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Last Updated on November 16, 2025 by Jeremy
British Columbia is one of those places where the landscapes do not feel real until you are standing in the middle of them. Coastal rainforests, turquoise glacier lakes, old-growth cedar groves, alpine wildflowers, and remote ocean cliffs all coexist in one province. If you are looking for the best nature hikes in BC to anchor a future trip, this guide is where to start.
I have hiked many of these trails myself over the years, from the thunder of Albas Falls in the Shuswaps to the quiet lighthouse views over Kootenay Lake and the strange balance of that famous rock above Creston Valley. Each trail feels like a different version of British Columbia, and each one can be the backbone of a full travel itinerary, not just a day out on a trail.
This guide highlights ten of the most memorable BC hiking trails, mixing personal experience with practical details so you can decide which hike fits your style, time frame, and comfort level.
Quick overview: best nature hikes in BC for different travelers
If you are skimming and want a fast match:
Best coastal challenge: West Coast Trail
Best near-Vancouver viewpoint: Saint Mark’s Summit
Best iconic glacier lakes: Joffre Lakes
Best multi-day alpine route: Berg Lake Trail
Best hidden gem valley view: Balancing Rock Trail
Best lakeside lighthouse walk: Kootenay Lake Lighthouse Trail
Best coastal alternative to the WCT: Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
Best old-growth cedar experience: Ancient Cedars Trail
Best wildflower ridge walk: Flower Ridge Trail
Best waterfall loop: Albas Falls Trail
Hiking in BC: what travelers should know before they go
Before you choose a trail, it helps to understand how hiking in British Columbia feels from a traveler’s perspective.
Landscapes and regions
BC is not just mountains and trees. Within a single trip you can:
Walk through moss-covered coastal rainforests on Vancouver Island.
Hike into glacier-fed lakes around Whistler, Pemberton, and the Sea-to-Sky.
Explore alpine meadows and ridges in Strathcona or the Rockies.
Follow quieter lake and valley trails in the Kootenays and Shuswaps.
This variety is why a lot of travelers plan an entire vacation around BC hiking trails instead of treating them as a side activity.
Best seasons for hiking in BC
May–September: Prime season for higher-elevation trails like Joffre Lakes, Berg Lake, and Flower Ridge.
October–November: Beautiful fall colours at lower elevations, but expect rain and shorter daylight.
December–March: Many mountain routes become snowshoe or backcountry ski territory. Coastal hikes, such as sections of Juan de Fuca, can still be walkable with proper rain gear.
Wildlife and trail etiquette
Bears: Common in many regions. Carry bear spray on more remote routes, make noise in dense forest, and store food properly.
Cougars: Rare, but they do exist around Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains. If you see one, stay calm, make yourself look bigger, and back away slowly.
Other wildlife: Elk, deer, mountain goats, and smaller animals are part of the experience. Give them space and never feed them.
Quick affiliate note
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1. West Coast Trail – The classic coastal challenge
Where: Vancouver Island
Difficulty: Strenuous, multi-day backcountry trek
Time needed: 5–7 days
The West Coast Trail is one of the most legendary long-distance hikes in the world. You move along rugged shoreline, climb endless ladders, cross suspension bridges, and walk beaches that were once part of the “Graveyard of the Pacific,” where shipwrecks were common.
This is not a casual day hike. It is a full-commitment route that demands good preparation, solid gear, and respect for the tides and weather. For long-haul travelers, it can serve as the centrepiece of a Vancouver Island trip, with extra days built in on either side to recover and explore.
Best time to hike: Late May to early September for the most stable conditions.
Trip idea: Fly into Victoria or Vancouver, spend a night or two in the city, then transfer to the trailhead. After finishing, many hikers add a few restful days on the Island’s south coast to recover.
2. Saint Mark’s Summit – A fast reward near Vancouver
Where: Cypress Provincial Park, near West Vancouver
Difficulty: Moderate
Time needed: 3–4 hours round-trip
Saint Mark’s Summit is one of the best nature hikes near Vancouver for visitors who want a big view without dedicating an entire day to travel. The trail climbs through forest and opens up to a panoramic viewpoint over Howe Sound, Bowen Island, and the Sunshine Coast.
On clear evenings the light over the water is hard to beat, which is why many local photographers head up around sunset.
Best time to hike: June to October for dry, snow-free conditions.
Trip idea: Base yourself in Vancouver or North Vancouver, spend a half day on the trail, and follow it up with a city evening on the waterfront.
3. Joffre Lakes – The famous turquoise glacier lakes
Where: Near Pemberton, along the Sea-to-Sky Highway
Difficulty: Moderate
Time needed: 4–5 hours
Joffre Lakes is probably one of the most photographed BC hiking trails. Three glacier-fed lakes step up the valley, each a shade of turquoise that looks edited even when it is not. The hike is steady but manageable for most active travelers, making it popular with both locals and visitors.
Why go: Iconic scenery, clear trail, and a strong “this is British Columbia” feeling.
Best time to hike: July to September, when the trail is fully clear of snow.
Trip idea: Combine a day at Joffre Lakes with time in Whistler or Pemberton. It works well as part of a Sea-to-Sky road trip.
If you prefer joining an organized outing instead of renting a car, you can browse guided hiking and sightseeing experiences around Whistler and Joffre Lakes through partners like Viator and GetYourGuide, which often include transportation and local guides familiar with trail conditions.
4. Berg Lake Trail – A high-alpine backcountry journey
Where: Mount Robson Provincial Park (near the BC–Alberta border)
Difficulty: Challenging, multi-day
Time needed: 2–4 days depending on itinerary
The Berg Lake Trail feels like a moving postcard. You pass waterfalls, cross bridges, and gradually work your way up valley until the view opens over Berg Lake with Mount Robson rising sharply behind it. When conditions and reservations allow, this is one of the most rewarding BC hiking experiences you can have.
Best time to hike: July to September, when the route is generally in the best shape.
Trip idea: Pair Berg Lake with a visit to nearby Jasper. Many travelers fly into Edmonton or Calgary, rent a car, and build a loop through the Rockies with this trail as one of the key highlights.
5. Balancing Rock Trail – A quieter Kootenay valley view
Where: Creston Valley, Kootenay region
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Balancing Rock Trail is one of those hidden gem hiking trails in BC that still feels uncrowded. The route climbs gently through forest to a viewpoint where an oddly balanced boulder overlooks the valley below. It is short, scenic, and ideal if you want a break on a road trip through the Kootenays.
Best time to hike: Spring and fall for cooler temperatures and clear views.
Trip idea: Combine Balancing Rock with time in Creston Valley wineries, local farms, or Kootenay Lake stops.
6. Kootenay Lake Lighthouse Trail – Lakeside calm
Where: Near Crawford Bay, on Kootenay Lake
Difficulty: Easy
Time needed: 1–2 hours
This gentle trail feels more like a lakeside wander than a serious hike. You follow a quiet path through forest to a small lighthouse with wide views up and down Kootenay Lake. It is a good option for travelers who want an easy outing that still feels special.
Best time to hike: Summer and early fall.
Trip idea: Use Crawford Bay or nearby communities as a base and fit this walk into a slower, lake-focused itinerary.
7. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail – Coastal wilderness without the permit scramble
Where: Southwest coast of Vancouver Island
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, depending on section
Time needed: 3–5 days for the full route, or shorter day sections
If the West Coast Trail feels like too big a commitment, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a strong alternative. You still get wild Pacific coastline, surf-pounded beaches, suspension bridges, and rainforest, but with more flexible access points and section hikes.
Best time to hike: May to September.
Trip idea: Use Victoria or Sooke as a base and combine shorter sections of the trail with other south-Island activities like beach walks and coastal viewpoints.
8. Ancient Cedars Trail – Walking among giants
Where: Near Whistler
Difficulty: Easy
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Ancient Cedars is a shorter walk that feels much further from the resort bustle than it actually is. The trail leads into a grove of old-growth cedars, some of which are close to nine centuries old. The sense of scale and quiet here is very different from the busier alpine routes around Whistler.
Best time to hike: Spring through fall.
Trip idea: Add this to a Whistler stay as a lower-key nature day, especially if you have already checked off the major viewpoints.
Guided nature walks and forest experiences around Whistler are also available through Viator and GetYourGuide if you prefer having a local interpret the ecology and history as you go.
9. Flower Ridge Trail – Alpine meadows and big views
Where: Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island
Difficulty: Moderate, with steady climbing
Time needed: Full day or overnight
Flower Ridge is for hikers who love the feeling of earning their view. The trail climbs through forest and then breaks out into ridge and meadow terrain with wide angles over the surrounding mountains. In summer, alpine wildflowers can be excellent.
Best time to hike: July to September.
Trip idea: Use Strathcona Provincial Park or nearby communities as a base. This trail works well as part of a longer Vancouver Island road trip that includes lakes, coastlines, and smaller towns.
10. Albas Falls Trail – A waterfall loop in the Shuswaps
Where: Near Shuswap Lake, Interior BC
Difficulty: Moderate
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Albas Falls is a loop trail that passes multiple waterfall viewpoints as the river drops toward Shuswap Lake. Old-growth forest, mist, and rushing water give it a very atmospheric feel, especially in spring and early summer when flow is strongest.
Best time to hike: Spring and early summer for peak waterfall volume.
Trip idea: Combine Albas Falls with a houseboat, lakeside cabin, or camping stay around Shuswap Lake.
Guided hiking tours and experiences in British Columbia
If you like the idea of hiking in BC but do not want to manage all the logistics yourself, guided tours can be a good bridge between fully independent travel and curated packages.
You can:
Join day hikes or multi-day guided trips that include transportation from hubs like Vancouver, Whistler, or Victoria.
Combine hiking with other experiences such as wildlife viewing, hot springs, or cultural stops.
To compare options, browse British Columbia hiking and nature tours with:
Viator – a wide range of guided hiking, sightseeing, and nature experiences across BC.
GetYourGuide – curated tours, often with detailed reviews and small-group options.
Use these as add-ons to your own itinerary, or as a way to test the region before committing to a longer self-planned trip.
Packing and gear tips for BC hiking trails
The right gear makes a big difference, especially if you are not used to the province’s changing weather.
Essentials to consider:
A comfortable daypack or multi-day pack that fits well.
Proper hiking boots or shoes with good traction for roots, rocks, and wet sections.
Layered clothing: base layer, insulating layer, and waterproof outer layer.
A simple first-aid kit, plus navigation tools (map, app with offline maps, or GPS).
Bear spray for more remote routes, especially in known wildlife areas.
A lightweight headlamp, even for hikes you expect to finish in daylight.
If you are flying in, you can often rent or buy certain items in Vancouver, Whistler, or Victoria instead of packing everything from home.
Where to stay when hiking in BC
Because these trails are spread across the province, most travelers pick one or two regions per trip rather than trying to do everything at once.
A few common bases:
Vancouver and North Vancouver: Ideal for Saint Mark’s Summit and other North Shore trails.
Whistler and Pemberton: Good access to Joffre Lakes, Ancient Cedars, and other Sea-to-Sky hikes.
Vancouver Island: Victoria, Sooke, or Port Renfrew for coastal trails like Juan de Fuca and the West Coast Trail; Campbell River and beyond for Strathcona routes like Flower Ridge.
Kootenays and Interior BC: Creston Valley, Crawford Bay, and Shuswap communities for Balancing Rock, Kootenay Lake Lighthouse, and Albas Falls.
Rockies and Mount Robson: Jasper or Valemount as jumping-off points for Berg Lake when the trail and reservations allow.
When you are ready to start locking in plans, you can:
Compare hotels, cabins, and lodges for all of these regions using Booking.com, which tends to have strong coverage across both larger hubs and smaller BC communities.
Look for flights into Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, or other key gateways with partners like Trip.com if you are flying in from further away.
How to plan a hiking trip in BC with Earthbound Tours
There are a few ways to turn this list of trails into a real itinerary:
Use the Destinations and Tours pillars on Earthbound Tours to decide which region fits your style, then layer in specific hikes from this guide.
Head to our Booking Tools page to price out flights and stays with partners like Trip.com and Booking.com.
If you realize you would rather have someone stitch it all together, visit the Curated Travel pillar and send your details to our Fareconnect partner, who specializes in cruises, all-inclusive trips, and guided packages.
You can start independently, then hand it off when the planning gets heavier.
FAQs: hiking British Columbia as a visitor
What is the best time of year to hike in BC?
For most higher-elevation trails, the best window is from late June through September, when snow has melted and conditions are more predictable. Coastal and lower-elevation routes can be hiked earlier in the spring and into the fall, but expect more rain and mud.
Do I need a guide to hike in BC?
Many BC hiking trails are well marked and can be done independently if you are experienced and prepared. However, guided trips through companies listed on platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide are helpful if you are new to backcountry travel, want transportation included, or prefer hiking in a small group.
Is BC safe for hiking because of wildlife?
Wildlife is part of what makes British Columbia special, but it does require awareness. Most encounters are avoided by carrying bear spray where appropriate, making noise in dense forest, storing food properly, and following posted guidance at trailheads. If you are unsure, consider starting with guided experiences.
Can I build a full vacation around just hiking in BC?
Yes. Many travelers design entire trips around hiking in British Columbia, picking one or two regions per visit. You can mix day hikes with a multi-day route, add in a guided tour or two, and pair it with stays in Vancouver, Whistler, Vancouver Island towns, or Kootenay communities for a complete nature-focused itinerary.
If you like the idea of building a trip around these best nature hikes in BC, your next step is simple: choose the region that excites you most, decide whether you want to go independent or guided, and start shaping the dates. BC rewards people who show up with curiosity and a bit of preparation. The trails will take care of the rest.
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