Prime Whistler Hikes

Whistler is home to some fully stunning hikes and the proper half is that there are so many Whistler hikes that there’s one factor for everyone!

Little doubt, among the many most interesting BC hikes are in Whistler. From simple, largely flat hikes, to day-long hikes and Whistler backpacking journeys there’s enough mountaineering in Whistler to keep up you busy for years!

Do you have to’re planning a go to to Whistler and looking for among the many most interesting Whistler hikes you then undoubtedly’re within the becoming place. Beneath, you’ll uncover my select of the proper Whistler mountaineering trails from south of Whistler to the north.

AllTrails is my go-to mountaineering app for finding, planning and navigating whereas I’m out on the paths. With offline maps on AllTrails+, you could possibly be assured you’re nonetheless not off course, even with out mobile signal.
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Whistler Mountaineering Requirements

Sooner than you go mountaineering at Whistler, there are particular points it’s best to know. Paying attention to the beneath information will help maintain you safe and maintain the paths fulfilling for others too.

When is the proper time to hike in Whistler?

Whistler has pretty a short mountaineering season, significantly if you’re looking for to do among the many alpine hikes. It really is decided by when the snow melts and when it begins once more up as soon as extra! Typically this window is from the middle of August to the middle of September, nonetheless you’ll usually get in any case 2 months of snow-free mountaineering.

In all, the proper time to hike in Whistler is within the summertime: from late July to mid-September. Checking path experiences (akin to on AllTrails) or the webcams up on Whistler Mountain is an efficient strategy to see if there’s nonetheless snow about.

AllTrails is my go-to mountaineering app for finding, planning and navigating whereas I’m out on the paths. With offline maps on AllTrails+, you could possibly be assured you’re nonetheless not off course, even with out mobile signal.
AllTrails+ is 50% off in Europe this week. Click on right here to save lots of 50%

Do you have to’re looking for to do among the many simple hikes in Whistler, such as a result of the Follow Wreck, or Misplaced Lake, then these are snow-free earlier on inside the yr (usually spherical May), and the equivalent goes for lower elevation hikes akin to Cheakamus which is often snow-free in June.

What to pack for mountaineering in Whistler

As with all hike, you would possibly wish to make sure to’ve obtained your 10 requirements to help maintain you, and others, safe out on the trail.

Do you have to’re doing a day hike, check out my day mountaineering packing pointers. For backpacking and in a single day hikes near Whistler, this Berg Lake packing itemizing covers all of the items I’d take with me.

Bear safety in Whistler

There are A LOT of bears in and spherical Whistler along with every black bears (additional frequent) and grizzly bears. You should ALWAYS carry bear spray with you and carry it in an easy-to-access place. It’s no use to you on the bottom of your backpack!

Do this put up for bear safety whereas adventuring.

Always go away no trace!

Practising go away no trace concepts means leaving all of the items as (or increased) than you found it. Do you have to carried one factor up the mountain you presumably can carry it down.

Don’t take one thing with you (except for trash) and stick with trails as a substitute of attempting to steer clear of mud, or forging your particular person path, to protect the ecosystems spherical you.

Be AdventureSmart

Be journey wise: Concede to respect the terrain, environment, and completely different clients if you find yourself 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 out of doors.

NEW 2023 UPDATE!
You’ll have a day go to entry widespread BC parks, Garibaldi (from June 14 – Oct 9), Joffre (May 6 – Oct 9) and Golden Ears (June 14 – Sept 4). The passes are free and accessible from 7 am two days sooner than your go to. All particulars & information right here. 

Whistler trails map

Since this put up spans an infinite area south to north of Whistler, there isn’t one map that reveals all the mountaineering trails in Whistler included on this put up. The proper place to look at routes is usually AllTrails.

They current you the hikes shut by and you may receive the maps to your cellphone so it’s like having a Whistler Blackcomb trailmap in your pocket.

This Blackcomb mountain climbing & Whistler path map incorporates the hikes which may be inside the winter snowboarding area.

get to Whistler

Most people will doable get to Whistler from Vancouver. Driving from Whistler to Vancouver takes about 1.45-2 hours counting on website guests. A couple of of those hikes are slightly bit nearer, and some, akin to Joffre Lakes, will take spherical 3 hours to get to.

You’ll should take Freeway 99, the Sea to Sky Freeway, all one of the simplest ways from North Vancouver to Whistler and Pemberton.

Do this put up for all the cool areas you presumably can stop alongside one of the simplest ways!

Biggest hikes south of Whistler

A couple of of my favourite Whistler hikes are merely south of Whistler. Chances are you’ve perhaps heard of them too!

Brandywine Falls

Brandywine Falls is among the many coolest waterfalls inside the area. The waterfalls are 70m tall and you may hike from the small automobile parking space merely off the freeway in course of the falls to witness the power of the water as a result of it falls into the canyon beneath from the picket viewing platform.

Brandywine Falls Path Stats:

• Distance: 1km spherical journey
• Size: half-hour – 1hour (counting on how prolonged it’s essential admire the falls for!)
• Elevation: minimal
• Concern: simple

Garibaldi Lake

Garibaldi Lake is among the many most well-known lakes inside the area and positively considered one of my favourites (there’s a motive it’s on my most interesting hikes near Vancouver put up! I’ve carried out it a couple of events now and it not at all fails to impress me.

The trail begins with quite a lot of km of switchbacks via the forest sooner than opening as a lot as a viewpoint and the last word stretch to Garibaldi Lake itself. The lake is an unimaginable colour (and very chilly too as a result of it’s glacier-fed).

It can get busy proper right here, significantly via the summer season season, and likewise you’ll desire a BC Parks Day Go between June and October with a view to go to it. Rangers will look at as you drive up.

This hike could possibly be carried out as a day hike or as an in a single day journey. The latter is most interesting if you’re planning on extending your hike to Panorama Ridge or Black Tusk.

Garibaldi Lake Path Stats:

• Distance: 18km
• Size: 5-7 hours
• Elevation: 820m
• Concern: Intermediate-Laborious
• BC Parks Day Go or tenting reservation needed

Panorama Ridge

Panorama Ridge is completely pretty. Garibaldi Lake is gorgeous, nonetheless with the power to look down onto it from Panorama Ridge affords you a whole new appreciation of its magnificence!

That’s one different place I’ve been fortunate to go to some events and even the journey to the ridge is gorgeous. You’ll go via Taylor Meadows which get stunning wildflowers via the summer season season months, after which do the last word climb up above Helm Lake.

It’s a troublesome hike, significantly if you plan to do it in a day, nonetheless successfully worth it!

Every events I’ve carried out this I’ve seen in any case one bear so make sure to’re making noise on the trail!

Panorama Ridge Path Stats:

• Distance: 30km
• Size: 10-12 hours
• Elevation: 1520m
• Concern: Laborious
• BC Parks Day Go or tenting reservation needed

Black Tusk

It’s arduous to determine on between which has the upper view Black Tusk or Panorama Ridge. As loads as I actually like Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk’s 360-degree views perhaps win for me.

You can see Black Tusk from throughout the Vancouver area (along with from the Sea to Sky freeway usually). It’s large recognizable and was formed from lava from an extinct volcano.

You can hike to the underside of the Tusk on a maintained path and warranted and expert hikers, ideally with mountaineering experience and helmets, can proceed to climb to the best of Black Tusk itself. The final word stretch contains some climbing up the ‘chimney’ which is sharp, slender and pretty uncovered.

• Distance: 29km
• Size: 10-12 hours
• Elevation: 1740m
• Concern: Laborious with climbing required
• BC Parks day cross or tenting reservation needed

Biggest hikes in Cheakamus Crossing

Only a bit bit extra up the road is your subsequent entry degree into Garibaldi Provincial Park and some Whistler trails. Cheakamus Crossing is near Function Junction in Whistler and successfully signposted.

Loggers Lake Path

Loggers Lake was a path we added to the tip of our bike journey to Cheakamus Lake one yr. It’s accessed off the logging avenue inside Whistler Interpretive Forest and has one steep half to climb as a lot because the Lake. The Lake itself is sort of small and there’s a path your complete means spherical.

It’s a nice peaceful spot to have the benefit of.

Loggers Lake Path Stats

• Distance: Beneath 3km
• Size: half-hour – 1 hour
• Elevation: 108m
• Concern: Easy (1 steep half)

Crater Rim Path

The Crater Rim path could possibly be an extension to the Loggers Lake path if you wish to look down onto Loggers Lake. It can even be blended with the Riverside Path too for a nice several-hour-long Whistler hike.

Crater Rim Path Stats

• Distance: 4.5km
• Size: 1-3 hours
• Elevation: 230m
• Concern: Easy-Intermediate

Riverside and Farside Trails

One different simple loop path inside the Whistler Interpretive Forest is the Riverside and Farside Trails. You’ll adjust to alongside the Cheakamus river via the forest and cross the Cheakamus suspension bridge to complete your loop once more alongside the river.

Riverside and Farside Path stats:

• Distance: 6km
• Size: 2-3 hours
• Elevation: 90m
• Concern: Easy

Trainwreck Whistler

The Whistler Follow Wreck path was considered one of many first hikes in Whistler that we did. It’s an excellent cool hike and features a path in the midst of the forest. It’s believed the follow derailed inside the Nineteen Fifties and now the carriages have been lined in graffiti together with some colour and gratifying to this simple Whistler hike.

Whistler Follow Wreck path stats

• Distance: 3km
• Size: 1-2 hours
• Elevation: Minimal
• Concern: Easy

Cheakamus Lake Path

The Cheakamus Lake path is often considered one of many first hikes to develop into snow-free making it a tremendous early summer season season hike. The lake is, as with many on this area, stunning!

What makes this path fully completely different from comparable hikes spherical Whistler, is that you just simply’re allowed to journey a motorbike to it. You’ll need a mountain bike or gravel bike, nonetheless with the power to cycle the largely flat path is a gratifying strategy to find the realm.

Cheakamus Lake stats:

• Distance: 14km spherical journey
• Size: 2-4 hours
• Elevation: Minimal
• Concern: Easy
• BC Parks day cross or tenting reservation needed

Helm Go and Helm Creek Path

Starting from the equivalent trailhead as Cheakamus Lake in Whistler Interpretive Forest, Helm Go is one other (albeit longer) path to Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk.

You’ll cross over the Cheakamus River after which climb up via the forest, earlier Helm Creek campground and in course of the flat terrain of Helm Go.

Helm Go Path Stats:

• Distance: 25km
• Size: 7-10 hours
• Elevation: 930m
• Concern: Laborious
• BC Parks day cross or tenting reservation needed

Callaghan Valley Trails

Callaghan Valley is often missed referring to mountaineering near Whistler nonetheless this area is the place among the many most interesting trails are. They’re often quieter than the alpine trails from Whistler Village nonetheless provide the equivalent unimaginable views. Park at Whistler Village Olympic Park to entry the hikes

Madeley Lake

One different hidden lake inside the Callaghan Valley area is Madeley Lake. Madeley Lake is accessible by automotive (so that you just don’t even should hike) nonetheless you’ll need 4×4 and offroad driving know-how to navigate the waterbars you’ll doable encounter on the drive.

Alternatively, you presumably can hike to Madeley Lake from Whistler Village Olympic Park and undergo Hanging Lake too. Do you have to’re a ski tourer chances are high you may be conversant on this area as a result of it’s a popular ski touring route too!

Hanging Lake & Madeley Lake hike stats:

• Distance: 10km
• Size: 3-5 hours
• Elevation: 590m
• Concern: Laborious

Cirque Lake

Cirque Lake is an unusual hike as a result of it’s solely accessible by water! You’ll should launch at Lake Callaghan after which paddle your means all through the lake to achieve the trailhead for Cirque Lake.

It’s a hike with some very steep sections along with some with ropes. If that seems like gratifying, this is perhaps a tremendous risk for you!

Cirque Lake hike stats:

• Distance: 4km
• Size: 3-5 hours
• Elevation: 300
• Concern: Laborious
• Discover: You’ll need 4×4 to get to Callaghan Lake

Ring Lake & Battle Lake

Journeyman Lodge, which is a popular backcountry snowboarding trip spot, is near Battle Lake which is solely a couple of kilometres away from Ring Lake.

Mountaineering Ring Lake and Battle Lake features a bit additional route discovering than some Whistler mountaineering trails since they’re a lot much less trafficked and maintained, nonetheless the reward is nicely definitely worth the effort.

Ring Lake & Battle Lake hike stats

• Distance: 19.2km
• Size: 5-7
• Elevation: 760m
• Concern: Laborious
• Discover: You should have a 4×4 or 4 wheel drive to navigate the bumpy logging avenue to the automobile parking space.

Biggest hikes west of Whistler

Merely sooner than you get to Whistler village appropriate, there are some pretty hikes to check out on the western facet of the road (to your left as you’re driving up).

Tonic Peak & Mount Sproatt

Do you have to’re a mountain biker, you might need heard of the Lord of the Squirrels path to the west of Whistler. The trail is completely pretty, though troublesome with quite a lot of hours of steep incline adopted by some fast and techy descent.

Do you have to’re not a mountain biker, mountaineering as a lot as Tonic Peak and/or Mount Sproatt offers you stunning alpine views from an area that’s not large frequented.

It’s most interesting to hike up Into the Mystic after which come down the equivalent means. Do you have to do decide to go down Lord of the Squirrels maintain your eyes and ears open for mountain bikers!

Tonic Peak & Mount Sproatt

• Distance: 31km
• Size: 8-11 hours
• Elevation: 1550m
• Concern: Very arduous
• Discover: This path is often closed for grizzly bears in late summer season season.

Rainbow Lake and Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Lake is an beautiful lake on the western facet of Whistler. The trail climbs via the forest and passes Rainbow Falls alongside one of the simplest ways. As you proceed climbing you’ll attain the alpine Rainbow Lake. Though it is perhaps tempting to swim – don’t! – this path is contained in the Whistler watershed so swimming simply is not allowed.

It is also doable to complete your path on the falls if you don’t must climb as a lot because the lake.

Rainbow Lake path stats:

• Distance: 16km
• Size: 5-7 hours
• Elevation: 850m
• Concern: Laborious

Biggest hikes from Whistler Village

Do you have to’re visiting Whistler and staying inside the village, you obtained’t even should drive to go to among the many most interesting hikes in Whistler!

Misplaced Lake

Misplaced Lake, Whistler, is large close to the centre of Whistler village and you might get there just by strolling or biking alongside the Valley Path.

While you’re on the lake, there’s a path which takes you all one of the simplest ways spherical and you may stop partway for a swim, or loosen up on the docks.

Within the summertime (late July-ish), Misplaced Lake is home to a substantial amount of frogs and among the many seashore is cordoned off to allow them to maneuver spherical safely. They’re tiny and actually simple to step on if you’re not paying consideration!

There are a bunch of mountain biking trails inside the area and paths via the forest to find. Or, take book and calm down on the grass near the lake.

Misplaced Lake hike stats:

• Distance: 5km (throughout the lake)
• Size: 1-2 hours
• Elevation: Minimal
• Concern: Easy

Singing Go to Russet Lake

I’ve harmful reminiscences of Singing Go having come down it on the end of my backcountry snowboarding journey on the Spearhead Traverse. Nonetheless, I’m sure mountaineering it is stunning!

You’ll stroll via the forest on a gentle climb, up via the valley and beneath the Peak to Peak gondola. While you come out of the forest you’ll find yourself inside the Alpine on the end of the Musical Bumps Path.

You can each head up The Musical Bumps Path and take the Gondola down. Or, if persevering with on to Russet Lake, take one final climb up Cowboy Ridge then proper all the way down to the lake, campground and Kees and Claire hut.

Singing Go & Russet Lake

• Distance: 31km
• Size: 1300m
• Elevation: 10-12 hours
• Concern: Laborious

Blackcomb Ascent Path

The Blackcomb Ascent path is taken into consideration considered one of many steepest and extra sturdy hikes in Whistler. It’s not notably prolonged, at merely over 6km, nonetheless boy is it steep! You’ll start off on the Little Burn, sooner than taking Large Burn after which Heartburn if going all one of the simplest ways to the best of the gondola.

Luckily, you presumably can take the gondola down if you’ve made you strategy to the best! There’s moreover the selection to acquire from Blackcomb mid-station if you’re undecided it’s essential proceed to the very prime.

Blackcomb Ascent Path

• Distance: 6km
• Size: 2-4 hours
• Elevation: 1175m
• Concern: Very arduous

Blackcomb Alpine Trails

The Blackcomb Alpine trails are accessed from the best of the Whistler gondola so that you just’ll wish to buy a gondola ticket to get the Blackcomb Alpine Trails after which cross the valley on the Peak2Peak. You’ll scale back out almost 2000m of elevation by taking the gondola after which emerge to an alpine panorama full with glaciers, streams and wildflowers.

There’s Blackcomb Lake and the Overlord Path, every of which have great views.

Blackcomb Alpine path stats

• Distance: Varies, as a lot as 10km would offer you hike and views
• Size: 2-4 hours
• Elevation: 200m
• Concern: Intermediate

Musical Bumps, Whistler

The Musical Bumps hike is among the many most well-known and beautiful hikes in Whistler. You’ll stroll alongside the ridge from Whistler Peak passing quite a lot of lakes (Harmony Lake and Symphony Lake) and likewise you’ll tick off quite a lot of summits alongside one of the simplest ways too: Piccolo Summut Flute Summit and Oboe.

You’ll get the gondola as a lot as the best of Whistler Mountain and the adjust to the route in course of Russet Lake. Make it a loop by coming once more on the Extreme Discover Path, or take Singing Go all one of the simplest ways once more to the village.

Musical Bumps path stats

• Distance: 19km
• Size: 7-9 hours
• Elevation: 300m
• Concern: Intermediate – arduous

Extreme Discover Path, Whistler

One different good hike in Whistler is the Extreme Discover Path. Talked about above you presumably can be a part of it with Musical Bumps for a surprising loop hike in Whistler, or do it as an out and once more. It takes you from Whistler Peak proper all the way down to the best of the Peak2Peak gondola. It is also doable to make the hike shorter by taking Half Discover.

Extreme Discover path stats

• Distance: Intermediate
• Size: 9.5km
• Elevation: 400m
• Concern: 2-4 hours

Biggest hikes north of Whistler

Do you have to drive via Whistler in course of Pemberton there are some additional unimaginable hikes worth doing!

Joffre Lakes

Typically mistaken as being in Whistler, Joffre Lake is spherical an hour extra north of Whistler. Joffre Lake is extraordinarily widespread and there’s now a BC Parks Day go required to hike it which seems to be lessening among the many crowds.

Though many people describe this as a easy hike, there’s nonetheless some elevation and likewise you do nonetheless need appropriate mountaineering gear. Don’t go attempting this in sneakers that aren’t acceptable for hikes.

Joffre Lake hike stats:

• Distance: 10km
• Size: 3-4 hours
• Elevation: 370m
• Concern: Intermediate
• NOTE: You desire a BC Parks day cross or tenting reservation needed

Wedgemount Lake

Wedgemount Lake is perhaps the hardest well-known path in Garibaldi Provincial Park. It’s pretty prolonged and has a extremely steep scramble half sooner than you prime out on the lake. It is, nonetheless, most likely probably the most pretty.

While you’ve made it to the lake, positively proceed earlier it in course of the foot of the glacier for stunning views!

Wedgemount Lake path stats

• Distance: 14km
• Size: 6-8 hours
• Elevation: 1,375m
• Concern: Laborious

Parkhurst Ghost Metropolis

Looking for an unusual hike in BC? Parkhurst Ghost Metropolis is perhaps the reply! Town of Parkhurst was abandoned inside the Sixties. It’s a former logging settlement and you may nonetheless see among the many earlier gear and buildings which were used on the time.

Parkhurst Ghost Metropolis hike stats

• Distance: 5km
• Size: 2 hours
• Elevation: Minimal
• Concern: Easy

Nairn Falls

Nairn Falls is an excellent spectacular waterfall hike near Whistler. The easy hike from the automobile parking space is 1.5km prolonged and takes you to a cool viewpoint from the place you presumably can watch the water plummet from 60m extreme!

Nairn Falls path stats

• Distance: 3km
• Size: 0.5 0 1.5 hours
• Elevation: Minimal
• Concern: Easy

The place to stay in Whistler

Whistler lodging doesn’t come low value and Airbnb in Whistler could possibly be crazy expensive. Do you have to’re able to journey mid-week you would possibly be capable of uncover an excellent last-minute deal via Reserving.com, nonetheless if you’re occurring the weekend then anticipate to pay somewhat loads.

Whistler may be somewhat loads bigger than you’d first assume and the town sprawls out into fully completely different Whistler villages. Whereas Whistler Village is the realm that’s correct by the lifts, lots of the retailers and consuming locations, the alternative areas are additional peaceful and there’s a shuttle service that runs from them to the village so don’t rely them out.

There’s moreover a great deal of Whistler tenting accessible significantly if you go to in summer season season.

So with that, listed beneath are among the many most interesting Whistler inns:

• Whistler Village Inn & Suites: This Whistler resort has a year-round outdoors pool and is true inside the centre of Whistler Village, merely 2 minutes stroll away from the gondolas.
• Nita Lake Lodge: With an onsite spa, this resort by Nita Lake in Whistler has primarily probably the most unimaginable views in a peaceful location. It’s merely 500m away from the Creekside Gondola which connects with the rest of the Whistler resort and there’s a free shuttle service to Whistler Village too.
• Pangea Pod Lodge: The proper Whistler resort on a funds is the Pangea Pod resort which doesn’t sacrifice vogue each. This pod resort in Whistler is in the midst of the village and gives every single and double pods.
• Summit Lodge Boutique Lodge Whistler: One other alternative that’s large close to the gondolas in Whistler Village is Summit Lodge in Whistler. The suites embrace kitchenettes making them good as self-catering lodging in Whistler and there’s a balcony with all suites.

FAQs in regards to the good trails for mountaineering Whistler

Final concepts on the proper hikes Whistler has to produce

Ought to you’ve been looking for the proper hikes near Whistler then hopefully you’ve found some you’ve however to attempt on this itemizing.

Among the many least well-known hikes Whistler has to produce are these spherical. the Olympic Park and Callaghan Valey. These are trickier since many require a 4×4, nonetheless they’re stunning and actually really feel very distant.

Completely different simple hikes Whistler has akin to Misplaced Lake, or Cheakamus Lake are good for travelling with youngsters or when you need one factor additional gentle.

Or, if you need a troublesome Whistler BC mountaineering path then it’s best to undoubtedly check out the likes of Wefgemount Lake or Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park. These mountaineering trails Whistler gives are among the many most interesting hikes in BC and successfully nicely definitely worth the effort it takes to get to the summits!

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Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Hannah