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

  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike to Little Diamond Head

    22 mi / 5900 ft gain
    Given the total distance and cumulative elevation gain of this hike, I would suggest a good level of fitness to reach the summit. The trail does not have any technical challenges and the elevation gain is gradual. The final kick up to the summit involves some loose scree and minor exposure depend...
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  • Squamish-Lillooet C, British Columbia

    Backcountry Camp Upper Joffre Lake

    3.0
    3.1 mi / 2952.8 ft gain
    Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is located roughly three hours from Vancouver north of Whistler and Pemberton on Highway 99 (Sea-to-Sky Highway).  The drive itself up to the trailhead is very scenic and worth it in itself.  Once you get to the parking lot, park your car anywhere in the lot and consi...
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  • Alberni-Clayoquot A, British Columbia

    Hike to Keeha Beach

    5.0
    3.7 mi
    Far on the west coast of Vancouver Island, accessed only by a harrowing dirt road, is a wild and rugged coast begging to be explored. Bamfield is about a 3 hour drive from Nanaimo, half of which is on the gnarliest (and most active) logging road I've ever been on - and I grew up driving on loggin...
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  • Yale, British Columbia

    Summit Needle Peak

    5.0
    8.1 mi / 2893.7 ft gain
    Make your way to the Zopkios exit (#217) on the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy 5), which is almost exactly halfway between the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan of BC. The trailhead is off the pipeline service road on the opposite side of the highway as the rest stop. The hike can be done in one day, but ...
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  • Fraser-Fort George H, British Columbia

    Backpack the Berg Lake Trail

    5.0
    26.1 mi / 2500 ft gain
    This hike starts at Mount Robson visitor centre and has 8 campsites along the hike. Be sure to stop by the visitor center for up-to-date details. We stayed at campsites located at Kinney Lake 7km in, then whitehorn 11 km in, and then Berg lake 21km in. Kinney lake is a light blue coloured lake, n...
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  • Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia

    Summit The Golden Hinde

    5.0
    40.4 mi / 5987.5 ft gain
    As Vancouver Island's highest peak, the Golden Hinde is an obvious draw for coastal climbers. Its gravitational pull, however, requires a commitment, given this crown jewel of the Island Alpine is also one of its most remote, and gains more elevation than from Base Camp to Everest's summit.Winter...
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  • Yale, British Columbia

    Hike to Tasty Lake

    8.1 mi / 2894 ft gain
    To Needle PeakTotal Distance: 13.0 km (return)Estimated Time: 4 - 7 hoursAverage Grade: 13.6%Structure: Linear - ReturnElevation Gain: 882 mStart Elevation: 1210 mMax Elevation: 2092 mTo Small LakeTotal Distance: 13.0 km (return)Estimated Time: 4 - 6 hoursAverage Grade: ...
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  • Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia

    King's Peak Trail

    5.0
    9.23 mi / 5512 ft gain
    Our 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...
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  • Upper Fraser, British Columbia

    Hike to the Monkman Cascades

    4.0
    13.7 mi / 328.1 ft gain
    This hike starts about 60 km south of the community of Tumbler Ridge, BC at the Monkman Park Campground.  Hikers may also elect to take the short walk to see majestic Kinuseo Falls located near the campground. The Monkman Cascades is a collection of waterfalls intricately arranged over a few kilo...
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  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Backpack to Russet Lake

    4.0
    Russet Lake is a beautiful alpine lake at the base of Fissile Peak in the backcountry of Garibaldi Provincial Park. This trip is well suited for two nights but can be accomplished in a full day without a pack.Your starting point is Whistler Village Gondola, then up the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to the ...
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  • Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia

    Hike through Marble Meadows to the Wheaton Hut

    11.8 mi / 4593.2 ft gain
    Though the Meadows can be reached by an alternate (very long) route not requiring a boat, the standard access is had by crossing Buttle Lake from the Augerpoint Day Area parking lot on the Buttle Lake Parkway (turn south towards the Westmin mine at the Buttle Lake bridge, just before the provinci...
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  • Okanagan-Similkameen H, British Columbia

    Hike to Illal Meadows & Illal Peak

    3.0
    6.2 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
    To access Illal Meadows, you have to take a little spur road off of the Tulameen Forest Service Road. This spur road is described as being accessible with high clearance 2WD before turning into a 4WD road.The first part follows an old, overgrown, flat logging road to the south branch of Illal Cr...
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  • Central Kootenay H, British Columbia

    Hike to Gwillim Lakes

    5.0
    The trail to Gwillum Lakes is a must do when in the West Kootenay. It's iconic with the locals for being one of the best day hike or overnight camp trips in the region. A 6km hike through true wilderness rewards you with an alpine meadow dotted with small lakes perfect for swimming in and camping...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Hike Iceline Trail

    5.0
    12.3 mi / 2867.5 ft gain
    The trailhead is accessed at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot, and then you walk to the Whiskey Jack Hostel where the trail officially begins (you can not park here unless you are a guest). The well marked trail then begins its very steep ascent through the forest where you will catch glimpses of ...
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  • Port Alberni, British Columbia

    Triple Peak Lake

    4.0
    1.96 mi / 1519 ft gain
    Triple Peak Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake located on the Triple Peak Trail. The route to the lake is very steep and scrambling is involved, but is well worth the effort. When you come to the rise above the final ridge, the stunning Triple Peak and Triple Peak Lake (Lower Lake) come into view. T...
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  • Terrace, British Columbia

    Backpack to the Maroon Mountain Meadows

    3.0
    10 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Maroon Mountain is among the Kitimat Mountain Range, and can be accessed from the unincorporated town of Rosswood. Follow the Nisga'a Highway north of the city Terrace for 34.5 km. Turn right onto the Wesach Creek forestry road (1.3 km north of the Maroon Creek highway bridge), and follow the sig...
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