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Hiking in British Columbia, Canada

Backpacking trails in British Columbia

HikingRoad bikingScramblingSnowshoeing
Backpacking/Canada/British Columbia

Beautiful British Columbia is a great place for a holiday. Fly into Vancouver and from there explore everything from the rugged BC coast to the interior mountain peaks. In between, stop for a glass of wine in the vineyards of the Okanagan or some lake kayaking on one of the great lakes of the BC interior.

BC has a little bit of everything for visitors. There are stunning coastal walks on Vancouver Island and near Vancouver, where you can also combine some sea kayaking. Surfers flock to the village of Tofino, for big waves surrounded by forests.

In winter, BC is home to great ski resorts. Famed for the light champagne powder that falls here, you can choose world-class Whistler or any number of smaller regional resorts, all of which boast great ski terrain and wonderful, fun little towns nearby. Consider a trip ski touring or snowshoeing while in the mountains, a great way to enjoy some serenity in a busy world.

Summer sees hikers, climbers and mountain bikers descend on the BC mountains. Famous mountain ranges, like the Island Alps, Coast Mountains, Monashees, Purcells, Selkirks and Rockies provide enormous opportunities to explore. Many of these mountains are crossed by only a single road, providing the ability to truly get off-grid and explore.

Explore tours on the West Coast, or other great tours on Vancouver Island, Mount Assiniboine andMount Robson.

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Displaying 11 of 11 routes

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Kootenay National Park

The Rockwall Trail

Kootenay National Park’s Rockwall Trail is one of the most popular, multi-day backpacks in the Canadian Rockies. The Rockwall is on most backpackers bucket lists, and for good reason. Not only does this trail contain the namesake Rockwall, but there are many lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, creeks, and wildlife to make it a perfect escape into the wild. Be careful, you may not want to come back!
Hard
52.6 km
2,982 m
4-5 days
No Ratings
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Whistler

Castle Towers Backpacking Trail

The Castle Towers Backpacking Trail is a difficult 21.5mi out-and-back hiking route that climbs through the rugged landscape of Garibaldi Provincial Park on the way to summit Castle Towers. This trail is best completed in a multi-day format, with an overnight stay at the Helm Creek Campground. Along the trail you will hike through scenic alpine meadows and experience the amazing sights within the park, such as the iconic Black Tusk and numerous glaciers. This is a challenging route that should only be attempted by experienced and confident hikers, but it does offer fantastic views that will allow you to witness the natural beauty of the Whistler area.
Hard
34.6 km
2,565 m
2 days
No Ratings
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E.C. Manning Provincial Park

Heather Trail to Nicomen Lake Backpacking Trail

The Heather Trail to Nicomen Lake is a beautifully scenic multi-day hike that climbs through the alpine meadows of E.C. Manning Provincial Park on the way to the pristine waters of Nicomen Lake. This backpacking trail is fairly long at 27.2mi, but the terrain isn’t overly difficult/technical and there are several campsites located along the route. This makes for a flexible backcountry journey that you can customize to fit your schedule.
Hard
43.8 km
1,531 m
2d
10 overall rating
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Kootenay National Park

Floe Lake and Numa Pass

Floe Lake is one of the most photogenic lakes in the Rockies and the backpack to it and beyond to Numa Pass is one of the most colorful as wildflowers bloom in the summer and larch trees below the pass turn brilliantly gold in the fall.
Moderate
26.1 km
1,122 m
2-3 days
No Ratings
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E.C. Manning Provincial Park

PCT Northern Terminus Backpacking Trail

The PCT Northern Terminus Trail is an amazing hike within E.C. Manning Provincial Park that takes hikers to the northern tip of the Pacific Crest Trail, a legendary route through the United States that spans a 2650.1mi distance from Mexico to the border with Canada. While you won’t be able to legally cross the border into the United States, this trail will bring you right up to the monument marking the beginning of the famous hiking route. Along the way you will be surrounded with scenic views of the rugged mountains and picturesque stretches of forest that characterize the landscape along the border.
Hard
26.7 km
1,539 m
2d
No Ratings
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E.C. Manning Provincial Park

Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail

The Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail is a 16.8mi loop through E.C. Manning Provincial Park that takes hikers on a scenic uphill climb to the summit of Frosty Mountain. From the highest point in the park, you will be able to experience sweeping views that reach out across both sides of the Canada-United States border. Hikers will then camp the night at Frosty Creek Camp before continuing the journey through beautiful forests and alpine meadows on the return leg of the trek.
Hard
27.0 km
1,644 m
2d
10 overall rating
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Kootenay National Park

Ball Pass to Shadow Lake

The Ball Pass backpack starts in Kootenay National Park and leads you into Banff National Park and Shadow Lake. Hiking up and over Ball Pass to either the Ball Pass Junction Campground or Shadow Lake Lodge is a great overnight trip, and there are numerous options to extend this trip.
Moderate
22.0 km
1,925 m
2-3 days
No Ratings
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Squamish

Mamquam Lake Backpacking Trail

The Mamquam Lake Backpacking Trail is a 24.9mi out-and-back hiking route in Garibaldi Provincial Park that takes hikers through the beautiful subalpine landscape east of Squamish to the backcountry waters of Mamquam Lake. Best done as a 2-day trip, this is a scenic hike that will allow you to experience the beautiful sights around Elfin Lakes, Mamquam Lake, the Garibaldi Mountains. This hiking route is a great multi-day option, especially if you are looking to tack on a bit of extra distance from Elfin Lakes.
Hard
40.0 km
1,953 m
2d
No Ratings
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North Shore

Baden Powell Backpacking Trail

The Baden Powell Trail is the penultimate hiking route on Vancouver’s North Shore, stretching over 28.0mi from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. While there isn’t much in terms of accommodation along this lengthy trail, it is a popular route that is most often split into manageable portions, with each section being a good day hike. No matter how you decide to tackle this trail, its stunning views and legendary reputation are sure to leave you feeling like an accomplished adventurer
Hard
45.5 km
2,448 m
2 days
No Ratings
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Yoho National Park

Lake O’Hara Backcountry

Explore the incomparable Lake O'Hara area of Yoho National Park on this backcountry trek that totally immerses you in western Canada's backyard. This adventure-based hike has you camping for two nights in Lake O'Hara campground, propelling the authenticity of your outdoor experience. Meanwhile, the hiking trails and alpine routes lead to sparkling glacial lakes and spectacular views in the Canadian Rockies.
Hard
17.8 km
1,104 m
2 d / 1 n
No Ratings
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Yoho National Park

Yoho Valley Backpacking Route

With waterfalls, mountain lakes, and stunning views in all directions, this Yoho Valley backpacking tour is both challenging and rewarding. The terrain is rugged, but the distances each day are short enough to allow you to truly enjoy your spectacular surroundings without feeling rushed.
Hard
28.1 km
1,395 m
3 d / 2 n

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