If Canada is a country renowned for its natural beauty, British Columbia is the jewel in its crown. Boasting a rugged landscape of rocky coastlines, thick forests, vast plains and majestic mountains, Canada’s westernmost province is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. But where to begin with such mind-bogglingly beautiful nature? Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you – minus the actual hiking – and rounded up the best hikes in British Columbia to suit fair-weathered folk and seasoned hikers alike. Read on to discover our favourite trails for admiring Canada’s sensational scenery…
1. Helmcken Falls Rim Trail, Wells Gray Provincial Park
2. Elfin Lakes Hike, Garibaldi Provincial Park
3. Sunshine Coast Trail, Powell River
4. Stawamus Chief, Squamish
5. Mountain Lakes (Heiko’s) Trail, Fernie
6. Golden Ears Summit Trail, Maple Ridge
Easy:
Helmcken Falls Rim Trail, Wells Gray Provincial Park
The best hikes in British Columbia don’t have to be marathon-like. Take Helmcken Falls Rim Trail, for example, a five-mile hike near Clearwater which takes between two and three hours to complete. With an elevation gain of almost 700ft, this trail takes you through sun-dappled woodlands along a canyon overlooking the Murtle River. Eventually, you’ll reach Canada’s fourth-highest waterfall: Helmcken Falls. There’s a spectacular viewpoint where you can enjoy the uninterrupted spectacle of frothy, thunderous water as it falls an astonishing 463ft into the river below. This is an out-and-back trail, so once you’ve had your fill of the falls, head back through the atmospheric forest the way you came.
Moderate:
Elfin Lakes Hike, Garibaldi Provincial Park
Next up on our roundup of the best hikes in British Columbia is the Elfin Lakes hike in Squamish, known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada. Nestled in the wonderful wilderness of Garibaldi Provincial Park, this intermediate walk is over 13 miles long. The first stretch is the steepest, winding up through the trees before reaching Red Heather Meadows. From here, follow the trail up to Paul Ridge, then descend to reach the Elfin Lakes, two glassy alpine pools with jaw-dropping panoramic views of emerald pine forests and snowcapped peaks. If it's warm enough, take a refreshing dip in the tranquil top lake (the lower lake is reserved for drinking water only). This is another out-and-back hike, but in the summer months, we recommend breaking up the trail and camping overnight near the lakes. With spectacular views of Mamquam Mountain, this sleeping spot is hard to beat.
Sunshine Coast Trail, Powell River
The Sunshine Coast Trail is Canada’s longest hut-to-hut hike, traversing around 112 miles of rugged wilderness, coastal shoreline, creeks and alpine lakes. With approximately 26,000ft of elevation gain, this epic trail takes around ten days to complete, beginning at Sarah Point in Desolation Sound and ending at the serene Saltery Bay. Boasting 14 huts along the way, the Sunshine Coast trail was initially built to link up sections of old-growth forest. While a ten-day hike might sound daunting, you can choose how much or how little of the trail to explore. Some of the most beautiful hiking sections include the 30-odd-mile-long trail between Sarah Point and Powell River, flaunting gorgeous coastal views. Or you can head inland for the 54-mile-long Powell River to Lois Lake section, where 360-degree views await at the characterful Tin Hat Mountain Hut.
Stawamus Chief, Squamish
One of the best hikes in British Columbia (and most popular) is Stawamus Chief. Located near Squamish, ‘the Chief’ has three main peaks, a resident chipmunk population and one of the continent’s largest granite monoliths. The first summit begins with a steep climb through a sun-speckled forest to reach the rocky section (ladders and chains are on hand to help). At the top, enjoy spectacular views of the scenic fjord, Howe Sound. Fancy climbing a little higher? Well, what goes up has to come down (and go up again). The trail to the second peak features similarly beautiful scenes, and its vast summit is perfect for absorbing panoramic views of the fjord and downtown Squamish. The third and final peak is the tallest of the lot. On the way up, stop at the North Gully viewpoint – sandwiched between the last two peaks – for impressive views of Mount Garibaldi.
Difficult:
Mountain Lakes (Heiko’s) Trail, Fernie
This next hike isn’t for the fainthearted. Taking between eight and 11 hours and encompassing almost 4,000ft of elevation gain, the Mountain Lakes trail – also known as Heiko’s – is a point-to-point wild backcountry adventure. There are over 12 miles of waterfalls, canyons, cliff walls, and mountain passes to discover, and highlights include the enormous Bisaro Cave, complete with its very own waterfall, and the wildflower-carpeted Fairy Creek Meadows. Most hikers start at Hartley Lake and end at the alpine idyll of Island Lake Lodge, which offers stunning views of the Three Bears mountain peaks. Post-hike, you can’t beat a delicious lunch and a cold beer on the lodge’s scenic terrace. Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Heiko’s trail isn’t accessible all year round but is open for experienced hikers to tackle between late June and early September.
Golden Ears Summit Trail, Maple Ridge
Last (but certainly not least) is the Golden Ears Summit trail in Maple Ridge. This challenging 15-mile-long loop may start gently, but it quickly becomes steep. Undulating pine-clad mountains dominate the surroundings as you climb almost 5,000ft, traversing tricky terrain (think gnarly roots and rocks) and the odd ladder or two. We recommend splitting the hike into two days and camping in one of the oh-so-scenic campsites. Emerge from the verdant forest to camp midway through the hike at Alder Flats or up near the summit at Panorama Ridge (time your trek to end up here for a swoon-worthy sunset). From the latter campsite, it’s a scramble up to the summit, where more breathtaking views over Golden Ears Provincial Park and Pitt Lake await. It might be hard to tear yourself away for the descent…
Written by Hannah Whitehall
