The River of Golden Dreams is one of the best things to do in Whistler in the summer. It’s often described as a natural lazy river that winds its way between two lakes in the Whistler Valley. I live in nearby Squamish so I have paddled the River of Golden Dreams both in my own …
British Columbia
While Vancouver is a beautiful city with lots to offer, sometimes you just want to get out of town. Living here my whole life, I’ve been on more weekend trips from Vancouver than I can count. I’ve put together a great list of over 20 weekend getaways from Vancouver. There’s something for everyone on this …
Bowen Island is one of my favourite getaways from Vancouver. It’s a small, forested island with a rugged coastline and a close-knit community of about 4,200 people. There are so many things to do on Bowen Island: It has a thriving arts community and lots of opportunities to connect with nature. I like going to …
There’s something special about escaping to a cabin in the woods… or by the ocean…or by the lake… or… you get the picture! Renting a cabin is my preferred way to spend a weekend chilling out in nature. Thankfully there are tons of amazing cabins near Vancouver. I’ve lived in the Vancouver area my whole …
The West Coast Trail is one of the best-known hiking trails in Canada. It covers 75km through some of the toughest and most beautiful terrain in British Columbia’s coastal rainforest. I first hiked the WCT 20 years ago. In fact, it was my first backpacking trip ever! I was SO unprepared! (But I still loved …
Joffre Lakes near Whistler, BC is a spectacular spot: three gorgeous turquoise lakes surrounded by glacier-capped mountains. I first hiked to Joffre Lakes in 2004 and have returned every few years since then. I think I’ve hiked here 9 or 10 times and I never get tired of it. If you’re interested in hiking to …
With incredible panoramic views of the waters of Howe Sound dotted with small islands, the St. Mark’s Summit trail is one of Vancouver’s best hikes. I also love the gorgeous forest on the way to the peak. I’ve hiked this trail countless times and the view at the end always amazes me. While the first …
The High Falls Creek Trail is a great mini-adventure of a hike. It has gorgeous waterfalls in a steep canyon, mountain views, and the exhilaration of scrambling up some fixed ropes. While the scrambling sections make the trail a bit of an adventure, it’s doable for most hikers. And since this is a loop hike, …
If you’re in Whistler in summer, I recommend checking out the Blackcomb hiking trails. It’s a great network of easy and moderate trails that wind between alpine lakes and flower-filled meadows. They also have great views of mountains and glaciers. And my favourite part: lots of chances to see adorable marmots and pikas! You also …
Semaphore Lakes near Pemberton is a special place. It’s a short and easy hike to three gorgeous alpine lakes with incredible glacier views. And the logging road to get there is 2WD accessible (most of the time). I first hiked to Semaphore Lakes back in 2014. (In fact, an earlier version of this trail guide …