Best Hiking Trails in British Columbia, Canada

Locally known as just the Chief, this granite dome is located in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park in Squamish. It’s actually one of North America’s largest granite monoliths and towers 702 metres over the Squamish township. The Chief is described as an intermediate hike, which can take between 2 and 6 hours to finish. There are three peaks to conquer, where you can stop and admire the views over Howe Sound.

For an easily accessible (but hard) hiking option that includes both turquoise lakes and stunning vistas, choose the Black Tusk trek in Garibaldi Provincial Park. The park is located between Squamish and Whistler. This hike takes you up to Black Tusk, the park’s most prominent peak and a former active volcano. In nine kilometres you will reach the crown jewel, Garibaldi Lake and its campsite. Then another seven kilometres will take you up to Black Tusk’s base.
Black Tusk, Garibaldi Provincial Park, Fraser Valley, BC, Canada

It’s said that this multi-day hike within Kootenay National Park is the pinnacle of Canadian Rockies hiking. The Rockwall Trail is a 55-kilometre trek that takes you along a mountain range. Some of the highlights along the way include Floe Lake, Floe Peak, looking out over Numa Pass, strolling through meadows, and marvelling at the many waterfalls.
Rockwall Trail, Kootenay National Park, East Kootenay, BC, Canada

This world-renowned trail stretches for 75 kilometres along Vancouver Island’s southwest coast. It’s a part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and takes hikers through lush rainforest, past waterfalls, and along the waterfront. The West Coast Trail follows in the footsteps of Canada’s First Nation ancestors.
West Coast Trail, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Alberni-Clayoquot, BC, Canada

Golden Ears Provincial Park, the southern neighbour to Garibaldi, has three excellent and advanced hiking choices. The Allouette Mountain Trail is a difficult 10-kilometre summit, but the reward is stunning panoramic views. There’s also Evans Peak, which is definitely for the more experienced hikers. Finally, Golden Ears Trail is a popular 24-kilometre round trip hike.

Located in Yoho National Park, the Iceline Trail is also a part of the Canadian Rockies and very close to the Alberta border. Yoho is a Cree expression meaning awe and wonder, and hikers will be filled with wonder after doing this 21-kilometre trek. The trail’s many highlights include overlooking Yoho Valley, walking by Daly Glacier, and seeing Takakkaw Falls and its reservoir.

When a trail is a part of Glacier National Park, you know it’s going to be full of jaw-dropping views. Glacier Crest Trail is an 11-kilometre round trip hiking trail near Golden in British Columbia. As the name suggests, along the track hikers get views of both Illecillewaet and Asulkan Glaciers. At the summit, the panorama vista features snow-covered rocky mountains and glacial ice.
Glacier Crest Trail, Glacier National Park, Columbia-Shuswap, BC, Canada

Perhaps the most remote hiking trail on this list, Berg Lake Trail is an internationally-recognized backcountry trek. The trail follows around Mount Robson’s base, which is the Canadian Rockies’ highest peak. Although there are many options, no matter which trail is chosen, hikers will undoubtedly cross paths with glaciers, waterfalls, snowy mountains, and local fauna. The BC Parks website states: “Gaining just under 800 metres in 23 kilometres, the trail traverses three biogeoclimatic zones.”
Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Mount Robson, BC, Canada

The Sunshine Coast Trail is a 180-kilometre hiking trail along the Sunshine Coast, north of Vancouver. The trail stretches from Sarah Point in Desolation Sound to Saltery Bay. It’s the longest hut-to-hut hiking experience in Canada and traverses a number of different landscapes. The Sunshine Coast Trail goes from shorelines to lakes to mountain tops and forests. It’s an excellent outdoor adventure truly showcasing the best of British Columbia.
Sunshine Coast Trail, Powell River, BC, Canada