Be careful as you follow it down to the viewpoint. There are actually several trails here so choose the most travelled and safest options.

You’ll get a panoramic view from the lower viewpoint, but be careful as the drop-offs are deadly. A dog nearly died here a few years ago when it slipped out of its harness. And please make room for others at the viewpoint. It might seem like a great place to chat and have lunch, but you’ll be preventing other people from enjoying the view if you sit down here.

When you are done, make your way back to the main trail. Some trails from the lower viewpoint go north to connect with the HSCT on its way to Unnecessary Mountain and beyond to the Lions and eventually Porteau Cove. Make sure you are going south if you want to get back to the parking lot!

Note: None of the viewpoints are at the true peak of St. Mark’s Summit. It’s about 20 minutes higher in the trees to the east of the trail. There are a few faint boot paths through the trees to get there, but the summit itself is in the forest with no views, so few people bother.

Summit Back to the Trailhead

To get back to the trailhead, retrace your steps past the main viewpoint, down past the mucky ponds, across the ridge, and down the switchbacks. Continue on the smoother trail over the bridge in Strachan Meadows, and then through the gullies in the flat section.

Arrive back at the Info Kiosk Junction 9.9 km into your hike. You can follow your earlier route back to the parking lot, but instead, I recommend a more direct route.

From the kiosk, go straight on the HSCT East (don’t turn right onto the HSCT West towards Bowen Lookout). Follow the trail downhill. Within a few minutes, it turns into a gravel road. A few hundred metres later, look for a sign pointing to a trail going right. You can stay on the gravel road and follow it onto a ski run, but the trail is much nicer.

Turn right onto the trail and take it downhill into a beautiful forest. The trail emerges onto another gravel road next to a huge green water tower a few minutes later. Follow the road (which is actually a ski run) downhill. At an open area on your right about 200 m later, you can choose to stay on the ski or go right onto a forest trail one last time.

The ski run route and the forest trail route meet up in front of the lodge within a few minutes. Follow the path along the side of the lodge to head back to the parking lot and finish the hike.

Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing to St Mark’s Summit

With plowed road access to the trailhead thanks to its location at Cypress Mountain ski area, it can be tempting to think that St Mark’s Summit makes a great snowshoeing destination.

However, it is a much more challenging and potentially dangerous trip in winter. The trail markers are harder to see, so it is easy to get off track. You will need to be comfortable with navigation. I use All Trails+ or Gaia GPS.

Each winter there are several Search and Rescue call-outs for lost skiers and snowshoers in this area. It has lots of steep cliffs and terrain traps. Several people have died when they got lost in the snow and then either succumbed to hypothermia or fell off cliffs looking for a way back to the trail.

The trail also has dangerous avalanche terrain, especially between the junction of the two branches of the HSCT and the bridge in Strachan Meadows. Right after the junction, the trail passes through several avalanche chutes. Each winter, avalanches come roaring down these chutes, right across the trail. One year a friend of mine was crossing one of these chutes in the spring and was knocked down by a small avalanche. Thankfully the outcome wasn’t worse!

The first part of the trail up to Bowen Lookout makes a great snowshoe trip since it isn’t in avalanche terrain (and it’s on my list of the best places to snowshoe near Vancouver).

But you should not attempt the trail to St Mark’s Summit past Bowen Lookout in winter unless you have winter navigation experience and avalanche training. Check the avalanche forecast before your trip.

The trail to Saint Mark’s Summit is one of the most popular trails in Vancouver, which isn’t surprising since it has such an amazing view. If you have questions about the trail, ask them in the comments. I’d love to help.

READ NEXT:

• The 10 Best Hikes in Vancouver – A Local’s Guide
• BC Parks Day Passes 2024 – Everything You Need to Know
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver
• Get my book: Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia
• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails

The post St. Mark’s Summit Hike in West Vancouver appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

While the scrambling sections make the trail a bit of an adventure, it’s doable for most hikers. And since this is a loop hike, you don’t have to go back down the scary scramble sections. Instead, you’ll walk down a logging road that could be boring but actually has great views most of the way.

High Falls Creek is one of my favourite hikes in Squamish – I try to hike every year or two. In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know to hike the High Falls Creek Trail. It includes:

• Trail stats including how long it takes, difficulty, best time to go, and more
• Tips for hiking to High Falls Creek including what to pack and how to prep
• Trail map that shows all the key locations I mention in this post
• How to get to the High Falls Creek Trail – detailed logging road driving directions
• Step-by-step hiking directions so you know what to expect

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

High Falls Creek Trail Stats

Here are the basic stats that you need to know about hiking the High Falls Creek Trail in Squamish, BC:

Location: The High Falls Creek Trail is located off the Squamish River Forest Service Road west of Squamish.

Duration: 3-4.5 hours

Distance: 8.3 km loop (although if you track it yourself the canyon walls will cause your GPS signal to bounce around a lot so your GPS track will be about 10 or 11 km)

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Elevation Change: 525 m of elevation gain

Best Time to Go: April to November when the trail is snow-free. Pick a clear day to enjoy the views. Avoid wet weather which will make the trail slippery and dangerous.

Toilets: There are no toilets on the trail or anywhere nearby. Brush up on your Leave No Trace bathroom skills: Bring a trowel to dig a cat hole well off the trail to bury your waste. Pack out your used toilet paper.

Drinking Water: There is no access to water on the trail: Pack all the drinking water you will need. While you are hiking in a creek canyon, the water is not accessible.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on this trail but due to the steep terrain, roped sections, and sheer drop-offs, this might not be the best trail to bring dogs. You would likely have to carry them in some areas.

Bears: This area has both black bears and grizzly bears. Hike in a group, make noise, and carry bear spray.

Indigenous Context: The High Falls Creek Trail is in the traditional territory of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) Nation. To learn more about Skwxwu7mesh history and culture, visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Tips for the High Falls Creek Hike

• Check the weather before you go. City weather forecasts are useless in the backcountry. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for High Falls Creek like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)
• Check trail conditions online using AllTrails or Instagram. This is especially important in the spring or fall when the trail can be icy or snowy.
• Bring a rain jacket and warm clothing just in case. It can be much colder, windier, and rainier in the mountains than in the city.
• Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots. The trail is rocky and loose in places. Regular running shoes don’t have enough grip or ankle support.
• Bring the 10 Essentials. These are key safety items you should have on every hike.
• Pack out all your garbage. There are no garbage cans here so you must take your garbage home with you. Leaving it on the trails attracts animals.
• Be Bear aware: There are black bears and grizzly bears in this area. Hike in a group, make noise, and carry bear spray. Read my bear safety tips for more info.
• Be ready for steep terrain: If you have a fear of heights, this trail will challenge you. There are lots of areas with steep drop-offs near the trail. And you have to climb up some fixed ropes and scrambly slopes. Since it is a loop, most people (even those who hate heights) are ok going up the steep parts since they know they don’t have to go back down. The first roped parts are the scariest – if you can get up those, you’ll do fine on the rest of the trail.

High Falls Creek Trail Map

Some sections of this trail don’t have very many trail markers and it is easy to get confused when the trail braids. I recommend using a GPS mapping app like All Trails+ or Gaia GPS to stay on track. The trailhead is also not that obvious, and All Trails+ can help with that too.

I made a map of the High Falls Creek Trail for you using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in (and download the GPX track).

High Falls Creek Driving Directions

The trailhead is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Vancouver and about 45 minutes from Squamish. There is no public transportation to the trailhead so you will need to drive yourself. The last section of the drive is on a gravel road that is bumpy, but suitable for all vehicles. You’ll be fine in any 2WD vehicle.

Here are step-by-step driving directions to the High Falls Creek trailhead:

• From Vancouver go west on Highway 1, then switch to Highway 99 north. Drive through the communities of Lions Bay, Furry Creek, Britannia Beach and Squamish.
• Just after leaving Squamish, go left onto Squamish Valley Road at the flashing light. (The turn-off to Alice Lake Road is on the other side of the highway.)
• Follow Squamish Valley Road for a few minutes to the bridge over the Cheakamus River. On the other side, keep left at the fork to stay on Squamish Valley Road.
• Follow the road through lots of twists and turns. About 19 km after the fork, the road becomes gravel and switches names to become the Squamish River Forest Service Road.
• Continue on the Squamish River FSR. Drive past the Cheakamus Generating Station about 3.5 km from the end of the pavement. The trailhead and parking area about about 1 km further, just after a small bridge over a branch of High Falls Creek. (If you go over a second bridge, you’ve gone too far.)

Here are Google Maps driving directions. However, you will lose cell service a few minutes after leaving the highway. I recommend using All Trails+ or Gaia GPS for navigation.

Parking

The trailhead is on the right side and is marked with a small sign that can be easy to miss. There is room for a few cars to park in a pull-out at the trailhead and a few more at a pull-out on the other side of the road.

There are also several other pull-outs back the way you came. You can also parallel park on the side of the road, but be sure to pull over as far as you can.

High Falls Creek Hiking Directions

There are three main parts to the High Falls Creek Trail: the canyon (1.5 km), the forest (1.1 km), and the road walk (5.7 km).

High Falls Creek is usually hiked as a loop since the canyon section of the trail is so steep that descending it can be scary and even dangerous. While the road walk section is long and a bit tedious, it does have great views. And it’s much more enjoyable and safe than making an out-and-back hike that descends back through the canyon.

Key Distances

Canyon Section

The trail begins as a wide path through the forest. But within the first minute, it narrows and crosses a bridge over High Falls Creek. Soon after the flat section ends.

Follow trail markers steeply up a series of rocky bluffs. There are fixed ropes and chains to help you up. This is the steepest section of the entire trail and can be daunting for those with a fear of heights. However, there is no real exposure. Take your time and climb carefully.

Continue following the steep trail upwards parallel to the canyon. There are a few more scrambly sections with more ropes and chains to assist you. In a few places the trail braids – choose the widest, most trodden path to stay on track.

There are also a few faint spur trails to the right with views of the canyon. Most of the views are obscured by trees or the sheer steepness of the drop, but you can get some views of the waterfall that gives the creek its name. Be careful near the edges as a slip would be fatal.

About 0.75 km from the trailhead, watch for an obvious spur trail to the right. This leads to the main view of the falls. You can look along the length of the canyon to see the falls shooting off a ledge.

Continue along the trail as it stays beside the edge of the canyon and climbs up more cables. You will get more views of the falls through the trees here, but the growth prevents you from getting a clear view.

Be sure to follow a trail to the left to a great viewpoint on a rock slab for great views of the Squamish Valley and the Tantalus Mountains on the other side. You can also see Crooked Falls on the other side of the river.

Keep climbing uphill through the forest and patches of rock slabs. Reach a large rock cairn that marks a junction. Go right for a few minutes to reach the Upper Falls viewpoint. You can look down into the pool at the top of High Falls Creek Falls and upstream to a smaller waterfall just above the main falls.

Retrace your steps back to the cairn and stay on the trail as it continues uphill with the help of another rope. Reach another scenic viewpoint on a rocky outcrop 1.5 km from the trailhead.

Forest Section

Follow the trail up a rock slab and into the forest. You have finished most of the climbing. Stay on the trail (marked with orange squares) as it meanders through old-growth forest. Watch for several gorgeous large Western red cedars and Douglas firs. There are also lots of mushrooms in fall.

Reach a junction 2.4 km from the trailhead and turn left. This is a short-cut up to your return route on the road. The original High Falls Creek Trail continues for another kilometre through the forest, but the scenery is similar and not worth hiking. These days most people take the shortcut so the original route is not very well travelled.

Follow the shortcut trail uphill through the forest for a few minutes until you pop out on a gravel road.

Road Section

The remainder of your hike is on gravel forest roads. While the road walking is fairly boring, there are some great views, so it’s worth it. In places the road is steep and loose, but for the most part, it is easy walking.

From the spot where the shortcut trail meets the road, turn left and follow the road downhill through regenerating forest. You are on Branch 200 FSR which sees a little bit of vehicle traffic from hikers and 4x4ers heading to the Tricouni Peak and Cloudburst Peak areas. Listen for vehicles approaching and get out of the way.

About 4 km from the trailhead the road emerges into a talus field. There are great views in this section as you look north down the Squamish River Valley to the glaciers around Icecap Peak.

Ignore Branch 220 going uphill to the right at 4.6 km and continue downhill on Branch 200 as it goes around a hairpin curve. Reach the junction with the Squamish River FSR about 6.8 km from the trailhead.

Turn left and walk along the alder and big leaf maple-lined Squamish River FSR for about 1.5 km back to the trailhead. This road sees a lot more traffic, so be sure to walk on the left facing traffic and stay well to the side. This part of the road can flood during the spring melt or fall storms and is dusty in summer.

You’ll pass the entrance to the High Falls Recreation Site campground halfway between the end of Branch 200 and the trailhead. If you want to go down to the river, walk through the campground and onto the river bank for another great view. (Psst! This campground is on my list of places to camp in Squamish.)

Arrive back at the trailhead and your vehicle about 8.3 km from your start to finish the High Falls Creek Trail loop.

The High Falls Creek Trail is one of my favourite Squamish hikes for spring or fall days when I want great views and a bit of an adventure. If you’ve got any questions about the trail, ask me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
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• 70+ Things to do in Squamish (By a Local)
• Hike to Crooked Falls in Squamish

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