Outbound Collective logo

Squamish, British Columbia

Looking for the best backpacking in Squamish? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Squamish. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Squamish

  • Squamish, British Columbia

    Backpack to Lake Lovely Water

    3.7
    6.24 mi / 3714 ft gain
    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...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike to Elfin Lakes, BC

    4.7
    13.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
    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...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Camp Out at Elfin Lakes Hut

    15 mi / 1900 ft gain
    The cabin at Elfin Lakes is a beautiful well maintained shelter in the heart of the Garibaldi Provincial Park. It is nuzzled between two lakes (one for drinking water, and the other a swimming hole), and the Gargoyle Peaks.  The cabin itself is fully stocked with 8 gas burners, tables, a fireplac...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Summit Black Tusk in Garabaldi Provincial Park

    5.0
    19 mi / 5708.7 ft gain
    This 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
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Panorama Ridge

    4.8
    17.17 mi / 5289 ft gain
    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. Ther...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike and Camp at Garibaldi Lake

    4.6
    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 ...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Explore Garibaldi Park on Snowshoes

    Exploring Garibaldi Park by snowshoe is an experience you'll never forget. There is nothing like being in a forest wilderness in the stillness of winter. There are lots of places to snowshoe in the Whistler area, but here are two of the most exciting (yes, snowshoeing can be exciting!) Cheakamus ...
    Read more
  • West Vancouver, British Columbia

    Hiking the Howe Sound Crest Trail

    18 mi / 6000 ft gain
    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 P...
    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
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike to Helm Lake

    4.0
    12.4 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Helm Lake is a sparkly body of water tucked into one of the most scenic alpine meadows around. The lake sits on a lava field, just under the Black Tusk, with the unique volcanic remains of Cinder Cone and Helm Peak on the opposite side of the meadow.The big draw for this hike is that it's far les...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Backpack Helm Creek

    11.2 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Start your drive by driving up the Cheakamus Lake forestry road to the parking lot (approximately 7km up the road). From the parking lot, start walking down the trail towards Cheakamus lake.  About 2km down the trail, you will see a sign post indicating that you can continue straight to Cheakamus...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike the Cheakamus Lake Trail

    3.5
    8.7 mi
    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 Juncti...
    Read more
  • Anmore, British Columbia

    Backpack the Dilly Dally Loop

    15.5 mi / 3800 ft gain
    This hike begins near the parking lot of Buntzen Lake. The trailhead will read "Halvor Lunden Trail,” named after the man who made it. This part of the trail is well marked, however as you continue along the loop it gets less and less worn, making things more difficult, but also more natural.The ...
    Read more
  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike the Musical Bumps Trail

    15.5 mi
    The Musical Bumps are a series of rolling summits starting from Whistler Mountain that stretch over to Fissile and the Spearhead Range. It should come as no surprise that each one has a musical name: Flute, Oboe and Piccolo.There are two ways to access this area: you can ride the Whistler Village...
    Read more
  • 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 ...
    Read more