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.

It’s a new paid boardwalk and viewing platform attraction at Mamquam Falls, and since the old hiking trail to the falls is still there, I wondered: Is Squamish Canyon worth it?

In this guide to visiting Squamish Canyon, I’ll answer that question and provide lots of info, including:

• What is Squamish Canyon? What to expect if you visit.
• How is Squamish Canyon different than the Mamquam Falls hike?
• Is Squamish Canyon worth it? I’ve got a pros and cons list.
• Tips for visiting Squamish Canyon: best times to go, how to save money on tickets, how long to spend, how to get there, and lots 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 Squamish Canyon for hosting me on my visit. All opinions in this post are my own. Thanks for your support. – Taryn

What is Squamish Canyon?

Squamish Canyon is a paid 1.5-kilometre boardwalk through the forest just outside the town of Squamish. Part of the boardwalk passes the sculpted granite Mamquam River Canyon and Mamquam Falls.

The boardwalk uses careful construction to avoid disturbing tree roots and to keep as many large trees as possible – in places, they grow right through the boardwalk. The forest is gorgeous with lots of moss, ferns, and salal. The boardwalk also has interpretive panels explaining the plants, animals and ecosystem you are walking through.

The attraction also includes the Forest Lounge: a big outdoor seating area under a canopy of hemlock trees with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs for sale. There is also a children’s playground next to the Forest Lounge.

As you can see on the map, you start with a walk through the forest on a boardwalk. Next, you descend several staircases to the portion of the boardwalk next to the canyon. The path goes under a road bridge and passes over the top of the waterfall. There are many places to see Mamquam Falls, but the best view is just after the bridge.

After leaving the viewpoint, you head up a few stairs to the Forest Lounge and children’s playground. To finish the experience, you walk along another boardwalk and then end with a final, long set of stairs.

It’s worth noting that a gravel forest service road passes through the middle of the attraction and there is a power station across the canyon. The free, public Mamquam Falls Trail is also visible from a few places on the boardwalk. You’ll get glimpses of these (especially the road bridge) but they have done a great job of minimizing the visual distractions and keeping you immersed in the forest.

How is Squamish Canyon Different Than the Mamquam Falls Hike?

The short hike to Mamquam Falls is next to Squamish Canyon, and it is still open and free to hike. As a local, Mamquam Falls is on my list of the best hikes in Squamish. It’s worth noting that the owners of Squamish Canyon worked hard to build the attraction while also keeping the existing hiking trail intact and free to use.

The hike to Mamquam Falls is 1.6 km long with 65 m of elevation gain, which is comparable to the Squamish Canyon boardwalk. However, the Mamquam Falls hike is on a gravel road and then on a very rough, eroded, and unmaintained trail that can be very muddy and slippery. It’s a short hike, but due to the terrain, it can be tricky, especially in the fall, winter, and spring.

The trail ends at a small viewpoint of the falls near the bank of the river. Most photos taken at this viewpoint crop out the power station on the left, but it’s quite visible in person. As well, the trail doesn’t go to the upper canyon above the falls.

If you take the Squamish Canyon boardwalk, you’ll get tons of different angles of the falls, all of which I think are better than the free viewing platform. The walk along the boardwalk is also sooo much easier than the free hike. You’ll be able to look around as you walk instead of looking at your feet to prevent yourself from tripping on slippery roots or falling into mud holes.

Is Squamish Canyon Worth it?

After visiting Squamish Canyon and hiking to Mamquam Falls numerous times, I can definitely say that the views of the falls from Squamish Canyon are way better than the free hiking trail and that it’s a beautiful and well-built attraction.

But is Squamish Canyon worth it? My answer is: It really depends.

I really enjoyed the boardwalk, the views of the canyon and waterfall, and the peaceful, chill experience of the Forest Lounge. (I spent an hour just hanging out there.)

If you’re looking for an easy way to experience the rainforest near Squamish, I think this is by far the best option. However, I really wish it didn’t have so many stairs! (More on that in the accessibility section below.) And I think the price-to-experience-length ratio is a bit high.

To help you decide if Squamish Canyon is worth it for you, I’ve got a pros and cons list below.

Pros

• By far the best views of Mamquam Falls and Mamquam River Canyon
• Great in all kinds of weather, including rain and fog
• Rainforest boadwalk is immersive, beautifully constructed, and easy to walk (as long as you can climb stairs)
• Forest Lounge is a unique and beautiful spot to chill out
• A better option for people who have a fear of heights compared to the Sea to Sky Gondola or Capilano Suspension Bridge

Cons

• Lots of stairs, so it’s not accessible for people with mobility challenges
• Expensive for the length of experience
• Requires driving on a smooth gravel road that has industrial traffic and may void your rental car agreement. (More about this in the getting there section below.)

Tips for Visiting Squamish Canyon

Weather and Best Time To Go to Squamish Canyon

Squamish Canyon is open year-round. Since it is a new attraction, it isn’t very busy yet. However, it is busier on weekends.

As a Squamish local, I think it’s a good attraction to visit on both sunny and cloudy days since you’ll still get great views of the forest and canyon.

Honestly, Squamish Canyon would also be nice on a rainy day since the waterfall will be pumping and the forest will be extra green. However, there currently isn’t any covered seating, so you won’t want to hang out in the forest lounge if it’s raining.

The other thing to consider is the colour of the water. Most photos of the canyon online feature gorgeous turquoise blue water. You can expect turquoise water in the winter, spring, and fall when the river is fed by snowmelt and rain.

However, in late summer (typically mid-July to late-September), the water turns a milky cream colour. This is because the water is full of silt from the melting glaciers high in Garibaldi Provincial Park. In the Squamish language, Mount Garibaldi is called Nch’Kay, which means “grimy one” since so much volcanic silt washes into the rivers from its summit.

You can also expect browner, less clear water during and after big rainstorms all year long.

The canyon is still beautiful if the water isn’t turquoise and clear – you just need to be prepared for the water to be milky.

How Long to Spend at Squamish Canyon

If you just walk the boardwalk, stopping to take a few photos, plan to spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour at Squamish Canyon. However, I recommend stopping for a drink and snack at the forest lounge, partway through. It’s a really beautiful and chill outdoor space. If you stop for a snack, allow about 1.5 to 2 hours.

How to Save Money on Tickets for Squamish Canyon

Ticket prices for Squamish Canyon are a bit on the steep side:

• Adults 13 to 64: $44
• Seniors 65+: $39
• Kids 6 to 12: $26
• Kids under 5: Free
• Family (2 adults and 2 kids): $126

However, you can save 20% on admission if you book tickets online 24 hours in advance. That’s a pretty good savings.

If you plan to visit three or more times in a year, the annual pass will save you some money at $110. If you are a Squamish resident, you can also get an annual pass for $55.

What to Pack

• A rain jacket and warm clothing. Dress for the weather. The canyon is in the shade, and it can be a bit colder than elsewhere in Squamish. As well, the canyon can get misty from the waterfall.
• Comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking for about 45 minutes on stairs and wooden platforms. Skip the high heels, but you don’t need hiking boots.
• A camera. It’s gorgeous and you will want tons of pics! But leave the drone at home. Drones aren’t allowed.
• Snacks and water (if you want). You can buy snacks and drinks at the forest lounge, but you’re also allowed to bring outside food.

How to Get to Squamish Canyon

Squamish Canyon is located about 5.4 kilometres from Highway 99, a.k.a. the Sea to Sky Highway. There is currently no public transportation or shuttle service to Squamish Canyon – the only way to get there is by car.

To get to Squamish Canyon, you will need to drive on logging roads, but they are very well-maintained and fine for any car. In the winter, they do get a bit bumpier with a few potholes, but just go slow and you’ll be fine. As of 2025, there is gas pipeline construction and logging in the area, so you may encounter some industrial traffic.

Note about rental cars: Many rental car companies have policies that will void your insurance and rental contract or incur additional charges if you drive on a gravel road. Check your contract carefully and decide if you want to drive here in a rental car.

Tip: If you’re driving to Squamish from Vancouver, use my Sea to Sky Highway Road Trip guide. It’s got info on all the best places to stop along the way.

Driving Directions

You can put “Squamish Canyon” into Google Maps for directions.

Here are my driving directions:

• Turn east off of Highway 99 onto Mamquam River Forest Service Road. If you are coming from Vancouver, this is a right turn. If you are coming from Squamish, it’s left turn so you will have to wait for a break in traffic. The road immediately turns to gravel.
• Follow this road for 3.7 km. You will pass lots of roadside parking areas for rock climbers and hikers. You will also go over a single-lane bridge.
• Reach a wide fork with lots of signs and turn left onto Powerhouse Springs Road. You will pass through a staging area for the pipeline construction camp.
• About 1.6 km after the turn, the parking area is on the left. You must drive past the entire parking area, then turn left to enter it. Currently, parking is free. The entrance to Squamish Canyon and the hiking trail to Mamquam Falls are just past the parking area.

Food and Drinks

Squamish Canyon has two food service locations. Moss and Mug is a small cafe with coffee and cold drinks next to the ticket booth. You don’t have to pay to access this cafe, so you can buy drinks here if you are just hiking the free trail to Mamquam Falls.

The Forest Lounge has lots more food and drink options. They have sandwiches, gourmet hot dogs, and charcuterie boxes. They also have lots of cold drinks, coffee beverages, and alcohol, including cocktails. It’s worth noting that the Forest Lounge does not have any cover – it’s open to the tree canopy – so it isn’t a good place to hang out if it’s raining.

Visiting With Kids

On my visit we saw lots of families with kids of various ages. Squamish Canyon isn’t stroller-friendly so your kids will need to be able to do stairs. For little ones, a baby carrier or backpack-style kid carrier is a good idea. The entire attraction has high railings and smooth surfaces, so it’s safe for kids who can walk on their own.

Kids 5 and under are free. Prices for kids 6 to 12 are substantially cheaper than adult tickets and there is a family discount pass for 2 adults and 2 kids.

The playground next to the Forest Lounge has lots of room for imaginative and adventurous play. However, it’s best for kids over 7 or 8. Younger kids may find the play elements too big or too far off the ground.

The Forest Lounge also has a kids’ menu. And the gift shop has a selection of forest-themed children’s books.

Cell Phone Service

While the Squamish Canyon isn’t totally off the grid, it’s in a deep valley a few minutes outside of town, so cell service isn’t great. Depending on your carrier, expect to get 1 or 2 bars of service.

That’s enough to make phone calls or send texts, but don’t expect to be able to use the internet. That’s really too bad because they have QR codes on their interpretive signage for more info about the plants and animals… but I didn’t have enough cell service to open their links!

Bathrooms

There are bathrooms in the parking lot (open to the public, including hikers from Mamquam Falls) and at the Forest Lounge. Both locations have accessible bathrooms.

Accessibility

While most of Squamish Canyon is a flat boardwalk through the forest and along the canyon, there are a LOT of stairs. That’s because the parking lot is about 40 metres higher than the canyon viewing platforms, so you have to hike down to the platform, then back up to the parking area.

There are railings everywhere and lots of benches to stop and rest, so it is doable for most people.

However, it is not stroller-friendly or wheelchair accessible. The Squamish Canyon website says that the forest lounge is wheelchair accessible and to contact them for info – I’m guessing they will just let you drive down the access road, then wheel into the Forest Lounge. Honestly, if you require wheelchair access, I don’t think the admission price is worth it to just visit the forest lounge.

When I first heard about this attraction, I was excited to take my in-laws since they don’t have the mobility to hike, and I thought this would be a good way for them to see the falls. I was really disappointed when I found out it had so many stairs and wasn’t accessible for them.

But now that I’ve visited Squamish Canyon, I kind of understand why it isn’t wheelchair accessible. The drop down to the canyon is steep, and to make it accessible, it would have required them to make the boardwalk twice as long as it is to make ramps with switchbacks. It would have been much more difficult and expensive to build and would have had a much higher environmental impact.

That being said, I believe that governments should not approve projects like this unless they are accessible and that Squamish Canyon should have been forced to construct an accessible attraction.

Fear of Heights

Unless your fear of heights is really severe, you will have a good time at Squamish Canyon. I visited with someone who has a moderate fear of heights, and they said they had absolutely no issues.

All of the boardwalks and bridges are rigid and stable, so you won’t get that scary bouncy feeling you might get on suspension bridges like the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

As well, all of the boardwalks have high railings, and they are nice and wide, so you can stay well back from the edge while still enjoying the view.

Except for a few sections near the waterfall, you are never very high above the ground, and the trees reach up beside you, so it doesn’t feel like you are up really high, like you do on the Sea to Sky Gondola or the gondola to Grouse Mountain.

Souvenirs

The gift shop in the Forest Lounge has a small selection of Squamish Canyon branded clothing and other merch. They also have lots of gifts and housewares with Indigenous designs that I recognize as being from Native Northwest, a Vancouver company that works collaboratively with Indigenous artists. The shop also has a small selection of children’s books.

Rules

• Pets aren’t allowed, but you can bring certified service and guide dogs.
• Drones aren’t allowed. Leave yours at home.
• Outside food and beverages are allowed, but you can’t bring your own alcohol. However, you can purchase alcohol in the Forest Lounge.
• Smoking and vaping aren’t allowed.

Final Thoughts

I have to admit, I was pretty conflicted about this attraction when it was under construction. I had hoped that the District of Squamish or BC Parks would adopt this area, improve the trail, and turn it into a protected area that was free for everyone to visit.

Now that it’s open, I can see that the level of design and construction that went into it is really high – the government never could have built something this nice if it was a free attraction. It is truly a beautiful way to experience the rainforest, albeit a slightly expensive one. I also appreciate that they left the original Mamquam Falls Trail open and free to use.

If you want to walk on an easy trail where you know the views will be great the entire time, your snack break will be at an incredibly peaceful location, and you don’t mind paying for the experience, you’ll love Squamish Canyon.

Do you have questions about visiting Squamish Canyon? Ask in the comments and I’ll help you out.

READ NEXT:

• 60+ Things to do in Squamish (By a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (By a Local)
• Sea to Sky Trail from Squamish to Pemberton

The post Squamish Canyon at Mamquam Falls: Is it Worth it? appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I spent four days hiking the Skoki Loop in Banff National Park near Lake Louise, and I was blown away – I didn’t expect to like the area this much! I went in August, so the wildflowers were in bloom, but I think I’d also like to go in the fall to see all the larches turn gold.

I’m a hiking guidebook author and have backpacked all over BC and the Canadian Rockies, so I’ve put together a detailed Skoki Loop hiking and backpacking guide for you. It includes:

• Quick facts about the Skoki Loop, including distance, how long it takes, best time to go, and more
• Map and elevation profile, plus a downloadable GPX file
• Detailed trail description, broken down into sections with distances and elevation gain
• Side trips and alternative routes so you can see the best scenery
• Skoki Loop itinerary options, from 2 to 4 days
• Camping and where to stay – details on every campground plus the Skoki Lodge
• Reservations and fees – key dates plus booking tips
• How to get to the Skoki Loop – including parking and bus info
• Skoki Loop hiking tips – advice for bears, 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

Skoki Loop Quick Facts

Route Overview: The Skoki Loop is a long day hike or multi-day backpacking route that makes a lollipop-shaped loop through the backcountry near Lake Louise. It goes over three passes and visits gorgeous alpine lakes.

Distance: 33.5 km

Elevation Gain: 1,295 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 3 days

Best Time to Go: Mid-July to mid-September when the trail is snow-free. Early to mid-August is wildflower season, and September is larch season.

Reservations and Fees: You must make reservations to camp. You must also pay National Park entry fees, backcountry camping fees, and a reservation fee. More details below.

Indigenous Context: The Skoki area is in the traditional territory of the Tsuut’ina, Blackfoot/Niitsítapi, Stoney Nakoda, Ktunaxa, and Métis. The government forced Indigenous people to leave when Banff National Park was created in 1885. Today, the park works with several Indigenous groups to facilitate access for traditional, ceremonial, and cultural activities, including harvesting.

Skoki Loop Trail Maps and Elevation Profile

For the most part, the main trails on the Skoki Loop are well-marked and easy to follow. There are signs at most junctions. However, there are a few unofficial trails and easy scrambling routes that aren’t marked with signs and aren’t on the Lake Louise and Yoho Map from Gem Trek. (Otherwise, it’s a great 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 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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Skoki Loop Trail Description

If you look online, you’ll find several different versions of the Skoki Loop. I’ve chosen to describe the most popular and most scenic version here. It goes from the trailhead to Baker Lake, then around Fossil Mountain to the Skoki Lodge. To complete the loop, you’ll hike from Skoki Lodge over Packer’s Pass, then rejoin the main path to the trailhead.

You might find other Skoki Loop descriptions that include Deception Pass or go around Skoki Mountain via Red Deer Lakes. I don’t recommend those routes since they aren’t as beautiful. But I do have details on them in the alternative routes section below.

Read on for my detailed description of the Skoki Loop hike.

Key Locations

Trailhead to Halfway Hut/Hidden Lake Camp

Distance: 7 km

Elevation Gain: 540 m

Elevation Loss: 30 m

From the parking area, walk past the info signs and gate onto the wide gravel road. This road is part of the Lake Louise Ski Area and is closed to public vehicles and bikes. However, you will see vehicles from the ski area, Skoki Lodge, and guided tour companies. Unfortunately, none of them will give you a ride!

Continue up the road, which is steep in places. Ignore a left fork at 1.2 km. Cross a bridge at 2.4 km. At 3.6 km, reach a parking area and info kiosk just after passing under a ski lift. This is as far as the Skoki Lodge and guided tour companies can go.

Stay on the road for a few more minutes as you cross a ski run and the road curves uphill to the right. The road turns into a trail 3.9 km from the trailhead as it heads steeply uphill.

Follow the trail across another ski run and back into the trees. The trail stays in the forest for the next few kilometres while continuing to climb gradually. Cross creeks on small bridges at 4.3 km, 5.7 km, and 6.5 km.

Cross a creek at 7 km. On the other side, a side trail straight up the hill goes to Halfway Hut. The main trail to Hidden Lake Camp goes left.

Halfway Hut is a historic log cabin, originally constructed as a stopping point along the winter ski route between Lake Louise and Skoki Lodge. Today, it’s a good place to stop for lunch, especially if it’s raining. There is an outhouse here, too.

The junction with the trail to Hidden Lake and Hidden Lake Campground is 100 metres away along the main trail. Hidden Lake Campground is another 100 meters along the side trail.

Halfway Hut/Hidden Lake Camp to Baker Lake Camp

Distance: 5.8 km

Elevation Gain: 235 m

Elevation Loss: 195 m

Past the Hidden Lake junction, the forest starts to thin out, and you’ll start to get glimpses of alpine meadows. The vegetation also starts to change, and alpine larch trees become more numerous.

The trail skirts a huge rock slide below Redoubt Mountain with lots of enormous boulders. Reach the crest of Boulder Pass at 8.5 km. The huge expanse of Ptarmigan Lake stretches out in front of you. This is a great place for a break to enjoy the incredible views.

Keep following the trail as it skirts around the northwest edge of Ptarmigan Lake. At 9.3 km, you may be able to spot the unmarked junction with the Packer’s Pass Trail. This is your return route. For now, continue along the main trail as it stays in the grassy meadows above Ptarmigan Lake.

At 10.3 km, reach the marked junction with the Deception Pass Trail. This is an alternative (and more direct) route to Skoki Lodge. However, my recommended route continues east, since it is more scenic.

Follow the trail through grassy meadows, speckled with wildflowers. Descend to the north shore of Baker Lake, then follow the trail through low bushes along its length. Arrive at the turn-off to Baker Lake Campground at 12.8 km.

Baker Lake Camp to Skoki Lodge

Distance: 6.5 km

Elevation Gain: 145 m

Elevation Loss: 285 m

From Baker Lake Camp, follow the trail east to a junction, then turn left to go north on the Cotton Grass Pass Trail. The first few minutes are in the trees, but the trail quickly emerges into a wide, grassy valley. There are great views of Oyster Peak to the east. The wavy ridge of the mountain did kind of look like an oyster shell!

Reach a junction at 15.7 km. The trail continues straight up the valley to Red Deer Lakes 2.9 km away. However, my recommended route goes left between Fossil and Skoki Mountains. The narrow trail climbs gradually through tight forest before crossing a creek in a wet meadow at 18.2 km. This is Jones Pass.

From here, follow the path slightly downhill through the forest. When the trees start to thin out, reach a junction with the trail from Deception Pass at 18.8 km. Turn right and walk a few more minutes through the open forest and meadow to Skoki Lodge at 19.3 km.

The benches and chairs outside the historic lodge are the perfect place to take a break. The lodge is a Canadian historic site, dating back to 1933, and is the first backcountry ski lodge in North America. If you aren’t staying in one of their rustic log cabins, you can buy snacks and drinks (including alcohol) from them between 2 and 4 pm. They accept cash and cards.

If you are staying at Merlin Meadows Campground, it’s 1 km away on the trail to the north.

Skoki Lodge to Zigadenus Lake

Distance: 3.1 km

Elevation Gain: 135 m

Elevation Loss: 30 m

To continue your hike around the Skoki Loop, follow the signs in front of the lodge to cross the bridge over the creek. At 19.5 km, reach a literal fork in the trail – there is a huge wooden fork propped against a tree! The route to Merlin Lake heads right, but your route goes left towards Packer’s Pass.

The Packer’s Pass Trail is not an official Parks Canada trail and does not appear on most maps. However, it is easy to follow.

The trail goes through forest and patches of meadow. After the trail leaves the forest and contours below a rock slide on the Wall of Jericho, rock hop across a wide creek at 21.3 km. Follow the trail through another patch of meadow.

Cairns take you up through a talus field beside a waterfall. It looks like the trail disappears, but it actually tucks in behind a rock fin. You’ll clamber up between the narrow rock walls of a chimney, passing under a chock stone. There is one tricky move with a big step. Some hikers may wish to take their packs off and pass them up through here. And some hikers may need a boost up the step. But in general, it is very easy scrambling.

At the top of the chimney, follow cairns southwest towards Myosotis Lake at 21.7 km. Several side trails lead you down to the lake shore. Myosotis is the Latin name for forget-me-nots – you might spot these blue flowers in alpine meadows.

The trail continues along the east side of the lake, popping in and out of the forest. On the south side of the lake, follow cairns across a talus field, then head south up a short, steep hill.

Reach the shores of Zigadenus Lake at 22.4 km. The huge tilted rock slab holds back the lake’s western edge. It reminded me a bit of the sloped concrete edge of a half-empty swimming pool! The lake gets its name from mountain deathcamas, a whitish green flower that used to be classified in the Zigadenus genus. Together, Myosotis and Zigadenus Lakes are referred to as the Skoki Lakes.

Zigadenus Lake to Packer’s Pass

Distance: 1.1 km

Elevation Gain: 195 m

Elevation Loss: 0 m

Past Zigadenus Lake, the trail climbs steadily uphill through open meadow and patches of larch trees. As you approach the pass, the vegetation ends, and you walk over bare gravel.

Reach Packer’s Pass at 23.5 km. This is the high point of the Skoki Loop. The pass takes its name from hired workers who packed supplies into Skoki Lodge on foot. While horses had to take the more gentle (and slightly longer) trip through Deception Pass, the packers could take the quicker Packers Pass since they could navigate the chimney at Myosotis Pass on foot.

Packer’s Pass has the best views on the entire Skoki Loop. Look back the way you came to the Skoki Lakes with the Wall of Jericho rising behind them. In front of you, look down at Ptarmigan Lake and Redoubt Lake with Redoubt Mountain towering overhead. For even better views, scramble up the trail-less Packer’s Pass Peak. (More details on that in the side trips section below.)

Packer’s Pass to Trailhead

Distance: 10 km

Elevation Gain: 40 m

Elevation Loss: 825 m

From the pass, follow the path downhill through the gravel, then meadows, to rejoin the main trail at 24.2 km. Retrace your steps along Ptarmigan Lake to reach Boulder Pass at 25 km.

Head downhill and back into the forest, passing Halfway Hut and Hidden Lake Camp junction at 26.5 km. Keep hiking downhill to re-enter the Lake Louise ski area and start the road walk at 29.6 km. Finish your hike on the Skoki Loop back at the parking lot at 33.5 km.

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Side Trips and Alternative Routes on the Skoki Loop

Instead of rushing through your trip, I recommend building time into your itinerary to tackle some of the side trips or alternative routes. Details on those are below.

Merlin Lake Loop Side Trip

Distance: 6.7 km loop

Elevation Gain: 330 m

The Merlin Lake Loop is the most popular day hike in the Skoki area. The trail starts at Skoki Lodge. Go right at the famous “fork” in the trail, and ascend through the forest. From here, the trail cuts across steep gravel slopes on the north side of the Wall of Jericho. Lawrence Grassi, the architect of the renowned Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, built this trail in the 1940s.

Follow the narrow trail along the steep mountainside to a spot where it heads directly uphill into a chimney. Scramble up the chimney, following stacked rocks to stay on track. At the top, head across rock slabs to the shores of the gorgeous lake at 2.6 km. The glaciers of Mount Richardson tumble down the cliffs on the far side.

You can retrace your steps from here, or take the trail at the lake’s northeast corner to make a loop. I recommend the loop since it avoids having to down climb the chimney. Plus, it’s more interesting to make a loop.

For the loop, follow the trail from the lakeshore as it descends steeply through the forest before reaching the marshy valley bottom. Continue along the trail beside the stream, then cross a narrow log bridge. Turn right and take the trail through Merlin Meadows Camp, then back to the lodge to finish the loop.

Skoki Mountain Side Trip

Distance: 3.9 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 505 m

The informal trail to Skoki Mountain starts behind the outhouses at Skoki Lodge. Since the higher sections traverse scree without a real trail, it’s a scramble, but you never need to use your hands. The first part of the trail climbs steeply through the forest, where you will clamber over several fallen trees. As you get higher, the vegetation turns to open meadows, and then to scree.

Cairns mark your route as you climb higher on the mountain’s slope. In places, it is very steep and loose, so watch your footing carefully. The summit has great views of Merlin Lake to the west, the Skoki Lakes to the southwest, and Red Deer Lakes to the northeast. Watch for fossils in the rocks.

Packer’s Pass Peak Side Trip

Distance: 1.1 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 95 m

Packer’s Pass Peak is a quick side trip from Packer’s Pass. There is no trail, but you will find a vague footbed in a few places. Just follow the path of least resistance up the grassy slopes from the pass.

The southwest side of the peak from the pass is gentle, making for a straightforward ascent. But the north side drops off precipitously, so take care on the summit. Reaching the peak will give you great views of Baker Lake, Brachiopod Mountain and Heather Ridge to the southeast, as well as Fossil Mountain to the east. This was my favourite viewpoint on the Skoki Loop.

Red Deer Lakes Loop Alternative Route

Distance: 8.9 km one way

Elevation Gain: 145 m

If you want to make the Skoki Loop a little longer, you can continue north on the Cotton Grass Pass Trail to Red Deer Lakes. From there, you’ll go northwest around Skoki Mountain, then south through Merlin Meadows to Skoki Lodge. This route is 8.9 km from the Cotton Grass/Red Deer Lakes junction to Skoki Lodge instead of the 3.6 km direct route through Jones Pass.

I haven’t taken this route, but I’ve heard that it is beautiful along the Cotton Grass Pass Trail. However, once it gets to Red Deer Lakes, I hear that it is marshy and a bit overgrown. As well, I’ve heard that the section from Red Deer Lakes to Merlin Meadows is in the trees and isn’t anything special.

On my trip, we opted for the direct route through Jones Pass so we could spend the rest of the day doing a day hike to Merlin Lake instead of doing the longer route through Red Deer Lakes.

Deception Pass Alternative Route

Distance: 3.5 km

Elevation Gain: 80 m

The route from the Baker Lake Trail via Deception Pass is the traditional and most direct route to the Skoki Lodge. This is the route to take if you don’t have time for the loop around Fossil Mountain via Baker Lake, Cotton Grass Pass, and Jones Pass, or you don’t want to climb the chimney on the Packer’s Pass Route. Horses also use the Deception Pass Route.

I didn’t take the Deception Pass route since I heard that the Cotton Grass/Jones Pass and Packer’s Pass routes were much more scenic. If you take Deception Pass, you’ll miss the incredible Skoki Lakes!

The route climbs up to the pass through open meadows, then descends gently through more meadows with views of Fossil Mountain.

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Skoki Loop Itineraries

While strong hikers with an early start can do the Skoki Loop as a day hike, I recommend spending a few days in the area to do some of the side trips. Here are some sample itineraries.

Recommended 3-Day Skoki Loop Itinerary

This is the itinerary I used and the one I recommend. It includes the Skoki Loop and has time for a side trip.

Day 1: Trailhead to Baker Lake Camp – Distance: 12.8 km, Elevation Gain: 775 m, Elevation Loss: 225 m, Time: 4 to 6 hours.

Day 2A: Baker Lake Camp to Merlin Meadows Camp via Jones Pass – Distance: 7.5 km, Elevation Gain: 145 m, Elevation Loss: 285 m, Time: 2 to 3 hours.

Day 2B: Merlin Lake Loop day hike – Distance: 6.7 km, Elevation Gain: 330 m, Elevation Loss: 330 m, Time: 2 to 3.5 hours.

Day 3: Merlin Meadows Camp to Trailhead via Packer’s Pass – Distance: 15.4 km, Elevation Gain: 440 m, Elevation Loss: 850 m, Time: 4.5 to 7 hours. Optional: Add Packer’s Pass Peak for and extra 1.1 km with 95 m of elevation gain and loss.

3-Day Base Camp Skoki Loop Itineraries

If you’d rather hike the bulk of the Skoki Loop with a day pack (or you can’t get a booking at Merlin Meadows), you can use Baker Lake or Hidden Lake campgrounds as a base camp to do the Skoki Loop.

Baker Lake Base Camp:

Day 1: Trailhead to Baker Lake Camp – Distance: 12.8 km, Elevation Gain: 775 m, Elevation Loss: 225 m, Time: 4 to 6 hours.

Day 2: Day hike Baker Lake Camp to Baker Lake Camp via Jones Pass and Packer Pass – Distance: 14.9 km; Elevation Gain: 520 m, Elevation Loss: 520 m, Time: 5 to 6 hours. Optional: Add Packer’s Pass Peak for and extra 1.1 km with 95 m of elevation gain and loss.

Day 3: Baker Lake Camp to Trailhead – Distance: 12.8 km, Elevation Gain: 225 m, Elevation Loss: 775 m, Time: 3.5 to 5 hours.

Hidden Lake Base Camp:

Day 1A: Trailhead to Hidden Lake Camp – Distance: 7 km, Elevation Gain: 540 m, Elevation Loss: 30 m, Time: 2 to 3 hours.

Day 1B: Day hike to Hidden Lake from Hidden Lake Camp – Distance: 2.6 km, Elevation Gain: 120 m, Elevation Loss: 120 m, Time: 1 to 2.5 hours

Day 2: Hidden Lake Camp to Hidden Lake Camp via Baker Lake, Jones Pass, and Packer’s Pass – Distance: 19.6 km, Elevation Gain: 725 m, Elevation Loss: 725 m, Time: 6 to 8 hours.Optional: Add Packer’s Pass Peak for and extra 1.1 km with 95 m of elevation gain and loss.

Day 3: Hidden Lake Camp to Trailhead: Distance: 7 km, Elevation Gain: 30 m, Elevation Loss: 540 m, Time: 2 hours.

2 or 3 Day Skoki Direct Itinerary

This route isn’t really the Skoki Loop since it doesn’t go around Skoki Mountain… but it is still a little bit of a loop since it uses both Deception and Packer’s Passes. You can do it as a 2-day route, or add on an optional third day for day hikes.

Day 1: Trailhead to Merlin Meadows Camp via Deception Pass – Distance: 15.3 km, Elevation Gain: 825 m, Elevation Loss: 415 m, Time: 5 to 7 hours

Optional Day 2: Merlin Lake Loop day hike – Distance: 6.7 km, Elevation Gain: 330 m, Elevation Loss: 330 m, Time: 2 to 3.5 hours AND/OR Skoki Mountain day hike – Distance: 6 km, Elevation Gain: 570 m, Elevation Loss: 570 m, Time: 2.5 to 4 hours

Day 2 or 3: Merlin Meadows Camp to Trailhead via Packer’s Pass – Distance: 15.4 km, Elevation Gain: 440 m, Elevation Loss: 850 m, Time: 4.5 to 7 hours. Optional: Add Packer’s Pass Peak for and extra 1.1 km with 95 m of elevation gain and loss.

Camping and Where to Stay on the Skoki Loop

There are several campgrounds along the Skoki Loop as well as the Skoki Lodge. Here are details on each one:

Hidden Lake Campground

Located 7 km from the trailhead, you can use this campground as a base camp to hike into the core Skoki area, but it’s a bit far. If you’re with a slower group, you could also use this campground as a way to break up the journey into a longer trip. It’s also a great base for day hikes to Hidden Lake.

The campground has clumps of trees and patches of meadow. There is a stream on the west side of the campground for water. It has 10 tent sites on wood-framed dirt platforms, a cooking area, an outhouse, and food storage lockers.

Baker Lake Campground

Baker Lake Campground is 12.8 km from the trailhead on a bluff at the east end of Baker Lake. It’s a good first night’s stop on the Skoki Loop. You can also use it as a base camp if you want to do the Skoki Loop without packs.

The campground is set in a clump of trees on a bluff with 10 wood-framed dirt tent pads, an outhouse, and a cooking area with tables, benches, and food storage cables. But it’s a 2-minute walk down the hill to the lakeshore, which has incredible views of the surrounding mountains. You can collect water from the lake.

Merlin Meadows Campground

This is the best campground for day hikes in the Skoki area. I spent two nights here so we could do day hikes to Merlin Lake and Skoki Mountain. The campground itself is kinda meh – both the tent area and the cooking area are in the trees. However, you can walk out in the meadows by the creek for good views.

There are no tent pads here – instead, you just choose a clearing in the trees. There are two outhouses near the tenting area.

The cooking area has four tables with benches and one food storage pole with cables. The main trail runs right through the cooking area. There are more food storage cables near the tenting area. There are several informal paths down to a creek to collect water north of the campground.

Red Deer Lakes Campground

Choose Red Deer Lakes if you can’t get a booking at Merlin Meadows or if you want a bit of solitude. It’s further from the Skoki core area, so it doesn’t make a great base camp. Despite the name, the campground is not on the lakeshore.

This campground does not have designated campsites – camp in the clearings along Red Deer River, which is the water source. It has an outhouse and food hanging cables.

Skoki Lodge

This historic Skoki Lodge dates back to the 1930s and is one of the oldest backcountry lodges in Canada. You can stay in the main lodge or one of the log cabins. They have room for up to 22 guests at once. Your stay includes all meals. Prices start at about $300/person/night. The lodge is in high demand, so you need to book about one year in advance.

Skoki Loop Reservations and Fees

Since the Skoki area has some of the most popular backcountry campgrounds in Banff National Park, advance reservations are required.

Reservations for the entire summer season open in January or February each year. In 2026, reservations open on January 26, 2026, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. You must book on the Parks Canada Reservations website.

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 10 people and up to 3 tent pads on the same reservation. Keep in mind that you are only allowed to have one tent per tent pad and four people per tent.

Step-By-Step Reservation Instructions

To make a reservation, select:

• “Backcountry” at the top (with the hiker icon), the
• “Backcountry Zone” button
• “Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho” from the Park drop-down.
• Access point “Fish Creek Trailhead” from the Access Point drop-down.

Have the following info ready to go when you make your reservation:

• preferred itinerary with campgrounds and dates, plus backups
• number of tent pads and people you are booking for
• credit card

If You Didn’t Get a Reservation

If you didn’t get a reservation at your chosen Skoki area campgrounds, keep checking back as people cancel and spots open up. On my trip, there were empty tent pads in the campgrounds two out of the three nights, so it seems that cancellations do happen.

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.

Fees

You must pay a few different fees to hike the Skoki Loop. The cost breakdown is as follows:

• Backcountry camping reservation fee: $11.50 per booking (for up to 10 people and up to 3 tent pads)
• Backcountry camping fee: $13.50/person/night
• Yoho/Banff/Kootenay National Parks entry fee: $11/person/day (or $22 per car/day with up to 7 people)

Most people spend three days/two nights in the Skoki area. In that case, a solo hiker would pay $71.50. Per-person costs decrease if you hike in a group since you can share the expense of reservations and national park entry fees.

How to Get to the Skoki Loop

The Skoki Loop is located in Banff National Park near Lake Louise. The trailhead is near the Lake Louise Ski Area on the east side of Highway 1.

The trailhead is a 5-minute drive from the Lake Louise Visitor Centre. To get there, take the Lake Louise exit from Highway 1, then go east towards Lake Louise ski hill. Just before you get to the ski hill, take a gravel road to the right, marked with a sign for Skoki Lodge. Follow it for 1 km to a parking area.

You can park in the lot on the right or along the road. There are port-a-potties in the parking lot. You must have a valid national park pass on your dashboard to park here.

If you don’t have a car, you can take a shuttle bus to Banff, then take Roam bus route 8X from Banff to Lake Louise village. From there, it’s a 3.2 km walk to the trailhead with 120 m of elevation gain.

If you’re looking for a place to stay before your trip, I recommend booking a hotel in Golden. It’s only one-hour away and it is sooo much cheaper than Lake Louise or Banff. Basecamp Lodge Golden is a good mid-range pick. If you’re on a budget, stay at the basic Rondo Motel.

Tips for Hiking the Skoki Loop

Cooking Areas: Each campground has a communal cooking area with a few tables. It was nice to have a place to sit down each evening! But don’t hog the tables – they are for everyone to share. The cooking areas are separate from the tenting areas for bear safety. Please don’t eat or cook near your tent.

Food Storage: Most campgrounds have 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: Bugs can be bad on the trail in July and mid-August. Bring bug spray and a head net.

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

Porcupines: Some campsites (especially Baker Lake) are notorious for porcupines who will chew your gear. Hang packs, poles, and boots out of their reach at night or bring them into your tent.

Dogs: Allowed on leash.

Fires: Not allowed in the backcountry.

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 days. City weather forecasts are useless in the mountains. Use an algorithmic spot forecast for Skoki Mountain like Spotwx. (Read my guide to weather apps for hikers for more tips.)

What to Bring: This is a remote hiking trip, so you will need to bring typical backpacking gear. Use my backpacking checklist to make sure you have everything you need. For Skoki, I recommend a warm sleeping bag, a lightweight tarp for eating under (I use the MEC Scout UL Silicone Tarp), and a head net for bugs.

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Final Thoughts

I’m often a one-and-done hiker – I finish a trail and don’t think about repeating it for years, or even decades. However, the Skoki Loop was so beautiful (and easy) that I’m already thinking about doing it again. I even want to splurge and stay in the Skoki Lodge so I can hike in and out with a smaller backpack!

While the Skoki area is popular, it does seem easier to book than some other Rockies backpacking trips, and it never felt busy or crowded, even with Skoki Lodge guests out on the trails.

Do you have questions about backpacking the Skoki Loop? Ask in the comments and I’ll help you out.

READ NEXT:

• 11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
• Egypt Lake in Banff Hiking and Backpacking Guide
• Backpacking Checklist: Gear You Need To Go Backpacking
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

The post Skoki Loop Hiking and Backpacking Trail Guide appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

The route leads you through lush coastal rainforest, past rushing rivers, and beside swimmable lakes. It also passes right through downtown Squamish and Whistler Village, so that you can stop for a civilized coffee break. However, there are a few short stretches where the trail is not complete, so you’ll have to walk on roads or Highway 99.

The trail is multi-use, open to both hikers and cyclists. I’ve done both, covering the trail’s entire length on a series of hikes and bike rides over the years. My husband, an avid bikepacker, also helped with this post.

There isn’t much info on the Sea to Sky Trail online (and what is online is a bit dated since several new trail sections have been built in the last few years). In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know about the Sea to Sky Trail, including:

• Quick facts about the Sea to Sky Trail: distance, best time to go, how long it takes, and more
• An up-to-date map and elevation profile, plus a downloadable GPX file
• Detailed trail description, broken down into sections with distances and elevation change
• My recommended itineraries for hiking and biking
• Camping and where to stay along the trail
• Sea to Sky Trail tips, including water access and specific tips for hikers and bikers
• How to get to the Sea to Sky Trail and between trailheads
• My honest opinion of the trail and whether I recommend it

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

Sea to Sky Trail Quick Facts

Route Overview: The Sea to Sky Trail runs from Squamish to Whistler in a route that parallels the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). It is a multi-use trail that is open to hikers and bikers and strings together sections of trail and road to create the Sea to Sky Trail.

Not the Sea to Sky Gondola: Lots of people get this trail confused with the trail that goes from the base of the Sea to Sky Gondola to the top. That one is called the Sea to Summit Trail – the Sea to Sky Trail is a different trail!

Distance: 107.4 km

Elevation Gain: 2,435 m

Surface Breakdown: Single-track trail: 52.8 km; Paved multi-use trail: 20.1 km; Gravel road: 19.4 km; Paved road: 11.5 km; Paved Highway: 10 km

How Long to Spend: Cyclists should plan on 2 to 3 days. Hikers can complete the trail in 4 days.

Best Time to Go: May to October for the best weather and no snow.

Indigenous Context: The Sea to Sky Trail is on the traditional territory of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. Be respectful in this special place.

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Sea to Sky Trail Maps and Elevation Profile

When I was researching my trips, I had trouble finding good info about the routing of the Sea to Sky Trail. Some sections are really straightforward, but others are not. This is because the trail has been rerouted in a few places to avoid roads or to take paths that are bikeable versus just hikable.

After digging through the Sea to Sky Trail section of the Squamish-Lilooet Regional District website, the Trans Canada Trail interactive map, Trailforks, and Gaia, I’ve put together what I think is the most complete and accurate (for now) map of the Sea to Sky Trail.

Here is my custom Sea to Sky Trail map, made using Gaia GPS, my fave mapping app. 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.

When you’re hiking or biking the trail, you will usually come across Sea to Sky Trail markers at important junctions. The markers aren’t huge, but they are there if you look for them. However, keep in mind that sometimes the markers will take you on older versions of the trail so use the markers along with my map to stay on track.

Sea to Sky Trail Description

Which Direction to Go?

When I was researching this trip, it seemed like most people (both hikers and cyclists) chose to start in Squamish and go north to Pemberton. But then I looked at the elevation profile and realized that if I started in Pemberton and went south, the first 30 km would be uphill, but then the rest would be downhill. So I started in Pemberton.

However, I don’t know that I would necessarily recommend that strategy. The 30 km from Pemberton to the high point above Green Lake involves lots of climbs, some of which are steep. Starting in the north means you have your hardest day first. If you start in Squamish, yes, you’ll be going uphill, but it’s much more gradual.

So, in summary, I don’t recommend one direction over the other.

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Key Locations

Squamish Waterfront to MTN Fun Basecamp

Distance: 10.9 km

Elevation Gain: 100 m

Elevation Loss: 70 m

The trail starts at Sp’akw’us Feather Park near downtown Squamish. It’s a new beachfront park accessed via Loggers Lane. It has washrooms, a water bottle refill station, and incredible views of the Stawamus Chief. You’ll find a small “Sea to Sky Trail” sign on the road near the parking area, but otherwise, there is no other info about the trail.

From the beach, head west along the paved path through the park. Exit the park at the northwest corner, following a gravel trail along a narrow inlet littered with remains of Squamish’s industrial past.

About 1.5 km from the start, emerge onto the pavement in downtown Squamish. Use Logger’s Lane or Cleveland Avenue to head north to Pemberton Avenue, then turn right. Take the path under the bridge. On the other side, stay on the paved Corridor Trail beside the Mamquam Blind Channel.

Follow the Corridor Trail as it parallels Loggers Lane, then crosses the Mamquam River beside Highway 99. About 7 km from the start, the Corridor Trail passes in front of Garibaldi Village shopping centre. This is a good place to get a snack or go to the bathroom at one of the quick-service restaurants. The Purebread cafe here is a great place for a treat.

The Corridor Trail ends at the 9.9km mark. From here, follow signs for the Through the Looking Glass Trail through the woods. Those on bikes should be prepared for a steep first few minutes and some tight switchbacks at the end.

At the 11 km mark, exit the trail onto Depot Road. MTN Fun Basecamp Campground is located here.

MTN Fun Basecamp to End of Paradise Valley Road

Distance: 15.4 km

Elevation Gain: 155 m

Elevation Loss: 90 m

Cross Highway 99 at the traffic light, then turn right onto the Ray Peters Trail. A minute later, go left to take the left branch of the Ray Peters Trail (right continues beside the highway). You’ll follow this packed gravel and dirt path through the forest as it parallels Ross Road and Government Road.

Exit the Ray Peters Trail at the intersection of Government Road and Squamish Valley Road at the 14.5 km mark. From here, you have a long road section, first paved, then gravel. Thankfully, traffic is light.

Head west on Squamish Valley Road to the bridge over the Cheakamus River. Fergie’s Cafe is on your right – it’s a great brunch or lunch spot if you have time. Sunwolf Riverside Cabins are also on the same property.

On the other side of the bridge, at the 16.1 km mark, turn right onto Paradise Valley Road. The first section of this road is gorgeous with lots of big leaf maple trees overhead. Pass the Paradise Valley Campground at 19.7 km just after crossing a bridge over the Cheakamus River.

The road turns to gravel at 21.5 km. Unfortunately, this section isn’t very scenic, and it can be dusty. The road gets rougher as it reaches its end at 26.5 km. There is an informal drive-in camping area at the end of the road that is popular on weekends. However, it has no toilets, food storage, or other facilities.

End of Paradise Valley to Chance Creek FSR

Distance: 9.9 km

Elevation Gain: 455 m

Elevation Loss: 235 m

From the end of the road, follow the Cheakamus Canyon Trail uphill into the forest – it’s one of my favourite hikes in Squamish. This is one of the biggest climbs on the trail. The trail is steep and loose in places. Cyclists will have to hike-a-bike through here. There is a large barrier at a railway crossing that bikes will need to be lifted over.

Reach Starvation Lake at 28.6 km, having gained about 115 m since leaving the road. I love swimming here. There is a clearing in the trees on a spur trail on the north side of the lake that makes a good informal campsite. It has no toilet, food storage, or other facilities.

Continue uphill past the lake. In places, you can see the railway line and Cheakamus River in the canyon below you. In one short section, traverse a wire mesh catwalk suspended on the side of a cliff. The trail has steep drop-offs in places, but it is wide, so you can always stay far back from the edge. Some short, steep hills with loose gravel may require pushing your bike.

The trail ends at Highway 99 at the 32 km mark, having climbed another 100 m up from the lake. From here, you have a 3.9 km segment of Highway 99 to deal with. Hikers can stay on the west shoulder, in some places on the other side of the concrete barrier. Bikers will need to cross the highway carefully, then bike on the shoulder, which is reasonably wide.

Turn left onto Chance Creek FSR at the 36.1 km mark.

Chance Creek FSR to Brandywine Falls

Distance: 10.5 km

Elevation Gain: 260 m

Elevation Loss: 125 m

Follow this gravel road for 0.2 km, then turn right back onto the Sea to Sky Trail. The trail climbs up under a power line and passes near Lucille Lake. (Take a trail branching left to visit the lake, which has good swimming.) It then heads back under the same powerline and follows old double-track roads to Shadow Lake.

Shadow Lake is part of the larger Daisy Lake Dam complex, so there are pumphouses and other infrastructure in this section. Stay on the old double track on the west side of the lake, then follow the road as it becomes a trail and heads into the forest. Some trailside clearings near a bridge over Roe Creek could work as informal campsites. There are no toilets, food storage, or other facilities.

The trail becomes old double track again as it crosses the railway tracks and swings north to follow the powerlines. Reach paved Retta Lake Road at the 41.5 km mark. This road accesses two gated communities of private homes.

Go north on Retta Lake Road until you reach Highway 99 at the 43 km mark. Next up is the longest Highway section. You’ll be on the road for 4.1 km. Cyclists have a left turn lane to cross the highway, but the shoulder in this section is quite narrow. As well, it’s uphill – you’ll gain almost 100 m. Hikers can stay on the west shoulder, facing traffic, which is a bit wider.

Turn right into Brandywine Provincial Park at 46.9 km.

Brandywine Falls to Cal-Cheak Campground

Distance: 5.2 km

Elevation Gain: 155 m

Elevation Loss: 135 m

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park has lots of trails, but you’ll use just a few of them. Head through the parking lot, past the outhouses, and over the bridge across Brandywine Creek. Follow the wide main trail southeast and across the railway tracks. On the other side, detour for a few hundred metres to visit the Brandywine Falls viewpoints.

The Sea to Sky Trail continues east just south of the railway tracks. The wide gravel trail heads through the forest and down a small hill before climbing back up into more open terrain as you pass under powerlines and past old lava flows pockmarked with little lakes.

Arrive at the Bungee Bridge at 46.9 km. It’s worth waiting at the viewpoint to watch someone jump. Cross the bridge when the bungee staff tell you it’s safe to do so. Cyclists will have to carry their bikes up a short flight of stairs.

On the other side, follow the trail down to the Daisy Lake/Cal-Cheak FSR and head north on the wide gravel road.

Reach the southern entrance to Cal-Cheak Campground at 52.2 km at the intersection of the Cheakamus River and Callaghan Creek. This large campground has three main areas, each with tent sites and outhouses.

Cal-Cheak Campground to Function Junction

Distance: 8 km

Elevation Gain: 250 m

Elevation Loss: 150 m

Continue along the gravel road, watching for the Sea to Sky Trail to branch off to the right at 52.6 km, just past the spur road to the north campground.

The next section of trail travels through beautiful shady woods and past several rockslides, a relic of the area’s volcanic history. There are some short, sharp climbs with tight switchbacks that require careful bike handling. A long, straight section follows a former logging railway. Cross the Cheakamus River on a suspension bridge at the 55 km mark.

On the other side, the trail starts with a climb and then winds across a series of rolling hills. Expect to see lots of hikers as you approach Trainwreck junction at 58.3 km.

You can take a short detour down the hill to the Whistler Trainwreck, a set of abandoned train cars suspended over the side of the Cheakamus River Canyon. From the junction, follow the busy trail east to Jane Lakes Road at 58.8 km.

Go northeast on Jane Lakes Road, then take the Valley Trail across the Cheakamus River near the intersection with Legacy Way. At 60 km, stay on the Valley Trail as it heads northeast on the east side of Highway 99. If you need a break, detour across the Highway into Function Junction to grab a treat from Purebread or beer and pizza from Whistler Brewing.

Function Junction to Lost Lake

Distance: 11.6 km

Elevation Gain: 270 m

Elevation Loss: 175 m

You’ll be on the Valley Trail all the way through Whistler. It is a paved multi-use trail, so expect to share it with other cyclists, joggers, and walkers. Even though it crosses many streets and Highway 99, the trail is fairly easy to follow with signs at every junction – just follow the arrows to Whistler Village.

At 64.5 km ride through Alpha Lake Park. Pass through Wayside Park at 66.2 km and Lakeside Park at 66.7 km. All three parks have bathrooms and swimming areas. Wayside Park and Lakeside Park are also launch points for paddling the River of Golden Dreams.

Use the underpass to cross Highway 99 at 69.2 km to enter Whistler Village. You must walk your bike through the village. This is a great place to stop for something to eat – there are seemingly endless cafes and restaurants. It’s a bit fancy, but I love the sandwiches at Provisions on Village Stroll.

Make your way through the village, aiming for the Valley Trail between parking lots #1 and #2. After crossing the parking lots, take the Valley Trail north towards Lost Lake – ignore the branch that crosses Fitzsimmons Creek on the covered bridge.

Stay on the Valley Trail as it parallels the parking lots and passes underneath Lorimer Road. Cross Fitzsimmons Creek on a wide bridge, and arrive at the entrance to Lost Lake Park and the Lost Lake Passivhaus at 70.7 km.

Follow the wide gravel trail into the park, then go right to stay on it towards Lost Lake Beach. There are more bathrooms and another swimming area here.

Lost Lake to Wedgewoods

Distance: 8.4 km

Elevation Gain: 245 m

Elevation Loss: 335 m

Stay on the wide gravel trail as it heads up the lake’s east side.

From here, you’ll be on a series of mountain bike trails that traverse the slopes high above Green Lake. If you follow the signage correctly, you’ll stay on easy green-rated trails or old logging roads. But if you get lost, you could end up on a challenging black diamond-rated trail. Pay attention!

At the end of the Lost Lake Trail, take Gandy Dancer for 400 m to Siwash Trail for 200 m to the Green Lake Loop. Stay on the Green Lake Loop as you reach the Sea to Sky Trail’s high point at 758 m.

As you get towards the north end of Green Lake, the trail network can be confusing. Look for signs that say Sea to Sky Trail or Green Lake Loop. When in doubt, the wide gravel road will also take you where you want to go. If you want an interesting detour, you can head northwest on the Parkhurst Trail to explore the abandoned ghost town of Parkhurst.

Eventually, you’ll descend to the Green River Road, also called Riverside Drive. Turn right and follow this road as it parallels the railway tracks and the Green River.

At 80.4 km, reach the Riverside Dispersed Camping Area near the railway tracks and Highway 99. This informal drive-in camping area has an outhouse but no food storage or other facilities.

Follow the gravel road northeast from the junction. In a few minutes, ignore the uphill branch that goes to the Wedgemount Lake Trailhead. Instead, stay left and follow the road into the Wedgewoods neighbourhood.

Wedgewoods to Gord’s Garden

Distance: 5.8 km

Elevation Gain: 90 m

Elevation Loss: 185 m

A wide paved path runs beside Riverside Road through this high-end subdivision. Follow it across a bridge over the Green River. Just before the road curves left to meet up with Highway 99, turn left on Skier’s Rest Lane. Turn left again into an unmarked driveway for the complex’s trash storage building, and find the Sea to Sky Trailhead at 82.7 km.

The next section of trail sticks close enough to Highway 99 that you can often hear it or see it. The path heads through tight second-growth forest and rambles underneath the powerlines.

Emerge on Highway 99 at 86.1 km and turn right to cross the railway tracks, then turn right onto Soo Valley Road. You’ll be on the Highway for less than 100 m.

Gord’s Garden to Green River Motocross

Distance: 8.4 km

Elevation Gain: 150 m

Elevation Loss: 295 m

Find the Gord’s Garden Trailhead on your left almost immediately after leaving the highway. This section is named for Gordon McKeever, one of the early champions of the Sea to Sky Trail. Follow the trail steeply up the hill and under the power lines. There are tons of dirt bike trails in this area – follow the Sea to Sky Trail signs to stay on track.

After reaching a high point under the power lines, the trail descends gradually. Watch for a left turn into the forest. The trail continues to descend until it reaches the banks of the Green River.

The next few kilometres are my favourite part of the Sea to Sky Trail. The path follows the Green River with lots of spots to stop for a break or stick your toes in the water. There are also some lovely groves of giant trees.

There are even a few clearings big enough to work as informal campsites. The best one near the 90 km mark has a picnic table, but there are no toilets, food storage, or other facilities.

Starting near the 90.5 km mark, the trail passes through an ancient rockslide. A spur trail leads to a viewing platform. In places, the trail builders have shored up the trail to create a smooth pass across large boulders. It’s a spectacular sight.

Around 91.7 km, the trail passes a sandy area called Mystery Beach. While the river is cold and fast, locals do dip here.

Emerge on the gravel Mount Currie Road at 92.3 km. There is an outhouse here. Turn left and follow the flat road past the oval of the Pemberton Speedway and the jumps of the Green River Motocross Track, both on your right. They both have outhouses.

Green River Motocross to Nairn Falls Provincial Park

Distance: 8.3 km

Elevation Gain: 260 m

Elevation Loss: 350 m

Turn right on Highway 99 at 94.7 km to start your last highway section. It’s 1.9 km long. The shoulder is moderately wide here, and traffic is lighter here than south of Whistler, so it’s not a high-stress section. Follow the Highway across the Soo River Bridge. Pass the Sea to Sky Soils Compost Plant – hopefully it’s not too smelly.

Immediately after crossing the Rutherford Creek bridge, turn left onto North Rutherford Creek Road at 96.6 km. Walk uphill on the steep gravel road, passing an outhouse. About 500 m from the highway, turn right onto the Sea to Sky Trail. This newer section provides an alternative route to the highway (which is scary to ride/walk), but does involve lots of short, sharp climbs and descents.

The trail climbs up onto a bluff with a view down to the river. Then it descends into an open and flat area under the power lines. Next, the trail goes into some beautiful cedar woods as it passes several creeks and the remains of an old cabin.

Stay on the trail as it swings close to the highway, then climbs up onto another bluff under the powerlines. Cross the entrance road to the gun range, and continue along the trail as it climbs under powerlines. Descend to Highway 99 and cross it at a railway crossing at 102.2 km.

From here, a new trail parallels the highway on the east side and brings you into the parking lot for Nairn Falls Provincial Park at 103.1 km. The trail to the falls is one of my favourite hikes in Whistler.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park to Pemberton

Distance: 4 km

Elevation Gain: 95 m

Elevation Loss: 140 m

Head into the campground, then turn left to follow the northernmost campground road to the northeastern corner of the campground, where you rejoin the Sea to Sky Trail. You’ll pass several outhouses and a water pump.

The trail winds through the woods and zigzags up a hill. You’ll enter a zone with several mountain bike trails joining from the right – ignore them and stay on the main Sea to Sky Trail. The trail also passes through a challenging and wooded disc golf course.

At 105.7 km, reach One Mile Lake. A spur trail to the left leads to the beach, parking lot, and toilets. Turn right and follow the trail around the east side of the lake. At the north end of the lake, take the trail north to a bridge over Pemberton Creek.

Stay on the trail as it becomes Vine Road, passes McDonald’s, and then crosses Highway 99. Congratulations, you’ve finished all 107.4 km of the Sea to Sky Trail from Squamish to Pemberton.

If you’re really keen, the trail continues to the tiny town of D’Arcy. However, most of the trail is on a boring paved road, so I haven’t done it.

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Sea to Sky Trail Itineraries

Hiking Itineraries

If you’re planning to hike the Sea to Sky Trail as a backpacking trip, stopping to camp along the way, it makes sense to do it as a four-day/three-night trip.

Here is my recommended itinerary for hikers:

Day 1: Sp’akw’us Feather Park to end of Paradise Valley Road: 26.5 km, 255 m gain, 160 m loss

Day 2: End of Paradise Valley Road to Cal-Cheak Campground: 24.9 km, 870 m gain, 495 m loss

Day 3: Cal-Cheak Campground to Riverside Dispersed Camping: 28.3 km, 765 m gain, 660 m loss

Day 4: Riverside Dispersed Camping to Pemberton: 27.6 km, 595 m gain, 970 m loss

You can also create other itineraries by using car shuttles or taxis, since there are lots of places to access the trail from Highway 99. See the camping and where to stay section below for accommodation options along the trail.

Biking Itineraries

Strong gravel riders or mountain bikers can ride the Sea to Sky Trail in a single day. However, it is a common bikepacking destination, and most bikepackers will ride in two days.

Here is my recommended itinerary for biking the Sea to Sky Trail:

Day 1: Sp’akw’us Feather Park to Cal-Cheak Campground: 51.4 km, 1125 m gain, 655 m loss

Day 2: Cal-Cheak Campground to Pemberton: 55.9 km, 1360 m gain, 1630 m loss

You can also stretch out the trip to three or even four days using the accommodation options listed in the camping and where to stay section below.

Camping and Where to Stay on the Sea to Sky Trail

There are lots of accommodation options along the Sea to Sky Trail, including campgrounds, hostels, and hotels. My guide to hotels in Squamish and my guides to camping in Squamish and camping in Whistler have more info.

Please note that I’ve included some dispersed and informal camping areas that have no facilities. In these areas, you will need to go to the bathroom the Leave No Trace way, filter water, pack out your trash, and store your food/toiletries/garbage securely in a bear hang or Ursack.

Below, I’ve got a breakdown of the major campgrounds and hotels arranged in the order you will encounter them along the trail.

Squamish Area Camping and Hotels

Downtown Squamish Hotels and Hostels: There are several hotels and the Squamish Adventure Inn Hostel in downtown Squamish between the 1.5 and 2.8 km marks on the trail. I recommend Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company.

Mamquam River Campground: Located a few blocks east of the trail near Brennan Park Rec Centre at the 5.9 km mark. Both drive-in and walk-in sites. No water or showers. Reservations are required.

Garibaldi Estates Hotels: There are two hotels along the northern part of the paved trail through Squamish: The Executive Suites Hotel and Resort (8.7 km mark) is my top pick, but the Sea to Sky Hotel (at the 7.5 km mark) is right next to shops and restaurants.

MTN Fun Basecamp Campground: Located at the 10.9 km mark. Drive-in sites. Free hot showers. Reservations required.

Sunwolf Riverside Cabins: Hipster cabins and a famous brunch spot next to the Cheakamus River Bridge near the 16 km mark.

Paradise Valley Campground: Located at 19.7 km. It has a few walk-in sites and lots of drive-in sites. Pay showers. Reservations required.

End of Paradise Valley Road: An informal dispersed camping area with drive-in access next to the river at the 26.5 km mark. No toilets or other facilities.

Starvation Lake: There is an informal dispersed camping area near the north end of the lake at the 28.6 km mark. No toilets or other facilities.

Shadow Lake: There is an informal dispersed camping area north of the lake near Roe Creek at the 40 km mark. No toilets or other facilities.

Whistler Area Camping and Hotels

Cal-Cheak Campground: This drive-in campground at the 52.2 km mark has 55 first-come, first-served sites spread over three loops next to a creek and a river. It has bear-proof food lockers and outhouses, but no water taps or showers.

HI Whistler Hostel: Located near the 59.4 km mark in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood.

Whistler Hotels: There are lots of hotels located between the 65 and 70 km marks in Whistler Village and Creekside. My favourite is the Summit Lodge since it is quiet and has large rooms but isn’t too pricey (by Whistler standards anyway).

Parkbridge Riverside Whistler Campground: Take a 1 km detour off the trail at the 74 km mark in the Lost Lake Trail system to reach this luxury drive-in campground with showers. In addition to tent sites, they have log cabins and yurts. Reservations required.

Riverside Dispersed Camping: There is informal camping along Riverside Road/Wedge FSR near the intersection with Highway 99 at the 80.4 km mark. You’ll find lots of vanlifers on the road and tents down along the Green River. There is an outhouse here, but no other facilities.

Pemberton Camping and Hotels

Gord’s Garden Dispersed Camping: There are several informal campsites with no facilities on the banks of the Green River along the Gord’s Garden section of the trail between the 89 and 91.5 km marks. The best one is near 90 km.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park: A big drive-in campground at the 103.1 km mark. It has outhouses and a water pump. Reservations required.

Pemberton Hotels: There are two hotels in downtown Pemberton near the 107.4 km mark. I recommend the Pemberton Valley Lodge, which is near the trailhead.

Tips for Hiking and Biking the Sea to Sky Trail

General Tips

Black bears are common in some sections of the trail. Carry bear spray in an easy-to-reach spot and know how to use it.

If you choose to use one of the informal camping areas, stow all food, toiletries, and garbage securely at night to protect them from bears, birds, and other critters. You can rig a bear hang in a tree, but I prefer to use an Ursack with a smell-proof liner.

There is cell phone coverage on most of the trail, but there are dead zones. Download offline maps ahead of time. Leave a trip plan with a friend or family member so someone knows where you’ll be.

Water Access on the Sea to Sky Trail

The trail passes lots of creeks, rivers, and lakes, so it’s usually fairly straightforward to get water. However, some smaller water sources will be dry in July, August, and early September. Unless you are filling from a tap or pump, you’ll need to filter or treat your water. I use a Katadyn BeFree since it is light, compact, and fast.

Below, I’ve identified the easiest places to fill up. These are all reliable year-round water sources.

• Sp’akw’us Feather Park (0 km): Water fountain next to the washroom building.
• Brennan Park Recreation Centre (5.7 km): Water fountain and washrooms inside.
• Cheakamus River Bridge (16 km): Access the river by walking through Sunwolf/Fergie’s.
• Cheakamus River Bridge (19.3 km): Access to the river on the north side of the bridge.
• End of Paradise Valley Road (26.5 km): Access to the Cheakamus River on the gravel flats at the north end of the informal camping area.
• Starvation Lake (28.6 km): Easy access to the west and north sides of the lake.
• Roe Creek (40.2 km): Water access next to a bridge, a few minutes north of Shadow Lake.
• Bungee Bridge Lake (49.8 km): Small lake on the west side of the trail just before the bungee bridge.
• Cal-Cheak Campground (52.2 km): Access to Callaghan Creek from the campground.
• Alpha Lake Park (64.5 km): Washroom building.
• Wayside Park (66.2 km): Washroom building.
• Whistler Village (69.2 km): Washrooms and water bottle refill stations at Olympic Plaza and Gateway Bus Loop.
• Lost Lake Passivhaus (70.7 km): Washrooms and water bottle refill station.
• Lost Lake Beach (72 km): Washroom building.
• Riverside Dispersed Camping (80.4 km): Access to the Green River.
• Gord’s Garden (89 to 91.5 km): Several spots to access the Green River.
• Nairn Falls Provincial Park (103.1 km): Water pump.

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Hiking Tips

The trail is mostly hard surfaces (packed gravel, pavement, logging roads), so big hiking boots are overkill. I wore big boots for the section I backpacked and regretted it – I would do it in low-cut hiking boots or trail runners next time.

The Highway sections aren’t that long but, they can be intimidating. Wear bright clothing. Next time, I would wear my headlamp on blinking mode and a blinky bike light on the back of my pack.

In a few places, you can walk on the other side of the concrete Highway barrier from traffic, which helps. While walking facing traffic is the safest option, in some places the shoulder is wider on the other side of the Highway, so you might want to cross over. But do it carefully, of course.

Biking Tips

The trail is intermediate/challenging for most bike packers. The hike-a-bike section near Starvation Lake (including lifting your bike over the railway barrier) and a few steep, punchy climbs just south of Nairn Falls are the main obstacles.

You will also want to be a confident bike handler, especially fully loaded, because in places the trail passes close to steep drops off or river banks.

Unlike many other bike packing or cycling touring routes, there is a lot of semi-technical single-track. Mountain bikers will find this terrain easy, but those unused to riding off road will find it challenging.

Most of the trail is packed gravel single track, dirt roads, or pavement, making it great for gravel bikes and hard-tail mountain bikes. In general, you’ll want wider tires – at least 38 mm but ideally 45+ mm or 2″ MTB tires. You’ll also want gearing for the steep climbs.

A bikepacking set-up is ideal for the bumpy terrain. You could do it with panniers, but they will get jostled around a lot. Don’t go too heavy, or you will hate the hills.

The Highway sections are short, but in places the shoulder is narrow and traffic is fast. Consider bringing a blinky light and wearing bright clothing to keep yourself visible. Take extra care crossing the highway.

How to Get to the Sea to Sky Trail (And Between Trailheads)

There are a few ways to get from Vancouver to Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton and between these towns.

Driving

It’s an easy (and beautiful) 1-hour drive to Squamish from Vancouver via the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s another hour to 45 minutes to Whistler, and then a further 30 minutes to Pemberton.

Biking

You can bike the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Pemberton, passing Squamish and Whistler, but it’s not for everyone – many cyclists will appreciate driving or taking the bus to skip the highway, especially between Vancouver and Squamish.

The section between Vancouver and Squamish is about 68 km with about 650 m of elevation gain. In some places, there is little to no shoulder. There are sharp turns, and traffic is very fast.

The section between Squamish and Pemberton is 93 km with 830 to 1050 m of elevation gain (depending on which direction you are going). It has more shoulder than the southern section, but there are still some tight spots.

Buses

There are four bus services you can use to get between Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. The bus stops in Squamish and Whistler are on the Sea to Sky Trail. In Pemberton, the bus stop is 1 km from the trail. Getting to Squamish or Whistler is easy, but you’ll have to transfer in Whistler to get to/from Pemberton.

• Epic Rides: Stops in Whistler and downtown Vancouver. Takes bikes on a rear rack or in a box/bag. No charge for bikes.
• YVR Skylynx: Stops at YVR Vancouver airport, downtown Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler. Takes bikes if they are in a box or bag.
• Squamish Connector: Stops at downtown Vancouver and Squamish. Takes bikes on a rear bike rack if you call or email ahead of time to reserve.
• BC Transit: Public transit between Pemberton and Whistler via the 99 Commuter bus route. Takes bikes on a front rack for free, but space is limited.

Taxis and Ride Shares

Squamish and Whistler have taxi services you can use to get between trailheads or to road crossings along the trail. Depending on the distance travelled, it can get expensive.

Whistler and Squamish do not have Uber or Lyft. However, you may be able to find a ride via Poparide, a carpooling app that is popular locally.

Squamish Trailhead

The Squamish Trailhead is located at Sp’akw’us Feather Park in downtown Squamish. The Sea to Sky trail ends/begins here next to the ocean.

The best place to park overnight is the gravel lot next to the Adventure Centre on Loggers Lane. It’s right on the Sea to Sky Trail and is 3.5 km from the trailhead. You can walk, bike, or take a taxi to the trailhead. Here are Google Maps directions to Sp’akw’us Feather Park.

Pemberton Trailhead

There isn’t a designated trailhead in Pemberton since the trail technically continues onward to D’Arcy. However, since that section isn’t finished and is essentially just a road, I recommend starting or ending in Pemberton rather than continuing to D’Arcy.

I consider the big “Pemberton” sign outside Mile One Eating House at the intersection of Highway 99 and Pemberton Portage Road to be the trailhead. It’s about 1 block from the trail, and there’s something cool about saying that you hiked or biked from downtown Squamish to downtown Pemberton. Here are Google Maps directions to the Pemberton sign.

I don’t have a great recommendation for overnight parking in Pemberton since we got dropped off. However, Pemberton’s bylaws allow anyone to park on the street for up to 72 hours, so you should be fine to leave your car in street parking. There is also a parking lot next to the Pemberton Skate Park on Pemberton Portage Road that could be ok to leave your car.

Sea to Sky Trail Review: My Opinion

I have to be honest: I have some mixed feelings about this trail (especially for hikers), and I don’t necessarily recommend it. However, it has enough redeeming features that I thought it was worth writing a guide. My opinion can be broken down into two broad themes:

It’s Not a Wilderness Trip

For the most part, the trail is surrounded by stunning natural scenery: forests, rushing rivers, lakes, etc. But the Sea to Sky Trail crosses Highway 99 and other car-accessible roads over 25 times. The farthest you will ever be from a car accessible road is 3 or 4 km on the Cal-Cheak to Trainwreck, Gord’s Garden, and Green Lake sections.

That’s great because it gives you flexibility for resupplying or getting on and off the trail. But it also means this is definitely not a wilderness experience. It’s not an urban trip either – it’s something in between. If you’re looking to detach yourself from the world and head into the bush, this trip isn’t that.

But I also loved the way that the Sea to Sky Trail shows you that despite being close to a rushing Highway, the entire corridor is full of wilderness. On my trips, I spotted lots of wildflowers, berries, old-growth trees, and animal tracks, often within sight or sound of Highway 99. It was great to slow down and enjoy walking and biking through a landscape that is usually rushed through in a car. So it’s not a wilderness experience… but there is still lots of nature.

And honestly, being close to population centres can also be great. You can stop for coffee, sandwiches, groceries, etc. You can have friends shuttle you and/or your gear between sections so you don’t have to carry heavy packs. An overnight in a hotel with a real bed and a shower is also possible!

It’s Better as a Bikepacking Trip Than a Backpacking Trip

In general, the Sea to Sky Trail is much better for cyclists. Even though it is bumpier and more technical than many bikepacking routes (which usually use gravel roads), it is quite scenic in places, and the single-track sections are a nice change of pace. Bikes can also get through the highway sections quickly.

As you can see in the surface breakdown at the top of this post, only 51.8 km of the 107.4 km is single-track trail. The rest of the trail is paved surfaces or hard-packed gravel roads, which are fun for cyclists but boring for hikers. Those hard surfaces are also killer on hikers’ feet.

That doesn’t mean that hikers shouldn’t do this trail. It just means that I recommend you understand what you’re signing up for. As well, if you’re doing it as a backpacking trip, I think the Sea to Sky Trail is best for spring or fall when other destinations are too snowy. Don’t waste prime summer weather on this trip.

Do I Recommend the Sea to Sky Trail?

For bikepackers looking for something a bit different than the usual gravel logging roads, yes, I recommend the Sea to Sky Trail. If you’re up for single track, a bit of hike-a-bike, and short, steep climbs, it’s great. The campground at Cal-Cheak (the typical overnight on a 2-day bikepacking itinerary) is also very nice.

For hikers, I don’t necessarily recommend the Sea to Sky Trail. If you’re already in Vancouver or the Sea to Sky region and are looking for a unique spring or fall trip, give it a go. Otherwise, I think there are so many other backpacking destinations in BC that are better.

The main reason I don’t recommend this trip for hikers is that there is too much road and paved trail. As well, many of the unpaved trail sections are under powerlines, which you’ll pass through quickly on a bike, but as a hiker, they get tiresome. And finally, the way that the campsites are spread out on the trail means you’ll have to do 20+ km days each day, which can be a lot for fully-loaded backpackers.

Final Thoughts

While the Sea to Sky isn’t my favourite trail, as a local, I do still have a soft spot for it. I love that the trail lets us see the plants, animals, and scenery that most people drive through the region without slowing down to appreciate. It’s also pretty cool to be able to go backpacking or bikepacking from the centre of one town to another!

If you’ve got questions about the trail, I’m happy to help. Hit me up in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• 30 Best Backpacking Trips in BC
• 60+ Things to do in Squamish
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer
• 22 Places to Camp Near Squamish
• 18 Places to Camp Near Whistler
• 10 Best Hotels in Squamish
• The Best Hikes in Squamish
• The Best Hikes in Whistler

The post Sea to Sky Trail from Squamish to Pemberton appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve lived in the Vancouver area all my life and I’m an avid hiker. I have written two hiking guidebooks and done volunteer work with several local outdoor advocacy organizations regarding park advocacy and access. I’ve also scoured the BC Parks website and chatted with BC Parks staff so I know everything there is to know about BC Parks day passes.

Quick Summary: In winter 2025/2026, you need a vehicle day pass to visit Mount Seymour Provincial Park. In summer, you need a vehicle day pass to visit Garibaldi and Golden Ears Provincial Parks and you need a trail pass (for each adult) to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. In some parks, you don’t need a pass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

In this guide to day passes in BC parks you’ll find:

• Which parks require a BC Parks day pass
• How much does a day pass cost
• Who needs to get a day pass and when you don’t need a pass
• How to get a day pass and when you can get one
• How to use your day pass
• Day passes at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Day passes at Golden Ears Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Day passes at Garibaldi Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Winter day passes at Mount Seymour Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Tips and tricks for getting a day pass
• Why do BC Parks require day passes – what problem are they trying to solve?
• BC Parks day pass FAQ – all your questions answered

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.

Which Parks Require a BC Parks Day Pass?

In summer 2025, you need a day pass to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, Garibaldi Provincial Park, and Golden Ears Provincial Park. More details on each of these parks is below – click the links to jump to those sections.

In previous years, BC Parks day passes were required at other parks. However, in summer 2025 you do NOT need a day pass to visit Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Mount Seymour Provincial Park, or Cypress Provincial Park.

In winter 2025/2026, you needed a day pass to visit Mount Seymour Provincial Park. More info on winter day passes is below – click the link to jump to that section

How Much Do Day Passes Cost?

BC Parks Day passes are totally free. There is no cost.

Who Needs a Day Pass? When Don’t You Need a Pass?

Summer Day Passes

Most visitors to Joffre, Garibaldi, and Golden Ears Provincial Parks in summer 2025 will need a day pass.

However, there are a few situations where you don’t need a day pass:

• If you have booked a day trip with Park Bus to Golden Ears, Garibaldi, or Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, you do NOT need a day pass. Note: Park Bus did not operate in summer 2024 and does not seem to be running in summer 2025.
• If you have a front-country (drive-in) camping reservation for Golden Ears Provincial Park you do NOT need a day pass.
• If you have a backcountry camping reservation (Garibaldi or Joffre), OR a backcountry permit registration (Golden Ears), you do NOT need a day pass. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)
• If you arrive at the park outside of the hours/days that day passes are required. This varies by park by is typically before 7 am or after 4 pm every day for summer passes. Some parks do not require passes on weekdays during some time periods. As well, day passes are not required in the spring, fall, and winter in some parks – read park specific rules below. Note: This does not apply to Joffre Lakes – you need a pass 24 hours a day at Joffre.
• If you plan to visit part of Golden Ears or Garibaldi Park that is not covered by day passes. (Unpopular parking lots and trailheads do not require a day pass. See park details for Garibaldi and Golden Ears below for specific information.)
• If you arrive by bike or on foot at Garibaldi, Golden Ears, or Mount Seymour. Only motor vehicles need a pass at these parks. At Joffre, each person requires a pass no matter how they arrive.
• Kids do NOT need their own trail pass at Joffre as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Winter Day Passes

Most visitors to Mount Seymour Provincial Park in winter 2025/26 needed a day pass.

However, there are a few situations where you don’t need a day pass:

• If you have booked the Mount Seymour shuttle bus in winter 2025/26, you do NOT need a day pass
• If you have reserved paid tickets to ski, snowshoe, or snow-tube at Mount Seymour Ski Resort, you do NOT need a day pass – You only need a day pass for the free BC Parks trails outside the ski resort.
• If you arrive at the park outside of the hours/days that day passes are required. This means arriving after 4pm or on a weekday (outside of the Christmas holiday period).

How to Get a BC Parks Day Pass? When Can You Get a Day Pass?

You need to book on the BC Parks Day Pass website. This is the only way to book – there are no phone bookings.

Passes are available to book starting at 7 am two days before your visit. For example, if you want to visit on July 22, you can book your pass online starting at 7 am on July 20. Be sure to book early because passes get booked up in the first few minutes for summer weekends.

How to Use Your Day Pass?

When you book a pass, it will be emailed to you. Either print it out or take a screenshot. There is no cell service or bad cell service at most parks so you won’t be able to access your email once you arrive.

When you arrive at the park, a staff member will ask to see your pass. They will confirm that it is valid for the right park, day, time slot (morning, afternoon, or all day) and parking area. For Joffre Lakes, they will confirm that you have a pass for each adult. (Kids under 18 don’t need passes.) They will also check your ID to make sure that the person who booked the pass is present.

For Garibaldi, Golden Ears, and Mount Seymour, this check happens on the park entrance roads. For Joffre, this check happens at the trailhead.

Day Passes at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Joffre Lakes Day Passes Quick Facts

• Required daily starting on May 17, 2025 (They haven’t announced when the day pass season will end yet, but it will likely be in mid-October.)
• Each adult requires their own pass. Kids under 18 don’t need a pass.
• There are no parking passes for Joffre Lakes. Day passes here are per person.
• Passes are valid for an entire day and are required 24 hours a day – you need a pass even if you plan to arrive at 2 am when there won’t be anyone checking passes.
• You can book up to 4 passes at once for the same day.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip.
• The park will be closed to the public from April 25 to May 16, 2025, June 17 to 27, 2025, and September 2 to October 3, 2025 to support Indigenous harvesting and cultural practices.
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)

Info For Visiting Joffre Lakes

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in BC. The small park is home to three gorgeous turquoise lakes, all accessed from the same trail. There are no other trails or destinations in the park.

My Joffre Lakes hiking guide has all the details you need to visit. The first lake (Lower Joffre Lake) is just 0.2 km (5 minutes) from the parking lot on a flat and easy trail.

It is a much harder hike to reach Middle Joffre Lake, Upper Joffre Lake, and the campground at the far end of Upper Joffre Lake. If you hike to the campground and back you will have hiked about 10 kilometres with 370 metres of elevation gain. Allow 4 hours for the hike, and more if you want to stop for lunch or photos.

All trails beyond the campground are unofficial mountaineering trails that lead into steep terrain prone to rockfall and glacier collapse.

READ NEXT: Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)

Day Passes at Golden Ears Provincial Park

Golden Ears Provincial Park Day Pass Quick Facts

• Required from May 16 to September 1, 2025 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. You do NOT need a pass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• You must have a day pass to park at Alouette Lake South Beach, Alouette Lake Boat Launch, Gold Creek Trailhea, and West Canyon Trailhead. You do NOT need a pass to park at Spirea Nature Trail, Main Corral, or Mike Lake (but those parking lots are not close to the lake or the most popular hiking trails)
• For most parking areas, you have to book an AM (7am to 1pm) or PM (arrive after 1pm) pass. You can book an all day pass for the Aloutette Lake Boat Launch parking lot.
• You can book one pass per time slot per day
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• You don’t need a pass if you have a reservation for drive-in camping.
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping permit registration. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)
• You don’t need a pass if you arrive after 3:30 pm. (This is slightly earlier than the 4 pm cut-off in previous years.)

Info For Visiting Golden Ears Provincial Park

There is one road in and out of Golden Ears Park (called Golden Ears Parkway) and all of the parking lots that require day passes are along the last part of this road. The road is open from 7 am to 11 pm. The gate is locked and you can’t drive in at night.

To help you decide which day pass to book, here’s a quick run-down of the areas at the park:

Alouette Lake South Beach Day-Use Area: This is a huge beach at the south end of Alouette Lake. It has a beach, swimming area, canoe rentals, picnic area, and washrooms. If you want to hang out at the beach, you want this pass. This is by far the largest parking lot in the park.

Alouette Lake Boat Launch: This parking lot is a short walk from South Beach day-use area and is designed as a parking lot for people with boat trailers. It is a smaller lot so it could be harder to get a pass.

West Canyon Parking Lot: This small parking lot is a good place to park for hikes to Golden Ears Summit or the loop of Gold Creek Canyon. However, those are long hikes. You can also use this parking lot for the short hikes to North Beach or Lower Falls, but the Gold Creek Parking lot is much closer to those.

Gold Creek Parking Lot: This parking lot is the best place to park for the short hikes to Lower Falls (aka Gold Creek Falls) or North Beach. This parking lot is also a good place to park for the loop of Gold Creek Canyon or the summit of Golden Ears.

Other parking lots (no pass required): Three other parking lots near the park entrance don’t require day passes: Spirea Nature Trail, Mike Lake, and Main Corral. Main Corral provides access to a network of horseback riding trails. The Mike Lake parking lot is a good place to park for the short hike around Mike Lake or the long and challenging hike to Alouette Mountain. Spirea Nature Trail is a short wheelchair accessible trail with a small parking lot.

Day Passes at Garibaldi Provincial Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park Day Pass

• There are three trailheads that require passes: Diamond Head (Elfin Lakes), Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lake) and Cheakamus. Each one has different rules.
• At Diamond Head and Rubble Creek, day passes are required from June 13 to October 13, 2025 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. Unlike in previous years, passes are not required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• At Cheakamus Lake, day passes are required every day between June 13 and September 1, 2025. From From September 2 October 13, they are required Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only. You can book an AM pass (arrival and departure before 1 pm) or a PM pass (arrival and departure after 1 pm). You can only book one time slot per day, but you can book both AM and PM passes if you want to stay all day.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)

Info For Visiting Garibaldi Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park is huge and has several access points between Squamish and Whistler. Only some of the trailheads require day passes.

To help you decide which day pass to book, here’s a quick rundown of the areas at the park:

Diamondhead (Elfin Lakes) Trailhead: Located up a 2WD accessible gravel road near Squamish, this parking lot is the trailhead for hikes to Elfin Lakes and beyond to the Rampart Ponds. It is a 22 km round trip hike to Elfin Lakes with 600 m of elevation gain. The hike takes 6-8 hours. My Elfin Lakes hiking guide has more info.

READ NEXT: Elfin Lakes Hike in Squamish (By a Local)

Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lakes) Trailhead: Located on a short paved road between Squamish and Whistler, this trailhead leads to Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows, and beyond to Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk. The hike to Garibaldi Lake is an 18 km round trip with 820 m of elevation gain. The hike takes 6-7 hours.

Cheakamus Lake Trailhead: Located on a 2WD accessible gravel road at the south end of Whistler. From here you can hike the flat and easy 7 km round trip to Cheakamus Lake which only takes 2-3 hours so you could do it on a single AM or PM pass. Or you can continue further down the lake to Singing Creek for a total round-trip distance of 16 km. You can also hike up to Helm Creek campground (17 km round trip with 700 m of elevation gain) or beyond to Helm Pass. You will need BOTH an AM pass and a PM pass for Singing Creek or Helm Creek.

Singing Pass Trailhead (no pass required): This trailhead is right in Whistler Village and you don’t need a day pass. It is a 31 km round trip to Russet Lake with 1280 m of elevation and will take 9-10 hours. You can also pay to take the Whistler Gondola up, then hike to Russet Lake via the High Note or Musical Bumps trails. My Russet Lake trail guide has more info.

Wedgemount Lake Trailhead (no pass required): This trailhead is on a somewhat rough (but 2WD-accessible) gravel road just north of Whistler and you don’t need a day pass. The hike to the lake is 13 km return with 1160 m of elevation gain. Allow 7 hours.

Day Passes at Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Day passes are required in winter 2025/2026 at this park.

Mount Seymour Provincial Park Winter Day Pass Quick Facts

• Required every day from December 19, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Required only on weekends and holidays from January 9 to March 29, 2026.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• You can book an AM Pass (valid 7 am to 12 pm) or a PM pass (valid 12 pm to 4 pm)
• You do NOT need a pass if you arrive after 4 pm.
• You can book one pass per time slot per day. If you want to do a longer hike, backcountry ski, or snowshoe, you will need to book BOTH an AM and a PM pass.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• If you are backcountry camping, you only need a pass for the day that you enter the park. You don’t need a pass for the second (or third, etc.) day.
• If you take the Mount Seymour Shuttle bus, you do not need a day pass.

Info for Winter Visits to Mount Seymour Provincial Park

There is one road in and out of Mount Seymour Park (called Mount Seymour Parkway) and all of the parking is at the end of this road. The road is open from 7 am to 10 pm. The gate is locked and you can’t drive in at night or early in the morning. Between October 1 and March 31, you need winter tires (M+S or snowflake symbol) to legally drive the road.

There are two main areas for winter recreation at Mount Seymour Provincial Park. One is free and requires day passes. The other is paid since it is inside the ski resort. There are different rules for each, here’s a run-down to help you decide whether you need a day pass:

Mount Seymour Resort Ski Area: You NOT not need a day pass for this area if you buy tickets for downhill skiing/snowboarding, the resort’s paid snowshoe trails, or the resort’s tube park. Your tickets include parking in Lots 2, 3, and 4 (the closest lots to the mountain).

BC Park Trails: You NEED a free day pass to access the BC Parks trails to Dog Mountain and Mount Seymour. These trails are popular with backcountry skiers and snowshoers. See my guide to snowshoeing in Vancouver for more info and trail descriptions. If you have a day pass you must park in Lots 1 or 5 (furthest from the mountain).

Pro tip: Mount Seymour is the ONLY place you need a day pass to go snowshoeing. If you’re looking for a place to go snowshoeing without a day pass, check out my guides to snowshoeing in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, the Fraser Valley, and Manning Park. I’ve got tons of other options for you – no pass required!

Tips and Tricks for Getting a Day Pass

On sunny summer weekends, especially long weekends, it can be tough to get a pass. Here are a few tips and tricks for getting a BC Parks day pass.

• Visit the day pass website in advance so you can get familiar with how it works.
• Be online at 7 am two days before your trip and click right away.
• Have everyone in your group try to get passes at the same time to increase your chances. Use a voice chat to coordinate so you don’t end up booking more passes than you need.
• If possible, use a computer instead of a phone as the system works a bit better on desktop.
• If you didn’t get passes, keep checking back as sometimes people cancel and passes become available again.
• Check back at 7 am on the day of your trip – sometimes BC Parks releases more passes at that time.

Why Do BC Parks Require Day Passes?

What BC Parks Says

The short answer is that BC Parks website says that day passes are needed to manage large numbers of visitors who have negative impacts on the environment and the enjoyment of other visitors. But the long answer is much more complicated than that.

Initially, BC Parks said that the Day Pass system was a “Pilot Program”. But they have quietly made it permanent with no officially announcement. They have changed it a little bit each year, and removed it in some areas.

My Opinion

I volunteer on the advocacy committee for the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society and the Southwestern British Columbia Recreation and Conservation Committee of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to parks staff, politicians, and other outdoors folk about day passes. Below is a summary of what I’ve learned.

The Day Pass System Costs Tax Payers Millions Each Year

BC Parks introduced the day pass system in summer 2020 as a response to the pandemic and a way to promote social distancing. That year, the BC government spent $900,000 to implement the day pass website software and hire staff to check passes at parking lots and trailheads.

In 2021 and 2022, BC Parks changed the wording around day passes, saying they were needed to protect park environments and reduce large crowds. In summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022, the cost of implementing day passes was $1.3 million. BC Parks hasn’t released costs for more recent seasons, but we can assume they are similar.

BC Parks Has Almost No Budget to Maintain or Build Trails

The reality is that BC Parks is grossly underfunded and has been for decades. That means that trails are in terrible condition because they have not been maintained. It also means that even though the population of the metro Vancouver area has grown by about 1 million people since 1990, almost no new trails have been built in provincial parks near Vancouver in that time.

It’s not surprising that our trails are busy if there hasn’t been any money to build more trails so that more people can get outdoors.

As well, almost no money has been spent on upgrading trails to handle more traffic (or even to withstand the traffic they already see.) If BC Parks were so concerned about the environmental degradation of increased traffic, they would spend money on long overdue trail maintenance to prevent erosion and reduce trail braiding. But they just don’t have the budget.

In the last few years, the BC government has made a few big announcements about funding for BC parks. However, only a small fraction of that funding is going towards trail maintenance. And so far, none of the funding has gone towards new trails in the Vancouver area.

BC Parks Has No Budget to Increase Parking Lot Sizes

BC Parks also does not have the budget to upgrade gravel parking lots to install parking stall lines (which would allow for more efficient parking), or to increase parking lot size.

Yes, in a few places, trails in BC’s provincial parks truly are overcrowded. But in most places, BC Parks day passes are not about crowding or environmental impact – they are about parking lots being too small. Once you leave the crowded parking lot and go for a hike, there is plenty of room on the trails for everyone.

In fact, BC Parks acknowledges that the reason they stopped requiring day passes at Stawamus Chief Provincial Park was that it has enough parking.

Day Passes Have Negative Knock-On Effects on Other Trails

In general, many news stories have demonstrated that hikers in Vancouver are not in favour of day passes. As well, a survey of hikers and outdoor folks from the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society concluded that 67% of respondents did not support day passes.

Day passes also have other knock-on effects. They push trail users out of provincial parks into other areas where trails are volunteer maintained or in many cases, have no maintenance at all. Day passes also mean that many hikers may choose trails that are outside their ability, increasing search and rescue call-outs.

Make Your Voice Heard

The money spent on the day pass system could fund so much trail maintenance and build so many new trails. It could also expand parking lots to increase capacity at many locations. BC Parks doesn’t have enough money to do basic trail maintenance, so it is a shame that the little money they have is being used for a system that shuts people out of parks.

If you agree with me that the money spent on the day pass system should be used for trail maintenance and building new trails, make your voice heard. Send an email or a voicemail to Premier David Eby at premier@gov.bc.ca or the Minister of the Environment and Parks, Tamara Davidson at ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca. You should also email or call your local MLA.

BC Parks Day Pass 2025 FAQ

Final Thoughts

So now you have all the info you need about BC Parks day passes. If you have more questions, leave them in the comments – I’m happy to help!

READ NEXT:

• Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)
• How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
• Camping Near Vancouver, BC: 40+ Best Campgrounds
• The 10 Best Hikes in Vancouver – A Local’s Guide
• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver

The post BC Parks Day Passes 2025 – Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I started out as a Leave No Trace Trainer back in 2006. In 2019, I got certified as a Leave No Trace Master Educator (now called a Level 2 Instructor). In this post I’ll help you understand the basics of Leave No Trace including:

• What is Leave No Trace? What does it mean?
• Why is Leave No Trace important?
• The 7 principles of Leave No Trace and how to implement them

What is Leave No Trace?

After noticing increased impacts like trash and campfire scars on heavily used trails in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, the US Forest Service developed the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace in the 1960s. Since then, Leave No Trace (often shortened to LNT) has become a registered non-profit with chapters around the world.

The idea behind the principles is to leave nature as unchanged by our presence as possible, so that future generations can enjoy it too. In essence, the purpose of Leave No Trace is to keep the wilderness wild.

I’ve heard people dismiss the idea of Leave No Trace as pointless since it’s impossible not to leave tiny traces wherever we go. However, those people are missing the point – we are looking for progress, not perfection. The principles of Leave No Trace guide us to leave as little impact as we can.

Why is Leave No Trace Important?

As more and more people chose to hike and camp and camp in wilderness areas, lessening our impact is becoming more important. In many areas some trails are getting loved to death by large crowds, garbage and environmental damage. This was especially true during the pandemic.

I firmly believe that nature is for everyone. Both experienced outdoors-people and newbies deserve to experience the outdoors.

But in order for that to happen, we all need to learn a bit more about how to be responsible hikers and campers. Remember that we were all beginners once.

My Introduction to Leave No Trace

On one of my first backpacking trips I washed the crusty noodles out of my pot… into a tiny alpine stream. I was surprised when they just sank to the bottom instead of magically flowing away (like they would in my sink at home).

I knew I was doing it wrong… but I didn’t know what else to do.  It was an important moment for me. I realized that I didn’t know what I didn’t know.. and that I needed to learn more about how to treat the wilderness. I did some research and learned about the Leave No Trace principles.

Maybe you’ve had a similar a-ha moment. Did you see trash in a campsite? Were you concerned about overcrowding in a National Park? Did you come across unburied human poop?

We all start somewhere in our Leave No Trace journey. It’s ok to admit you didn’t know. But we can all take a bit of time to learn how to do better next time.

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

It’s important to know the seven principles of Leave No Trace. When I teach people about LNT, I find that the info sinks in better if they know the “why” and “how” behind each principle.

Remember that the 7 principles of Leave No Trace are not rules – they are guidelines that we can look to when we make decisions about how to behave outdoors.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

What Does Plan Ahead and Prepare Include: Research trail info, weather forecasts, park rules, and trail conditions before your hike.

Why: When you do some research before your hike, you are more likely to have a fun and SAFE hike. You will also minimize damage to nature.

How:

• Check the weather forecast and trail conditions to make sure you have the right gear and you are up to the challenges of the trail. (Read my guide to best weather apps for hikers.)
• Check local regulations to find out about closures, permits, fire regulations or other policies.
• Bring a first aid kit and the 10 essentials in case not everything goes according to plan.
• Avoid getting lost: bring a map and compass, a GPS and a trail description to stay on track.
• Repackage food to create less waste on the trail.

READ NEXT: 16 Things to do Before a Hike

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

What Does Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Mean? Hike and camp on durable surfaces like rocks, gravel, and snow.

Why: Some surface like alpine meadows, marshes and bogs are just too fragile to withstand much impact. The vegetation in those areas can take years to grow, and then be destroyed by a few boot-prints.

How:

• Stay on the trail to prevent trampling vegetation. Walk through mud, not around it to avoid widening the trail. Don’t cut corners on switchbacks since that causes erosion.
• In areas with no trails, spread out your tracks to spread out the impact and avoid creating a new trail.
• Camp in a designated campsites or ones that have been used before. Remember the best campsites are found, not made. (You don’t need to dig trenches or cut trees.)
• If there are no designated or previously used campsites, camp on gravel, bare dirt, snow or dry grass to minimize your impact.
• Try to camp at least 200ft/70 m from water sources. The plants by lakes and streams very fragile. Animals need to access water to drink and your presence may scare them off or cause conflict.

Dispose of Waste Properly

What Does Dispose of Waste Properly Mean? Pack out all garbage and food scraps. Learn how to poop and wash the Leave No Trace way.

Why: Animals who learn to eat people food or human waste may stop eating their natural food or may attack people. It can also make wildlife sick. Garbage, poop and soap can pollute water, making it unsafe to drink or killing plants and fish. Plus garbage and poop on the trails looks disgusting!

How:

• Pack out your trash, including fruit peels and eggshells. They can take months to biodegrade and in the meantime they attract animals. I like to say “It it doesn’t grow there, it doesn’t go there.”
• Never burn your trash in a campfire. Some materials don’t burn very well so you might leave a mess.
• Wash dishes and yourself in biodegradable soap using your largest pot as a sink. Strain out any large particles then dump your dirty dishwater 200ft/70m from a water source. (Just because soap is biodegradable doesn’t mean it’s good for fish or plants so it shouldn’t go directly into the water source.) Try going without soap – sometimes a wet cloth or a scrubber is all you need.
• When possible, use an outhouse or pit toilet.
• If you have to poop and there is no outhouse, pick a spot 200ft/70m away from trails, campsites and water sources. (This keeps water sources clean so people won’t get sick.) Use a small trowel, a tent peg or a stick to dig a hole 6″/15cm deep, then bury your poop.
• Pack out your menstrual supplies. Learn more about how to camp and hike with your period.
• Pack out your dog’s poop in a plastic bag or bury in it just like you would human poop. Wild animals like to eat dog poop but it is full of bacteria and parasites that they aren’t used to. (Get more Leave No Trace tips for hiking with dogs.)
• Bring a ziploc bag to pack out your used toilet paper. If you packing it out grosses you out, be sure to bury it with your poop.  Another alternative is to use natural TP like moss, leaves, rocks or snow. (Snow is particularly refreshing!)

Leave What You Find

What Does Leave What You Find Mean? Leave natural and historical items like flowers, rocks, pictographs, artefacts, etc. where you find them. Don’t move them or bring them home with you.

Why: Leaving the trail the way you found it lets others enjoy it too. It also keeps ecosystems intact.

How:

• Leave flowers, rocks and historical artifacts where nature put them. Take a photo and then leave them for others to enjoy. If we all picked a flower or brought home a rock, there wouldn’t be any left.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Avoid building structures, cutting trees or digging trenches.
• Graffiti is never acceptable. 
• Don’t build extra inukshuks, rock stacks or cairns unless they are necessary as trail markers. Building rock stacks can confuse hikers who might they are trail markers. (Did you know many insects and animals live under rocks? When you move them you destroy their homes.)

Minimize Campfire Impacts

What Does Minimize Campfire Impacts Mean? Plan to cook over a stove, not a fire. If you do build a campfire, learn how to minimize your impact.

Why: Campfires can have negative impacts. They damage the soil and can lead to excessive firewood harvesting in sensitive areas. Plus forest fires are pretty terrible.

How:

• Always bring a stove instead of planning to cook on a fire. It’s quicker, more fuel efficient and has less impact on the wilderness.
• Consider having a campfire-free night by using a small lantern instead.
• Check regulations before you go to find out if fires are allowed. Many areas have fire bans in place during dry spells or to protect sensitive ecosystems like the alpine or grasslands where fires are not appropriate due to fragile soils, short growing seasons for plants, the ease of wildfire spreading and/or a lack of firewood.
• If you do make a fire, use an existing fire ring and avoid building new ones.
• Keep your fire small.
• Use dead wood that is already on the ground to avoid harming trees. (It burns better too.) Choose small sticks that you can break up with your hands.
• Put your fire out completely when you are done.

Respect Wildlife

What Does Respect Wildlife Mean? Give animals some space, and make sure your dog does too. Don’t let animals have human food.

Why:  The wilderness is the animals’ home and it deserves respect. They need enough space to maintain their natural behaviour and may attack if provoked. Dogs love the outdoors too but their prey-drive means they may harass wildlife.

How:

• Never feed animals. Your human food isn’t healthy for them and if they develop a taste for human food, they may lose their ability to find food naturally. Some cute animals like squirrels and whiskey jacks have learned to beg for food. Don’t give in!
• Don’t let animals have access to your food. Never leave food unattended. When camping safely store your food for the night inside a food locker or bear canister or learn how to properly hang it in a tree.
• Observe animals from a respectful distance. Use binoculars or the zoom lens on your camera to get a better look.
• Keep your dog on a leash and under control so they don’t chase or bother wildlife. You might think that it’s not a big deal for your dog to chase a squirrel… but if they chase a bear both you and your dog might think it’s a big deal! Research local rules before you go to find out if dogs are allowed and if leashes are required. (Get more tips for Leaving No Trace with your dog.)

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

What Be Considerate of Other Visitors Mean? Keep the experience of other visitors in mind so that your actions don’t negatively impact someone else’s experience. Learn and follow trail and camp etiquette.

Why: We all need to share trails and campsites in order to let everyone experience the wilderness. Some people go hiking for fitness, others to socialize and others hike to spend time in nature. Respect the way that other people wish to experience the wilderness and try not to let your experience negatively impact theirs.

How:

• Yield to other users on the trail. Step off the trail to take breaks so you aren’t in someone’s way.
• Give other groups space at viewpoints or in camp. If there’s a popular photo spot, snap a few pics, then move aside so someone else can have their turn.
• Keep your voice low and avoid yelling. Keep your group together to avoid shouting back and forth. (You’re safer that way too.)
• Leave the music at home (or wear headphones if your life requires your own personal soundtrack). Most hikers and campers want to hear the sounds of nature, not music.
• Keep your group small to create less impact, take up less space and make less noise. A good guideline is no more than 8-10 people.

READ NEXT: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowded Hiking Trails

Final Thoughts

This is just a broad overview of how to Leave No Trace when hiking and camping. If you are interested in learning more about Leave No Trace you can visit leavenotrace.ca or lnt.org. On those sites you can also find listings for Leave No Trace awareness course providers in your area.

Keep Leave No Trace in mind when hiking and camp so we can all keep the wilderness wild.

READ NEXT:

• How to Leave No Trace With Dogs
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• Tips for Safe Hiking in Wildfire Season
• The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

The post How to Leave No Trace (And Why it’s Important!) 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.

The Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park is one of Canada’s premiere multi-day hiking trips. People travel from all over the world to do this trip. We met Americans, Austrians, Mexicans… oh and a bunch of Canadians from all over the country.

It begins down in a temperate rain forest before climbing high up into the alpine to a brilliant blue glacier-fed lake. And speaking of glaciers! So many glaciers! The star of the show is the Berg Glacier, tumbling down the slope of Mount Robson into the lake. Oh, and BTW, Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. There’s lots of awesome stuff going on with this trail!

A few years ago, I finally made the drive to the Rockies to hike the Berg Lake Trail. We spilt up our hike over 5 days so we’d have lots of time to enjoy the scenery and to go on day hikes from our base at Berg Lake Campground.

In this post I’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know to plan your own trip. Because believe me, after seeing these photos, you’ll want to go.

A quick note: The info in this post was written for trail conditions prior to the 2021 washout. Where possible, I’ll make a note of areas where the trail will be different in 2025. I haven’t hiked the new trail yet, but I’ve summarized info from BC Parks and people who have hiked it since it’s been open to indicate what parts of the trail have changed.

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 extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Berg Lake Trail Basics

Distance: 21km (13 miles) one way

Elevation Gain: 800m (2600ft)

Time: At least 2 days. I recommend 4 or 5.

Cost: $10/person/night plus reservation fees of $6/tent pad/night (up to a max of $18)

Best Time to Go: The trail is snow-free from June to September. Best time to hike is July to early September.

Difficulty: Moderate, especially if you split the ascent to Berg Lake over two days.

What to Bring: I’ve got a complete Berg Lake Trail packing list for you.

Location: Mount Robson Provincial Park in the Canadian Rockies, 1 hour west of Jasper.

Description: The trail follows the Robson River. Along the way you’ll pass by Kinney Lake before climbing steeply up through The Valley of A Thousand Falls. At the top of the valley, the trail levels out and follows the river to the shores of Berg Lake. Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954m (12,972ft), towers over Berg Lake. The Berg Glacier cascades down the side of the mountain into the lake where it breaks off and forms icebergs. (And that’s why it’s called Berg Lake!)

Berg Lake Trail Map

The Berg Lake trail is well marked and easy to follow. There are frequent info signs and maps so it’s almost impossible to get lost. Unless you plan to travel off-trail in the backcountry, the map below is the only one you’ll need for the Berg Lake Trail. Click on the map below to view a printable PDF. Print out the map, then tuck it inside a ziploc bag for use on the trail.

When to Go

The trail is usually snow-free from June until late September. However, some years the snow can linger into early July or start to fall again in late September. I hiked the trail in early September 2018 and we got hit with a snow storm on our last day! July and August have the best weather, but the trail is also the busiest during those months.

If you want to day hike the Snowbird Pass trail, you should know that it is closed until July 1st each year to protect the caribou calving grounds.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

How Long to Spend on the Trail

In my opinion, most people will want to spend about 4 or 5 days on the trail.

Here’s an itinerary I recommend: Day 1: Hike to Whitehorn campground. Day 2: Hike to Berg Lake campground. Day 3: Day hike to Snowbird Pass. Day 4: Hike to Whitehorn or Kinney Lake campground OR hike out to the trailhead. Day 5: Hike out to the trailhead if you stopped at Whitehorn or Kinney.

The trail is 21km one way (42km return). It’s possible to hike up to Berg Lake and back in one day, but it would likely take over 14 hours. I don’t recommend it and the vast majority of people spend at least one night on the trail.

Since it is a 21km hike in with 800m of elevation gain, many people split the ascent to Berg Lake into 2 days. If you’re in good shape and an experienced backpacker, you could hike all the way to the lake in 1 day. The same goes for the descent: you can do it in one day, but many people prefer to split it into two days.

If you want to do any of the day hikes at Berg Lake, you’ll also want to allow time for that. At a minimum, you should do the Snowbird Pass hike – it’s gorgeous! Scroll down to the bottom of this post to read more about day hikes at Berg Lake.

Weather and Climate

Berg Lake is at an elevation of 1640m (5410ft). It sits right next to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Mount Robson is so tall that it makes its own weather. This means that it is often rainier at Berg Lake than other places in the Rockies. It also is high enough in the mountains that it can snow in any month.

The temperature can also vary a LOT at Berg Lake. On sunny summer days highs up of up 30C (86F) are possible, with the temperature dipping to less than 10C (50F) at night. On rainier days or in June and September the highs are more like 15C (59F) with lows of 0C (32F) at night. Of course the temperature can often be much colder than that, so bring warm clothing.

READ NEXT: How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

Costs and Reservations

The Berg Lake Trail is really popular and people come from all over the world to hike it. To manage the crowds, the park rangers have made all campsites on the trail 100% reservable between mid-June and the end of September.

Previously, reservations opened on October 1st the year before your trip. However, since the trail suffered a big washout in 2021, the full trail has not been open. In 2025, the full trail was open for the first time since the 2021 storms.

Reservations for summer 2026 open on Tuesday December 2, 2025 at 7 am. You need a reservation for stays between May 27 and September 29, 2026.

Thankfully, the reservation fee isn’t too expensive: It’s $6 per tent per night, up to a maximum of $18.

When you make your reservation you’ll also need to pay backcountry camping fees. Those are $10 per person per night. You can make reservations through the BC Parks reservation service. For more info on how to navigate the online reservation system, see my guide to making backcountry reservations in BC.

To hike the trail you will need a permit. Take a print-out or screen shot of your reservation confirmation email to the Mount Robson visitor centre on the day you start your hike. The rangers there will give you a laminated permit tag to take with you on the trail.

READ NEXT: How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC

How to Get to the Berg Lake Trail

The Berg Lake Trail is located in Mount Robson Provincial Park in the Canadian Rockies. It’s located just over the BC/Alberta border from Jasper National Park. It is in the Pacific time zone.

The closest towns to the trail are Jasper, Alberta (1 hour to the east along highway 16), and Valemount, BC (30 minutes to the south west via highway 16 and highway 5). Click here for Google maps driving directions.

You can also hike the Berg Lake Trail without a car: Take Ebus from Edmonton, Vancouver or Kamloops to the Mount Robson Visitor Centre. Then walk 2.2 km to the trailhead. (That’s why Berg Lake is on my list of the best car-free backpacking trips in BC.)

If you are flying in, the closest airports are Edmonton and Kamloops, both of which have car rentals. You can also rent a car in Jasper. I use Discover Cars since it lets you compare prices from lots of different rental companies. That way you know you are getting the best deal.

You will probably want to stay near Mount Robson Provincial Park the night before so you can get an early start on the trail. We stayed at a cabin in Tete Jaune Cache since it is about 15 minutes east of the visitor centre. If you want a hotel, you can book accommodation at bit farther away in Jasper or Valemount. If you want to camp, there are car campgrounds in the provincial park near the visitor centre.

What to Bring

You will need to be totally self-sufficient on the trail and carry in everything you will need for your trip – right down to the toilet paper!

To avoid carrying a stupidly heavy pack, choose lightweight backpacking gear rather than heavy conventional camping gear. The weather in the mountains is also often very cold and wet so be sure to pack accordingly. For a full list of what to pack, see my complete Berg Lake Trail packing list, with specific gear recommendations.

READ NEXT: What to Pack for the Berg Lake Trail

Rules

The Berg Lake trail is a popular area and it is also environmentally sensitive. As always, be sure to Leave No Trace. The park rangers have put a few rules in place to protect the area.

Dogs: Allowed on leash for day hikes only. No dogs are allowed on overnight trips.

Fires: No fires are allowed. Bring a camp stove for cooking. There are wood stoves in the shelters at the Whitehorn and Berg Lake campsites, but they can only be used in an emergency.

Bikes: You can bike the first 7km of the trail to the end of Kinney Lake but you aren’t permitted to bike further than that. E-bikes are allowed. If you are comfortable biking with an overnight pack, using a bike for the first section could make your trip a little faster.

Helicopters: If you have the cash, you can pay to fly in to Robson Pass on a helicopter from Valemount. The helicopters are only allowed to land on Mondays and Fridays.

Hammocks: Not permitted as they can damage the trees. (The trees aren’t very big up in the alpine.)

Maximum Group Size: 12 people to minimize impact.

READ NEXT: How to Leave No Trace (And Why it’s Important!)

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Trail Overview

Key Distances

Starting the Trail

To start the trail you need to sign in at the Mount Robson visitor centre. It’s located on highway 16 in Mount Robson provincial park. Opening hours are 8am to 7pm 7 days a week in the summer. Bring a print out or screen shot on your phone of your reservation confirmation to show the rangers.

The rangers will give you a brief orientation and go over some safety info and park rules. You will also need to head down to the basement to watch an orientation video. The rangers will give you your laminated permit tags (one for each tent). Hang them on your backpack while you’re hiking and your tent when it’s set up. The rangers may ask to see them on the trail.

The trailhead is located 2km from the visitor centre. There’s a parking lot with a covered picnic shelter and an outhouse at the trailhead. If you’re worried about leaving things in your car while you hike, the visitor centre has lockers for rent.

Trailhead to Kinney Lake Bridge

Distance: 4.5km/2.8mi | Elevation Gain: 150m/500ft | Time: 1-2 hours | Difficulty: Easy

The trail starts with a wide bridge across the Robson River. There’s a large info board with a map. This section of trail is an old gravel road that climbs steadily uphill but is never steep. In some places the trail is quite close to the rushing river. You’ll be walking through a temperate rain forest with lots of big cedars, hemlocks and ferns. There are a few interpretive signs along the way.

After 4.5km you’ll reach a wide bridge crossing the Robson River at the outlet of Kinney Lake. This bridge was replaced as part of the trail work after the 2021 storms.

Kinney Lake is a beautiful light blue colour thanks to the glacial sediment in the water. There is a 4 way intersection on the far side of the bridge. Go right for an outhouse. Turn left for a short side trail that leads to a picnic area. Stay straight to remain on the Berg Lake Trail.

Kinney Lake Bridge to Kinney Lake Campground

Distance: 2.5km/1.5mi | Elevation Gain: 30m/100ft | Time: 40min-1 hour | Difficulty: Easy

After Kinney Lake bridge the trail stops looking like a road and more like a trail. It heads through the forest and then climbs a small hill on some short but steep switchbacks. You’ll get some peek-a-boo views of Kinney Lake before dropping right back down to lake level again.

The trail crosses a gravelly section next to the lake before heading back in to the trees. Soon you’ll arrive at the Kinney Lake Campground with its open-sided shelter.

Kinney Lake Campground to Whitehorn Campground

Distance: 4km/2.5mi | Elevation Gain: 100m/325ft | Time: 1-2 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

A few minutes past Kinney Lake campground you’ll reach the end of Kinney Lake. There’s a bike rack here since this is the furthest you’re allowed to ride a bike.

This section was heavily washed out in the 2021 storms and has been repaired. Follow trail signs here to stay on the restored trail.

Here are directions for the old trail: There’s also a fork in the trail here. The left fork goes down on to the gravel river flats. The right fork climbs 30 meters up a bluff, then descends back down. The trails merge back together in about 1km. The flats route is closed in times of high water. If it’s open there will be a posted sign that letting you know that the flats are open to hikers. If possible, take the left fork across the flats as it is faster and easier.

The trail across the flats is not that well marked, so pay attention to stay on trail and cross the little bridges over the side channels. After the two trails meet back up, you’ll cross two bridges over branches of the Robson River. These bridges have been replaced as of 2025.

From here you have a 2km climb up Whitehorn hill. There are a few short switchbacks, but it’s mostly a steady climb through the forest. You’ll know you’ve reached the top when you spot the suspension bridge. Just before the suspension bridge there is a side trail to the ranger cabin. Cross the bridge to reach the Whitehorn campground. This bridge was replaced as part of the repairs from the 2021 storms.

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Whitehorn Campground to Emperor Falls Campground

Distance: 5km/3.1mi Elevation Gain: 520m/1700ft Time: 2.5-4 hours | Difficulty: Hard

The first section the trail from Whitehorn is on the opposite side of the river from the old trail. While the old trail was flat, the new trail has some ups and downs in the forest. It’s also a bit longer. (I’m not sure how much longer yet so I’ll updatet this guide with new stats once I have it.

Cross a heavy duty bridge and get your first view of the Valley of a Thousand Falls. This tight gorge channels the Robson River rapidly downhill. This means you’ll be doing a lot of steep climbing in this section of trail! You’ll gain 500m over 5km! This is also the only section of the trail where you won’t encounter any water sources, so be sure to fill up your water bottles before you head up the hill.

After the first few switch backs you will reach a viewpoint over White Falls. Continue steadily uphill in the forest for another kilometre to Falls of the Pool viewpoint. Past here the trail emerges from the forest and travels near the edge of the canyon.

Eventually you will reach a signed junction with a side trail to Emperor Falls. The sign says it is a 500m walk, but don’t worry, it’s only about 200m each way. (I measured!) You might be tempted to leave your heavy backpack at the junction. However, the park rangers want you to take them with you since the food inside can attract animals. Be sure to take the side trail to the falls since they are spectacular! You’ll definitely get hit with spray so wear a rain jacket.

Past the Emperor Falls junction you’ll continue walking uphill for another half kilometer to reach the Emperor Falls campground. The campground isn’t actually anywhere near Emperor Falls, but it is located right next to the beautiful Robson River.

Emperor Falls Campground to Marmot Campground

Distance: 2.8km/1.7mi | Elevation Gain: 30m/100ft | Time: 45min-1 hour | Difficulty: Easy

Shortly after Emperor Falls camp, the trail curves away from the river and traverses a rock slide. The trail builders did an amazing job across the rock slide: The path is remarkably smooth and they have built some great retaining walls.

After the rock slide the trail goes down to another river flats section. This section has been rerouted since the 2021 storms and is a bit longer than before. You’ll start to get views of the lake and the dirt-speckled Mist glacier. As you finally reach the shore of Berg Lake, you’ll arrive at Marmot Campground and get your first good views of the Berg glacier as it runs down into the lake.

Marmot Campground to Berg Lake Campground

Distance: 2.2km/1.4mi | Elevation Gain: 0m/0ft | Time: 30-40min | Difficulty: Super easy

This flat section of trail follows the lakeshore between the Marmot and Berg Lake campgrounds. A few hundred meters after leaving the Marmot Campground you’ll pass the intersection for the Hargreaves Lake trail. 

The trail is often a few meters above the lake level and there are a couple of great places to stop and look at the Berg glacier through the gaps in the trees. As you approach the Berg Lake campground there will be a side trail heading uphill to the campsites. Stay on the main trail for the fastest route to the shelter.

Berg Lake Campground to Robson Pass Campground via Rearguard Campground

Distance: 2km/1.2mi | Elevation Gain: 0m/0ft | Time: 30-40min | Difficulty: Super easy

After leaving the Berg Lake campground, the trail crosses a bridge. The trailhead for Toboggan Falls is right after the bridge. The main trail continues on through the forest and some river flat sections.

One kilometer from the Berg lake campground you’ll pass the Rearguard campground. A few hundred meters after that, look for the junction for the Snowbird Pass trail on your right.

Soon you’ll pass a ranger cabin, then arrive at the Robson Pass campground. This is the last campground on the Berg Lake trail, so most descriptions stop here, but the trail actually continues on. Right after the campground is the junction with the Mumm Basin trail. Past there, the trail heads over Robson Pass, then goes downhill into Jasper National Park in Alberta.

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Camping on the Berg Lake Trail

Campground Amenities

Outhouses

Each campground has at least one outhouse. (The bigger campgrounds have two or three). Toilet paper is not supplied so be sure to bring your own.

READ NEXT: What to Pack for the Berg Lake Trail

Tent Sites

There are a mix of raised wooden platforms and dirt tent pads on the Berg Lake trail.

When you make a reservation, you reserve which campground you will be staying in, but you don’t reserve any particular site. If you get to the campground earlier in the day you’ll have a choice of empty sites.

And FYI: you must stay only in the campgrounds you have reserved or you will be taking up a spot that someone else has reserved. The rangers will check and ask you to leave.

Food Storage Lockers

There are large metal lockers at each campground. Be sure to store your food and toiletries inside to protect it from animals, including bears. All campers share the lockers so put all your stuff in bags to keep it organized and to leave space for others.

Never leave garbage behind in the food locker – pack it out with you.

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Wash Stands and Grey Water Disposal Pits

The Berg Lake Trail is so high trafficked that the park rangers have installed wash stands and grey water pits to try to keep dishwashing water out of the lake and streams.

All the campsites have a marked grey water pit where you can pour your dishwater or strain the water out of your pasta. Many also have a wooden wash stand that comes with a plastic wash basin you can do your dishes in.

Picnic Tables

The smaller campgrounds all have at least one picnic table. The larger campgrounds have more. Many of the picnic tables have a metal overlay at one end. If you’re going to cook on the tables, put your stove on the overlay to avoid damaging the wood.

It’s also worth noting that you’ll need to share the picnic tables with other campers. At breakfast and dinner times if you aren’t actively cooking or eating, leave the table someone else can use it.

Shelters

There are a few day use shelters on the trail. The shelters are for cooking and hanging out. You aren’t allowed to sleep in them.

The Whitehorn and Kinney Lake campgrounds have large roofed shelters with open sides and four picnic tables inside. These shelters protect you from the rain but still let the wind blow in from the sides. The Whitehorn shelter has a wood stove but you are only allowed to use it in an emergency.

You’ll find the Hargreaves Shelter at the Berg Lake campground. This fully enclosed log cabin shelter started its life as part of a horse outfitters camp. It has been rebuilt over the years but is still very rustic. Outside there is a covered front porch with benches. Inside there are four picnic tables, lots of hooks for hanging jackets and a wood stove for emergencies.

The Robson Pass campsite has a small dirt floored shelter lean-to shelter. The rangers may also have strung up a big tarp over some of the picnic tables at this camp.

Campgrounds

Kinney Lake Campground

Located just 7km from the parking lot, Kinney Lake Campground is a great first night camp if you start the trail late in the day. It’s also a good last night camp if you’re coming all the way down from Berg Lake.

The campground is right on the lake, which is a gorgeous light blue colour. There’s an open sided cooking shelter here. Some of the campsites at Kinney are right on the lakeshore with a beautiful view – probably the prettiest campsites on the whole trail.

Whitehorn Campground

If you’re splitting up the climb to Berg Lake into two days, Whitehorn Campground is the most logical stopping point on your first day. The campground has an open sided cooking shelter and lots of tent sites. However, the tent sites are all very close together or very close to the trail.

Be sure to wander down to the the gravel flats in front of the campground to get a better view of the valley and Whitehorn Mountain.

Emperor Falls Campground

Confusingly, this smaller campground is located about half a kilometer above Emperor Falls. You can’t see or hear the falls from the campground! This camp is right next to the rushing Robson River and some of the sites are riverside.

This is a smaller campground with no shelter and no real scenery. However, it’s an easy and flat hike from here to Berg Lake and the day hikes.

Marmot Campground

Marmot is a small campground with sites right next to the trail. There’s no shelter here but there is an amazing view of Berg Lake and the Berg glacier. Camp here if you want a quieter camp than the main Berg Lake camp.

Berg Lake Campground

This is the biggest and most popular campsite on the trail. It has a maze of trails leading to campsites in the forest – none of them have views of the lake. The Hargreaves Shelter is located here. It’s a historic log cabin with picnic tables and a wood stove. If you want protection from the weather, stay at Berg Lake camp just for the easy access to the shelter.

Rearguard Campground

This is the smallest campsite. It’s set in the trees just above the gravel flats at end of Berg Lake. This is the best campsite if you want privacy and quiet, but still want to camp centrally. Plus its only 1km to the Berg Lake campsite where you can cook inside the Hargreaves Shelter if the weather turns bad.

Robson Pass Campground

Robson Pass is another option if you can’t make a booking for Berg Lake camp. It’s a small camp but it has a large common area with picnic tables and a lean to shelter. The rangers sometimes put up a tarp over the tables. Camping here puts you close to the trailheads for both the Snowbird Pass and Mumm Basin day hikes.

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Day Hikes on the Berg Lake Trail

Many people plan their trip on the Berg Lake Trail with a focus on Berg Lake itself. While Berg Lake is spectacular, the surrounding area is arguably even more spectacular.

There are a few days in the area, from easy to difficult. I recommend adding one or two days to your trip to devote to day hikes.

Robson Glacier Toe

Distance: 6km/3.7mi return | Elevation Gain: 50m/160ft | Time: 1.5-2 hours | Difficulty: Easy

This short and flat hike heads to the toe of the massive Robson Glacier. From Berg Lake you can see the spectacular Berg glacier running down the steep face of Mount Robson. But if you head around the side of Mount Robson, you can see the much larger Robson Glacier as it ends at it’s own mini-lake.

Directions:

From Berg Lake continue towards Rearguard camp then branch right onto the trail to Snowbird Pass. Follow the trail beside the Robson River. You’ll pass by a sign that marks the spot where the toe of the glacier used to reach 100 years ago – it’s retreated over a kilometer since then.

After you leave the trees follow a worn path and cairns through the gravel to reach the mini-lake at the toe of the Robson Glacier.

Snowbird Pass

Distance: 21km/13mi return | Elevation Gain: 785m/2575ft | Time: 7-9 hours | Difficulty: Very Hard

This is THE day hike at Berg Lake. You’ll climb up beside the huge Robson Glacier, then turn away from it into a gorgeous alpine meadow. The turn around point of the hike is the summit of Snowbird Pass.

Directions:

Follow the directions for the Robson Glacier Toe hike (above). From the mini-lake, continue following the rock cairned trail as it steeply switch backs uphill past some warning signs. At the top of the switchbacks there’s a short section with a chain railing and some stairs.

Afterwards you’ll climb steadily but gently uphill next to the Robson glacier on a moraine. The path is wide but there’s a steep drop off so watch your step.

About 7.5 from the trailhead, the route climbs up beside a stream and enters a wide meadow with lots of active marmots. If you’re tired or out of time, the meadow is beautiful enough to make a good turn around point. To reach Snowbird Pass, follow the trail uphill beside a stream through the meadow.

Mumm Basin

Distance: 7km/4.3mi loop or up to 10km/6mi out and back trip | Elevation Gain: 450m/1475ft | Time: 3.5-5 hours | Difficulty: Hard

This trail climbs up behind the Robson Pass campground for great views of Berg Lake, Mount Robson and Reaguard Mountain. It reaches an alpine meadow full of wildflowers before heading above treeline.

Directions: From Berg Lake campground continue on the trail past Rearguard camp to Robson Pass campground. Just past the campground turn left on to the Mumm basin trail.

Switchback up the steep slope following cairns. Watch for drop-offs. There are great views towards Berg Lake and Rearguard Mountain. Reach the alpine meadow then continue into rocky terrain above treeline. Follow the trail across the rocks using cairns to guide you. As you drop back into the forest you’ll join the Toboggan Falls trail, which will take you back downhill to the Berg Lake campground.

Toboggan Falls and Hargreaves Lake

Distance: 6km/3.7mi loop | Elevation gain: 300m/985ft | Time: 2.5-3.5 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

This great loop hike includes a waterfall, great views of Berg Lake, Berg Glacier and Mount Robson. There are also bonus views of Hargreaves Lake and the Hargreaves Glacier.

Directions:

From the Hargreaves Shelter at the Berg Lake campground head north on the main trail, cross the bridge and go uphill on the Toboggan Falls trail. In just a few minutes you’ll be walking up next to the sloped rock slabs of the falls. There are a few side trails that you can take for a closer look. At the top of the falls there’s a bench with a great view.

After the bench go left at the junction to head towards Hargreaves Lake. You’ll walk in the forest for about 1.5km before emerging on a gravel slope with a view of Berg Lake. Head down the slope then take the short side trail signed for Hargreaves Lake. The best views of the whole trail are up here.

Once you’ve enjoyed the view, follow the trail downhill across the gravel and glacial outwash. Don’t forget to admire the view of the Berg Glacier on your way down. At the bottom of the hill you’ll intersect the main trail. Turn left and follow it back to the Berg Lake campground.

Adolphus Lake

Distance: 5.5km/3.4mi return | Elevation Gain: 0m/0ft | Time: 1.5-2 hours | Difficulty: Easy

Over 100 years ago the Robson glacier extended over Robson Pass into Adolphus Lake. The glacier has retreated, leaving a flat plain behind. However, the glacial sediments remain and give Adolphus Lake its bright blue colour.

Directions:

From the Berg Lake campground follow the main trail past Rearguard and Robson Pass campgrounds. You’ll cross the border from Mount Robson Provincial Park into Jasper National Park. (And therefore from BC into Alberta. Which means you’ll also cross from Pacific time into Mountain time!)

The lake lies just over the border. It’s not directly glacier fed and pretty shallow, which makes it the best bet for swimming near Berg Lake. However, I hear it’s still pretty cold.

Final Thoughts

So there you go. Aaaalll the info about the Berg Lake Trail. It’s such a beautiful place: Go make your reservations now!

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READ NEXT:

• What to Pack for the Berg Lake Trail
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The post Berg Lake Trail Hiking Guide – 2026 Update appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Some of my family is pretty outdoorsy (no surprise there), so I have some experience choosing gifts for hikers. I try to pick things that are high quality, fairly cheap and actually useful. Absolutely no gimmicks! No silly 6-in-1 gadgets! Because nothing is worse than getting stuff you don’t need and will never use. (And it’s so bad for the planet too.)

So here’s my list of stocking stuffers for hikers under $25. They’re all totally useful and I think every hiker would be happy to find these things in their stocking on Christmas morning.

Note for Canadians: Everything on this list is under $25 USD… which means a few things are over $25 CAD. Sorry, I tried.

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

Mini Thermometer

Mountain weather is notoriously fickle. While you can’t change it, you can at least measure it. I often bring along a mini thermometer to check the temperature so I can see if it is actually excruciatingly cold… or if I’m just being a wimp.

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Upgrade pick: A few years ago I got the Thermoworks ThermoDrop thermometer. It’s a tiny instant-read digital thermometer. It’s a higher end option, but it’s still under $25.

But the real reason a thermometer is a game changer is because it records the highest and lowest temperature since the last time it was turned off. I use this feature to assess whether the gear I brought was optimal for the conditions. This tiny thermometer made my list of my favourite gear of 2022.

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Signal Whistle

As soon as I get a new backpack, I pick up a Fox 40 Classic Whistle to attach the shoulder strap. They’re super loud, come in lots of colors and cost only a few bucks.

A signal whistle is a super simple safety device you can use to call for help in an emergency. (And it’s actually part of the 10 Essentials – things you should bring on every hike.)

Did you know: this tiny whistle is was invented in Canada and is still made by a Canadian company? It’s on my list of the best Canadian hiking gear gifts.

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Goodr Sunglasses

I’ve been wearing Goodr sunglasses for the last few years. (They made my list of my favourite gear of 2023.) So far I’ve been really impressed. They are durable, have polarized lenses, and stay on my face even when I’m sweating a ton. I’m shocked that they are only $25!

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Wool-Blend Hiking socks

Quality hiking socks can be the difference between happy feet and horrible blister-covered feet. (Trust me. I’ve been there. It’s not pretty.) Durable, wool-blend hiking socks are the answer, and every hiker will be happy to add another pair to their collection.

I love Smartwool socks. My favourites are the Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion socks. They’re actually designed for trail running, so they are made with thin merino wool that doesn’t make me overheat and has never given me blisters.

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Tenacious Tape

Old-school hikers carry duct tape. New-school hikers carry Tenacious Tape. It sticks to pretty much everything (including silnylon) and doesn’t leave a sticky mess like duct tape does.

I’ve used it to repair down jackets, sleeping bags and tent flies on hikes. I always carry a small roll of it on trips and I think it makes a unique stocking stuffer for hikers.

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Mini-Size Travel Towel

I don’t go anywhere without a mini-size quick-dry microfibre towel. There’s great for wiping sweat off my brow, drying my feet after creek crossings, washing camp dishes and so much more. I like the PackTowl Personal Towel in the Face Cloth size.

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Kula Cloth

If you squat to pee and haven’t tried a pee cloth, you’re missing out. Kula Cloths are a reusable and hygienic alternative to toilet paper.

This simple square of fabric is absorbent and anti-microbial on one side and waterproof on the other side. It folds in half to keep the dirty side contained and clips to your pack.

I’ve been using these for years and recommend them to everyone. Plus they are made by a small, women-owned company.

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Collapsible Water bottle

Sometimes you just need to carry extra water, but you don’t want the weight of another bottle when it’s empty. Enter the collapsible bottle.

I love these Platypus SoftBottles since they weigh almost nothing and roll up small when I’m not using them. Plus they come in fun colours so they are a great option for stocking stuffers for hikers.

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Cork Massage Ball

Like a lot of hikers, I frequently have sore and tight muscles. Stretching helps, but using trigger point massage to target my tight calves and glutes has been revoluntionary for me.

At home I use a bulky foam roller. But when I’m backpacking or camping I bring a tiny cork massage ball. It’s super light, but firm enough to really dig in to tight spots.

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Electrolyte Drinks

Sometimes water alone just isn’t enough. I like to bring electrolyte mix on long hikes to help prevent dehydration. Plus they make your water taste better. My favourites electrolyte is Nuun. It comes in dissolvable tablets that are way less messy than powders.

Lately I’ve also been loving Liquid IV since some of their flavours use real sugar – sometimes artificial or alternative sweeteners don’t agree with me.

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Fun Hiking Snacks

Trail mix is so 10 years ago (although it still tastes pretty good). These days there are tons of weird and wonderful hiking snacks on the market. Surprise the hiker on your list with a fun snack they’ve never tried before.

Some fun ideas: astronaut ice cream, freeze dried fruit, stroop waffles, peanut butter squeeze tubes, olives in a snack-sized pouch, or high end jerky. (And please skip the gas station jerky, it’s terrible).

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Buff

Fabric tube scarves, often known as Buffs are pretty awesome. You can wear it as a scarf, a hat, an ear warmer, a headband, a balaclava and more. I take one on all my trips – in the winter I bring a wool one, in the summer a wicking lightweight polyester one.

They also come in all kinds of colours and patterns so it’s easy to find one that your loved one with appreciate.

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Pocket knife

Every hiker needs a good basic knife. It doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Opinel’s inexpensive single blade knives have had the same simple design for decades. They’re great quality, compact and lightweight. Plus they their classic wood-handled design is pretty cool too.

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Instant coffee

Just because you’re backpacking doesn’t mean you need to go without coffee. Grocery store instant coffee is gross. Thankfully a few companies have solved that problem. My favourite is Alpine Start Coffee. They also have an instant latte that includes coconut creamer.

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Spork

You don’t need to pack both a fork and a spoon when you can pack a spork instead. I like the fancy titanium sporks from Snow Peak since they save weight in my pack. I have a blue one and my husband has a green one so we always know whose is whose.

If the hiker on your lists eats directly out of freeze-dried backpacking food bags all the time, get them a long spork. The extra length makes it easy to reach all the way down into the corners of the bag.

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Rope Tightening Caribiners

Getting a taut pitch on a tarp can be hard – it requires lots of adjusting and knot-tying. I started using the Nite Ize Figure 9 caribiners with rope tighteners on the ends a few years ago. OMG. So. Much. Easier.

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Sunscreen Stick

It’s easy to get sunburned while hiking but it can be tough to remember to reapply on the go. I like the portable convenience of a tiny sunscreen stick. You can keep it in your pocket and quickly rub it on your nose and cheeks without getting your hands all sticky. Sun Bum makes a great SPF 30 stick that is water resistant and designed for the face.

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GoToob Bottles

These little GoToob bottles are great at carrying pretty much anything and come in a bunch of sizes. And they don’t leak! I’ve used mine to carry pesto sauce, sun screen, olive oil, shampoo, peanut butter and more. They’re great for hiking, backpacking or travel.

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Mini Condiment Packets

Every time I get take out or fast food, I save the mini packets of condiments. I bring them backpacking to add to my meals. Be a hero and order a whole bunch of packets to put in your hiker’s stocking. Popular choices: hot sauce, mayonnaise, peanut butter, or soy sauce.

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Blister Bandages

Unfortunately, blisters happen (despite our best efforts to prevent them). Every hiker needs some blister bandages in their first aid kit, so add some to their Christmas stocking. My favorite are the Band-Aid ones.

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Pot Scraper

Nobody loves doing camping dishes, especially on backpacking trips. I’ve owned this tiny GSI pot scraper for years and despite its small size, it make a big difference. One side is hard to scrape up stuck on food while the other is soft like a spatula to wipe surfaces clean.

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Water Treatment Tablets

What happens if you run out of water on a hike? Is the water safe to drink? (Hint: probably not.) I keep some emergency water treatment tablets in my first aid kit just in case. These aren’t most exciting of the options for stocking stuffers for hikers, but they are super practical. 

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Foam Earplugs

Backcountry camping isn’t always quiet. Sometimes your tent-mate snores, the group across the way parties too late or those damn frogs croak all night. I always bring a pair of foam earplugs camping. They help me get a good night’s sleep.

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Upgrade pick: Last year I got a pair of Loop Quiet earplugs. They use silicone tips like the ones you get with earbuds and I find them so much more comfortable to sleep in that foam ear plugs. They are a few dollars more than the $25, but they are worth it!

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Rainwear Waterproofing Treatment

Every hiker owns a rain jacket, and every rain jacket needs re-waterproofing every year or two. I like Nikwax TX.Direct. It’s an easy to use wash-in and one bottle is enough to treat a few jackets. (My post about why rain jackets wet out explains how important re-waterproofing is!)

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Energy Bars

Grocery store granola bars are packed with sugar and not much else. Quality energy bars make great stocking stuffers for hikers. There are tons out there to suit every palette. (One year I put 10 different peanut butter flavoured bars in my Dad’s stocking so he could do a taste test. He LOVES peanut butter.)

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Handwarmers

Are you stuffing the stocking of a hiker with cold hands? Tuck some handwarmers into their stocking. They can make a big difference on cold days.

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Reusable Silicone Bags

I love these Stasher reusable silicone bags carrying snacks and keeping small items dry and organized. They’re a bit beefier than Ziploc bags, but they’re totally dishwasher safe so they’re easy to re-use over and over and OVER. They come in a bunch of sizes too.

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A Gift Card

If all else fails, get them a gift card to their favourite gear store. It’s something you KNOW they’ll use, and that way they’ll get to pick out the gear themselves. I love REI, but Amazon has a pretty good selection of outdoor gear these days too. (And if you’re in Canada, the hiker on your list definitely wants an MEC gift card.)

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Final Thoughts

So there’s my list of totally useful stocking stuffers for hikers. What other totally useful items would you put in a hiker’s Christmas stocking? Tell me in the comments?

More Gift Ideas for Hikers:

• 40 Best Gifts for Backpackers
• 10 Best Canadian Hiking Gear Gifts
• The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• Romantic Valentine’s Gifts for Hikers and Campers
• Black Friday Deals for Hikers and Backpackers

The post Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25 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.

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