The Best Backpacking in British Columbia
Looking for the best backpacking in British Columbia? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around British Columbia. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top backpacking spots in and near British Columbia
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Whistler, British Columbia
Panorama Ridge
4.817.17 mi / 5289 ft gainTake the Sea to Sky Highway (HWY 99) north from Vancouver up towards Whistler. Turn off the highway about 30 minutes before Whistler Village onto Daisy Lake Road. There are signs along the highway indicating the Garibaldi Lake turn off. The trailhead is located at the end of Daisy Lake Road. Ther...Read more -
Squamish, British Columbia
Backpack to Lake Lovely Water
3.76.24 mi / 3714 ft gainThis adventure is one of the best kept secrets in the Whistler area, let alone, British Columbia. The trailhead for Lake Lovely Water is located on the west side of the Squamish River. There is no road access to the trailhead so you need to cross the river via boat. Make reservations with the jet...Read more -
Whistler, British Columbia
Hike and Camp at Garibaldi Lake
4.6Garibaldi Lake is a huge basin of beautiful turquoise water measuring almost 10 square kilometers (2460 acres), and located at nearly 5000ft above sea level. The lake is over 800 feet deep, filled with pristine glacial water. You’ll be surrounded by big snowy mountains, which remain bright white ...Read more -
Mount Robson, British Columbia
Backpack to Berg Lake
4.726.6 mi / 3734 ft gainMount Robson Provincial Park is vast and surrounded by the Canadian Rockies with an area of 2,249 km². If you want to experience the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies you've gotta check out Mount Robson. From the parking lot to Berg Lake is 21 km, with 790m of elevation gain. You will fir...Read more -
Edgewater, British Columbia
Explore Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
5.0Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sequestered 27 km from the nearest road. We took a helicopter in, and hiked out . You can also hike both ways, but the hiking once you are there is more amazing than on the way in. You can also ski in on backcountry skis in the Win...Read more -
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Hiking the Howe Sound Crest Trail
18 mi / 6000 ft gainDistance: 18 miles / 29 kms.Duration: 1 - 3 DaysElevation Gain: 6000 ft. / 1800 m.Magnesia Meadows: 49.483708, -123.190377The Howe Sound Crest Trail (HSCT) is one of the most epic hiking trips one can do in the Vancouver area. The trail is entirely located within the Cypress Mountain Provincial P...Read more -
Squamish-Lillooet C, British Columbia
Joffre Lakes Trail
4.65.67 mi / 1266 ft gainJoffre Lakes is a well loved destination, and for good reason: it is absolutely stunning. Not only is it located on one of the most scenic drives you could ever hope to find (Duffy Lake Road) , but it's possible to enjoy this area no matter how much time you have, or how much hiking you want to d...Read more -
Whistler, British Columbia
Hiking to Wedgemount Lake
5.08.7 mi / 1160 ft gainJust a little ways past Whistler BC Canada, you'll find a steep mountain trail leading to one of the true gems of Garibaldi Provincial Park and the Sea to Sky area: Wedgemount Lake. This is the stuff dreams are made of.The route ascends 7km through beautiful old growth forest, and as you crest th...Read more -
Hope, British Columbia
Cycle the Kettle Valley Rail-Trail
4.0Top 10 Areas of Interest - from West to East (1) Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park(2) Red Ochre cliffs in the Tulameen(3) Trout Creek Trestle & The Kettle Valley Steam Train(4) Penticton's Munson Mountain & the Naramata Bench(5) The Little & Big Tunnel above Naramata(6) Myra-Bellevue ...Read more -
Whistler, British Columbia
Hike to Elfin Lakes, BC
4.713.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gainTo access the trail head you will have to drive a few kilometres up a pretty beat up service road, so SUV's and 4x4 are a must but it can be done in a regular car if you take it easy. Lots of pot holes and loose rocks.The hike to Elfin Lakes might be 11km each way, but it is not very steep and is...Read more -
Whistler, British Columbia
Hike the Cheakamus Lake Trail
3.58.7 miCheakamus Lake is tucked in behind Whistler Mountain. If you've hike the Musical Bumps trail, or any of the paths off the peak of Whistler, chances are you saw a huge turquoise lake below you. This is Cheakamus Lake.From Whistler Village, drive south on HWY99 to the stop lights at Function Juncti...Read more -
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Summit Golden Ears
4.514.9 mi / 5039.4 ft gainDay 1 Starting from the Golden Ears parking lot, your journey begins up a relatively small incline passing two bridges and entering the forest. Continue through the forest passing small cliffs and revealing some views of what you are going to climb the next day. Your estimated time it should take...Read more -
Whistler, British Columbia
Summit Black Tusk in Garabaldi Provincial Park
5.019 mi / 5708.7 ft gainThis is a very challenging trail! If you are going to carry in a backpack for an overnight hike, you should have a good level of fitness. For a day hike, the trail is nearly 30km long, so still a good level of fitness is required. The trail isn’t technically challenging, but it is up in the alpin...Read more -
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
Paddle Pitt Lake to Widgeon Falls
5.03.7 miThe 12km (7.5 mi) drive on Neaves Road to Pitt Lake from Pitt Meadows is one of BC's most scenic routes. As soon as you start this section of the drive you already feel miles from the city, but this route is only 30-45 minutes from Vancouver, depending on city traffic.Once you reach the parking l...Read more -
Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia
King's Peak Trail
5.09.23 mi / 5512 ft gainOur trip, as pictured, was completed as a single-day trail run / hustle. The climb is typically done, however, as a weekend trip with a camp either in the lower meadow, along the ridge leading to the Queen's Face or in the upper cirque. As for climbs in the Island Alpine, for detailed route desc...Read more -
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Hiking Golden Ears Trail
14.9 mi / 4921.3 ft gainGolden Ears is well known to those in the Lower Mainland. After staring at the jagged 'ears' from all angle, I finally got to see them up close and in-person. The West Canyon Trail is a gentle 5.5 kilometers on a well groomed path, lined with deciduous trees making it a perfect place to watch the...Read more
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