I live in nearby Squamish, so I’ve hiked the High Note tons of times. Honestly, I like this trail so much that I hike it a few times each summer. But if you’re not a local, you might be wondering if the High Note Trail is worth it. (Spoiler: I think it’s worth the money on a clear day and it’s one my picks for things to do in Whistler in the summer.)

Since I’ve hiked this trail so many times (and I literally wrote a book about hiking in Southwestern BC) I’ve got everything you need to know about the High Note Trail. This guide includes:

• Trail stats including how long it takes, difficulty, cost, best time to go, and more
• High Note Trail map that shows all the key locations I mention in this post
• How to get to the High Note Trail including parking and which gondola to take
• Step-by-step hiking directions and tips for where to get the best views
• How to make your hike shorter or longer including info on the Half Note Trail
• How to hike the High Note Trail without taking the gondola (although I don’t recommend it)
• Tips for hiking the High Note Trail including what to pack and how to prep

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 Note Trail Stats

Here are the basic stats that you need to know about hiking the High Note Trail in Whistler:

Duration: 3 to 4.5 hours

Distance: 9.6 km loop

Difficulty: Moderate (Whistler Blackcomb rates it as difficult, but that is in comparison to their other trails. Compared to hiking trails in the entire Whistler area, I would say it is moderate.)

Elevation Change: 430 m elevation gain, 825 m elevation loss

Cost: $105/adult for an all-day sightseeing lift ticket that also includes the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. (If you plan to go sightseeing for more than one day, it’s worth it to buy a season’s pass. That’s what I do.)

Best Time to Go: Late June/early July to late September. The trail is closed the rest of the year. I highly recommend picking a clear day so you can enjoy the views. It’s not worth your money if it’s cloudy.

What’s With the Name? The peaks on the nearby ridge are named Piccolo, Flute, and Oboe Summits and are known as the Musical Bumps. Since these are high-pitched instruments, they named it the High Note.

Toilets: There are no toilets on the trail, but there are toilets at the Roundhouse Lodge where you start and end the hike.

Drinking Water: There are no water sources on the first half of the trail so pack drinking water. You can collect water at Symphony and Harmony Lakes on the second half of the trail, but you need to filter or treat it first. (I use a Katadyn BeFree.)

Dogs: Only guide dogs and service dogs are allowed.

Bikes: While there are tons of mountain bike trails on Whistler Mountain, bikes aren’t allowed on the High Note.

Caution: Keep an eye on the gondola hours – you don’t want to miss the last one off the mountain!

Indigenous Context: The High Note Trail is in the traditional territory of the Lil’wat and Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) Nations. Their oral tradition teaches us that before settlers arrived, the two Nations shared the Whistler Valley, using summer camps to harvest plants and animals. To learn more, visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

High Note Trail Map

The High Note Trail is easy to follow with lots of signs. But it can be helpful to have a map to understand where you are. 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).

You can also use Whistler Blackcomb’s Alpine Trails Map – they will give you a paper copy when you buy your lift ticket. It’s a beautiful hand-drawn map, and it gives you a vague idea of the terrain. But I don’t find it nearly as helpful as a proper topographic map… which is why I use All Trails+ or Gaia GPS instead.

How to Get to the High Note Trail

Parking

Getting to Whistler is fairly straightforward: Drive Highway 99 north from Vancouver to Whistler. My Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip guide has lots of driving tips and suggestions for where to stop along the way.

Once you get to Whistler, head for the day-use parking lots on Backcomb Way. Here are Google Maps driving directions. From there, walk 5 minutes to the Whistler Village Gondola.

Day-use lot 1 is the closest parking to the Whistler Gondola Base. My budget tip: Park in lots 4 or 5. They are an extra 5-10 minute walk and a bit cheaper. Here is info on current parking rates and hours.

Gondola Ride

The High Note Trail starts at the top of Whistler Peak. To get there you, will need to ride a combination of gondolas and lifts from Whistler Village. You need to pay to take the gondola and lifts, but they only check your ticket at the bottom when you get on the first gondola.

Buy your lift tickets at Whistler Gondola Base at the south end of Whistler Village. Then take the Whistler Village Gondola to its end at Roundhouse Lodge. The takes about 20 minutes. The Roundhouse has a coffee shop, cafeteria, and bathrooms. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola to Blackcomb is next to the Roundhouse.

Peak Chair

From the Roundhouse, turn right and follow the Peak Express Traverse Trail downhill for 0.6 km to the Peak Chair. Keep in mind that the Peak Chair opens an hour later than the Whistler Village Gondola, so you may have to wait if you arrive early in the morning. Check current opening hours before your trip.

Ride the Peak Chair to the top of Whistler Peak. This is an open four-seat chairlift and passes some very steep cliffs, so it can be a bit daunting for those who are afraid of heights. However, it only takes about 4 minutes, so it’s over quickly.

Note: The Peak Chair is not always open. It is usually closed in early and late season, especially on weekdays. If that is the case, you can walk up Pika’s Traverse and Matthews’s Traverse to Whistler Peak to start the High Note. This adds 3.3 km and 370 m of elevation gain to your hike.

Adding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to Your Hike

If you’ve paid for summer sightseeing lift ticket, you should make the most of it. And that means riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola along with hiking the High Note Trail. (My guide to Whistler in the summer has details on everything you can see with your lift ticket.)

If you want to ride the Peak 2 Peak before your hike, walk to Blackcomb Base and take the Blackcomb Gondola to Rendevous Lodge. Then ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to the Roundhouse. From there, you can walk to the Peak Chair and ride it up to start your hike.

To ride the Peak 2 Peak after the High Note, finish your hike at the Roundhouse, but go next door and get on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Ride it to Rendevous Lodge on Blackcomb, then ride the Blackcomb Gondola to Blackcomb Base. Walk 10 minutes back to Whistler Village from there. Or if you have extra time, explore the Blackcomb Trails.

Keep an eye on gondola opening hours to plan your hike and decide when to ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. If you get an early start and are on the gondola when it opens, I recommend riding the Peak 2 Peak first. You will still arrive at the Peak Chair before it opens, even with the extra time spent on the Peak 2 Peak. That lets you maximize your hiking time.

High Note Trail Hiking Directions

I recommend hiking the High Note Trail counter clockwise, starting at Whistler Peak. This means that most of the hike will be downhill. As well, you will be facing the views down to Cheakamus Lake, rather than having them behind you. Here are my step-by-step hiking directions for the High Note.

Starting the High Note Trail

Get off the Peak Chair and turn right to walk over the Cloudraker Skybridge and admire the view from the Raven’s Eye viewpoint. Walk down the stairs from the viewpoint and follow the wide path downhill. Look for the High Note Trail branching to the right.

Note: If you’re afraid of heights, you can skip the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye viewpoint. When you get off the gondola, go straight instead of right to the bridge. Ignore right-hand path to the inukshuk, and take your next right. This is the return route from the Skybridge and will take you to the start of the High Note.

Whistler Peak to Half Note Junction

The first section of the High Note Trail goes steeply downhill through lots of rocky sections. Watch for trail markers carefully to make sure you stay on track through the twists and turns. After a few minutes, reach a junction with a sign. Keep right. (The route to the left goes back to Whistler Peak Chair.) Keep hiking downhill through the rocks. I love the great views of the Whistler Valley here.

About 20 minutes after starting the hike, cross a gravel service road. On the other side, the trail turns to the left and begins to follow the side of the hill. The path trends slightly downhill through patches of gravel and grass. If you time it right, the grassy meadows on either side of the trail will be full of beautiful wildflowers.

As you walk through the wildflower meadows you will also get great views of the mountains in Garibaldi Park on the other side of the valley. The pointy top of Black Tusk is particularly spectacular.

About 2.5 km from the chair lift, the trail starts to go gradually uphill again. Reach the junction with the Half Note Trail about 3 km from the Peak Chair. It is marked with a metal signpost. If you are tired or low on time, you may wish to cut your hike short here. But if you can manage it, I recommend continuing since the best views are yet to come. (See the Half Note Trail section below for more details.)

Half Note Junction to Flute Summit Junction

This is my favourite part of the High Note. It has the best views and the best wildflower meadows. If you do the shorter Half Note Trail instead, you miss this section, which is a shame.

From the Half Note Junction, the High Note heads gradually back downhill through more meadows. Be sure to stop at the Cheakamus Lake Lookout, about 0.8 km past the junction. It is marked with a post with a carved raven on top. (But the raven is getting kind of weathered.)

This is the best place for photos on the whole High Note Trail since you can look down on Cheakamus Lake and across to Black Tusk.

A few minutes after the lookout there is a short mini-scramble section with some ladder rungs and a ramp to get up and over a rock outcropping. You are never more than a few feet off the ground, there is a rope to hang on to, and it is very non-technical so it’s nothing to worry about.

Past the scramble, the trail continues rambling through gorgeous alpine meadows and patches of forest. Keep an eye out for marmots, large members of the ground squirrel family. You can often spot them munching on flowers or sunning themselves on rocks. They whistle when they are alarmed, which is how Whistler Peak got its name.

About 4.5 km after leaving Peak Chair, arrive at the junction with the Flute Summit Trail and the Musical Bumps Route into Garibaldi Park. If you have more energy, there is a great view from Flute Summit. More info on that trail is below in the Making Your Trip Longer section.

Flute Summit Junction to the Roundhouse

The short section after the Flute Summit Junction is quite flat as it works its way through a gravelly area. There are good views towards the red and brown rocks of Flute and Oboe Summits. You can also look east across the Fitzsimmons Creek Valley to the Blackcomb Peak.

A few minutes after the junction, reach another junction with Burnt Stew Trail on the left. Go straight to stay on the High Note. From there, head down a steep and loose slope as you cross underneath the Symphony Express Chairlift.

The trail heads into a pretty little bowl around Symphony Lake, which is more of a pond. This is the first place to get water on the trail. Keep in mind that you must filter or treat the water. I carry a Katadyn BeFree since it is lightweight and easy to use – just squeeze it.

A minute later, cross Symphony Creek about 5.7 km from Whistler Peak. You may have to hop across on rocks to avoid getting your feet wet.

From here you have one of the toughest climbs of the hike. The route heads uphill across a rock slide and then through the forest to crest the ridge. In a few places it’s really steep! Thankfully, it’s short. Be sure to stop to enjoy the view as you catch your breath!

At the top, your trail briefly joins with a road-like gravel ski run as it heads downhill. Eventually, the road-like surface turns back into a trail as you continue working your way downhill through rocks and patches of trees.

Arrive at a junction with the Harmony Meadows Trail on your left just before you pass under the Harmony Chairlift. This is an alternative route back to the Roundhouse, but it is steeper, so I don’t recommend it. Instead, go straight on the High Note.

A few minutes later, arrive at Harmony Lake 7.8 km from Whistler Peak. The trail turns into an easy boardwalk around the lake. This area is a popular destination for short walks from the Roundhouse, so you will likely run into lots of other hikers. The trail past here is also much wider and better maintained.

As you reach the northeast corner of the lake, arrive at a signboard and junction with the Harmony Lake Loop on your right. This trail descends into some meadows, but the terrain you have already walked through is more spectacular, so stay left to continue back to the Roundhouse.

Follow the trail as it curves left around the lake, and then heads uphill on a winding path through the trees. You’ll gain about 100 m in the next kilometre, which will feel tough after a long hike. But it’s not too bad and the trees provide some shade.

At the top of the climb, follow the wide path left around the edge of the snow making reservoir, and then up short hill. Walk past the top of the Emerald Express Chairlift and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Continue through the plaza to finish the High Note Trail back at the Roundhouse.

Making Your Hike Shorter or Longer

I think that the High Note Trail definitely has the best views, but you have a few options for making your hike shorter or longer:

Half Note Trail

The Half Note Trail is the High Note’s little sister. It’s a little bit shorter since it splits off from the High Note Trail partway way along. It’s a good option if you are short on time, but unfortunately, it’s not nearly as scenic. I don’t recommend the Half Note since it misses the best parts of the High Note.

Here are the key stats for the Half Note Trail:

• Duration: 2.5-3.5 hours (Note: Whistler Blackcomb says it takes 75 minutes, but that’s just for the portion after you leave the High Note.)
• Distance: 6.8 km loop (Note: Whistler Blackcomb lists the distance as 3.2 km but that doesn’t include the part that is shared with the High Note.)
• Difficulty: Moderate (Whistler Blackcomb rates it as difficult, but that is in comparison to their other trails. Compared to hiking trails in the entire Whistler area, I would say it is moderate.)
• Elevation Change: 298 m elevation gain, 635 m elevation loss

The first 3-kilometre-long section of the Half Note Trail from the top of the Peak Chair to the Half Note/High Note Junction follows the High Note Trail description above.

From the spot where it splits from the High Note, the Half Note Trail climbs uphill out of the meadows into rock alpine terrain. About 400 m after the junction, cross the Burnt Stew service road and pick up the trail on the other side. Continue climbing uphill through intermittent trees and meadows as the trail swings around to head northwest.

Reach the top of the Harmony Chairlift and the junction with Matthews Traverse service road about 4 km from the start. This is your highpoint – it’s all downhill from here. Turn right to head downhill on Pika’s Traverse service road. A few minutes later there is a great viewpoint at the end of a hairpin bend.

The remaining 1.6 km back to the Roundhouse is on Pika’s Traverse. It’s a gravel road that has some loose and steep sections, so watch your step. In general, it isn’t very scenic since it travels through the heart of the ski resort. But it is an efficient way to get back to the Roundhouse.

Flute Summit

If you want to add another gorgeous viewpoint to your High Note Trail hike, I highly recommend Flute Summit since it’s not that far and the pay off-is great.

Here are the key stats for the add-on trip to Flute Summit from the High Note:

• Duration: 45 min to 1 hour (Note: Whistler Blackcomb says 3 hours but I have no idea how they came up with this number.)
• Distance: 1.5 km round-trip
• Difficulty: Moderate (Whistler Blackcomb rates it as difficult, but that is in comparison to their other trails. Compared to hiking trails in the entire Whistler area, I would say it is moderate.)
• Elevation Change: 120 m elevation gain, 120 m elevation loss

To get there, hike the High Note as described above as far as Flute Summit Junction. From there, turn right and climb up the steep and rocky slope. In a few places, the trail is eroded and indistinct, but if you stay on the most obvious path, you’ll find your way.

At the top there is a sign marking the summit, which has an elevation of 2012 metres. There is also a big sign welcoming you to Garibaldi Provincial Park. Both of these are very tall so they stick out of the snow in the winter.

Be sure to wander around the broad summit. There are great views of Cheakamus Lake below you and the Cheakamus Glacier on the other side. You can also look east to Oboe Summit, Fissile Peak, and the Overlord Glacier.

When you are finished enjoying the view, retrace your steps back to the junction with the High Note, then turn right to follow the High Note Trail back to the Roundhouse.

Musical Bumps to Russet Lake

Russet Lake is gorgeous and the trip along the Musical Bumps goes through beautiful meadows along a ridge crest. But this is a tough trip to execute in a day since you will need to make sure you hike fast enough to be back before the gondola stops running.

I think it is better as an overnight trip since you can camp at the lake – It’s one of my picks for the best backpacking trips in BC. I’ve been there so many times that I have a separate guide to hiking and backpacking at Russet Lake.

Here are the key stats for hiking to Russet Lake and back along the Musical Bumps from the High Note Trail: (Keep in mind you’ll need to add these stats to the High Note stats above.)

• Duration: 4.5-6.5 hours
• Distance: 14.2 km round-trip
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Elevation Change: 905 m elevation gain, 905 m elevation loss

Follow the directions to Flute Summit (above). Continue along the trail through the alpine and drop down into the saddle between Flute and Oboe Summits. Climb back up and over rocky Oboe Summit 2.5 km from Flute Junction, they stay on the trail as it gradually descends through meadows and patches of trees.

Reach your low point, Singing Pass, 4.5 km from Flute Junction. From here, follow the Russet Lake trail as it switchbacks up the slope of Cowboy Ridge. The first part of the climb is in meadows with a few trees, but you break out into rocky alpine partway up.

Reach the high point about 6.5 km from Flute Junction near the Kees and Claire backcountry hut. You can see the lake below you to your left. If you are worried about time, this makes a good turnaround point.

Otherwise, follow the trail for another 0.5 km to the shoreline at the north end of the lake. There is a backcountry campsite and toilet here. You can also go for a very chilly swim. (For info on camping here, check out my guide to hiking and backpacking at Russet Lake or my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.)

When you are ready to return, retrace your steps back over Oboe and Flute Summits to the Flute junction. Keep in mind that your route is all uphill from Singing Pass! Turn right at the junction and stay on the Half Note Trail to get back to the Round House.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

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• 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
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Musical Bumps to Singing Pass to Whistler Village

If you want to extend your trip even further, you can hike into Garibaldi Park along the Musical Bumps Trail, then follow the Singing Pass Trail downhill all the way to Whistler Village. (This route skips the gondola ride on the way down.)

Here are the key stats for the route linking the High Note, Musical Bumps, and Singing Pass Trails:

• Duration: 7-9 hours
• Distance: 20.2 km loop
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Elevation Change: 486 m elevation gain, 1969 m elevation loss
• Note: Hiking this route in reverse is detailed in the section below about hiking the High Note Trail without taking the gondola.

This is a long and tough hike, but it is mostly downhill. However, the Singing Pass Trail is poorly maintained and has some washouts so use caution.

To hike this route, start by hiking the High Note as described above. Then go right at the Flute Summit junction and hike up and over Flute Summit. Follow the trail past Flute Summit up and over rocky Oboe Summit, and then down through the meadows to Singing Pass.

From there, turn left and follow the Singing Pass Trail for 11.7 km to Whistler Village. It hugs the side of a steep valley, so there isn’t much to see. The first part of the hike is a trail, but it eventually turns into an old gravel road. Be careful and pay attention to signs in the bottom section, which goes through the Whistler bike park.

Blackcomb Trails

Another option is to take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola over to Blackcomb and hike Blackcomb Alpine Trail network. The trails are pretty easy and have great views of Whistler Mountain and the surrounding glaciers.

Here are the key stats for the Blackcomb Trails:

• Duration: 30 min to 4.5 hours
• Distance: 1.5 to 9.9 km
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Elevation Change: 70 to 560 m elevation gain

My recommended Blackcomb hiking route uses four trails to make a loop hike. It visits two lakes and some great viewpoints.

How to Hike the High Note Trail Without Taking the Gondola

I get it – the Whistler gondola is expensive. It’s possible to hike the High Note Trail without taking the gondola, but it’s a very long and challenging hike. As well, parts of it aren’t very scenic, so I don’t recommend it. (I think you should hike other free trails in Whistler instead.)

But if you really want to hike the High Note trail without taking the gondola, I’ll help you do it. Here are the key stats:

• Duration: 12-14 hours (You will have to leave very early in the morning to ensure you can take the last gondola down from the peak.)
• Distance: 20.5 km one-way
• Difficulty: Very Challenging
• Elevation Change: 2173 m elevation gain, 551 m elevation loss
• Map: See the map in the Singing Pass section above – it’s the same route but in reverse.

You can’t hike up through the ski area since it is part of the mountain bike park. Instead, you will start by hiking up the boring and poorly maintained Singing Pass Trail. From there, you have to hike the Musical Bumps trail over Oboe and Flute Summit to link up with the High Note Trail.

You will intersect the High Note halfway through, so you will only be able to do half of it unless you want to backtrack. I recommend turning left and hiking the High Note to Whistler Peak, since that is the most scenic section.

From Whistler Peak, you can get on the Peak Chair and take it down to the Roundhouse, then take the Whistler Gondola back to the village. They don’t check tickets once you are on the mountain, so you should be able to ride the gondola down for free.

Tips for Hiking for the High Note Trail

• Check the weather before you go. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Whistler Peak like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)
• Check gondola hours and trail status. Make sure the trail is open and the gondola and chairlifts are running by checking hours of operation and trail status online.
• 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 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.
• Bring water and snacks. There is no drinking water along the trail. 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 to filter water.)
• 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 Whistler without a commercial filming permit.
• Pack out all your garbage. There are garbage cans at the Roundhouse – please pack out your trash.

Fingers crossed that you get good weather when you hike the High Note Trail in Whistler. It’s by far my favourite Whistler hike since the scenery is so spectacular. If you’ve got questions about the trail, ask them in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer (By a Local)
• 80+ Things to Do in Whistler (By a Local)
• Russet Lake Hiking and Backpacking Trail Guide
• Blackcomb Hiking Trails in Whistler (By a Season’s Pass Holder)
• Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)
• Whistler Train Wreck Hike
• Al’s Habrich Trail at the Sea to Sky Gondola (By a Local)
• 31 Best Backpacking Trips in BC

The post High Note Trail in Whistler (By a Season’s Pass Holder) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

There is a Whistler hike for everyone on this list from short and easy hikes to all-day epic climbs. There are waterfalls, river canyons, historical ruins, lakes, viewpoints, and mountain tops.

These Whistler trails are all easy to navigate and don’t require tedious 4×4 driving to reach. Use this list of the best hikes in Whistler to plan your next adventure. 

Psst: Looking for a full list of Whistler activities? Check out my list of the best things to do in Whistler. It includes over 80 ideas!

Whistler Hiking Basics

Getting to Whistler: Whistler is located in British Columbia, Canada. It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Vancouver via the Sea to Sky Highway a.k.a. Highway 99. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can take a shuttle bus. The drive to Whistler is gorgeous! For a complete list of things to see between Vancouver and Whistler, check out my Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide.

Hiking season in Whistler: Whistler sits high up in the Coast Mountains. That means it has a short summer hiking season from June to September. Generally, the valley bottom trails start to be snow-free in April or May with higher elevation trails staying snowy into July. By mid October, it has started to snow again in the mountains. No matter what time of year you hike, check the weather forecast before you head out. Checking the weather is just one of the things you should do before every hike. (And if you’re visiting in the winter, check out this list of places to snowshoe in Whistler.)

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

What to bring hiking in Whistler: 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.)

Bear Safety: Whistler is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. 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 around Whistler is sensitive wilderness. Learn about Leave No Trace principles to help keep the wilderness wild.

Whistler Trails 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.

Hikes in Whistler Village

Lost Lake

The Lost Lake Trail is almost in the heart of Whistler Village. It is an easy hike through the forest to the lake. The trail is fairly flat and smooth enough for strollers. Follow the trail around the lake, then retrace your steps on the main trail back to the trailhead. On hot summer days, take a break at the lake for a swim.

If you want to add on some additional distance, a huge network of multi-use trails wind their way around the area, including the Sea to Sky Trail that stretches from Squamish to Pemberton. A few of them also go to viewpoints. Just watch out for mountain bikes. (In the winter the trail network is a great place to cross country ski or go snowshoeing in Whistler.)

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 5km loop Elevation gain: 50m Time Needed: 1.25 hours Best Time to Go: March to October Trail Info: My Lost Lake Park guide How to get there: The trailhead is located in Whistler on Lorimer Road near the intersection with Blackcomb Way. It’s a 10-minute walk from the village.

Blackcomb Ascent Trails

The steep Blackcomb Ascent trail is one of the hardest hikes in Whistler. Challenge yourself by hiking directly up the side of Blackcomb Mountain. But your knees won’t have to suffer because you can take the gondola back down. Known collectively as the Burn trails, the Blackcomb Ascent hike starts with Little Burn, which is the mellowest gaining just 74m over 0.8km. In the middle is Big Burn, which is steep and challenging – it’s 2.2km long with 494m of elevation gain. At the end of Big Burn, you can load onto the gondola at the Blackcomb Midstation or continue climbing upwards to the Rendezvous Lodge gondola station on the Heartburn Trail for another 3.1km, gaining 607m. Be sure to look up the gondola schedule before you go!

Difficulty: Very Challenging Distance: 6.1km one-way Elevation gain: 1175m Time Needed: 3.5 hours Best Time to Go: mid-June to September Trail Info: Whistler Blackcomb How to get there: The trail starts at Blackcomb Base on Blackcomb Way in Whistler. It’s an easy 10-minute walk from Whistler Village.  To take the gondola back down, you’ll need to buy a ticket on the mountain.

Blackcomb Alpine Trails

You’ll need to buy a gondola ticket to get the Blackcomb Alpine Trails, but the views are worth the price. You’ll ascend to 1850m above sea level in the gondola, emerging into an alpine landscape of rocks, glaciers, and wildflowers. Follow the Alpine Loop trail to the Fitzsimmons Viewpoint, then continue onwards on the Overlord Trail to Decker Tarn and Blackcomb Lake via loop trails. Your high point is Overlord Glacier Viewpoint at an elevation of 2050m.

Difficulty: Moderate Distance: Up t0 10km loop Elevation gain: 200m Time Needed: 3 hours Best Time to Go: mid-July to September Trail Info: My Blackcomb Trails guide How to get there: Take the Blackcomb gondola from Blackcomb Base up to Rendezvous Lodge at the top of Blackcomb. You can also get there via the Whistler Gondola and Peak to Peak Gondola directly from Whistler Village. 

Singing Pass to Russet Lake

This trail is long and not particularly scenic, but it provides free access into the gorgeous alpine between Whistler and Blackcomb Peaks in Garibaldi Provincial Park. I’ve got a complete description for this trail in my Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide.

The trail climbs first on an old road, then on a forested trail up the Fitzsimmons Creek valley. The trail has several washouts and unbridged creeks, so use caution during snow melt or after heavy rain. But at Singing Pass, you emerge into the alpine. The trail ends at Russet Lake, surrounded by glaciated peaks. You can also use this trail to connect with the Musical Bumps or High Note Trails to Whistler Peak.

Difficulty: Very Challenging Distance: 31km round trip Elevation gain: 1280m Time Needed: 10-11 hours Best Time to Go: July to September Trail Info: My Russet Lake hiking guide, Garibaldi Provincial Park  How to get there: The trailhead is next to the Whistler Gondola bus loop on Blackcomb Way.

Musical Bumps

The Musical Bumps is one of the most beautiful hikes in Whistler. It travels along the top of a ridge, passing Harmony Lake, Symphony Lake, Piccolo Summit, Flute Summit, and Oboe Summit. Now do you understand why it’s called the Musical Bumps Trail?

To get there, pay for the gondola and take it all the way up to Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. The trail ends at Singing Pass. From there, you can retrace your steps back to the Roundhouse, continue upward to Russet Lake, make a loop by using the High Note Trail, or walk all the way back down to Whistler Village on the Singing Pass Trail. Time your visit for mid-summer to see the wildflowers. 

Difficulty: Challenging Distance: 19km round trip Elevation gain: 305m Time Needed: 8-9 hours  Best Time to Go: July-September Trail Info: Whistler Blackcomb, Garibaldi Provincial Park How to get there: Ride the gondola from Whistler Village to the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain.

High Note Trail

The High Note Trail is one of the newest trails in Whistler, and also one of the most spectacular. (It made my list of the top 10 hikes near Vancouver.) You ascend to the very top of Whistler Peak, then make a descending loop. Along the way, there are gorgeous views of Cheakamus Lake below and Black Tusk across the valley. You can also connect this trail to the Musical Bumps. And if the entire High Note Trail is too long for you, there’s a shortcut halfway along called the Half Note. 

Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 9.6km one-way Elevation gain: 430m Time Needed: 3-4.5 hours Best Time to Go: July to September Trail Info: My High Note Trail Guide How to get there: Ride the gondola from Whistler Village to the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, then take the Peak Chair up to the peak.

Hikes on the West Side of Whistler

Rainbow Lake

The trail to Rainbow Lake climbs through the forest on the west side of the Whistler Valley, passing Rainbow Falls along the way. It emerges into the alpine on the shores of beautiful Rainbow Lake, nestled beneath the rocky bulk of Rainbow Mountain. The entire hike is within the Whistler watershed that supplies drinking water to the town so swimming isn’t allowed and you should use the three toilets along the trail. 

Difficulty: Challenging Distance: 16km round trip Elevation gain: 850m Time Needed: 6-7 hours Best Time to Go: July-September Trail Info: Rainbow Mountain Trail Map, Vancouver Trails How to get there: From Whistler Village, head south on Highway 99, then turn right on Alta Lake Road. Follow it for 6km to the trailhead and parking area on the left side of the road. You can also take a taxi. 

Rainbow Falls

If the hike to Rainbow Lake is too long, just head a short distance up the trail to visit Rainbow Falls. The falls aren’t visible from the main trail, but you can take a side trail to visit them. The best time to see the falls is during the spring runoff, but they are beautiful at any time of year. You can also snowshoe to Rainbow Falls in the winter. Use my Rainbow Falls trail guide to find your way.

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2.3 km loop Elevation gain: 130 m Time Needed: 1-1.5 hours Best Time to Go: May-October Trail Info: My Rainbow Falls trail guide. How to get there: From Whistler Village, head south on Highway 99, then turn right on Alta Lake Road. Follow it for 6km to the trailhead and parking area on the left side of the road. You can also take a taxi. 

Skywalk Trail

The Skywalk Trails are part of Whistler’s new alpine trail network on the northeast face of Rainbow Mountain. There are actually three trails: Skywalk South, 19 Mile Creek, and Skywalk North that connect to make several loop trips possible. All three trails top out in the alpine near the frozen waters of Iceberg Lake. A popular loop option is to combine the 19 Mile Creek and Skywalk North trails. 

Difficulty: Challenging Distance: Up to 20km Elevation gain: 1025m Time Needed: 9 hours Best Time to Go: July to September Trail Info: Rainbow Mountain Trail Map, Vancouver Trails How to get there: The Skywalk North and 19 Mile Creek trails start at the end of Mountain View Drive in the Alpine Meadows neighbourhood. To get there from Whistler Village, drive Highway 99 north and turn left on Meadow Lane into Alpine Meadows. Immediately turn right onto Parkwood Drive, then go left on Mountain View Drive and follow it up the hill to its end. Bus route 30 stops at the intersection of Mountain View Drive and Valley drive a few minutes from the trailhead. You can also take a taxi.

Hikes in Cheakamus Crossing

Riverside and Farside Trails

This easy loop hike follows the Riverside and Farside Trails (also known as the Cheakamus River Trail) along the banks of the Cheakamus River through the Whistler Interpretive Forest. It is located just south of Whistler in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood, which was the site of the Whistler Olympic Village. Halfway through the hike, cross the Cheakamus River on a suspension bridge, then follow the opposite bank back to the trailhead. (The Riverside Trail is also a great snowshoe trail in the winter.)

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 6km loop Elevation gain: 90m Time Needed: 2 hours Best Time to Go: March to October Trail Info: Whistler Interpretive Forest Map How to get there: The trailhead and parking lot are on Cheakamus Lake Road immediately after you turn off Highway 99. You can also take bus route 10 or 20 from Whistler Village. The bus stop is at the trailhead. 

READ NEXT: 40+ Cheap and Free Things To Do in Whistler

Crater Rim Trail

The Crater Rim trail makes a loop through the Whistler Interpretive Forest high above Loggers Lake. The lake is actually an extinct volcanic crater. As the trail passes above the lake, it visits several great viewpoints. If you want a longer hike, you could combine the Crater Rim Trail with the Riverside Trail or other trails in the Interpretive Forest. 

Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 4.5km loop Elevation gain: 230m Time Needed: 2 hours Best Time to Go: May to October Trail Info: Whistler Interpretive Forest Map, Vancouver Trails How to get there: Turn off Highway 99 onto Cheakamus Lake Road. Less than 1km later, go left on a gravel road, then make your first right and follow the road across a bridge. Park at the Logger’s Lake trailhead on the side of the road about 2km after you left the pavement. If you don’t have a car, take bus route 10 or 20 to Cheakamus Lake Road, then walk the gravel road to the trailhead. You can also take a taxi.

Cheakamus Lake

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

This is one of the best easy hikes in Whistler. It heads through old-growth forest to the shores of Cheakamus Lake. The lake has beautiful turquoise blue water thanks to glacial runoff. You can take a shorter 7km round trip hike to the west end of the lake, or continue along the trail until it ends at Singing Creek, for a 14km round trip hike. While the water looks beautiful, it’s bitterly cold so swim at your own risk. 

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 7-14km round trip Elevation gain: 50m Time Needed: 2-4 hours Best Time to Go: May to November Trail Info: Garibaldi Provincial Park How to get there: Turn off Highway 99 onto Cheakamus Lake Road. Stay on the road for 7.5km, avoiding all branches, until it ends at a parking lot and trailhead. The road is bumpy, but fine for all for all vehicles. Some Whistler taxi companies will also drive you to the trailhead. 

Helm Pass

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

This challenging trail starts from the same trailhead as Cheakamus Lake. It crosses a bridge over the Cheakamus River then ascends forested slopes into the heart of Garibaldi Provincial Park. After passing the Helm Creek campground, you’ll arrive at the surreal volcanic landscape of Helm Pass. The pass has several beautiful light blue alpine lakes as well as a fascinating flat plain covered in lava rocks called the Cinder Flats. If you have the energy to continue onwards, you can connect to the Panorama Ridge, Garibaldi Lake and Black Tusk trails from Helm Pass.

Difficulty: Challenging Distance: 25km round trip Elevation gain: 930m Time Needed: 8-9 hours Best Time to Go: July-September Trail Info: Garibaldi Provincial Park How to get there: Turn off Highway 99 onto Cheakamus Lake Road. Stay on the road for 7.5km, avoiding all branches, until it ends at a parking lot and trailhead. The road is bumpy, but fine for all for all vehicles. Some Whistler taxi companies will also drive you to the trailhead. 

Whistler Train Wreck

The Whistler Train Wreck trail is one of the most unique trails in Whistler. A train derailed in the area in the 1950s. Today, the cars still lay where they landed in the forest, covered in graffiti, and surrounded by mountain bike trails. It’s an easy and flat hike to the wreck, which includes a suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River. The Whistler Train Wreck Trail is also a great place to snowshoe in the winter. 

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 3km round trip Elevation gain: Minimal Time Needed: 1 hour  Best Time to Go: March to October Trail Info: My Whistler Train Wreck hiking guide. How to get there: From Whislter Village, go south on Highway 99, then turn left onto Cheakamus Lake Road, which becomes Legacy Way. Turn right off Legacy Way onto Jane Lake Road. The trailhead is on your right 500m later. You can also take bus route 10 or 20 to the stop on Legacy Way and walk Jane Lakes Road to the trailhead. Whistler taxis will also take you to the trailhead.

Hikes South of Whistler

Brandywine Falls

This short and easy hike heads to one of the Whistler area’s most spectacular waterfalls: Brandywine Falls. It plummets 70 meters down volcanic basalt cliffs into the canyon far below. You can get a great view of the falls from a viewing platform. If you want a longer hike, there are other trails in the park. Snowshoeing at Brandywine Falls is also great in the winter. 

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 1km round trip Elevation gain: none Time Needed: 30 minutes  Best Time to Go: March to October Trail Info: My Brandywine Falls trail guide How to get there: Head south on Highway 99 from Whistler Village for 17km, then turn left into the parking lot for Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. 

Garibaldi Lake

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

The hike to Garibaldi Lake is a classic, and I think it’s one of the ten best hikes near Vancouver. The trail climbs up through the forest, passes a great viewpoint and several small lakes before arriving at Garibaldi Lake. This massive lake is glacially fed, giving the water an unreal blue tinge. From the picnic area and campground there are incredible views of the glaciers across the lake. 

Difficulty: Challenging Distance: 18km round trip Elevation gain: 820m Time Needed: 6-7 hours Best Time to Go: July to September Trail Info: Garibaldi Provincial Park How to get there: From Whistler Village, head south on Highway 99 for 25km. Turn left onto Daisy Lake Road and follow it to its end at the Rubble Creek parking lot and trailhead. 

Black Tusk

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

Black Tusk is the prominent black peak you can see from many places in the Whistler area. It’s actually hardened lava from an extinct volcano. You can hike to the base of the Tusk, but only experienced rock climbers should make the final sketchy scramble to the summit. To get there, follow the Garibaldi Lake Trail uphill from the Rubble Creek trailhead to a junction. Go left through the wildflowers of Taylor Meadow, then turn left again to begin the tough slog up the rocky trail to the Tusk.

Difficulty: Very Challenging Distance: 29km round trip Elevation gain: 1740m Time Needed: 11-12 hours Best Time to Go: July to September Trail Info: Garibaldi Provincial Park How to get there: From Whistler Village, head south on Highway 99 for 25km. Turn left onto Daisy Lake Road and follow it to its end at the Rubble Creek parking lot and trailhead. 

Panorama Ridge

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

Panorama Ridge is one of my favourite hikes, and on my list for the best hikes in the Vancouver area. It’s a long day on the trails, but the views from the summit are truly incredible. You start on the forested Garibaldi Lake Trail, go left through Taylor Meadows, pass the turnoff to Black Tusk, and arrive at the volcanic landscape of Helm Pass. From there you ascend the slopes of Panorama Ridge. At the top, you get mind-blowing 360-degree views. Garibaldi Lake is in front of you, Black Tusk is behind you and snow-capped mountains are all around. 

Difficulty: Very Challenging Distance: 30km round trip Elevation gain: 1520m Time Needed: 11-12 hours Best Time to Go: July to September Trail Info: Garibaldi Park How to get there: From Whistler Village, head south on Highway 99 for 25km. Turn left onto Daisy Lake Road and follow it to its end at the Rubble Creek parking lot and trailhead. 

Hikes North of Whistler

Ancient Cedars Trail

The short Ancient Cedars Trail travels to a grove of huge old-growth cedar trees at the north end of Whistler. These massive trees are part of a small parcel that wasn’t logged. Some of the trees are over 900 years old! The trail was upgraded with new signage in 2013 and now it is much easier to find than it used to be.

Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 5km round trip Elevation gain: 175m Time Needed: 2 hours Best Time to Go: June to October Trail Info: Cougar Mountain Trail Map, Vancouver Trails How to get there: Go north on Highway 99 from Whistler Village. Just past Green Lake, turn left onto the gravel Cougar Mountain Road about 8.5km from the village. The road is rough so you will need an AWD or 4WD vehicle. The trailhead is 4.5km up the road from the highway, past the ziplines and ATV rentals.

Parkhurst Ghost Town

Abandoned in the 1960s, Parkhurst was a logging settlement on the shores of Green Lake. Old buildings, machinery, and artefacts litter the site today, making it one of the area’s most unusual hikes. You can make a loop hike through the town to check it out. There are tons of mountain bike trails in the area that can be confusing and aren’t well marked, so bring a GPS. Parkhurst is also a great place to snowshoe in the winter. 

Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 5km loop Elevation gain: Minimal Time Needed: 2 hours Best Time to Go: May to October Trail Info: Read my guide to the Parkhurst Ghost Town trail How to get there: Head north from Whistler Village on Highway 99 for 11.5km. Turn right across the train tracks onto Wedge Forest Service Road and cross a bridge. On the other side, go right at the junction and park just past Whistler Paintball. You can also take a taxi to the trailhead. 

Wedgemount Lake

The hike to Wedgemount Lake is the steepest and most challenging hike in Whistler. Your legs will certainly feel the effort. At the top you’ll arrive at a beautiful blue lake, surrounded by mountains. Follow the trail to the far end of the lake, then uphill through the rocks for a few minutes to the toe of a glacier. A few decades ago, this glacier ended at the lakeshore – it’s sad to see how far it has retreated in such a short time!

Difficulty: Very Challenging Distance: 14km round trip Elevation gain: 1200m Time Needed: 8-9 hours Best Time to Go: July-September Trail Info: Garibaldi Provincial Park How to get there: Head north from Whistler Village on Highway 99 for 11.5km. Turn right across the train tracks onto Wedge Forest Service Road and cross a bridge. On the other side, go left at the junction and follow signs for another 2km to the trailhead. The gravel road is rough but passable for all types of vehicles. You can also take a taxi to the trailhead. 

Nairn Falls

This easy hike follows the banks of the Green River to 60m-tall Nairn Falls. It’s one of many great waterfall hikes in the area.  The falls crash down through smooth granite rocks, worn away by thousands of years of flowing water. Two different platforms give you great views of the falls. If you visit in winter, snowshoeing to Nairn Falls is fun too. 

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 3km round trip Elevation gain: None Time Needed: 1 hour  Best Time to Go: May to October Trail Info: Nairn Falls Provincial Park How to get there: From Whistler Village, head north on Highway 99 for 29km, then turn right into the park. 

Joffre Lakes

Heads up: Day passes are required Joffre Lakes in summer. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.

The popular hike to Joffre Lakes isn’t in Whistler – it’s actually closer to the towns of Pemberton and Mount Currie. But since many people do it as a day trip from Whistler, I’ve included Joffre Lakes on this list. The hike travels to three beautiful turquoise lakes and passes by a waterfall. At the third lake, there are amazing views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The Joffre Lakes trail near Whistler can get incredibly busy, so try to go on a weekday.

Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 10km round trip Elevation gain: 400m Time Needed: 4 hours Best Time to Go: June to September Trail Info: My Joffre Lakes hiking guide How to get there: Go north on Highway 99 from Whistler Village for 61km, then turn right into the parking lot. If the lot is full, there are overflow lots on the other side of the highway.

With over 20 trails to choose from, I’m sure you’ll find a Whistler hike on this list that you love. Do you have other Whistler hikes to recommend? Tell me in the comments. 

More Whistler Area Posts:

• 80+ Things to Do in Whistler (By a Local)
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer (By a Local)
• 40+ Cheap and Free Things To Do in Whistler
• 44 Best Things to Do in Whistler in Winter
• Camping in Whistler, BC: The Best Campgrounds
• Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip Guide: Driving from Vancouver to Whistler

More Whistler Hiking Posts:

• Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)
• High Note Trail in Whistler
• Whistler Train Wreck Hike
• Blackcomb Hiking Trails in Whistler (By a Season’s Pass Holder)
• Rainbow Falls Loop Trail in Whistler
• Brandywine Falls Provincial Park Hiking Guide
• Hike to Parkhurst Ghost Town in Whistler
• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
• Sea to Sky Trail from Squamish to Pemberton

More Whistler Outdoor Adventures:

• How to Paddle the River of Golden Dreams in Whistler, BC
• Lost Lake in Whistler: Hiking, Swimming, Biking and More
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Whistler
• Cheakamus River Snowshoe Trail in Whistler
• Lost Lake Snowshoe Trails in Whistler

The post The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

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

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

Al’s Habrich Ridge

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

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

Heather Trail to Three Brothers

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

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

READ NEXT: Most Instagrammed Hikes in Vancouver

High Note Trail

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

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

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

Mount Seymour

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

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

READ NEXT: 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver

Panorama Ridge and Garibaldi Lake

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

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

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

Eagle Bluff

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

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

READ NEXT: Alternatives to the Grouse Grind: Steep Workout Hikes Near Vancouver

Lighthouse Park

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

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

St. Mark’s Summit

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

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

READ NEXT: Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: 100+ Year-round Trails

Elk Mountain

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

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

Lynn Canyon

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

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

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

More Vancouver Hikes:

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

The post The 10 Best Hikes in Vancouver – A Local’s Guide appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.