I lived in Gibsons for five months in the winter of 2020/21. I went hiking every weekend and some weekdays too, so I’ve hiked all the trails on the Sunshine Coast (some of them multiple times).

In this post, I’ve got my local’s picks for the best hiking trails, plus where to find more info. There’s something for everyone with hikes to waterfalls, mountain tops, forests, and even tidal rapids. Most of the hikes are short and easy, but there are a few tough ones too.

Psst: Hiking isn’t the only thing to do on the Sunshine Coast – get my list of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast Hiking Basics

Getting to the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is part of British Columbia’s mainland, but it’s not connected to the road network. That means that you’ll need to take a ferry to get there.

You can take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver to Langdale near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. From Vancouver Island, take the ferry from Comox to Powell River.

The Sunshine Coast is also divided into two sections, separated by Jervis Inlet. You can take a ferry in between the northern section which includes Powell River, and the southern section, which includes Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, and Pender Harbour.

Once you’ve arrived on the Sunshine Coast, the easiest way to get around is by car. However, there is some limited public bus service.

Hiking Season on the Sunshine Coast

With a few exceptions, most of the trails on the Sunshine Coast are near sea level, so you can hike all year. In the fall, winter, and spring, the trails may be a bit muddy or slippery, so be careful.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

What to Bring Hiking on the Sunshine Coast

Even if you are just going for a short hike, you need to be prepared for the weather and conditions. Don’t forget the 10 essentials. (Rain gear and warm clothing are especially important outside of summer.)

Bear Safety

The Sunshine Coast has a healthy black bear population. Carry bear spray and make noise while you hike to reduce your risk of a negative bear encounter. For more info about hiking in bear country, read my post about bear safety for hikers.

Leave No Trace

The area Sunshine Coast is sensitive wilderness. Learn about Leave No Trace principles to help keep the wilderness wild.

Sunshine Coast Hiking Map

I made a custom Google map for you that shows all of the trails on this list, plus the exact location of the trailhead and parking.

Best Hikes in Gibsons

Langdale Falls

Langdale Falls is a beautiful 40-foot-tall waterfall in a deep and mossy canyon. You can start the hike right from the ferry terminal or at the Sprockids Mountain Bike Park.

READ NEXT: Langdale Falls Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Mount Elphinstone

The challenging hike to the top of 1232m-tall Mount Elphinstone takes all day. But the journey is worth it to enjoy the views and take pride in summitting one of the Sunshine Coast’s tallest peaks. This is one of the few hikes on the Sunshine Coast I haven’t done yet, but it’s on my list!

Soames Hill

The view from the top of Soames Hill is spectacular: you can see Gibsons, Keats Island, and of course the ocean. It’s a short hike, but it has lots of stairs so you’ll get a bit of a workout. Soames Hill is one of my favourite Sunshine Coast hikes since it has such a beautiful view.

READ NEXT: Soames Hill Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Best Hikes in Roberts Creek

Roberts Creek Falls

This short hike isn’t well-known. But it’s a very easy hike and the waterfall is spectacular. To get there, park at the end of Day Road in Roberts Creek, then follow the trail signs to the waterfall.

Cliff Gilker Park

This forested park has a great network of easy trails. The cedar trees, ferns, and moss are gorgeous and there are also several beautiful waterfalls and cascades. My trail guide has recommendations for the best loop through the park.

READ NEXT: Cliff Gilker Park Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Best Hikes in Sechelt

Dakota Ridge Snowshoe Trails

Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area is a community-run snowshoe area in the mountains above Sechelt. It has lots of rolling trails and some beautiful viewpoints. Dakota Ridge is my favourite place to go snowshoeing on the Sunshine Coast. (And they have cross-country skiing too!)

READ NEXT: How to Snowshoe and Ski at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Chapman Creek Trail

The Selma Park neighbourhood of Sechelt is home to a great trail network through the beautiful rainforest around Chapman Creek. You can start from several different trailheads accessed from Davis Bay, but I like to use the Sechelt Airport Trailhead. These trails also connect to the Chapman Falls Trail (below).

Chapman Falls

Chapman Falls is a gorgeous cascading waterfall in a deep canyon. Sechelt’s main water source is Chapman Creek, and you’ll walk on top of a water pipe for part of the hike. You can start your hike from any of the Chapman Creek Trailheads (above), but the shortest way to get there is from the end of Reservoir Road.

Note: As of January 2021 this trail is closed due to mining in the area. It is unclear if it will reopen.

Burnett Falls

This short walk takes you to a beautiful waterfall. From the views of the lush forest along the way, you’d never guess that it’s tucked away in a pocket of green space between industrial sites. It’s one of the shortest trails on the Sunshine Coast, but it’s worthwhile since it’s so gorgeous.

Hidden Groves

The Hidden Groves are two trail networks in Sechelt Heritage Forest. Community groups worked to protect some huge old-growth trees and build tons of trails. There’s a short section on the west side of Inlet Road but most of the trails are on the east side of the road.

Tetrahedron Provincial Park and Mount Steele

Tetrahedron Provincial Park has a network of trails past several lakes and up to the summit of Mount Steele. A local outdoor club maintains four cabins in the park if you want to stay overnight. It’s a great summer hiking destination, but it’s also great in the winter on skis or snowshoes.

Note: The cabins in the park are currently closed due to the pandemic and tenting isn’t allowed, so right now you can only do day trips.

More Info: Tetrahedron Provincial Park and Mount Steele is Trip 18 in my book Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. The book contains all the info you need to plan a day hike or backpacking trip in the park.

READ NEXT: Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

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

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

Get the book

Kinnikinnick Park

This wilderness park in the West Porpoise Bay neighbourhood of Sechelt has several kilometres of pleasant trails. The network of trails lets you choose your own path through ferns, marsh, and mossy forest, or make a loop around the whole park.

Best Hikes in Halfmoon Bay

Triangle Lake

This trail starts at Sargent Bay Provincial Park and heads up into the forest to tiny Triangle Lake. Community volunteers maintain a loop trail around the marshy lake. Take a break at one of the viewpoints – they come with benches.

Big Tree Trail

This short trail takes you to one of the biggest trees on the Sunshine Coast. There’s a picnic area at the base so you can linger and marvel at the tree. There’s also a huge network of mountain bike trails if you want to extend your hike.

Smuggler Cove

This short hike leads past a beaver pond to the shores of Smuggler Cove. From there, you can take the left fork across the peninsula to a quiet rock outcrop, or the right fork out to the point. Both options are stunning, making this one of the prettiest Sunshine Coast hikes.

Homesite Creek Falls

This small and pretty waterfall is a short hike from Highway 101. There are trails on both sides of the creek so you can choose from several viewpoints.

Best Hikes in Pender Harbour and Egmont

Francis Point

This short hike leads along a rocky shoreline to a beautiful viewpoint atop a bluff. While the hike is relatively flat, it traverses some rocky ledges that can be very slippery when they are wet, so be careful.

Mount Daniel

The hike up 440m-tall Mount Daniel is quite steep but fairly short. Your reward is an incredible view of Pender Harbour with its numerous inlets, islands, and squiggly peninsulas.

Pender Hill

If you’re not up for the challenge of climbing Mount Daniel, Pender Hill is a great alternative. I would also argue that it has a better view. You can see Pender Harbour as well as nearby Hotel Lake and Garden Bay Lake. It’s also a steep hike, but it tops out at 231m so you don’t have as far to climb.

Skookumchuck Narrows

The hike to Skookumchuck Narrows is scenic, with lots of beautiful forest. But the main attraction is the crazy tidal whirlpools and rapids that form at the narrows when the tide changes. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular places to go hiking on the Sunshine Coast.

READ NEXT: Skookumchuck Narrows Hike on the Sunshine Coast

Best Hikes in Powell River (and the North Sunshine Coast)

Sunshine Coast Trail

The Sunshine Coast Trail runs 180km from Saltery Bay to Sarah Point on the Northern Sunshine Coast, passing through the town of Powell River. It crosses many access roads, so it’s easy to plan hikes along shorter sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail. Some of my favourite sections for day hiking are:

• Fairview Bay
• Tin Hat Hut
• Inland Lake
• Confederation Lake
• Manzanita Bluff

You can find info on all of these sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

If you’re looking for an overnight or multi-day hike, I’ve got suggestions for which sections of the Sunshine Coast are snow-free early in the year in my guide to spring backpacking in British Columbia.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

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

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

Get the book

With 21 trails on this list, I’m sure you’ll find a Sunshine Coast hike that you’ll love. (Actually… you’ll probably find a few!) Have questions about hiking on the Sunshine Coast? Ask me in the comments as I’m always happy to help.

More Sunshine Coast Info:

• The Best Things to do on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Langdale Falls Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Soames Hill Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Cliff Gilker Park Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• How to Snowshoe and Ski at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Skookumchuck Narrows Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Backpacking Manzanita Bluff and Rievely’s Pond on the Sunshine Coast Trail
• Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

The post 21 Best Hikes on the Sunshine Coast, BC appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I lived in Gibsons for five months in the winter of 2020/21. The easy trails of Cliff Gilker Park were a short drive away in Roberts Creek. I found myself heading there often for a short nature break. The forest is especially gorgeous on cloudy or drizzly days. (I think it’s one of the most beautiful hikes on the Sunshine Coast.)

I’ve explored all the trails in the park and each of the waterfall viewpoints. That means that I’m able to give you a local’s insider info on everything you need to know to hike in Cliff Gilker Park.

In this post you’ll find:

• A hiking map of Cliff Gilker Park showing all the trails
• Detailed driving directions to the trailhead
• Turn-by-turn hiking directions for my recommended loop around the park

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.

Basics

Cliff Gilker Park is a small forested park with a network of trails. Roberts Creek and Clack Creek run through the park and both have some beautiful waterfalls, cascades, and sections of gorgeous mossy canyon.

You can use the park map (below) to plan your own trip. But I’ve put together a loop hike for you that visits all the best spots. Stats for my recommended loop are below.

Distance: 3 km

Elevation Gain: 50m

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Season: Year-Round

Toilets: Washroom building with toilets at the main parking lot.

Dogs: Allowed on leash

Cliff Gilker Park Hiking Map

Navigating the trails in Cliff Gilker Park is easy with frequent colour coded markers to show which trail you are on and mini maps at major junctions.

But having a map with you is a good plan to keep you oriented and to help you plan your route.

Here is the official Sunshine Coast Regional District map of Cliff Gilker Park. It shows all the hiking trails, waterfalls, parking, and washrooms.

How to Get to Cliff Gilker Park

Cliff Gilker Park is located along the Sunshine Coast Highway near the village of Roberts Creek. The entrance to the park is just east of the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club.

From Gibsons, take the Sunshine Coast Highway west for 9 kilometres. Just after the intersection with Largo Road, watch for the Cliff Gilker Park sign on your right. Turn right into the park and drive to the large parking lot at the end of the gravel road. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.

From Sechelt, take the Sunshine Coast Highway east for 11 kilometres. Just after the intersection with Roberts Creek Road, pass the golf course, then watch for the Cliff Gilker Park sign on your left. Turn left into the park and drive to the parking lot at the end of the gravel road. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.

You can also get to Cliff Gilker Park by bus. Take Bus 1 or 90 from Sechelt or Gibsons to the stop on the Sunshine Coast Highway at Largo Road. Walk west on the highway for a few minutes to the park entrance. Click here for Google Maps public transit directions.

Cliff Gilker Park Hiking Directions

Start your hike on the trail directly behind the washroom building. Turn right and follow the Yellow Trail slightly downhill on the west bank of Clack Creek. Don’t cross the bridge over the waterfall – that is your return route.

Almost immediately you will reach a viewing platform which is a great vantage point to see the upper waterfall. Continue along the trail for a few more metres, then follow a side trail down the hill towards the creek.

There’s a great view of the falls at the bottom of the hill near a bench. Cross the creek on a long bridge with more great views of the waterfall. On the other side, turn right and follow the Red Trail downhill along the east bank of the creek.

There are a few pretty cascades in this section, but they are often difficult to see as there are so many fallen trees in the creek. Ignore another bridge across the creek to the right, and continue downhill on the Red Trail, watching for more cascades.

As you approach another bridge, you’ll begin to hear the roar of the lower falls. It plummets over a drop, then makes a sharp turn to the right. The best place to view it is from a nearby bench.

Continue along the Red Trail (ignoring the bridge) as it heads downhill, then meets up with the Purple Trail. Turn right onto the Purple trail and follow it downhill to a large bridge over Roberts Creek.

Climb up the stairs on the other side and continue along the trail until it emerges on a gravel road. Cross the road and follow the trail on the other side for a few hundred metres to a junction with the Blue Trail, crossing a small bridge along the way.

Turn left onto the Blue Trail walk a few minutes to another small bridge, then emerge onto the gravel road. Pick up the trail on the other side of the road and head downhill to cross a branch of Roberts Creek on yet another bridge.

Ignore the Grey Trail heading right and stay on the Blue Trail. It traverses a wet area and the other branch of Roberts Creek on a long set of bridges and elevated boardwalks.

After the bridges, the trail curves uphill and arrives at a junction with the Red Trail. Turn right and follow it through the forest and across boardwalks to a bridge, this time over Clack Creek.

Stay left at the next junction and continue on the Red Trail as it traces the edge of the soccer field.

Reach a final junction in the forest. The parking lot is a few metres away to the right. But before you finish your hike, turn left and walk out onto the bridge for a final view of the waterfall from above.

So that’s everything you need to know to plan a hike in Cliff Gilker Park in Roberts Creek on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Do you have questions about the trail? Let me know in the comments. I’m always happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• 21 Best Hikes on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• The Best Things to do on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Soames Hill Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Langdale Falls Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Skookumchuck Narrows Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• How to Snowshoe and Ski at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Backpacking Manzanita Bluff and Rievely’s Pond on the Sunshine Coast Trail
• 100+ Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: Trails You Can Hike Year Round
• 20+ Beautiful Weekend Getaways from Vancouver

The post Cliff Gilker Park Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.