Most hikes go to a mountain top, a lake or a viewpoint. Those hikes are great, but sometimes you want something different. Something a little unusual. Something off-the-beaten path. Or even something even a little bit weird. Well don’t worry: I got you! I’ve got a list of 15 unusual hikes near Vancouver. These hikes …
Trail Guides
The North Coast Trail is a challenging 43km multi-day backpacking trip along the northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I hiked the trail twice (to research my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island). I’ve put together a section-by-section overview of the North Coast Trail to give you a taste of the trail and help …
The North Coast Trail is a multi-day wilderness hike across the very northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It’s a challenging and remote hike through old-growth rainforest, along beaches, and across muddy coastal bogs. The 43-kilometre-long hike is difficult but beautiful. I hiked the trail twice (to research my book Backpacking on …
If you aren’t used to backpacking in the Canadian Rockies, it can be tough to figure out what to pack for the Rockwall Trail. It’s a high elevation route that crosses lots of windy, treeless mountain passes. But the camps are deep in shady valley bottoms. I hiked it in mid-August last year and came …
On British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast the lush rainforest reaches from the mountain tops to the ocean, with gorgeous hiking trails everywhere. Need help choosing a trail? Here are the 21 best hikes on the Sunshine Coast. I lived in Gibsons for five months in the winter of 2020/21. I went hiking every weekend and some …
The hike to Skookumchuck Narrows is one of the most popular things to do on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. It’s an easy trail through a beautiful rainforest to an ocean viewpoint where you can watch the tide rush into and out of a narrow inlet, creating huge whirlpools and rapids. I spent five months in …
Dakota Ridge near Sechelt is the best place to cross-country ski or snowshoe on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a community-run ski area with a network of fun trails through the forest. I lived in Gibsons for one winter. My husband and I bought season’s passes for Dakota Ridge and headed up there weekly to snowshoe. …
Cliff Gilker Park near Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast is a great place for a short and easy hike. It has a network of forested trails that lead to lots of waterfalls and cascades. If you love moss, ferns, mushrooms, and tall Douglas firs, this hike is for you. I lived in Gibsons for …
Soames Hill is not a lofty summit: It stands only 250m tall. But the views from the peak are incredible and it’s a beautiful short hike through the forest, then up a well-built staircase to the top. The Soames Hill hike is a must-do for anyone visiting BC’s Sunshine Coast. I spent five months in …
Langdale Falls is a gorgeous 40-foot-tall waterfall cascading into a mossy canyon near Gibsons on BC’s Sunshine Coast. There are two ways to hike to Langdale Falls and both are relatively easy and definitely worthwhile. I’ve got directions and info for both ways to hike to Landale Falls in this post. I lived in Gibsons …