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

  • Fraser Valley E, British Columbia

    Hike to Porcupine Peak

    6.8 mi / 4265.1 ft gain
    Porcupine Peak (also known as Goat Peak) is a little known trail that begins beside the popular Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes trailhead. The hike is tough, going straight uphill for a significant portion, with some ups and downs right before reaching the peak.  The trailhead is a bit tricky to fin...
    Read more
  • Field, British Columbia

    Twin Falls via Yoho Valley Trail

    4.0
    10.92 mi / 2274 ft gain
    An 18 km hike with approx 300 m elevation gain, with good variety, several waterfalls, Twin Falls themselves, Twin Falls Tea House (especially if it's open), a walk through a rock field with great views, a dried up lake bed. Start at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot and follow the well marked trai...
    Read more
  • Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia

    Hike to Baby Bedwell & Bedwell Lake

    5.0
    7.5 mi / 2132.5 ft gain
    Driving: From Campbell River, take Highway 28 West to the bridge over Upper Campbell Lake/Buttle Lake. Do not cross the bridge, but take the road down the East side of Buttle Lake. Follow Buttle Lake road south to Jim Mitchell Lake road which is on the left just after the Thelwood Creek Bridge. ...
    Read more
  • Manning Park, British Columbia

    Backpack the Heather Trail, BC

    24.9 mi / 1138.5 ft gain
    This hike begins in the middle of Manning Park, with a drive up to the trail-head. This means you get all the benefits of alpine views and fields of wildflowers in the summer months, without hiking the elevation gain.  Manning Park is on the Crowsnest Highway (BC-3). Across the highway from the ...
    Read more
  • Squamish-Lillooet C, British Columbia

    Backpack to Semaphore Lakes

    3.1 mi / 1000 ft gain
    How does a series of sparkling blue alpine lakes, beautiful mountains, a huge waterfall, glacier and uncrowded camping sound to you? For me, the area around Semaphore Lakes has been one of my favorite destinations for quite a while. It has some of the best camping you could hope for, and two incr...
    Read more
  • Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia

    Camp at Arnica Lake

    7.5 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
    The hike starts at the Westmin mine parking lot, located 2 hours north of Courtenay. To find the start of the trail you need to walk 50 metres down a dirt road from the parking area. You will see a sign for Phillips ridge, which marks the start of your journey.The trail starts in a relatively fl...
    Read more
  • Comox-Strathcona C, British Columbia

    Hike to Cruikshank Canyon Lookout

    5.0
    12.4 mi / 2854.3 ft gain
    Travelling through pristine sub-alpine terrain, and past endless crystal clear lakes, the trail to the lookout is loaded with awesome scenery. The icing on the cake is reaching the Canyon and enjoying lunch at the lookout, complete with Whiskey Jacks and 180 degree mountain and valley views. If...
    Read more
  • Comox-Strathcona C, British Columbia

    Backpack to Circlet Lake Campground

    13.9 mi / 2664 ft gain
    If you are looking for a beautiful, stress-free campground nestled in the mountains far from the city but within a morning's drive and a day's walking distance, suitable for the whole family and offers tons of activities, Circlet Lake is the right choice for you. It features an alpine lake that i...
    Read more
  • East Kootenay C, British Columbia

    Bear Lake Trail

    4.0
    1.92 mi / 1124.45 ft gain
    Start your hike at 6,100 feet elevation at the parking lot. The first section of the trail will take you through the forest on a rather steep trail. After half a mile keep left on the main trail that leads you away from the creek. Watch your step, the gully you're walking in can be slippery at ti...
    Read more
  • Kitimat, British Columbia

    Backpack to Clague Cabin

    5 mi / 2300 ft gain
    From the Kitimat Service Centre head north along Enterprise Avenue until you reach the Wedeene Mainline Forestry Road. Continue north along the mainline for approximately 1 km. Turn left and follow the rough road for approximately 2 km. to the trailhead. Trail is gated approx 0.5 km from trailhea...
    Read more
  • D'Arcy, British Columbia

    Overnight at Keith's Hut

    2.0
    5.6 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
    Starting from the side of the highway outside of Pemberton, continue towards Duffy Lake past Joffre Lake trail head. Cross the Cayoosh Creek bridge and pass the work sheds on your right with a green roof, 3.3km from this is a shoulder and between no-stopping avalanches areas, you will see a pull ...
    Read more
  • Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia

    Climb Mt. Septimus via the X-Gully

    16.8 mi / 5905.5 ft gain
    Mt Septimus lies deep within the beautiful and untouched Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island. The route takes you high into the alpine where you will cross glacial fed lakes amongst large peaks and thick forest. To climb Mt Septimus the route you will be taking is the X-Gully route, a steep snow ...
    Read more
  • Yale, British Columbia

    Hike Yak Peak

    5.0
    3.4 mi / 2755.9 ft gain
    The granite slab of Yak Peak is easily identified by those passing by on the Coquihalla Highway. What most don't know is there is a hiking trail and climbing opportunities, both offering amazing 360 degree views of the Zopkios range and beyond.This hike starts at the Zopkios rest area (across the...
    Read more
  • Terrace, British Columbia

    Hike to Gunsight Lake

    5.0
    9 mi / 3000 ft gain
    From Terrace drive south for approximately 11 miles south along Highway 37 to Furlong Bay Provincial Park campground. The trailhead is accessed via the gravel pit road on the other side of the highway from the Park. Walk past the first gate and keep to the right prior to the gravel pit. Follow th...
    Read more
  • Fanny Bay, British Columbia

    Canoe Great Central Lake and Hike to Della Falls and Love Lake

    80.8 mi / 1148.3 ft gain
    To get the the Della Falls trail head in Strathcona Park, you must cross Great Central Lake. This is a 45 km journey via either canoe, kayak, or speedboat. We chose to canoe, and it took approximately 9 steady hours. We parked our vehicles just on the edge of Central Lake Road across from Great C...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike the Cinder Flats in Garibaldi Park

    5.0
    Enter from the Cheakamus Lake side, which mean a steady climb up the Helm Creek Trail, but you won't battle the crowds coming up the Rubble Creek side. Plan for a full day in the mountains - it's ~25k total with quite a bit of climbing in the beginning. Bring lots of water, as it can get pretty h...
    Read more