These days, Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park is the closest backcountry camping to my house in Squamish – it’s literally just up the street. But I’ve been going to Elfin Lakes for two decades – it was my first winter backpacking trip back in 2003! I’ve hiked the Elfin Lakes Trail more times than …
British Columbia
The High Note Trail is the most spectacular hike in Whistler, but it’s also the most expensive. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the High Note Trail so you can decide if it’s worth the price. I live in nearby Squamish, so I’ve hiked the High Note tons of times. Honestly, I like …
Whether you are road-tripping the Sea to Sky Highway or looking to spend a few days exploring, you might be wondering where to stay in Squamish. As a local, I’ve got the insider’s scoop on the best hotels in Squamish. Want to skip right to the point? My top pick is the Executive Suites Hotel …
After a long winter, I’m usually in a rush for summer to start so I can go backpacking. But it can be frustrating since most trails are snow-covered well into June and July. However, if you know where to look, there are lots of places to go on spring backpacking trips in British Columbia. While …
Update March 2025: With changes to the Instagram algorithm and the rise of Tiktok, the metrics I used to create this list in the past are no longer relevant so I won’t be updating this list going forward. This list of the most Instagrammed hikes in Vancouver was first published in February 2017. I update …
Indigenous people have lived in what is now Canada since time immemorial, so no trip to Canada is complete without experiencing Indigenous culture. I asked fellow travel writers to recommend their favourite places to experience Indigenous tourism in Canada. In this post, you’ll find personal recommendations for 10 Indigenous tourism activities from tours to museums …
Note: I’ve updated my Mount Assiniboine hiking guide to include updated info for 2025 including the new requirement for reservations at Porcupine Campground. With its prominent Matterhorn shape, Mount Assiniboine is one of the most photographed peaks in the Canadian Rockies. And that makes hiking to Mount Assiniboine one of the most spectacular backpacking trips …
I’ve hiked a lot of trails in the Canadian Rockies, and Lake O’Hara has by far the best scenery: brilliant blue lakes, towering peaks, and icy glaciers. And if you are going to visit Lake O’Hara, you have to hike the Alpine Circuit. The Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit is an 11-kilometre-long loop hike that circles …
Note: I’ve updated this post with the latest 2025 information for Lake O’Hara including info about the random-draw day-use bus lottery. A few years ago, I FINALLY made it to Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. It’s such a gorgeous area that I actually struggle to describe it. Of course, there’s a brilliant blue-green alpine …
The Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park has been on my list for a LONG time. I had seen photos online of a trail stretching for kilometres beside towering cliffs and I knew I had to hike it. This August, I spent 5 days on the Rockwall Trail and it was insanely beautiful – easily …