7 places for Walking and Hiking in BC
From a walk in the woods to a wilderness backpacking trip, from a stroll on the beach to a helicopter-accessed alpine trek, BC’s hiking trails offer every kind of hike or walk.
The landscapes are as varied as the trails: choose from rainforest, coastline, mountains, glaciers, grasslands, rivers, marshes, waterfalls, lakes, canyons, desert and more.
Virtually all of BC’s seven national parks and 1,030 provincial parks and protected areas have hiking trail networks. Mountain resorts operate ski lifts during the summer to help hikers reach the trailheads, local volunteer groups have transformed abandoned rail lines into long distance trails, and even major cities have car-free pedestrian paths for urban hikes. If you’re in a rush, heli-hiking guides can whisk you to the alpine via helicopter.
# 1 SEASIDE PATH
You don’t even have to leave town. Walkers, joggers and cyclists share Vancouver’s Seaside Path, a 22-kilometre (13.7-mile) car-free route which traces the city’s coastline from the Canada Place cruise ship terminal, and around Stanley Park and False Creek to Point Grey. Stanley Park alone has an extensive network of trails deep in the forest but just minutes from the city centre.
# 2 GROUSE GRIND
About 30 minutes north of downtown Vancouver is North Vancouver, home to Grouse Mountain’s Grouse Grind trail. Rising 853 metres (2,800 feet) in just 2.9 kilometres (1.8 miles), it’s known locally as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster,” and is such a popular after-work activity that more than 150,000hikers make the trek each spring and summer.
# 3 LIGHTHOUSE PARK
The north shore is home to easy walks that still reward with stunning forest, river and ocean views. In West Vancouver’s Lighthouse Park, for example, forested trails lead to waterfront views over English Bay.
# 4 PACIFIC SPIRIT PARK
Located on the west side of Vancouver and surrounding the campus of the University of British Columbia, The forests, creeks, beaches, cliffs and bog of this regional park provide habitat to a wide variety of plants and animals in the heart of BC’s largest urban area.
# 5 WHISTLER VALLEY TRAIL
Whistler, best known as the continent’s leading ski resort, is also a top hiking destination. In March, visitors can walk the 40 kilometres (25 miles) of easy strolls along the flat, meandering Whistler Valley Trail
# 6 GALLOPING GOOSE TRAIL
Located in the Victoria area, two popular routes for cycling and walking are the Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional trails, which cover more than 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Sidney through Victoria to Leechtown, an abandoned mining village just north of Sooke.
# 7 KETTLE VALLEY TRAIL
The Kettle Valley Trail is also a popular cycling route and meanders among the orchards, vineyards and wineries of the Okanagan Valley.