Prime 10 Squamish Hikes
Squamish, a picturesque metropolis nestled between the coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean in British Columbia, presents journey lovers a plethora of breathtaking climbing trails. With its lovely environment and quite a few landscapes, it’s no marvel Squamish is taken under consideration a climbing paradise. From lush forests to towering peaks, these hikes current a chance to find the realm’s pure magnificence and get a mode of the rugged wilderness. Strap in your climbing boots and embark on a memorable journey with our assortment of 10 of the perfect Squamish hikes.
– Jaw-Dropping Views: Squamish boasts hikes that present jaw-dropping panoramic views of the encircling mountains, fjords, and valleys. Stand atop the Stawamus Chief, the second-largest granite monolith on this planet, for an unforgettable perspective. Alternatively, downside your self to beat the breathtakingly steep path as a lot because the summit of Sky Pilot Mountain, rewarded with sweeping views of Howe Sound and the Coastal Mountains.
– Enchanting Forests: Squamish is dwelling to lush, enchanting forests able to be explored. Hikes similar to the 4 Lakes Path take you via dense moss-covered forests, with mystical old-growth timber and crystal-clear lakes providing ample various for pictures and reflection. Immerse your self inside the serenity of these historic woodlands, surrounded by towering timber and the soothing sounds of nature.
– Thrilling Waterfalls: For these trying to find journey and a contact of pure marvel, Squamish does not disappoint. Hikes like Crooked Falls Path present an exhilarating journey by means of mossy canyons and rocky terrain, ensuing within the dramatic spectacle of Crooked Falls. Marvel on the sheer power of this cascading waterfall as a result of it tumbles down a steep cliff face, making a mesmerizing present of nature’s drive. Let the mist from the falls cool you off as you revel inside the magnificence of this pure phenomenon.
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With so many superior Squamish hikes surrounding the town of Squamish, it’s perhaps no shock that this metropolis between Vancouver and Whistler is known as the journey capital of Canada.
One thing outdoor journey you want to do, you’ll be able to do it in Squamish, BC.
Alongside the climbing trails, which are among the many most interesting points to do in Squamish, you’ll uncover mountain biking, infinite climbing routes, off-roading, backcountry snowboarding, kite-surfing and additional.
Squamish is a unbelievable metropolis that’s grown vastly in fame in latest instances and it’s simple to see why.
I’ve spent many a weekend in Squamish whereas residing in Vancouver and have tackled among the many most interesting climbing trails in Squamish along with the Stawmus Chief, Elfin Lakes and one other a lot much less well-known ones that I’m going into aspect about beneath.
Listed under are among the many most interesting Squamish hikes, nonetheless it’s actually not an exhaustive document! These are merely my favourites from the Squamish hikes I’ve personally accomplished.
AllTrails is my go-to climbing app for finding, planning, and navigating whereas I’m out on the paths. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you may be assured you’re nonetheless on course, even with out cell signal.
The perfect hikes in Squamish
This data to the perfect Squamish hikes and Squamish lakes are all accessible with a 2WD (apart from Watersprite) and may be completed as day hikes.
Know sooner than you go
There are some issues you have to do sooner than you go off climbing in Squamish. These are to your private safety, and that of others.
- Be journey good: Have in mind to respect the terrain, setting, and completely different clients if you end up having enjoyable with the paths. Observe the three Ts—journey planning, teaching, and taking the requirements. AdventureSmart is an efficient helpful useful resource that may help you get educated sooner than heading open air.
- Pack your 10 requirements
- Have in mind to go away no trace
The Chief hike, Squamish
- Distance: 6 km
- Size: 4-6 hours
- Elevation: 645 m
- Difficulty: Affordable-Laborious
- Path map
The Squamish Chief hike (The Stawamus Chief hike) is a conventional and doubtless probably the most in type trails on this document with hikers and runners alike. The Chief is the establish given to the large granite rock that seems down on the town of Squamish – you might’t miss it!
There are three peaks to The Chief, and lots of people solely do actually one among them at a time, nonetheless the three are merely doable in sometime.
It’s a unbelievable alternative for winter climbing near Vancouver too as a result of it’s largely snow-free 12 months spherical.
The Stawamus Chief’s first peak incorporates a leg burner to start with a variety of stairs. It then consists of some chains and ladders to help get you up steep rocks afterward.
Elfin Lakes hike
- Distance: 20 km
- Size: 5-7 hours
- Elevation: 812 m
- Difficulty: Affordable
- Path map
Elfin Lakes is a superb hike all through the boundaries of Garibaldi Provincial Park.
We did the Elfin Lakes hike in April a variety of years up to now when it was nonetheless very snowy, so within the occasion you’re hoping to do it with out snow then most years you’ll wish to attend until late June-July.
I moreover returned a variety of years later and did Elfin Lakes all the best way through which out to Mamquam Lake by way of Opal Cone with a variety of mates and have spent many a weekend backcountry snowboarding spherical Pink Heather Hut.
In case you’re planning to hike to Elfin Lakes and want to in a single day, there’s the lovable Elfin Lakes cabin, or you might tent camp at Elfin Lakes too. Merely concede to e book your camp spot upfront by means of BC Parks.
Whereas the area is form of prolonged, there aren’t really any very steep sections of the trail. Which suggests this hike is generally rated easy-moderate with regards to situation.
Mt Crumpit
- Distance: 4.7 km
- Size: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: 263 m
- Difficulty: Affordable
- Path map
In case you’d considerably get a view of The Chief than take a hike up it, I’d suggest climbing Mt Crumpit in Squamish. The paths proper right here tend to not be too busy (nowhere near as busy as The Chief anyway!) and you might get a unbelievable view in a quick distance.
Nonetheless, do maintain an ear out for mountain bikers as this area has many mountain biking trails and likewise you’re not going to want to get in the best way through which!
Slhanay Path
- Distance: 5.8 km
- Size: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: 676 m
- Difficulty: Laborious
- Path map
The Slhanay Path is a Squamish hike that’s been rising in fame partially ensuing from its unbelievable views of the Chief.
Not like most hikes, the perfect views on the Slhanay path aren’t from the summit, considerably they’re from a bit extra down.
The views are very similar to these from Mt Crumpit, nonetheless arguably barely increased and the hike is more durable too.
This path isn’t the only to adjust to, subsequently I strongly advocate downloading the Shlanay path map from AllTrails and together with it to your cellphone sooner than leaving for this hike.
Watersprite Lake
- Distance: 19 km
- Size: 4-6 hours
- Elevation: 736 m
- Difficulty: Laborious
- Path map
Watersprite Lake is form of a drive from Squamish itself on a logging freeway nonetheless it is essential to go to Squamish first to get there. It’s one among many prettiest hikes near Squamish!
This beautiful lake sits merely exterior the boundaries of Garibaldi Provincial Park and is maintained by a path affiliation. It’s a relatively prolonged hike and there’s (very) restricted tenting on the prime because the realm throughout the lake is form of small.
In case you do plan on visiting this lake please take additional care to not harm the encircling ecosystems as a result of it’s very fragile and struggles to take care of the amount of people visiting it in the interim!
In case you intend to camp at Watersprite you could ebook your tent pad upfront!
Lake Stunning Water
- Distance: 9.8 km
- Size: 5-6 hours
- Elevation: 1 135 m
- Difficulty: Laborious
- Path map
That’s the one one on this document of Squamish trails I haven’t accomplished (however).
This completely lovely lake is extra sturdy to get to than the other Squamish hikes on this path as you first must e book a ship crossing all through the Squamish River.
While you’ve accomplished that it’s a steep hike as a lot because the lake the place a refreshing dip awaits!
Brohm Lake hike & the Tantalus lookout
- Distance: 4.8 km
- Size: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: 176 m
- Difficulty: Simple-Affordable
- Path map
Brohm Lake and the Tantalus Lookout had been a shock to me.
I’d seen just a few of Brohm Lake from the freeway on the best way through which to Whistler nonetheless hadn’t explored the realm on foot. One chilly December, I headed out on a solo hike and cherished the view of the Tantalus that I obtained!
There are quite a few loops and trails you might take to reach the Tantalus Lookout and I’d advocate downloading a map on AllTrails (or comparable) to make certain you recognize the place you’re going.
The forest throughout the lake is pretty thick and I give it some thought’d be simple to go the mistaken method!
Murrin Lake Provincial Park
- Distance: 2.4 km
- Size: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: 162 m
- Difficulty: Simple-moderate
- Path map
Murrin Lake will get super busy within the summertime with people looking for to climb, hike and paddle inside the lake. It’s very accessible as a result of the parking lot is true off the freeway merely south of Squamish.
Though there are various trails to find, among the many most interesting and hottest trails is to hike the Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge trails to Quercus Viewpoint.
Up proper right here there’s a bench and a unbelievable view of the Howe Sound and Coast Mountains working alongside the Sea to Sky.
Sea to Summit Path
- Distance: 11 km if doing out and once more, 5.5 km if taking the gondola
- Size: 4-6 hours
- Elevation: 960 m
- Difficulty: Laborious
- Path map
The Sea to Summit path is a rewarding hike in Squamish, BC. Usually known as the Sea to Summit path and even the Shannon Falls hike, the perfect half is you might have the benefit of a gondola expertise down! It doesn’t get considerably higher than skipping the return climbing journey!
Following the similar path as The Chief, to start out with, The Sea to Summit path then splits off. You cross Increased Shannon Falls and climb as a lot as the very best Sea to Sky gondola station.
Up proper right here you might have the benefit of a refreshing chilly drink from the cafe or uncover among the many completely different trails. Make sure you check out the suspension bridges for superior views of Howe Sound and the encircling Coast Mountains!
Or, within the occasion you’re nonetheless energetic, sort out one among many various hikes accessible from the very best of the gondola which are among the many most interesting hikes spherical Squamish.
Alice Lake trails
- Distance: Varies, 6 km + for the two I level out
- Size: 2+ hours
- Difficulty: Simple
- Path map
Alice Lake Provincial Park in Squamish is an efficient place for anyone in the hunt for simple hikes in Squamish BC.
One of many essential in type trails is the Alice Lake Loop Path, a scenic 6-kilometer loop that takes you throughout the picturesque Alice Lake. This path provides a leisurely hike by means of lush forests and presents lovely views of the tranquil lake.
For these in the hunt for an prolonged journey, the 4 Lakes Path is a unbelievable alternative. It’s an 8-kilometer path which takes you spherical Alice Lake however moreover Fawn Lake, Edith Lake, and Stump Lake.
What to pack for climbing
What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re climbing in.
- Attempt my day hike packing document proper right here.
- In case you’re climbing in summer season you could pack sunscreen, shades, layers, water and bug spray along with the whole thing inside the 10 requirements for climbing document.
- Proper right here is what to placed on climbing in scorching local weather
- Do this submit on the perfect leggings for climbing or what to placed on climbing in summer season for additional particulars and my gear solutions.
- In case you’re climbing in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes on the very least. If there’s a lot of snow you will most probably need snowshoes.
- You additionally must take a great deal of layers along with a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are moreover essential along with a good backpack to keep up the whole thing in.
- You additionally must pack water and some snacks too to keep up you going as they’re part of the 10 requirements for climbing!
- Planning a climbing date? Attempt what to placed on on a climbing date nonetheless nonetheless look cool.
FAQs about the perfect Squamish climbing trails
What to do in Squamish?
Among the many greatest points to do in Squamish is to go climbing! There are so many beautiful Squamish climbing trails from simple hikes in Squamish to extra sturdy and longer ones.
Remaining concepts on the perfect hikes Squamish has to produce
In case you’re looking for to hike Squamish BC, this data to the perfect hikes in Squamish is an efficient place to start. Defending among the many hottest hikes in Squamish such as a result of the Chief and a few lesser-known hikes along with Mt Crumpit, this document of the perfect hikes near Squamish has you lined.
For simple hikes Squamish has to produce, check out the paths near Alice Lakes for some simple climbing trails Squamish has to produce along with Murrin Lake Provincial Park which presents additional decisions for Squamish simple hikes.
Attempt over 100 climbing guides in Vancouver and from across the globe.
Closing Updated on June 22, 2023 by Hannah
Squamish, British Columbia, is renowned for its quite a few and delightful climbing trails. This textual content provides a condensed overview of 10 of the perfect hikes in Squamish. From the magical forest trails of the Shannon Falls Provincial Park to the exhilarating ascent of the Stawamus Chief, these hikes present breathtaking environment, tough terrain, and a possibility to connect with nature. Whether or not or not you search a leisurely stroll or a heart-pumping journey, Squamish has one factor for everyone.
