The Best Backpacking in Canada

This is a micro adventure in one of the world’s most desired National Parks. The common excuse for those who tend to skip the great outdoors is lack of time. This one day adventure is an example that you can cram a lot into a day! Dawn: Sunrise hike up to South Ridge in Banff. Start at the famous Banff Upper Hot Springs where the Sulphur Mountain Trailhead begins. A 5.5km switchback trail will ...

Take 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. There is day and overnight parking available here ($10 for overnight parking).The trail is very well mar...

This 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 boat operation prior to the trip. There is overnight parking in the parking lot across from The Wat...

Starting from the parking lot on the east end of Lake Louise, there are a few options you can take to get to the Plain of Six Glaciers. One is to head directly along the lakeshore trail, and in about 7 km (4.2 miles) you will be at the lookout offering the best vantage point of the glacier field.Another is to make a short detour up to Mirror Lake, then to Lake Agnes. Both lakes are beautiful an...

Garibaldi 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 all summer long, including some of the west coast’s most memorable landmarks. After a visit here, yo...

Towering peaks, glaciated valleys and crystal clear water draws thousands of visitors a year to the shores of Lake Louise in Banff National Park. A short hike takes you beyond the crowds up to Lake Agnes, in a beautiful valley surrounded by jagged peaks and golden Larch trees. At the foot of Lake Agnes sits a beautiful historic log cabin that serves an amazing variety of global tea and hand mad...

Mount 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 first pass through a beautiful old-growth cedar forest. The trail twist and turns alongside a gorgeous r...

This trek specifically covers the distance from Sunshine Village to Mount Shark. You will need a car at Mt. Shark, as there are no shuttles from that location to Canomre or any local areas. Otherwise, you can try to hitch a ride back – your best bet is to talk with some locals or visit the Canmore visitors' center. Day 1: Sunshine to Porcupine Campground (13.6 km, 8.5 mi) Start at Sunshine Vi...

It's pretty much impossible to declare one place around Whistler BC 'the best scenic hike' but this one has got to be in the top five! If you want to get a look at some of the most spectacular and unique landmarks in the Sea to Sky area, hiking to Panorama Ridge would be a way to see them all.This hike can be done in a long day from Rubble Creek, or you can half the time and elevation by campin...

Mount 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 Winter.We stayed at the Naiset huts, with basic shelters, shared accommodation in hostel-style bunks, a...

Distance: 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 Park. The route follows the ridge line along the Howe Sound from Cypress Mountain to Porteau Cove (so...

Joffre 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 do. There are three bright turquoise lakes in the Joffre chain, the first being just a few minutes fr...

Just 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 the top of the trail, a feast for the eyes of epic proportions awaits you there. Wedgemount Lake is su...

Top 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 Trestle Canyon Provincial Park above Kelowna(7) McCulloch Lakes near Kelowna(8) Cyclists Rest near C...

To 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 quite scenic, so it doesn't feel like work at all. The trail is wide, and you are surrounded by big...

Cheakamus 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 Junction. Turn left into Cheakamus Crossing. The first road on your left is the Cheakamus Lake Road. Stay ...