Ever since I discovered backpacking nearly 20 years ago, it’s been my favourite outdoor activity. Some of my most memorable backpacking trips have been close to home in British Columbia. So I put together a list of the best backpacking trips in BC.
I’ve done all of these trips, some of them multiple times. I’ve also done lots of other backpacking trips across BC that didn’t make the list, so you can rest assured that these are the best of the best.
For each trip, I’ve got all the details you need to make it happen: difficulty, duration, distance, best time to go, fees, reservations, and links to trail guides.
The trips on this list are:
- Vacation-worthy – you won’t mind travelling a bit to get there
- Located all over BC including near Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and in Eastern BC including the Rocky Mountains.
- For hikers of all abilities – there are trips for both beginners and experts, and lots in between. (I’ve also got a whole list of Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners.)
- Great for any vacation length from quick overnighters to long-weekend-length trips to week long epics.
- Great for planners or last-minute trips: A few of these trips require reservations, but most do not.
Here’s a handy map I made for you that shows the locations for each of my picks for the best backpacking trips in BC.
This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.
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Best Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Duration: 2-4 days
Distance: 31.7 km traverse
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Fees and Reservations: None.
The Trail: The Howe Sound Crest Trail is very rough and difficult. Honestly, it is more like a route in some places and requires occasional hands-on scrambling moves as you traverse a chain of rocky summits high above Howe Sound near Vancouver. If you’re up for the challenge, the views are worth it.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
Watersprite Lake
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 17 km round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Both the hut and campground require reservations and fees.
The Trail: Watersprite Lake is an Instagram sensation thanks to its ice blue water and dramatic rock tower. We can credit the BC Mountaineering Club for building the trail to the lake along with a cabin and campground. I think it’s one of the best hikes in Squamish.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
- Make cabin reservations through the BCMC.
Elfin Lakes
Heads up: Day passes are required at Garibaldi Lake in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.
Duration: 2 to 4 days
Distance: 22 km round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required.
The Trail: Even though the hike to Elfin Lakes is on an old road, it’s worth doing since the views are so incredible. You can see Mount Garibaldi/Nch’kay and lots of glaciers. Its worth spending more than one night at the Elfin Lakes campground or Elfin Lakes Shelter to do some of the great day hikes.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my Elfin Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
- Booking camping and the hut through BC Parks.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
Get My Book…
Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia
A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.
- 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
- Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
- Detailed maps and photos
- Advice for extending your trip
- Points of cultural and natural history
Garibaldi Lake
Heads up: Day passes are required at Garibaldi Lake in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.
Duration: 2 to 4 days
Distance: 18 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping.
The Trail: Located just north of Squamish, Garibaldi Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in BC. But it’s also one of the most picturesque with tumbling glaciers, alpine meadows, and unique volcanic geology. From the lake, you can tackle incredible day hikes like Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
- Booking camping and through BC Parks.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
Russet Lake
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 25 to 29 km round trip
Difficulty: Challenging
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping and the hut.
The Trail: Nestled into the mountains above Whistler, Russet Lake is home to a backcountry campground and a luxurious hut. There are two ways to get there: a steep trail from the village or an undulating traverse across mountain summits from the top of the Whistler Gondola via the High Note Trail.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my guide to hiking and backpacking at Russet Lake and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
- Booking camping and through BC Parks.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
- For hut reservations, see the Spearhead Huts Society.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Joffre Lakes
Heads up: Day passes are required at Joffre Lakes in summer and early fall. However, if you have a backcountry camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass. Learn more in my guide to BC Parks day passes.
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 10 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for camping.
The Trail: The chain of three Joffre Lakes near Pemberton make up one of the Vancouver area’s most popular day hikes. But leave the day-time crowds behind by scoring a coveted reservation to camp at the Upper Lake. Listen for chunks of glacier crashing down the rocks on warm days. This is also one of my picks for the best easy backpacking trips in BC.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my Joffre Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
- Booking camping and through BC Parks.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
Sunshine Coast Trail
Duration: 8-14 days
Distance: 180 km traverse
Difficulty: Challenging
Fees and Reservations: None.
The Trail: The Sunshine Coast Trail winds through the forests along the length of the upper Sunshine Coast near the town of Powell River. Hike by the ocean, through old-growth forest, and across mountain tops, staying in rustic backcountry huts along the way.
More Info:
- Find details on shorter backpacking trips you can do on sections of the SCT in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
- For full details on the trail, pick up a copy of The Sunshine Coast Trail Guide Book by R. E. Walz or visit the Sunshine Coast Trail website.
- Some sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail are hikeable all year and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Heather Trail
Duration: 2 to 5 days
Distance: 45 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required for Buckhorn and Kicking Horse campgrounds. Nicomen Lake Campground is first-come, first-served and fees are required.
The Trail: The Heather Trail is Manning Park’s signature trail. With a start high in the alpine, you stay above treeline in meadows of wildflowers for nearly the entire length. Take a side trip to summit Three Brothers Mountain and dip in chilly Nicomen Lake.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
- Booking camping and pay fees and through BC Parks.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
Frosty Mountain
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 14 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are required year-round. Reservations are required between late July and late October.
The Trail: Frosty Mountain is the highest mountain in Manning Park and it has panoramic views. Break up your hike by camping at Frosty Creek camp. Plan your visit for fall when the larch tree needles turn golden.
More Info:
- Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, and my Frosty Mountain trail guide.
- Booking camping and pay fees through BC Parks.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
Get My Book…
Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia
A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.
- 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
- Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
- Detailed maps and photos
- Advice for extending your trip
- Points of cultural and natural history
Best Backpacking Trips on Vancouver Island
Juan de Fuca Trail
Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail will be closed in 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit and camp at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach.
Duration: 3 to 5 days
Distance: 47 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are required. All campsites are first-come, first-served.
The Trail: The Juan de Fuca Trail is a gorgeous coastal trail is easier to access than the West Coast Trail thanks to first-come, first-served camping and trailheads close to Victoria. But the hike is just as challenging and spectacular, making it easy to include on a list of the best backpacking trips in BC.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my Juan de Fuca Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Pay fees through BC Parks.
- The JDF is hikeable all year and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
West Coast Trail
Duration: 5-8 days
Distance: 75 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.
The Trail: The West Coast Trail is Canada’s premier multi-day backpacking trip. It follows the wild coastline for 75 kilometres, up and down ladders, across cable cars, through mud holes, and along beautiful beaches as it travels between the isolated towns of Port Renfrew and Bamfield.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my West Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Make reservations and pay fees with Parks Canada.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
- The West Coast Trail opens in May and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Della Falls Trail
Duration: 2-5 days
Distance: 32 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: No reservations or fees are needed for camping. But if you want to take a water taxi to the trailhead, you’ll need to book in advance.
The Trail: Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in BC at 440 m tall. (Some sources claim it’s the tallest waterfall in Canada, but that’s not true.)
The hike starts with a boat trip across Great Central Lake. From there you hike up a river valley to the base of the falls. Allow time for the 6 km side trip to Love Lake where there is an incredible view of the entire waterfall from above.
More Info:
- Get all the details in my Della Falls Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Get My Book…
Backpacking on Vancouver Island
Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips
- 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
- Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
- Detailed maps and photos
- Advice for extending your trip
- Points of cultural and natural history
Wild Side Trail
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 22 km round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required but you must pay trail fees and water taxi fees.
The Trail: The Wild Side Trail takes you along the shoreline of Flores Island in Ahousaht First Nation territory. Most of the hike is along incredible sandy beaches. The trail is a short water taxi ride from Tofino. This off-the-beaten-path hike doesn’t get many visitors, making it one of the quietest hikes on this list of the best backpacking trips in BC.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my Wild Side Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- The Wild Side Trail opens in May and made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
- It’s also on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Circlet Lake and Mount Albert Edward
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 31 km round trip
Difficulty: Challenging
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.
The Trail: Summit Mount Albert Edward, one of the highest peaks on Vancouver Island. On the way, you’ll stay at tiny Circlet Lake. This Strathcona Provincial Park trip starts at Mount Washington and is a rite of passage for many Vancouver Island hikers.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Pay fees through BC Parks.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Bedwell Lakes
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 22 km round trip
Difficulty: Challenging
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.
The Trail: Climb steeply up through the forest to emerge on the granite shores of Bedwell and Baby Bedwell Lakes, each with their own campground. Intrepid hikers can continue to isolated Cream Lake, which makes a great day trip destination. The trailhead is in a remote area near Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Pay fees through BC Parks.
Elk River Trail and Landslide Lake
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 22 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.
The Trail: Follow the trail through a beautiful forest alongside the shady Elk River to its terminus at picturesque Landslide Lake and great views of Mount Colonel Foster. There are two campgrounds along the river to choose from. Find the trailhead along the highway to Gold River.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Pay fees through BC Parks.
Nootka Trail
Duration: 3 to 5 days
Distance: 35 km traverse
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required. You must pay camping fees. You also need to book in advance for the water taxi or float plane.
The Trail: Arrange a water taxi or floatplane to shuttle you to the Nootka Trail on Nootka Island near Gold River. It’s a remote coastal hike that sees few visitors but has incredible scenery. Highlights include sandy beaches, wolf sightings, Calvin Falls, and the tiny Mowachaht First Nation village of Yuquot.
More Info:
- See my trip report from my Nootka Trail hike. Get details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Pay camping fees to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht Nation
- The Nootka Trail made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.
Get My Book…
Backpacking on Vancouver Island
Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips
- 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
- Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
- Detailed maps and photos
- Advice for extending your trip
- Points of cultural and natural history
North Coast Trail
Duration: 4 to 5 days
Distance: 43 to 59 km traverse
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees. You also need to book the water taxi in advance.
The Trail: The rough and rugged North Coast Trail follows the coastline around the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Start with a water taxi from Port Hardy, then get ready for lots of mud, steep hills with rope assists, and rocky beaches.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my North Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions.
- Pay fees through BC Parks.
- The North Coast Trail is a great destination between May and September, so it made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Cape Scott Trail
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 47 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees.
The Trail: The Cape Scott Trail follows an old settler’s route through the muddy forest to the wild beaches at the north end of Vancouver Island. Choose from several campsites on sandy beaches, then day hike out to the Cape Scott Lighthouse.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.
- Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions. For camping fee info, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.
- Pay fees through BC Parks.
- The Cape Scott Trail is hikeable all year, so it made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Best Backpacking Trips in Eastern BC and the Rocky Mountains
Kaslo Lake
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 18 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: No reservations required for camping (all campsites are first-come, first-served) but you must pay camping fees. Reservations and fees required for the hut.
The Trail: Hike into the backcountry of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson to camp next to Kaslo Lake. Follow beautiful trails through the alpine to viewpoints and peaks. You can also book the palatial Kokanee Glacier Cabin nearby.
More Info:
- See Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park for trail info.
- Pay fees through BC Parks.
- See the Alpine Club of Canada for cabin reservations.
Eva and Jade Lakes
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 12 to 18 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.
The Trail: This alpine hike is easily accessible thanks to the paved Meadows in the Sky Parkway at Mount Revelstoke National Park. Walk through the alpine to a beautiful campsite on the shores of Eva Lake, an easy distance for beginners and made my list of beginner-friendly backpacking trips in BC. If you want more solitude, head over a pass to Jade Lake.
More Info:
- Get the details in my Mount Revelstoke National Park guide.
- Make reservations and pay fees with Parks Canada.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
Mount Assiniboine
Duration: 4 to 6 days
Distance: 52 to 55 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees if you camp in Banff National Park on the way to the trail.
The Trail: The scenery at Mount Assiniboine is postcard-worthy, but getting there can be a challenge. The hike itself is long, but not too difficult and the camping at Lake Magog is gorgeous. But it requires reservations in both a BC Park and Banff National Park, which can be tough to arrange.
More Info:
- See my huge Mount Assiniboine hiking guide for trail info and reservation strategies.
- Make reservations and pay fees for camping in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park through BC Parks.
- Make reservations and pay fees for camping in Banff National Park on the way to Assiniboine with Parks Canada.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
- Join the Mount Assiniboine Facebook group for updates on trail conditions.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
- It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.
Rockwall Trail
Duration: 4 to 5 days
Distance: 55 km traverse
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.
The Trail: The spectacular Rockwall Trail traverses the mountains of Kootenay National Park near Banff, climbing up and over several high passes. There are glacier views, alpine lakes, and the best wildflower meadows I’ve ever seen. I think it has the best effort to reward ratio of all the backpacking trips in BC.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my Rockwall Trail guide.
- Make reservations and pay fees for camping with Parks Canada.
- Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
- Join the Rockwall Trail Facebook group for updates on trail conditions.
Yoho Valley Loop/Iceline and Whaleback Trails
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 29.4 km loop
Difficulty: Challenging
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required. You will also need to pay National Park entry fees.
The Trail: Combine several trails in Yoho National Park near Field to make an epic loop that takes in the spectacular Iceline and Whaleback Trails. The views of nearby peaks and waterfalls are breathtaking. Choose from two backcountry campgrounds along the way.
More Info:
- Get trail details in my Yoho Valley Loop backpacking guide.
- Make reservations and pay fees for camping with Parks Canada. Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
- This hike is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.
Berg Lake
Duration: 2 to 4 days
Distance: 42 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees and Reservations: Reservations and camping fees are required.
The Trail: The incredible Berg Lake Trail near Valemount follows the Robson River uphill to Berg Lake, named for the glaciers crashing into it from Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Plan to spend a few days in the area to tackle spectacular day hikes.
More Info:
- Get details on this hike in my Berg Lake Trail guide.
- Make reservations and pay fees for camping through BC Parks. Use my guide to making backcountry camping reservations to get ready to book.
- You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
- It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: 25 recommendations for the best backpacking trips in BC. How many of these trips have you done? Is there an amazing backpacking destination that I left off the list? Tell me in the comments.
Get My Books
Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island
Discover BC’s best backpacking trips
- 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
- 35 backpacking trips and day hikes on Vancouver Island
- Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
- Detailed maps and photos
MORE BC BACKPACKING DESTINATIONS:
- 24 Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners
- 11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
- 35+ Places to Go Backpacking in BC Without A Car
- 25 Spring Backpacking Trips in British Columbia
- Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies
BC BACKPACKING RESERVATION INFO:
- How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations
- How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
- BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know
- 25 Best Backpacking Trips in BC - October 14, 2025
- Russet Lake Hiking and Backpacking Trail Guide - September 28, 2025
- 10 Things to Do on a Fraser Canyon Road Trip - September 15, 2025
Adam
Thursday 28th of September 2023
Taryn, thank you so much! BEST. SUMMER. EVER!!! I completed all of the hikes on your list, and many more in your book and in Alberta over a four month period. All in all, I completed more than 2000km and over 50 mountain summits.
Prior to this, I had ZERO backpacking experience, I was obese, extremely out of shape, and am in my 40’s. I used your guides to plan out the logistics of this trip… all that was left for me to do was to keep up and complete this grueling itinerary. I was extremely determined and stubborn. Failure was not an option. Eventually, after beating up your body everyday and refusing to quit, your body just accepts its new reality and adapts. The transformation was so satisfying. I was too tired to think clearly most of the time. It was amazing!
To summarize your list: when I didn’t think it could get any better… it did! I can see why all these hikes are on the list, and I cannot give you a favorite, since they are all so beautiful and unique. Exceptional weather made a huge difference.
I have a few suggestions, requests, or criticisms.
1) Would you consider writing a similar review for Alberta? Best backpacking/hikes in Alberta? You did such a good job with BC. After traveling around BC, I was surprised how much incredible hiking was close to home in Alberta. Some of your hikes are literally next to the border (Yoho, Assiniboine, O’Hara for example). The world would be a better place if you made a list for Alberta!
2) The Great Divide Trail… it’s not on here?! Considering it’s a trail along the Alberta/BC border, I would consider this to be BC… have you hiked this trail and would you consider writing a review for it? It covers multiple areas in your list. In terms of legitimate backpacking, I don’t think it get much more genuine than the Great Divide Trail. It showcases the best the Rocky Mountains have to offer in BC and Alberta.
3) mountain summits… could you include these in your overview/guides on some of these areas/hikes? Similar to the “extending your trip” section in your book.
I can’t “pick favorites”… but mountain summits were by far the highlights of these incredible hikes. Not walking near or around the mountains… walking up to the top of the mountains. When I planed for this trip, I did not expect to do any summits. After completing some summits, I could not imagine doing anything else. Completing some of the hikes on this list without completing the surrounding summits no longer felt like a genuine accomplishment. This list of “best backpacking trips/hikes” could be just mountain summits.
For example: Mount Cook, Mount Weart, and the Armchair Traverse above Wedgemount Lake; Mount Overlord and Whirlwind Peak above Russet Lake; Mount Slalok and Tszil Mountain above Joffrey Lakes; Mount Yukness, Mount Schafer, and Little Odaray around Lake O’Hara; Sunburst Peak and Wonder Peak in the Assiniboine area; I completed 18 peaks in the Garibaldi area alone. There are many, many, more. None of them are technical in the sense they are not class five (legitimate climbing), and do not require glacier travel.
I may have planned my trips differently had I been aware of all these mountain summits. Not sure if you chose to exclude these because you consider them to be mountaineering or out of most people’s ability. They were by far the hardest part of my trip… but were by far the most rewarding part of my trip. Mountains get pretty real pretty fast, can be extremely terrifying and inhospitable places… but I was so surprised and amazed with how many of them I was able to walk up, one footstep at a time. In retrospect, this was the best experience I had. You could always make people aware of what’s around… they can decide for themselves if it’s within their ability or worth the risks involved… but the suggestion may just expose someone to the most incredible experience of their lives… that they otherwise wouldn’t have thought was possible.
Thank you Taryn… your guides/overviews planted an idea in my head that I worked hard to make a reality. You inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself physically and mentally. I had no previous experience, was fat, out of shape, and hiking alone. I still have a ways to go, and many more places to walk, but what an amazing time! It’s possible to do so much in such a short period of time if you are determined enough to do it.
Taryn Eyton
Friday 29th of September 2023
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed my book and website so much. To answer your questions. I don't have any plans to write a Canadian Rockies guidebook. The only way to easily do that would be to move to the Rockies for a few summers, and while that sounds amazing, it's not financially viable for me. I didn't include the GDT in my list because its too long - most backpacking visiting my site are looking for trips ranging from overnights up to about a week in length. While the GDT is an amazing accomplishment, it's just too long for most people. I have included some of the most popular BC sections of the GDT on y list, like the Rockwall Trail. And finally, I only included summits where there was an obvious trail to the peak from a backcountry campground. Scrambling and route finding outside the realm of expertise for most of my audience. In general, the hikes I recommend stick to class 3 terrain - class 4 is too much for most of my audience.
Jim And Sue Caruth
Monday 15th of August 2022
Taryn - looking at the ones we have done on your list makes us 100% sure your other recommendations are worthy. We will work at ticking as many as we can. Thanks for this list - it looks great. We knew of some but did not know some others. Awsome! Just in Port Hardy to start into 4 days on Cape Scott tomorrow - it’s drizzling - lol. Ps - kinda think the rock wall is more than a moderate hike especially if wedge is getting a challenging rating but we are splitting hairs here.
Don
Monday 28th of February 2022
Great list Taryn - thanks for sharing. I have heard some good things about the following trips in Northern BC, but I have not done them - maybe some can be additions to a future expanded edition of your list (i.e. 35 or 40 best): Wokkpash Valley-MacDonald Creek Loop Trail, Chilkoot Trail (BC & Alaska), Rainbow Range (Tweedsmuir PP), Mt Edziza Traverse.
Taryn Eyton
Tuesday 1st of March 2022
I hiked the Chilkoot Trail back in 2015 and it was great but I didn't put it on this list. It is technically half in Alaska, half in BC, but most people think of it as the Yukon since it's in a weird sliver of BC. Mt Edziza is also on my some day list.
Andreas Moser
Monday 3rd of January 2022
Thanks for bringing back to memory some hikes around Canmore and Banff
Anna
Wednesday 29th of December 2021
Thank you so much for sharing this list of places Taryn. Can’t wait to visit some of them in the future :)